Looking for a unique golfing experience in Atlanta? Or curious about the legend, Bobby Jones? Bobby Jones Golf Course has it all.
It’s not just a place to play; it’s a tribute to a golfing great. With a one-of-a-kind reversible nine-hole design and top-notch practice facilities, this course offers something for everyone.
Keep reading to learn what makes this course special and how it brings golf to the community in a fresh, exciting way!
Bobby Jones Golf Course: An Intro
Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta, which opened in 1932, is a special place dedicated to the famous golfer Bobby Jones. It was Atlanta’s first public golf course.
After falling into disrepair over the years, the Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation stepped in to bring it back to life.
They did this by redesigning the course with a unique reversible nine-hole layout, created by Bob Cupp, to honor Jones’ legacy.
The course features multiple tees and large double greens, sometimes with two-hole locations, offering golfers a one-of-a-kind experience on both the Azalea and Magnolia courses.
The facility also includes top-notch practice areas and the Murray Golf House. Inside, you’ll find the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, the Georgia State Golf Association, and the Georgia Section of the PGA of America.
The Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation is focused on growing the game, especially for junior and adaptive golfers.
Who is Bobby Jones and why is the gold course named after him? Let’s find out.
Bobby Jones’ Legacy
Bobby Jones’s legacy is built on his incredible achievements and the big mark he left on the game of golf.
Between 1923 and 1930, he won 13 major championships. In 1930, he made history by pulling off the Grand Slam, winning all four major tournaments: the British Amateur, the British Open, the U.S. Open, and the U.S. Amateur. No golfer has managed to do this in a single year.
What makes Jones even more remarkable is that he stayed an amateur throughout his career. Even so, he had a huge impact on the sport. After retiring from competitive golf at 28 years,
Jones co-founded the Augusta National Golf Club and started the Masters Tournament in 1934. He even helped design the course where the Masters is held.
The Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta is a lasting tribute to his influence, honoring his legacy through its design and its mission to grow the game of golf.
Bobby Jones Golf History
The Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta opened in 1932 as the city’s first public golf course, created to honor Bobby Jones. Over the years, the course started to deteriorate and no longer fully represented Jones’ legacy.
To bring it back, the Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation was formed by a group of dedicated citizens who raised more than $30 million to transform the course.
They hired Bob Cupp, known for his work on Augusta Country Club and his contributions to the Augusta National and Peachtree Golf Club renovations, to redesign the course before his passing in 2016. His son, Bobby Jr., stepped in to help finish the project.
After the Bobby Jones Golf renovations, it now features a reversible nine-hole design, multiple tees, large double greens, and sometimes two hole locations.
The redevelopment also included cutting-edge practice facilities and the Murray Golf House, which houses the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, the Georgia State Golf Association, and the Georgia Section of the PGA of America.
Bobby Jones Golf Course: Layout and Features
Bobby Jones Golf Course features a unique, reversible nine-hole layout with multiple tees and large double greens that can have two-hole locations. This design gives you the chance to play 18 holes and enjoy a different experience each time.
On certain days, the course can be played in one direction, and on other days, in the opposite direction.
This creates two completely different golf experiences, known as the Magnolia and Azalea courses. However, normal play limits golfers to one of these two routings per day.
The course offers multiple tee options, ranging from 3,200 to 7,300 yards. Each nine-hole course plays to a par of 36.
The greens are made of TifEagle Bermuda Grass, while the fairways are Bermuda Grass as well. There’s very little roughness, so the fairways blend smoothly together.
Bobby Jones Golf Course: Amenities and Facilities
Bobby Jones Golf Course offers a variety of amenities for golfers:
- Practice Facilities: You’ll find a full practice area with grass tees, mat bays, accurate yardage markers, a short game practice area, and a grass putting green. It’s also the only public outdoor range in Atlanta that uses TrackMan Range technology.
- Pro Shop: There’s a 1,200 sq. ft. golf shop with everything you need.
- Teaching Professionals: PGA and LPGA professionals offer lessons, and club fitting services are available. Kuiper’s Grand Slam Academy has cameras, software, and advanced technology to help improve your game.
- Food and Beverage: You can grab food and drinks on-site, and Boone’s restaurant is also available.
- Additional Amenities: The course has heated bays and an indoor simulator for year-round practice.
- Other Features: The Murray Golf House is home to the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, the Georgia State Golf Association, and the Georgia Section of the PGA of America. You’ll also find the Cupp Links and the Dan Yates Putting Course for more golf fun.
Community and Programs
The Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on making golf more accessible by turning an old, outdated course into a facility that truly honors Bobby Jones’ name.
The Foundation runs programs to grow the game, especially for juniors and adaptive golfers. One of its biggest initiatives is PGA HOPE, a free program that teaches golf to active-duty military members and veterans, helping them through the game.
There are also junior golf programs, adaptive golf sessions, clinics for beginners, women’s clinics, and special sessions for veterans.
In the past five years, over 4,000 juniors have played at the course, and thanks to the Youth on Course program, juniors can play anytime for just $5.
At the heart of the property is the Murray Golf House. It serves as the clubhouse for Bobby Jones Golf Course and is home to the Georgia State Golf Association, the Georgia PGA Section, and the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.
