Cherokee Town and Country Club is the definition of Atlanta private club prestige—tree-lined fairways, bold greens, and immaculate conditioning leave you wanting more. The North Course delivers steady challenge and prime championship character, while the South serves up a more playable but still club-quality round. Members savor a legacy atmosphere, but it’s local rather than a national bucket-list stop.
Cherokee’s North Course channels mid-century championship intent and a sense of exclusivity, routed over demanding, undulating Atlanta terrain. Joe Lee’s original plan maximized the wooded river bluffs, with Tom Fazio’s later work sharpening both strategy and visual presentation. The result: broad tree-lined corridors, cunning use of elevation, and some of the largest, most contoured putting surfaces in Georgia. Approach play, especially into fast bentgrass greens, defines the round. The South Course—a shorter, friendlier sibling—offers playable variety but maintains that club-level polish throughout.
Joe Lee defined the original vision, with Tom Fazio refining Cherokee for the modern era—bringing bold green complexes and authentic Atlanta championship character.
A robust early par 4 that bends slightly along the trees and asks for a full-blooded approach. The fairway narrows on the ideal line, with rough and tall oaks ready to punish a misjudged tee shot.
Favor the left side off the tee, leaving the best angle up the long green; play a conservative approach short if you’re out of position.
Pushes toward a tricky downhill runout and deep greenside bunkers.
Immaculate tee-to-green; bentgrass surfaces are exceptionally fast and true year-round.
Predominantly quick member-pace; rounds move briskly unless event days slow the schedule.
Classic, elite private-club formality with understated Southern hospitality; a polished ‘members first’ ethos.
Traditional country club attire—collared shirts, no denim, tailored shorts/pants required.
Greens are fast, pure, and can get slick—practice lag putting on bentgrass beforehand.
The routing is hilly and physically demanding at times; comfortable shoes and hydration are a must.
You’ll face a mix of long irons and delicate short wedges—dialing in 100–200 yard shots is essential.
Rounds tend to move briskly; be ready to keep up and play ready golf.
Group of Atlanta families initiate founding effort
Club officially chartered; Grant Estate acquired for Town Club
Golf course on country property opens (credited to Joe Lee)
Hosts U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship
Cherokee’s South Course was the first in the South to feature bentgrass greens, a bold move in Atlanta’s climate that set a new standard for putting surface quality. The club’s quest for premier conditions helped push southern agronomy forward.
The original Town Club home is the historic Grant Estate, once Craigellechie—home to Atlanta railroad titan John W. Grant. Its old-world charm permeates every member event, linking today’s club life to a storied city legacy.
The club hosted the 1963 U.S. Women’s Amateur, drawing top amateur talent to the rolling river-bluff greens and hilly fairways. It remains a treasured highlight in club lore.
Held its first official function in the historic Grant Estate’s main ballroom in 1956, now the Main Lounge.
Pioneered bentgrass greens in the southern U.S.—a feat of turf management in Atlanta’s climate.
The club’s North Course is the preferred round for competitive members and Atlanta’s business elite.
Multiple expansion cycles mean the facilities are among the most comprehensive in the city—dining, fitness, and tennis are all best-in-class.
Historic Donald Ross classic and Tour Championship host
Major-host pedigree and renowned championship layout
Centrally located municipal with an innovative reversible layout
Best resort golf for a stay-and-play option
Convenient metro access and scenic classic holes
Stay in Buckhead—closest to Cherokee, East Lake, Atlanta Athletic Club, and Atlanta’s finest dining.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Atlanta Athletic Club (Riverside Course)'s own setting.
Why it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Keene Trace Golf Club (Keene Run Course)'s own setting.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Oasis Golf Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Cherokee Town and Country Club.
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