Duluth/Alpharetta Private Club Options

[swook]

Myself and my wife (28 and 25) recently moved to Georgia and are looking for some private club options with a young executive membership that fit our budget. TPC Sugarloaf would be nice but it is currently out of budget and we wanted to see what other lower priced options were available.

I have looked into Rivermont and Berkeley Lake and these are options we are considering, but are there any others in the Duluth/Alpharetta/Suwanee area that fit that profile that anyone has had positive experiences with in the past? Thank you!

[Tyrus Webb]

If you can't afford Sugarloaf, then you're dialed in on the right two.

[david.c.w]

Rivermont is a great place for golf, especially for younger guys, but understand that is really all it has.  No tennis, pickleball, pool, limited social events. 

 

Have you looked at the ClubCorp options?  Depending on where you end up living there are a bunch of pretty good clubs.  They are likely pretty crowded, but there is good energy and a lot of activities especially for families.  Check The Manor, Olde Atlanta, Atlanta National, White Columns, Country Club of the south, Laurel Springs, Polo Club.  I really don't know the fees or structure these days, but I do know some members and overall they are very happy, and generally it seems to be thriving and not flat or downhill.

 

Pretty sure you can join one of the "lower tier" courses and still get limited access at the higher end ones.

 

Where exactly did you settle?  Duluth/alpharetta is huge.

[ATLDrew]

2 hours ago, david.c.w said:

Rivermont is a great place for golf, especially for younger guys, but understand that is really all it has.  No tennis, pickleball, pool, limited social events. 

 

We now have 7 pickleball courts.

We HAD a darn good social calendar until the fire in the clubhouse. It will get better again.

We have a huge contingent of younger players, but also a lot of senior members so the tee sheet is usually pretty busy.

It's a year's waiting list, so by then the clubhouse (and social calendar/activities) will be restored to life; by then the range will be rebuilt into a better experience as well. They're moving a lot of dirt to remake the entire practice area.

 

It's a golf club mainly for sure, but it's striving to be the best version of itself all the time.

[david.c.w]

2 hours ago, ATLDrew said:

 

We now have 7 pickleball courts.

We HAD a darn good social calendar until the fire in the clubhouse. It will get better again.

We have a huge contingent of younger players, but also a lot of senior members so the tee sheet is usually pretty busy.

It's a year's waiting list, so by then the clubhouse (and social calendar/activities) will be restored to life; by then the range will be rebuilt into a better experience as well. They're moving a lot of dirt to remake the entire practice area.

 

It's a golf club mainly for sure, but it's striving to be the best version of itself all the time.

 

Since OP is married I was pointing out that there is not a ton for non-golfing spouses.  Unless she likes pilates of course.  😀

 

Rivermont is an excellent course in excellent condition with an excellent membership.  It is a true golf club, not a country club

[swook]

On 2/27/2025 at 3:18 PM, david.c.w said:

Rivermont is a great place for golf, especially for younger guys, but understand that is really all it has.  No tennis, pickleball, pool, limited social events. 

 

Have you looked at the ClubCorp options?  Depending on where you end up living there are a bunch of pretty good clubs.  They are likely pretty crowded, but there is good energy and a lot of activities especially for families.  Check The Manor, Olde Atlanta, Atlanta National, White Columns, Country Club of the south, Laurel Springs, Polo Club.  I really don't know the fees or structure these days, but I do know some members and overall they are very happy, and generally it seems to be thriving and not flat or downhill.

 

Pretty sure you can join one of the "lower tier" courses and still get limited access at the higher end ones.

 

Where exactly did you settle?  Duluth/alpharetta is huge.

thanks for the feedback! I would be ok with this as my wife is as big a golf fanatic as I am (for this I am thankful). We are settling down near Pleasant Hill Rd and Peachtree Industrial Blvd. So kind of near the border of Duluth and John’s Creek.

