East Lake Golf Club---Atlanta, GA
Rankings and write up per the last time I played it August 2009:
-93rd best course in the world; 52nd best course in the U.S. (Golf Mag.)
-51st best classic course (Golfweek);
-3rd best course in Georgia; 69th best course in the U.S. (Golf Digest)
East Lake is a "Unanimous Gem" according to all the golf ranking agencies. It was originally designed by the
legendary Donald Ross and then renovated by Rees Jones in the 1990's. Without question, it is one of the most
historic and prestigious clubs in Atlanta. Bobby Jones walked these grounds and played these very holes. The
clubhouse pays homage to Mr. Jones and it is indeed a thrill to simply be at East Lake. Below is one of many of
Mr. Jones' trophies on display in the clubhouse.
I have had the great privilege to play this historical course many times. In fact, I have taken the time to write my
"Ode to East Lake", which is posted on this website. After reading this, I think my love and respect for the course
will be clearly evident.
It is a walking only course and caddies accompany every group. The staff and the service at East Lake is
phenomenal. The greens are hard as bricks and fast as lightning. In short, the course is difficult…which is to be
expected and embraced at such an historic and highly regarded course.
East Lake has served as the launching pad for my love of golf. My third round of golf ever took place here and,
to be frank, it was too hard for me at that time and I was unable to appreciate it. I think Ian Andrew made a very
profound comment on his "Caddyshack" website when he wrote the following concerning Donald Ross designed
courses,
"Others have called his work dull and suggested that most of the holes look quite similar. The line between subtle
and dull is so close that one person's boring is another person’s genius".
He is absolutely correct. The more I play the game and the better I get at the game, the more I appreciate East
Lake and its subtle nuances. In fact, this level of understanding and appreciation for Mr. Ross' work has led me
to regard the 12th hole at East Lake as one of the most interesting holes I've ever played.
After playing East Lake a number of times, I finally figured out what makes East Lake so hard…the approach
shots. They are never clear. You can't just grab a club and bomb away. You must plan and be smart. Some
holes punish slices, being long, being short, etc…however most holes punish them all. And by punish
I mean in a trap, in the water, ob or something like that. And even if you are not in a trap or the water after a mis-
hit, you have probably been short-sided for your next chip shot with the lightening fast greens sloping away from
you towards another trap or the water. Therefore, to be successful at East Lake you must hit a solid drive (it
doesn't have to be amazing, just solid), but then you must hit the correct shot into the green and put the ball on
the green or in the correct lay up spot. This will enable you to have a putt at the hole, or a chip shot that can be
put close to the hole. If you don't do this, you will have absolutely no shot of making par or maybe even no shot
of making bogey. East Lake is a thinking man's course and that thinking man has to be able to execute approach
shots.
Frankly, the course would rank much higher on this list of "My Favorite Courses" if it weren't for the fact that it is
walking only and I have avascular necrosis in both my hips. I had my left hip replaced in 2008 and my right hip in
2009. The pain associated with this makes walking the course impossible and, therefore, I must ride in a cart
while the rest of the group walks. I don't like this fact and feel like a cripple that doesn't belong. Now, I fully
understand that this is a "me" issue and not an East Lake issue. This certainly doesn't effect the courses quality
ranking, but it does artificially downgrade the course in regards to its rank on my favorites list. EDIT...my legs are
better and the course has moved up my list.
The course measures 6,590 yards from the blue tees and is rated 72.6/133. It is the home of the PGA Tour
Championship, which is the last tournament of the year which in turn crowns the FedEx champion…Tiger won this
in it inaugural year and Vijay won it last year.
I think it can be inferred from reading this write-up on East Lake, but I will state it for the record. If you ever get
the chance to play East Lake, you must. It is a "Unanimous Gem" in the golfing world and will leave a lasting mark
on your golfing game. However, if you are new to the game and don't think you can appreciate Ross' subtle
genius, you might not get all that you could out of the course...and you might consider delaying playing it until you
have the appropriate level of understanding regarding golf course architecture.
