Lake Windward’s Influence
Lakeside’s dramatic back nine bends and weaves along the waters of Lake Windward, giving several holes a striking amphitheater feel. Wind, water, and forced carries define these memorable closing holes.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Golf Club of Georgia
Alpharetta, Georgia
Established
1991
Architect
Arthur Hills (original), Bob Cupp (renovation)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,038 – 7,017 yds
The verdict
Dual Courses, Lakeside Drama
Golf Club of Georgia delivers two distinct Arthur Hills tests, highlighted by dramatic lakeside holes and demanding par 5s. It’s a polished, strategy-first private club that’s a centerpiece of north Atlanta golf.
Course DNA
Difficulty
82
Scenery84
Conditioning87
Shot Variety78
Walkability68
Green Complexity79
Wow Factor76
Design Quality76
Don't miss
Catch the annual Georgia Cup amateur showdown—a discreet member/fan favorite with Masters-week intrigue.
At a glance
Quick facts
Number of Courses
Two 18-hole courses: Lakeside and Creekside
Signature Feature
Stretch of back-nine holes along Lake Windward
Major Renovation
Bob Cupp-led property overhaul in 2015–16
Tournament History
Hosted PGA Tour Champions Nationwide Championship
Course Record
Unverified
Clubhouse Size
53,000 sq. ft.
Annual Traditions
Hosts the Georgia Cup amateur match before The Masters
Practice Facilities
Expansive, multi-range setup
The design
The architecture
Arthur Hills’s dual masterpieces at Golf Club of Georgia are routed with dramatic intent—Lakeside embracing the wide corridors and lakefront flex on the club’s premium land, Creekside offering a stealthier, precision-driven test through wooded country. Hills’s flair for contoured greens, strategic layups, and bold shot values is on show across both courses, with Bob Cupp’s later renovations expanding playability and polish. The architectural trick here is contrast—where Lakeside dares you to swing for aggressive lines or risk water, Creekside demands positional discipline and exact iron play. Lakeside, in particular, has a reputation for risk/reward drama, most notably on its big par 5s and amphitheater closing stretch by the lake.
Arthur Hills crafted both Lakeside and Creekside for contrast and drama—his best-known work in Georgia.
Defining features
- Dramatic closing stretch of lakeside holes
- Two contrasting routings maximizing land character
- Risk/reward par 5s demanding discipline
- Contoured, well-defended green complexes
- Strategic bunkering and layup options
- Expansive, well-landscaped corridors
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 3
Long Iron Challenge
PAR
3
YARDAGE
192 yds
A no-pushover early par 3 requiring an accurate long-iron or hybrid. The penalty for missing the well-defended green can derail early momentum.
Play it smart
Aim center-green; flag hunting can be costly with trouble lurking both short and left.
Where it bites
Deep bunkers and runoffs, with little margin for error off the tee.
Course management
Shots to think about
Second shot on Lakeside 11 (par 5)
Favor position over distance—get your layup to a preferred yardage for a manageable wedge and avoid the water.
Approach to Lakeside 15 (par 4)
Take an extra half club to clear the amphitheater front and trust the green’s backstop for spin control.
Tee ball on Creekside 8 (par 4)
Don’t get greedy—the fairway pinches left, so a fairway wood or long-iron leaves a better approach angle.
Layup strategy on Lakeside 18 (par 5)
If you can’t fully commit to the heroic second, lay up short and right for the best look into the green—don’t flirt with the lakeside hazard.
Par 3 tee shots, all courses
Arthur Hills’s greens reward the smart, center-of-green play over flag hunting—especially when slopes protect the best pin positions.
Approach angle on Creekside’s closing holes
Check the wind, as exposures shift closing out both nines; missing on the safe side beats risking a short-sided bunker or drop area.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Fast-paced, well-manicured private club playing surfaces with smooth greens, lush fairways, and cleanly maintained bunkers.
Pace
Generally brisk private-club pace, though group outings and member events can occasionally stretch rounds.
Vibe
Upscale, classic private-club atmosphere with attentive staff and a focus on serious but welcoming golf.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial in Your Par 5 Strategy
Several par 5s are true three-shotters, and knowing your exact layup distances will be crucial with water lurking.
02
Be Ready for Elevation Changes
Walking the course is no stroll—expect a fair bit of up-and-down and plan your gear and shoes accordingly.
03
Study Your Approach Angles
Many greens are best attacked from specific sides; use the practice range to fine-tune your approach and trajectory control.
04
Watch Local Winds on Lakeside
Lake Windward can unexpectedly stiffen breezes on back-nine holes—be predictive, not reactive, with club selection.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1991
Golf Club of Georgia opens with Arthur Hills’s Lakeside and Creekside designs.
- 1991
Lakeside Course named Golf Digest's Best New Private Course in the USA.
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Two-Course Masterpiece
Members debate which 18 is superior: Lakeside’s big, bold risk-reward holes or Creekside’s narrower, more technical design. Each offers a distinctly different challenge and signature stretch.
From National Fame to Home Club
The club made national waves after its 1991 debut with top accolades, but after Champions Tour events ended, it returned to its roots as a regionally elite private playground for Atlanta’s golf community.
Georgia Cup Tradition
Every spring, the club hosts the Georgia Cup—an exclusive face-off between the U.S. Amateur and British Amateur champions, creating a unique Masters-week test. This one-off duel is a favorite among insiders.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Lakeside won Best New Private Course in America from Golf Digest in its opening year.
2
The club’s 53,000-square-foot clubhouse is a local landmark.
3
Creekside once ranked inside Georgia’s top 20 courses and remains top 30 today.
4
The annual Georgia Cup matches U.S. and British Amateur champions right before The Masters.
5
Arthur Hills—best known for the Lakeside design—crafted over 200 courses during his career.
Build the trip
If you’re making an Atlanta-area golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
East Lake Golf Club
Private
Icons tour stop—see Tour Championship pedigree and storied golf history.
Atlanta Athletic Club
Private
Host of major championships—mainstay for Georgia’s serious competitors.
Echelon Golf Club
Public
Top public-access option in the area with championship yardage and value.
River Pines Golf
Public
Versatile option with a Championship layout for accessible daily-fee play.
The Georgia Club
Private
A polished, reputable club rounding out a north-Atlanta trip.
Stay in Alpharetta for direct access, quick drives, and plenty of post-round dining.
Course DNA
If You Like Golf Club of Georgia
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.6
Ocean Reef Club (Dolphin Course)
Key Largo, FloridaConditioning
Why it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Ocean Reef Club (Dolphin Course)'s own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.8
Kingsmill Resort (River Course)
Williamsburg, VirginiaWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Kingsmill Resort (River Course) a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Golf Club of Georgia.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Black Rock Country Club
Hingham, MassachusettsWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Black Rock Country Club's own setting.
The architect's other work
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Community Sentiment
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