Piedmont Driving Club -- Atlanta, GA
Much like The River Club, I think I like this course more than the rating guru's within the industry do. Analyzing my
likes versus the raters, it has become apparent to me that I like a challenging course that offers the golfer some
relief. Don't get me wrong, I like a challenge. But getting pounded hole after hole with no reprieve is not my ideal
day of golf. I like having to rise to the occasion for a few holes at a time, catch a break, then ramp it up again.
And this is exactly what the Piedmont Driving Club brings to the table.
The course is a mix of difficult holes and easier holes. Some require precision in approaching the greens, while
other greens are surrounded by banks which result in almost all shots (including misses) heading in the vicinity of
the green. In fact, members of the course have named all the different banks throughout the course. Names like,
Bank of North Georgia, Bank of America, and the like are littered throughout the course.
The more challenging holes on the course occur when the water becomes more than just beautiful scenery. For
instance, hole 15 requires a tee shot that carries a finger of the lake that runs the entire length of the hole. The
interesting thing about the tee shot and the lake is that the tee shot demands a shot that crosses the lake at a 45
degree angle across the water, landing on a severely sloped fairway; that then turns and plays the remaining way
along the bank of the river. High drama and high anxiety ensue as the precision this hole requires is substantial.
The next hole, the 16th, brings the lake into play as you approach the green. This time your approach shot
requires you to angle your shot across the fairway to a peninsula green. Water will steal your ball if you are long,
short, or if you slice. This hole might be the most challenging par 4 on the course and combined with the
challenge of the preceding hole and the length of the 18th, your focus must remain high or you will throw your
round away on the home stretch.
Without question, the distinguishing factor of this course is the 180 acre lake right smack dab in the middle of the
course. Combine this with the fact that you are in the middle of nowhere in a heavily wooded area just outside the
city limits of Atlanta and you have a truly beautiful course. The privacy of the course and club house set the PDC
apart from most other Atlanta courses.
The course was designed by Rees Jones and has many of his distinguishing features...a high degree of beauty,
long, wide open fairways, and interesting green side bunkers.
Although not much is available on the Internet concerning the course, you can see some information concerning
the club at this link.