Rankings and write up per the last time I played it August 2009:
-93rd best course in the world; 52nd best course in the U.S. (Golf Mag.)
-51st best classic course (Golfweek);
-3rd best course in Georgia; 69th best course in the U.S. (Golf Digest)
East Lake is a "Unanimous Gem" according to all the golf ranking agencies. It was originally designed by the
legendary Donald Ross and then renovated by Rees Jones in the 1990's. Without question, it is one of the most
historic and prestigious clubs in Atlanta. Bobby Jones walked these grounds and played these very holes. The
clubhouse pays homage to Mr. Jones and it is indeed a thrill to simply be at East Lake. Below is one of many of
Mr. Jones' trophies on display in the clubhouse.
I have had the great privilege to play this historical course many times. In fact, I have taken the time to write my
"Ode to East Lake", which is posted on this website. After reading this, I think my love and respect for the course
will be clearly evident.
It is a walking only course and caddies accompany every group. The staff and the service at East Lake is
phenomenal. The greens are hard as bricks and fast as lightning. In short, the course is difficult…which is to be
expected and embraced at such an historic and highly regarded course.
East Lake has served as the launching pad for my love of golf. My third round of golf ever took place here and,
to be frank, it was too hard for me at that time and I was unable to appreciate it. I think Ian Andrew made a very
profound comment on his "Caddyshack" website when he wrote the following concerning Donald Ross designed
courses,
"Others have called his work dull and suggested that most of the holes look quite similar. The line between subtle
and dull is so close that one person's boring is another person’s genius".
He is absolutely correct. The more I play the game and the better I get at the game, the more I appreciate East
Lake and its subtle nuances. In fact, this level of understanding and appreciation for Mr. Ross' work has led me
to regard the 12th hole at East Lake as one of the most interesting holes I've ever played.
After playing East Lake a number of times, I finally figured out what makes East Lake so hard…the approach
shots. They are never clear. You can't just grab a club and bomb away. You must plan and be smart. Some
holes punish slices, being long, being short, etc…however most holes punish them all. And by punish
I mean in a trap, in the water, ob or something like that. And even if you are not in a trap or the water after a mis-
hit, you have probably been short-sided for your next chip shot with the lightening fast greens sloping away from
you towards another trap or the water. Therefore, to be successful at East Lake you must hit a solid drive (it
doesn't have to be amazing, just solid), but then you must hit the correct shot into the green and put the ball on
the green or in the correct lay up spot. This will enable you to have a putt at the hole, or a chip shot that can be
put close to the hole. If you don't do this, you will have absolutely no shot of making par or maybe even no shot
of making bogey. East Lake is a thinking man's course and that thinking man has to be able to execute approach
shots.
Frankly, the course would rank much higher on this list of "My Favorite Courses" if it weren't for the fact that it is
walking only and I have avascular necrosis in both my hips. I had my left hip replaced in 2008 and my right hip in
2009. The pain associated with this makes walking the course impossible and, therefore, I must ride in a cart
while the rest of the group walks. I don't like this fact and feel like a cripple that doesn't belong. Now, I fully
understand that this is a "me" issue and not an East Lake issue. This certainly doesn't effect the courses quality
ranking, but it does artificially downgrade the course in regards to its rank on my favorites list. EDIT...my legs are
better and the course has moved up my list.
The course measures 6,590 yards from the blue tees and is rated 72.6/133. It is the home of the PGA Tour
Championship, which is the last tournament of the year which in turn crowns the FedEx champion…Tiger won this
in it inaugural year and Vijay won it last year.
I think it can be inferred from reading this write-up on East Lake, but I will state it for the record. If you ever get
the chance to play East Lake, you must. It is a "Unanimous Gem" in the golfing world and will leave a lasting mark
on your golfing game. However, if you are new to the game and don't think you can appreciate Ross' subtle
genius, you might not get all that you could out of the course...and you might consider delaying playing it until you
have the appropriate level of understanding regarding golf course architecture.
#6 at East Lake
The tee shot on #10
Tour Championship Trophy in the East Lake Club House
The approach on #9...a very hard hole!
The approach shot on #12
