Candler Park Golf Course: Course Review

Atlanta Golf
4 days ago
3 min read

An Atlanta Golf Course Review

Reviewed on 05/19/2026

Candler Park Golf Course

Public

Rates: $11-$13

Atlanta

For $11 my expectations for Candler were very low, yet I was still left disappointed and at times flabbergasted. For a course rich in history and in a wonderful part of town, it's such a shame it has all but fallen into disrepair.

As I hope you all know by now, I'm not someone that is unfairly critical. I never hate for the sake of being of hater. My hope is that my critical reviews inspire and motivate the powers that be to make big changes.

Clubhouse

The clubhouse was small, but I did love seeing some local brands I recognized like Renegade Golf Balls. They also had a couple fridges with drinks for purchase. Perfectly adequate.

Practice Facilities

The only practice area is a small putting/chipping green with a total of 4 practice holes. I suppose, an executive course like this is kind of made for practice, so the need for any special practice amenities is minimal. That said, just a net to hit into as a warmup would be nice touch

The Golf Course

The actual layout is pretty fun. Nice, driveable par 4 to start and then a series of various length par 3s.

2: 180yds

3: 150 yds

4: 140 yds 5: 165 yds

I always appreciate getting to pull different irons/wedges on an executive style course.

Then we get to 6 which is super strange off the tee, while 7 is a pretty traditional par 4 - probably my favorite hole on the day.

Hole 8 is a glorified long par 3 that they call a par 4. Great place to get your first birdie! The finishing hole is the longest par 3, 180+ playing uphill. Go long and you're in tough shape, but good luck holding the green. Basically you have to land it short and hope it hops onto the green.

Conditions

The conditions were shocking. Again, I had low expectations at the price point... But we have plenty of budget courses in Atlanta you can play for under $20... College Park, JAW, Yates, etc where the conditions range from acceptable to very good. Candler should be comparable and it's not even close.

There is a place for budget courses. They are needed to make golf accessible and affordable, but that doesn't mean the courses have to be neglected.

Look closely and you'll see just how much higher the right tee marker is from the left

So many of the tee boxes were just sand and in many cases uneven. I literally tee'd up on a completely different part of the tee box a couple times because the ball was above my ankles. I'm not sure who sets the tee boxes, but they need some guidance. Some of the markers were placed in areas that no one should be having to tee off from.

The fairways were by far the best conditioned aspect on those courses, but there's only 2 holes where the fairways come into play.

The greens were probably the most disappointing of all because they were replaced LAST SUMMER. The speed in which they have disintegrated is astonishing. There is some new sod around the greens in an attempt to help, but I don't think it's doing much and much of it appeared to be dying.

Misc.

It's a solid walk with some good hills, however the trail to hole 9 is treacherous. Watch your footing!

The pace was fast as there wasn't anyone on the course. Also the person at the check-in desk was very nice.

Value

It's pretty tough to say any golf course isn't worth $11... but when I look at what I can get for $14 at College Park, $18 at John A White, or heck sometimes you can get on Tup Holmes for $16 on a HotDeal... I just can't in good conscious recommend Candler.

It could be such a great little executive course in the heart of town... instead it's an embarrassment. Please do better Atlanta or allow someone else to come in to help it live up to its potential.

I do not recommend Candler Park.