Augusta area (suggestions)

[Chad Anderson (Tennessee)]

I will be making my first trip to Augusta National next month and I never would have dreamed of this way being the reason I made it to Augusta.


While I am there, the week before The Masters, I would love to play a round somewhere.  Where do you suggest?


What are the most sees, places to eat in the area?  I'll be staying at Champions Retreat in the cottages on site.

[Edward Glidewell]

Champions Retreat is a nice private facility that should have excellent conditions, but I don't think the architecture is anything to write home about. I'm sure you could play if you're staying on site, though. Augusta Country Club is a really good golf course if you can get access -- it's the best in the immediate area outside of ANGC itself (and it's literally next door to ANGC). Sage Valley should be immaculate, but I doubt it's as good of a course as ACC, and you would definitely need to get special access. If you head into South Carolina there's Palmetto, which is supposed to be wonderful and is open to non-members the week of the Masters, but it'll cost you $300 and the tee times may already be booked solid. There's also Aiken Golf Club, which is an old public facility that's very short (5795 from the tips) if that matters to you but gets high praise around here.


Expect everywhere to have green fees jacked sky high, though, even random public courses.

[Chad Anderson (Tennessee)]

I didn't realize Sage Valley and Palmetto were so close.  Hope I get some time off of "work" during the week to sneak in some golf.

[jeffwarne]

Are you there Masters week or the week before?
because that matters...

[Paul Jones]

Are you there Masters week or the week before?
because that matters...

Usually 3-5 Times more expensive to play a course during Masters week.

[Ross Harmon]

If you get thirsty, visit Stillwater Tap Room downtown. Ask for Matt Flynn, he’s the propietor, and tell him I sent you. He’ll serve you a great beer!

[Blake Conant]

Aiken Golf Club

[Rees Milikin]

Aiken Golf Club

Seconded


Chad, look up "golf course" in the Augusta area on Google maps to see what is located in the area and then cross reference what you find with the GCA search function.  You will find more than enough info.

[Tim Martin]

Aiken Golf Club

Seconded


Chad, look up "golf course" in the Augusta area on Google maps to see what is located in the area and then cross reference what you find with the GCA search function.  You will find more than enough info.

Rees-What’s the hot dog of choice in and around Augusta!?

[Bill Gayne]

Go to the Wife Saver and get your self some fried chicken.

[Tim Leahy]

For a good steak and maybe some Pros go to
T-bones across from Augusta National.
For golf I enjoyed Fort Gordon's Gordon Lakes by RT Jones.

[Chad Anderson (Tennessee)]

Are you there Masters week or the week before?
because that matters...

I am there the week before the Masters.

[jeffwarne]

Are you there Masters week or the week before?
because that matters...

I am there the week before the Masters.

The week before could be good...Assuming you're working the Ladies event at CR and ANGC...
I'd say the earlier in the week you go the better...
Augusta CC-Have your pro call the Head Professional Tommy Brannen
Palmetto-Brooks Blackburn
or just low key it and play public Aiken Golf Club or Midland Valley (my favorite during The Masters-spotty condition, great layout-priced right  during Masters)
Forest Hills was once a Donald Ross down the street from where I grew up but continued bastardization made it a Donald Duck.


Ironically, all the public courses around Augusta used to get $100 during Masters week including private Palmetto(now Palmetto's about $250-300 and Augusta CC about $600) but meanwhile the rest have dropped to not too much more than their normal rate.
Ticket prices are so high if you bought a ticket-you use it and if you do play, (evidently) people who pay that $$ not looking for a $30 course (which works out nicely for me at Midland Valley as Palmetto's too busy that week)


as far as eating French Market Grille on Berkmanns in Surrey center and Sheehans on Central or Beck's(same owner and childhood friend) down in my old neighborhood on "the Hill" are the places I go to most.
Out near Champions Retreat is mostly chain strip mall hell....and I'm not real familiar with that area.
Aiken's got plenty of good restaurants downtown

[Kalen Braley]

I'm curious.