 

i will have to take a look at club corp options as I haven’t really looked into those.

[swook]

23 hours ago, ATLDrew said:

 

We now have 7 pickleball courts.

We HAD a darn good social calendar until the fire in the clubhouse. It will get better again.

We have a huge contingent of younger players, but also a lot of senior members so the tee sheet is usually pretty busy.

It's a year's waiting list, so by then the clubhouse (and social calendar/activities) will be restored to life; by then the range will be rebuilt into a better experience as well. They're moving a lot of dirt to remake the entire practice area.

 

It's a golf club mainly for sure, but it's striving to be the best version of itself all the time.

 

I had read somehwere that the practice facility is not in the best shape? That it's hard to really hit driver on the range as it doesnt let you hit further than 2XX yards?

 

I think that thread I read was some years ago so would love to get some more info into the current state of the course/practice area/facilities. Thank you!

[ATLDrew]

19 minutes ago, swook said:

I had read somehwere that the practice facility is not in the best shape? That it's hard to really hit driver on the range as it doesnt let you hit further than 2XX yards?

 

I think that thread I read was some years ago so would love to get some more info into the current state of the course/practice area/facilities. Thank you!

The range is pure dirt right now, and is undergoing a complete renovation/mild expansion/redesign/target addition/drainage improvement. There are nets (obvi) to try to contain the bombers, and when the tees are all the way forward folks are cautioned to try not to go over the nets (not a problem for this senior). 

There was a complete overhaul of the short game area last summer so we have an improved chipping putting area down by number one tee. 

A fun putting green was installed in front of the clubhouse complete with fire pit and availability of bar service. It's a fun hangout area.

A new pavilion was built two years ago with improved half way house and Pilates studio  which currently serves as all purpose pro shop/office space while clubhouse/bar/restaurant is put back in commission.

The club acquired the tennis courts adjacent to the parking lot and converted them into 7 pickleball courts.

If you're in town just set up a meet with Jodi in membership to get the tour. Happy to join you on the tour (and prospective member round) if you want a member's perspective.

Edited February 28 by ATLDrew

[ND2005]

18 minutes ago, swook said:

 

I had read somehwere that the practice facility is not in the best shape? That it's hard to really hit driver on the range as it doesnt let you hit further than 2XX yards?

 

I think that thread I read was some years ago so would love to get some more info into the current state of the course/practice area/facilities. Thank you!

They are redoing the range, yes. The old range was limited to about 230 yards or else you could hit the maintenance facility beyond it (or even the 12 green…)

[596]

St Ives in John's Creek?  Played there a number of times. Beautiful course. 

[bluedot]

13 hours ago, 596 said:

St Ives in John's Creek?  Played there a number of times. Beautiful course. 

Isn’t St Ives the patron saint of gated communities?

[Tyrus Webb]

On 2/28/2025 at 5:47 PM, ATLDrew said:

 

A fun putting green was installed in front of the clubhouse complete with fire pit and availability of bar service. It's a fun hangout area.

 

 

that's a dope putting green 

[spinnywedge]

What are people’s thoughts on the Standard Club and Golf Club of Georgia? I’ve always heard good things about them but have no knowledge on how they rank among all the private options around.

[ATLDrew]

8 hours ago, spinnywedge said:

What are people’s thoughts on the Standard Club and Golf Club of Georgia?

I like the Standard Club track a lot plus it has indoor tennis, gym, pool, etc. I haven't played GCOG since new ownership but played there a long time ago and was impressed with the operation and courses.

[Drock25]

I heard golf club of Georgia is invite only now.

[ATLDrew]

6 hours ago, Drock25 said:

I heard golf club of Georgia is invite only now.

from their website - har!

 

The requested resource could not be found.

https://www.golfclubofgeorgia.com/memberships

 

 

[badbogey]

I live in Duluth as well and was in between Rivermont and Berkeley Hills as well. Ended up putting in an application for Rivermont since I already know a few members there and really loved the golf course. 

