East Lake Golf Club, established in 1904, is Atlanta’s oldest golf course and a storied fixture in American golf history. The original design by Tom Bendelow (1908) was later reimagined by Donald Ross in 1913, and the layout endured through renovations by George Cobb (1959), Rees Jones (1994), and most recently architect Andrew Green in 2024. For PGA Tour competition, the course typically plays around 7,346 yards at par 70, with a Course Rating of 76.2 and a Slope of 144. The 2024 restoration by Andrew Green preserved Ross’s classic design sensibilities while introducing firmer, more strategic fairways, updated greens, and enhanced bunker placement—especially designed to create risk-reward scenarios and honor historical features like the iconic 6th hole peninsula green.

How East Lake Plays

East Lake’s layout combines a deceptively smooth setting with some of the most demanding features in championship golf. Its tight fairways are flanked by thick Bermuda rough, and the well-protected greens—typically grainy and fast—reward precision over power. Although its length may not overwhelm at the member blue tees, the strategic bunkering and subtly contoured terrain makes accuracy essential. The celebrated par-3 15th hole (originally #6) stands as a signature challenge: an island green requiring a 200-yard carry, finicky green contours, and wind that can grab errant shots. Overall, East Lake challenges every aspect of one’s game—offering a demanding yet fair test where course management and controlled ball-striking outshine brute distance.

Fun Fact

East Lake was the home course for legendary golfer Bobby Jones who hailed from Atlanta, Georgia.