Kevin Griggs
Kevin Griggs
Derek Duncan
Kevin Griggs
Kevin Griggs
Kevin Griggs
Kevin Griggs
Overview
Years ago, one of the most spirited debates in golf was over who really designed Atlanta Country Club. Both Willard Byrd of Atlanta and Joseph S. Finger of Houston claimed the honor. Both lobbied Golf Digest hard for the architectural credit, but neither provided much supporting documentation. Both architects are deceased now, and from what we can piece together, Byrd landed the original contract in the early 1960s, but was still more land-planner than course architect in those days, and it seemed possible the club had brought in Finger to finish the job. The final word in that debate didn’t come until recently when architect Beau Welling, during a 2022 remodel of the course, found Byrd’s plans for the course and used them to restore a number of tee boxes that had shifted during previous renovations. Welling also reoriented and added bunkers, expanded and rebuilt greens and, importantly, redesigned the third and 11th holes, long considered the course’s weaknesses. The club also added hydronics systems under each green in order to heat or cool the bent grass as needed. Atlanta Country Club hosted the inaugural Tournament Players Championship in 1974 and the PGA Tour’s Atlanta stop from 1967 to 1996, and was among Golf Digest’s Second 100 Greatest courses until it fell out of the ranking in 2023. Welling’s remodel resulted in fourth place in the 2024 Best Renovation award; we'll see if it propels ACC back into the top 200.
About
Awards
100 Greatest: Ranked for 26 years from 1969-'90, 1995-'96, 2003-'04. Highest ranking: No. 79, 1985-'86.
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2015. Highest ranking: No. 158, 2015-'16. 2021-'22 ranking: No. 194.
Best in State: Ranked fifth, 2011-'12. Ranked inside the top 5, 1977-'99, 2003, 2009-'10. Ranked sixth, 2013-'16. Ranked seventh 2017-'22. Ranked inside the top 10, 2001, 2005-'07.
Current ranking: Eighth.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Very nice Beau Welling redo. A lot of solid, beautiful holes, but still somewhat a “subdivision” golf course."
Read More2024
Review
“Tremendous layout and course!"
Read More2024
Review
“This private course was originally designed by Willard Byrd(1965) and later modified by Bob Cupp and Jack Nicklaus and renovated in 2019 by Beau Welling. This tree lined course is routed through rolling hills and has a few water hazards. It's challenging, strategic, and in excellent condition."
Read More2024
Review
“Beau Welling turned Atlanta Country Club into an absolute gem. The Par 3, 13th hole is an absolute stunner with water features on the left, and aesthetically pleasing tee boxes."
Read More2024
Review
“Beau Welling recently renovated Atlanta Country Club and made adjustments to enhance playability without compromising its challenging nature. Notably, the greens were modified to be slightly flatter, allowing for a more accessible putting experience for various skill levels. Holes 3 and 11 underwent the most significant changes, with redesigned features that impact strategy and approach. The course is very demanding, particularly when playing from the tips, providing a substantial challenge to experienced golfers. However, it is also "gettable," offering scoring opportunities when played strategically."
Read More2024
Review
“One of the best in Atlanta -- great layout with some good risk/reward opportunities. Excellent challenge!"
Read More2024
Review
“Wonderful renovation by Beau Welling completed in 2024. Bunker remodel was done with Bunker Solutions system where white synthetic turf is laid under the sand so faces don't wash out and overall less maintenance is required with edging & drainage in general. Diverse set of par 3's and green complexes have great character hole to hole."
Read More2024
Review
“"This course checks all the boxes. Some of the longer holes featured some really nice strategic options where if you challenged a bunker or hazard off the tee there was a significant payoff.""
Read More2022
Review
“Elevation changes allows nice variety of holes, but also incorporates a front stretch of flat, lakeside then creekside holes. Oaks, creeks and bunkering used as significant obstacles and strategy influencers. Creeks and water features add to aesthetics."
Read More2022
Review
“Good layout, very scenic and in really good shape."
Read More2022
Readers
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