[ATLDrew]

1 hour ago, badbogey said:

Ended up putting in an application for Rivermont since I already know a few members there and really loved the golf course. 

 

hopefully by the time your number gets called the range is fully up and running. They're moving a lot of dirt around!

 

Work finally in overdrive on the clubhouse. We sick of tenting it for a 19th hole!

[driveandputtmachine]

Membership (other members) truly determines how much you will like a club.  I have played pretty much every private club in the Atlanta area, my job luckily has a ton of people living all over and many of them are members at local private clubs.

 

I know nothing about you or your wife, but for me the members at Rivermont(especially since you said your wife is golf crazy, and not in it for the pool or other tuff) are some of the best you will be around.  No huge amount of stuffy or holier than thou people that I have met in any of the times I have been out there.  I actually decided not to live in that area and went to East Cobb area because I didn't like the vibes at the other courses in the area, and Rivermont's limited stuff for my wife(not golf crazy at all) made the decision pretty easy.

 

Berkeley Hills(although I have only played it a couple of times) was much the same as far as membership.  I do not like the course as much as Rivermont, neither's range was much to talk about at the time.

 

In the area I really like Horseshoe bend as well.  It might be worth checking on.

[Yakhandicap]

Super useful thread—I’ve recently been thinking about looking at membership at a golf club—we live near midtown, and it seems like the options nearby are pretty expensive. Sounds like I need to check out Rivermont and I recently read about Horseshoe bend. 

[ATLDrew]

1 hour ago, Yakhandicap said:

we live near midtown

 

We have members who live in DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, etc. If you do set up a prospective member round through Jodi in membership let me know and I'd be happy to show you the course.

[EddyVN]

On 3/10/2025 at 4:54 PM, badbogey said:

I live in Duluth as well and was in between Rivermont and Berkeley Hills as well. Ended up putting in an application for Rivermont since I already know a few members there and really loved the golf course. 

Out of interest what did they estimate the wait to be?

[ATLDrew]

12 hours ago, EddyVN said:

Out of interest what did they estimate the wait to be?

We are sitting at about a year for waitlist.

 

If we move to Nashville area this coming year that'll open up a spot.

 

😞

[badbogey]

On 4/19/2025 at 7:25 AM, ATLDrew said:

We are sitting at about a year for waitlist.

 

If we move to Nashville area this coming year that'll open up a spot.

 

😞

Membership quoted me less than a year, for my age group at least (under 32). Sucks to hear that you're moving!

[ATLDrew]

18 hours ago, badbogey said:

Membership quoted me less than a year, for my age group at least (under 32). Sucks to hear that you're moving!

 

Thanks!

 

Just played with a new member who said they had about a seven month wait before activation.

[CPT_LHR_ATL]

On 2/27/2025 at 10:55 AM, swook said:

Myself and my wife (28 and 25) recently moved to Georgia and are looking for some private club options with a young executive membership that fit our budget. TPC Sugarloaf would be nice but it is currently out of budget and we wanted to see what other lower priced options were available.

I have looked into Rivermont and Berkeley Lake and these are options we are considering, but are there any others in the Duluth/Alpharetta/Suwanee area that fit that profile that anyone has had positive experiences with in the past? Thank you!

 

Not sure how I missed this thread until now. Did you end up joining?

 

On 4/7/2025 at 5:38 AM, Yakhandicap said:

Super useful thread—I’ve recently been thinking about looking at membership at a golf club—we live near midtown, and it seems like the options nearby are pretty expensive. Sounds like I need to check out Rivermont and I recently read about Horseshoe bend. 

 

I'm also near Midtown and ended up at Sugarloaf while also sitting on the wait list for Ansley. If you use the express lane on I-85, getting out and back isn't too painful. Either of you feel free to shoot me a PM if you want to get a round in at Sugarloaf in the Fall.