Local College Student Golf Guide

by: Kenan Orlovic

As a college student and golfer myself, one of the first things I wondered when I got to school was: where do I go to play, meet other NARP students, and find people I can enjoy the game with?

Not every college has a golf course right next to campus, and even when there are several nearby, price, course quality, distance, and how difficult it is to get a tee time can make a big difference. That’s why I created this.

For colleges around the greater Atlanta area, I’m breaking down the courses that make the most sense for students. From the closest and most affordable options to courses that might be worth driving a little farther for. I’ll look at distance from campus, typical pricing, student rates, course quality, availability, and how each course stacks up against the others. Since I don’t attend all of these schools, I’ve also asked friends who go there and talked with students from these schools I’ve met out on the golf course to get their perspective on where they actually play. 

The goal is simple: If you’re a student at one of these schools and want to play golf, where should you go?

University of Georgia

The local choice 

UGA Golf Course

~3 miles away

Black tees at 7,200 yards

Student price: 33$ walking/58$ riding

This is a standard 18 hole course but man ive heard it gets busy during the school year. I would say this is an easy choice to go play and have fun, but since this is a difficult course I would say it may not be the friendliest to beginners. However they do have a student pass for a semester so for those that play golf often you should look into it. Also look to join the club golf team if you're a competitive player. I’m a huge advocate for NCCGA since I run my university club and love the places it can bring you and where you can still have that competitive spirit without playing college golf. Also shout out to their club team for winning nationals! It is open to both women and men. I've heard it's really hard to get a tee time on the weekend here but the weekday should be okay to go for. For someone that wants more fun and relaxing time, I would look into the option below.

Step back

Lane Creek Golf Club

~12 miles away

Back tees at 6,600 yards

Price is from 47-72$

Lane Creek is about 12 miles from campus in Bishop and gives UGA students a much more relaxed alternative. It's an 18-hole, par-71 course designed by Mike Young, but at around 6,600  yards from the tips and only 4,600 from the red tees, it's considerably more approachable than the UGA course and doesn't feature as many elevated greens. The shorter tees especially make this one I'd be more comfortable recommending to someone who's newer to golf or just wants to have a fun round with friends also its availability makes it look like you can be done with a round sometimes on weekdays below 3 hours. The course has Bermuda greens and has been undergoing improvements since new ownership took over in 2024. Conditions seem to be the biggest question mark here. Some people have praised improvements to the course, while others have complained about inconsistency. The course holds a soft spot in some UGA students and some students call this their home course over UGA sometimes. 

Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory University, Agnes Scott

Being right in the heart of Atlanta gives students at these schools plenty of options, but you’re definitely trading off price, course quality, and convenience depending on where you decide to play.

The Two Local Choices

Bobby Jones Golf Course

Price: $50–70

Distance: ~5 miles from campus

Bobby Jones is usually the first course I would look at, as it’s one of the more unique public golf facilities in Atlanta. The main course is nine holes, but it’s reversible, meaning the direction and layout of the course can change. This is definitely not the cheapest option, but the course and practice facilities are a big step up compared to many of the other public options in the city. The facility has a driving range, putting course, short-game options, and pretty much everything you need to spend a day actively working on your game without even playing a full round. If you’re under 19, especially as a freshman, look into Youth on Course. Bobby Jones participates during specific time frames, and you can potentially play for $5, which is an incredible deal for a college student.

Charlie Yates Golf Course

Price: $25–38

Distance: ~5 miles from campus

Charlie Yates is another great local option and sits right near East Lake. It’s a nine-hole executive course that tops out at around 2,000 yards, with six of the nine holes being par 3s, so this isn’t really a course where you’re going to pull a driver very often. That shorter layout makes it super beginner-friendly and makes quick rounds much easier to fit into a college schedule. There’s also a great range, putting area, and short-game area, so there’s still plenty to do if you just want to practice or hang out with friends. Just like Bobby Jones, definitely take advantage of Youth on Course if you’re under 19 because it can save you a lot of money.

For the Full 18-Hole Round

Brown’s Mill Golf Course

Price: $23.50–32 walking

Distance: ~8–10 miles from campus

Brown’s Mill is a City of Atlanta muni and, for the price, I think the value is very good. You get a full 18-hole course without having to drive far outside of Atlanta or spend $50+ on a round. The biggest problem I’ve heard from people throughout the school year is pace of play. This course can get busy, and I’ve heard of rounds stretching close to five hours. If you can get out during the week or at a less popular time, though, I think you’ll be alright. Something else worth mentioning here is the City of Atlanta Fore Pass. It’s $30 per month and gives you discounted rates at Brown’s Mill, a free range bucket, and free walking after 6 p.m. when daylight allows. The benefits also extend to other City of Atlanta courses, so it could make a lot of sense for a student who plans to play regularly.

