Golf Club of Georgia, Lakeside (Private)

One Golf Club Drive, Alpahretta
770-664-8644; www.golfclubofgeorgia.com

STAFF: Jeff Paton is the PGA Director of Golf; Randy Waldron is the Superintendent

PAR/YARDAGE: Golf Club of Georgia’s Lakeside Course is a par 72 with four sets of tees: Gold (7,017) yards; Blue (6,657); White (6,043) and Red (5,109).

COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 74.6/144 (Gold); 72.7/138 (Blue); 69/8/131 (White); 70.3/130 (Red).

ABOUT THE COURSE: One of the state’s premier golf facilities, Golf Club of Georgia is an absolutely first rate operation with two disparate Arthur Hills designs – the more traditional Lakeside layout and the more modern, target-oriented Creekside course. Lakeside is the better known of two, serving as host for a former Senior PGA Tour event, as well as the Georgia Amateur, Atlanta Open and the club’s two upcoming events – the Georgia Cup and U.S. Collegiate Championship. Lakeside features a wonderful collection of holes in immaculate shape, and is highlighted by some superbly-crafted greens complexes that are as demanding as almost any you will encounter. Slopes, ridges and multiple tiers are found on a majority of the holes, and when the greens are rolling at their quickest, there are some spots you simply do not want to be putting from. With an exception or two, Hills has provided ample room to drive the ball, and length is only a serious concern on a handful of holes, with just one par 4 longer than 432 yards from the back tees.

Lakeside features an exceptional quartet of par 3s, three of which have to carry water. The scenic but intimidating fifth is 200 yards from the blues with a lake lurking menacingly just off the left edge of the green. The gorgeous 13th is all carry with a sloping green that is a 3-putt waiting to happen if you venture too far from the hole. Water is also very much in play on three of the outstanding group of par 5s, and a hook off the first tee makes it four with hazards. The 607-yard 11th is one of the state’s most beautiful holes, but shorter hitters may not appreciate the view when taking a rip from long range with Lake Windward inches off the edge of the green and the hole cut perilously close to it. The somewhat understated group of par 4s includes a splendid quartet that average under 340 from the blues, with the well protected greens necessitating strong iron play to avoid putts and short game shots that require more skill than you likely possess.