Atlanta Public Course Gem: Cobblestone Golf Course
I have had a chance to play many of the public golf courses in and around the Atlanta, Georgia area. Most of these courses are okay at best. There are really not many great public courses in Atlanta in my opinion with the exception of Bears Best, River Pines, and Cherokee Run. Looking to add another nice option to the list, I recently found a new course that I had never really heard anything at all about, but now consider one of the best public course options in Atlanta. If you continue reading this post, you cannot tell anyone else about this new find.
Take The Road Much Traveled That Much Further
Cobblestone Golf course sits north west of town. From in the city, travel up 75 North past Kennesaw and Kennesaw Mountain and arrive at the banks of Lake Acworth. It is certainly of the beaten path to get there, but well worth the trek to get there. The course originally opened in 1993 and underwent a large renovation in 2010 and was originally designed by Ken Dye. Way back when the Bellsouth Classic was a standing PGA event in town and this course interestingly enough served as a qualifier course for the tournament, which says something off the bat. There is a fairly large clubhouse along with a respectable practice area. The course holds three sets of tees maxing out at a relatively short 6,681 yards with a slope rating of 138; I teed it up at the blues playing a modest 6,178 yards. I put down around $65 for a full 18 holes. The quality of golf was far superior to any other similar priced round I have played in Atlanta (I am talking to you Chastain Park golf course). A gentleman jumped in with us on the back and mentioned a membership program which I am sure if a good take if you have the change to call this your home public course. I played on a Thursday late morning and the course was not super busy leading to a four hour round which was appreciated. Cobblestone was very well maintained and has a great mix of holes driven by its elevation changes. Expect a handful of above and below foot shots throughout the round even if you are living around the fairway. One of the best visual aspects of Cobblestone is that it includes seven holes that run along Lake Acworth. The lake holes are quite picture esc’ and could be taken for nice golf resort views in some instances.
The first of seven holes at Cobblestone that run along Lake Acworth
Front Nine Water and Variety
The front nine has a non traditional layout with three par threes and par fives, a move away from the classic nine hole flow of two par threes and two par fours. The three par threes on the front all play to a different variety of length which was nice change of pace coming in at 174, 135, and 205 yards. Many courses will have par threes that all play to similar yardages, I appreciated the variety Following a opening par five the third hole introduces the first calming views of the lake with a required water carry over a par three. The fourth hole was one of my favorites. This relatively short par four begs the golfer to bite off more than they should as the more carry the golfer goes for the more the water comes into play. The smart play is a long iron up the middle. The approach shot plays to a green with agua on two of four sides with another great lake view before the course turns and moves back towards the clubhouse. The short 135 yard par three is the last water hole on the front. The front nine winds back towards the clubhouse and holds two par fives in the last three holes.
The short sixteenth is certainly the signature hole at Cobblestone
Memorable Back Nine Finish
The first five holes on the back were not anything memorable but I thought Cobblestone had a really nice fishing four holes. the fifteen plays as a really nice downhill par five which brings Lake Acworth back into view for the first time since the fifth hole. The approach shot here is a fun one to a large green with the lake in the backdrop. If there is a signautre hole at Cobblestone it’s the short par three sixteenth. This is a picture perfect golf hole playing to expansive views of the lake and requires no more than some degree of wedge playing at only 112 yards; The Pebble Beach 8th of Cobblestone. Two fun par fours round out the course. Both with elevated tee boxes and the 17th is a driving hole for some with only 298 yards from tee to green.
In Summary
Cobblestone is a great public course option in the Atlanta area. It’s a little bit of haul for most, but what isn’t in this city. The course is priced well in line with the course and experience. The variety of holes and lake views make it one worth coming back to, but also making sure no one else in Atlanta finds out about it.