For the “I Just Want to Have Some Fun” Round

Candler Park Golf Course

Price: $9–13

Distance: ~6–8 miles from campus

Candler Park is a historic nine-hole course in the Virginia-Highland area that’s meant to be a quick, casual round rather than some amazing golf experience. This one is also personal for me because it’s where I first played golf and really fell in love with the game. It's a walking-focused course, and there’s not much to argue about when a round costs only $9–13. I wouldn’t come here expecting great course conditions. I’d come here because you have a couple of hours between classes, want to bring some friends who may not be great golfers, and just want to have fun without the round hurting your pockets.

For a college student who is brand new to golf, I honestly think that’s exactly what makes Candler Park worth mentioning.

Kennesaw State University

KSU has a pretty interesting golf situation because one of the best courses in the area is basically right next to campus, but unfortunately, it’s not somewhere the average student can just book a tee time since Pinetree Country Club is private.

Student Choice

City Club Marietta

Student Rate: $41.75 including cart

Monday–Thursday: Anytime

Friday–Sunday & Holidays: After 2 PM

Distance: ~10–12 miles from campus

For the average student, this is probably the most logical option for KSU. $41.75 including a cart isn’t bad for a tee time, and you’re getting a full 18-hole round even if the course is on the shorter side. I think it can be fun for both beginners and more competitive golfers who just want somewhere relatively close to campus to consistently play. One thing worth knowing is that the student rate isn't currently featured on their website. I called the course directly and was told they offer it with a valid student ID, so definitely ask about it when booking. Joe also did a recent review of City Club, so check that out if you have some time and want a better idea of what the course is like. I haven’t personally played it yet, but I’ve heard good things.

The “Nicer” Public Course

Cobblestone Golf Course

Price: $50–70

Distance: ~10–12 miles from campus

Normally, Cobblestone would be one of the nicer public options I’d recommend around Kennesaw. Right now, though, I’d be a little wary of booking a tee time because the course has recently been struggling with conditions and has taken a beating from the weather. Once conditions recover, this is a really nice public course. Several holes play along the water, and the layout has much more of a premium feel than your typical public course. Because of the higher price, I wouldn’t necessarily make this your weekly college golf spot. Instead, I’d look at it as somewhere you play once or twice each semester when you and your friends want to spend a little more and play somewhere nice.

For now, though, I’d check recent conditions before booking.

Nearby alternatives we recommend: Towne Lake Hills, Bridgemill, Bradshaw Farm

Morehouse, Spelman, Clark Atlanta University

These students are actually in a pretty good spot for affordable golf because there are a few public courses in Southwest Atlanta that don't require you to drive all the way across the city unlike GSU, GT, and Emory Students do.

The Local Choice

Alfred “Tup” Holmes Golf Course

Price: $20.50–35

Distance: ~5 miles from campus

For the average student who wants a full 18 holes without spending a ton of money, Tup Holmes would probably be my first choice. It's an 18-hole, par-72 City of Atlanta course that plays a little over 6,100 yards, so it isn't insanely long and should be manageable for a pretty wide range of golfers. During the week it's only $20.50 walking or $28 with a cart, while weekends are $27.50 walking or $35 riding. That's honestly really hard to argue with for 18 holes this close to campus.

I wouldn't come here expecting some perfectly manicured private-club experience, but for a college student who just wants an affordable place to consistently play, this makes a lot of sense. I would especially look into the City of Atlanta Fore Pass if you plan on playing regularly because Tup Holmes has a $13.50 walking-or-riding Fore Pass rate throughout the year. It also gains you access to other city of Atlanta courses.

For the Quick Round

John A. White Golf Course

Price: $18–21 walking / $26–29 riding

Distance: ~4 miles from campus

John A. White might actually be one of the more underrated options, especially if you don't always have four or five hours to play golf. It's a public nine-hole, par-35 course in Southwest Atlanta that plays around 2,800 yards, so unlike Charlie Yates, this is still a normal nine hole course where you're going to hit plenty of normal golf shots and actually get the driver out.

Walking nine holes is only $18 Monday through Thursday and $21 on the weekend, which makes this a pretty easy course to fit into a college budget. I think this would be a great option if you have an afternoon free, want to get some actual golf in, but don't want to commit your entire day to an 18-hole round.

For the “Let's Go Play Somewhere Nice” Round

Wolf Creek Golf Club

Price: Around $59

Distance: ~12–14 miles from campus

If you and your friends want to spend a little more and play something that feels like a step up, I'd make the drive out to Wolf Creek. This is a completely different test from Tup Holmes or John A. White. Wolf Creek stretches to just over 7,000 yards from the back tees and has a lot more elevation, water, wetlands, bunkering, and shots where you actually have to think about where you're putting the ball. It's also known as one of the more difficult public courses around Atlanta, so I probably wouldn't make this my first recommendation for someone who just picked up golf.

I wouldn't make Wolf Creek your weekly college course when Tup Holmes is sitting much closer for half the price. I'd look at it the same way I look at Cobblestone for KSU: somewhere you go a couple of times a semester when your group wants to spend a little more and make an actual day out of the round.

I do not have contacts with the other schools so I don't want to assume about courses different schools play. If you could dm or message @eastcoastgolf.media on instagram I will be sure to have it on the next release.