How did the ticket situation work out for the Am Event Final?  Looks like they had to employ a lottery system of sorts for the one day, even thou they aren't calling it that.   


https://tickets.anwagolf.com/en_US/ticket_info.html

[Rees Milikin]

Aiken Golf Club

Seconded


Chad, look up "golf course" in the Augusta area on Google maps to see what is located in the area and then cross reference what you find with the GCA search function.  You will find more than enough info.

Rees-What’s the hot dog of choice in and around Augusta!?

The halfway house at Augusta CC!  Wife Saver chicken and Mac and cheese are choice options!

[jeffwarne]

I'm curious.


How did the ticket situation work out for the Am Event Final?  Looks like they had to employ a lottery system of sorts for the one day, even thou they aren't calling it that.   


https://tickets.anwagolf.com/en_US/ticket_info.html

Didn't even know there was one-I naively assumed it was open to the public.
Just booked my flights in and out of Charleston(Southwest the Miracle Airline)-was trying to include that Saturday in my plans-glad I didn't.......

[Chad Anderson (Tennessee)]

Great suggestions - thanks!


I'll probably try to play somewhere on Monday on the way down from Nashville - Monday's are usually tough to find a good spot for obvious reasons.


I'm not sure what my time commitment will be during the week at Champions Retreat and ANGC, but hoping there is a window of time to sneak in a round.


Meals are provided, what about a great spot for a drink? 

[Rees Milikin]

Great suggestions - thanks!


I'll probably try to play somewhere on Monday on the way down from Nashville - Monday's are usually tough to find a good spot for obvious reasons.


I'm not sure what my time commitment will be during the week at Champions Retreat and ANGC, but hoping there is a window of time to sneak in a round.


Meals are provided, what about a great spot for a drink?

Depending on weather, The Course at Sewanee & Sweetens Cove are Monday options, as is the Brainerd Muni in Chattanooga.  North Fulton or Chandler Park in Atlanta.  The Creek at Hard Labor on the east side of Atlanta. 


Indian Queen, Southbound, or Partridge Inn are good places for a drink.

[Mark Pritchett]

Also could check out the new reversible Bobby Jones Course in Atlanta.


Finch & 5th has a great bar in Augusta. 

[Edward Glidewell]

I wouldn't recommend North Fulton, if only for pace of play issues.


I personally don't like that golf course at all, but regardless, even during the week the pace can be glacial (never ever go there on a weekend). I played at 10:30 on a Tuesday a few months ago and we quit after 9 holes. It took almost three hours to finish the front, and it wasn't even crowded.

[Rees Milikin]

Also could check out the new reversible Bobby Jones Course in Atlanta.


Finch & 5th has a great bar in Augusta.

Excellent choice, it's right off 75 just north of the connector.

[Joe Melchiors]

I second french market grill.  Abel Brown is in the same shopping center and is very good too.  Downtown, Frog Hollow Tavern is and excellent restaurant, by far my favorite in Augusta, and I like the other two a lot.  The public course closest to Champions is Bartram Trail.  If you are looking to just get out and have limited time, I would go there.


Champions Retreat is pretty far outside of Augusta (~30 minutes), so while Aiken Golf Club and Palmetto are awesome, they are probably an hour away as they are on the opposite side... 


There is a second location of French Market Grille (FMG West) that is closer to you.  Haven't been there, but should be the same.  I have been to a pretty good German place out towards Champions as well - Augsburg Haus.  In a strip mall, but good nonetheless.



-Joe

[Blake Conant]

Depending on weather, The Course at Sewanee & Sweetens Cove are Monday options, as is the Brainerd Muni in Chattanooga.  North Fulton or Chandler Park in Atlanta.  The Creek at Hard Labor on the east side of Atlanta. 

Can vouch for Brainerd and Candler Park.  Brainerd has 10 or so Ross holes left on a flattish piece of ground.  the Ross greens are well done and worth seeing.  It's obvious what holes have been worked on over the years.  The 7th hole is a must see.  short 4 that plays up to a narrowing approach with a green nestled on a plateau that has a 20 foot fall off on the right.


Candler Park is a short 9-holer in the heart of Atlanta.  Each hole quite different from the last. some fun 4s and a variety of very different par 3s.