Bobby Jones Golf Course: Visiting the Course
Bobby Jones Golf Course is at 2205 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. If you need to reach them, call (404) 355-1009.
Tee Times and Special Events
You can book tee times easily through the Bobby Jones Golf Course website. There’s also a Virtual Tee Time Assistant that sends you text and email alerts when your preferred tee time becomes available.
Mobile App
The Bobby Jones Golf Club mobile app gives you access to discounts, lets you book tee times, track scores, use GPS, sign up for events, and stay updated on course news.
Bobby Jones Golf Course Reviews
Reviews for Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta are mostly positive, with an overall 4.1-star rating from 442 reviews.
Golfers love the unique, reversible nine-hole design and the large, fast greens, which make every round feel different.
Some past reviews mentioned the greens weren’t in great shape, and more recent reviews note issues with dead grass. Despite this, players still enjoy the practice facilities, especially the driving range with TrackMan technology and the practice green.
The staff gets high marks for being friendly, and many golfers say the course offers great value, especially when booking online. The bar and restaurant are decent, but some players have complained about geese and goose droppings on the greens and hard tee boxes.
Tips for Playing at Bobby Jones Golf Course
Below are some tips if you’re playing at Bobby Jones Golf Course:
- Know the Layout – The course has a reversible nine-hole design, so check whether you’re playing Azalea or Magnolia that day. Each one feels like a different course.
- Pick the Right Tees – There are eight sets of tees to choose from. If you’re used to playing white tees, go for the No. 5 tees.
- Check Course Conditions – Look at recent reviews to see if there are any issues, like dead grass or geese on the greens.
- Plan Your Approach Shots – The greens are firm, so expect your ball to roll more than usual.
- Accuracy Matters – The fairways are wide, but you still need accuracy, especially near the northwest corner of the course.
- Use the Practice Area – The driving range has TrackMan technology, so take advantage of it before your round.
- Enjoy the Atmosphere – This course isn’t just about golf; it’s a gathering spot with a friendly, social vibe.
- Book Online for Deals – You’ll often find the best prices when booking online.
- Hard Tee Boxes? – Some players say the tee boxes are tough. If that’s an issue, bring shorter tees or even a small hammer!
Conclusion
Bobby Jones Golf Course is more than just a place to play golf. It’s a tribute to one of the greatest golfers in history and a hub for golfers of all skill levels.
With its unique reversible nine-hole layout, you get a fresh experience every time you play. The state-of-the-art practice facilities, including the TrackMan Range, help you sharpen your skills.
The Murray Golf House serves as the heart of the course, bringing together history, community, and top-level golf organizations.
Beyond the game itself, this course is making a real impact. The Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation has transformed it into a modern, welcoming space while honoring Bobby Jones’ legacy.
Programs for juniors, veterans, and adaptive golfers ensure that more people have access to the sport. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, there’s something for you here. So, if you’re in Atlanta, don’t miss the chance to experience this one-of-a-kind course. Book a tee time, explore the facilities, and enjoy a round of golf in a place built for the love of the game.
Key Points
- Bobby Jones Golf Course opened in 1932 as Atlanta’s first public golf course.
- The course features a unique reversible nine-hole layout, offering two different playing experiences.
- It includes state-of-the-art practice facilities, such as a TrackMan Range and a short-game practice area.
- The Murray Golf House serves as the clubhouse and houses the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, Georgia State Golf Association, and Georgia PGA Section.
- The course offers programs for juniors, veterans, and adaptive golfers to make the sport accessible to all.
- The course features large double greens, wide fairways, and multiple tee options, though some golfers report occasional course condition issues.
- The course has a pro shop and the Kuiper’s Grand Slam Academy for golf instruction, club fitting, and technology use.
- The course has a restaurant (Boone’s), heated bays, and an indoor golf simulator.
- Tee times can be booked online, and the Bobby Jones Golf Course app offers discounts, score tracking, and GPS features.
- The Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation raised over $30 million to revitalize the course and preserve Bobby Jones’ legacy.
FAQs
1. What makes the Bobby Jones Golf Course unique?
The Bobby Jones Golf Course stands out because of its reversible nine-hole layout. Designed by Bob Cupp, it offers two distinct courses: Azalea and Magnolia, that are played in opposite directions on different days.
The course also has multiple tees and large double greens, sometimes with two-hole locations, making each round a fresh experience.
2. What facilities and amenities are available at the Bobby Jones Golf Course?
The course features top-tier practice facilities, including a double-sided driving range, a short-game practice area, and an indoor instructional building.
You’ll also find the Murray Golf House, home to the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, the Georgia State Golf Association, and the Georgia Section of the PGA of America. Plus, young golfers can enjoy Cupp Links, a six-hole short course, and the Dan Yates Putting Course for putting practice.
3. How did the Bobby Jones Golf Course come to be what it is today?
Established in 1932 as Atlanta’s first public golf course, it was originally a tribute to Bobby Jones. However, the course deteriorated over time.
The Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation raised over $30 million to revamp the facility. In November 2018, it reopened as a nine-hole reversible layout, replacing the old 18-hole course, and now stands as a modern tribute to Jones’ legacy.
