There are two popular golf courses named in honor of Bobby Jones that are located in two different states. The Bobby Jones Golf Course, which is located in Atlanta, Georgia is an 18-hole reversible course at 384 Woodward Way NW, opened in 2018. The Bobby Jones Golf Club, which is located in Sarasota, Florida, is a municipal golf course designed by Donald Ross at 1000 Circus Blvd, renovated and reopened in late 2023.
If you ever searched for “Bobby Jones Golf Course” and got lost in all the options, now you know the reason for that. This guide will describe both of them in detail: from their location to pricing, unique features, booking process, and choice based on your plans. It also describes the man who is honored with such names and whose achievements remain unparalleled in the game.
The Two Courses at a Glance
| Atlanta, Georgia | Sarasota, Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Bobby Jones Golf Course | Bobby Jones Golf Club |
| Address | 384 Woodward Way NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 | 1000 Circus Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34232 |
| Phone | (404) 355-1009 | (941) 365-4653 |
| Owned by | The State of Georgia, run by a nonprofit foundation | The City of Sarasota |
| Main course | A reversible nine, played as the Magnolia or the Azalea | An 18-hole Donald Ross championship course |
| Designer | Bob Cupp, 2018 | Donald Ross, 1926, restored by Richard Mandell |
| Also on site | A free five-hole par-3 course, a free putting course, a TrackMan range | A nine-hole adjustable par-3 course and a 25-acre practice facility |
| Best for | A quick, unusual round and serious practice in the city | A full round on restored classic architecture |
Bobby Jones Golf Course, Atlanta
The Atlanta course is located in Buckhead adjacent to Atlanta Memorial Park, some ten minutes away from the heart of downtown Atlanta. It opened in 1932 as Atlanta’s first public golf course where the opening tee shot was hit by Bobby Jones himself, and it deteriorated gradually through the years.
In 2016, the City of Atlanta turned the golf course over to the state of Georgia, and a private, non-profit organization collected about $33 million in donations from private citizens to reconstruct it. Not a single dollar of public funds were used for that purpose.
The Reversible Nine
The 144 acres of land were not enough to create a safe 18 holes, but Bob Cupp thought outside the box and did something innovative with his design. He made nine holes with nine giant double greens, each with two pin placements, that are configured so that the golf course can be played either way.
When playing clockwise, it is called the Magnolia. When playing counter-clockwise, the golf course becomes the Azalea. The golf course is reversible, allowing the golfer to get two totally different experiences, depending on whether they are playing it clockwise or counter-clockwise, which means that there are just a few reversible golf courses in the world, and this is the only one available to the public in the US.
There is no rough, wide fairways and short grass on the greens, providing more challenge through creativity than punishment for missing a shot. Also, this golf course uses the Longleaf tee system, where there are eight sets of gender-neutral tees, allowing one to play either nine or 18 holes, making it short or challenging.
What Else Is on Site
The driving range could be considered the primary selling point. The driving range utilizes the Trackman technology system, which is uncommon for a public driving range, and there is also a large putting green and chipping green.
There are two facilities that can be used by the general public for free. The Dan Yates Putting Course is a putting course located outside and available to everyone for free, while the Cupp Links, a five-hole par-3 golf course, is free to play on. It would be difficult to find another place in the middle of a big city where a family could expose their children to golf for free.
The clubhouse, Grand Slam Golf Academy, club fitting, and restaurant with a view of the Midtown skyline are all contained within the Murray Golf House. One of the goals that the foundation aimed to achieve was to organize junior camps, adaptive golf programs and veteran clinics.
Rates and Booking in Atlanta
Green fees range from $40 to $70 for the nine holes, according to day and time. This does not include carts, which are extra at about $30. Depending on the season, prices will vary, so be sure to verify rates when making your reservations. Tee times may be scheduled on the course website or over the phone. The nine holes are walkable enough that most golfers forego the cart.
The caveat worth mentioning frequently: this is not inexpensive municipal golf. Green fees more closely resemble those found at an upscale daily fee course, with the value based on the quality of the reversible nine and its practice amenities, The free putting course and par-3 holes do a lot to balance it out.
Bobby Jones Golf Club, Sarasota:
The Sarasota course has better heritage as far as golf architecture goes. It was designed by Donald Ross in the 1920s, and the city has held the rights since. After being developed into a 45-hole facility, it later fell into a state of neglect and was at risk by the late 2010s.
The decision was made to restore the course rather than rebuild it. This work was done by architect Richard Mandell, who designed a 18-hole championship course based on the Ross design. It has been open to the public since December 2023. The American and British courses have been demolished in favor of the refurbished course and the other two facilities.
The Championship Course
The championship course stretches for around 6,500 yards off the back tees, and the restored Ross-designed greens make it a typical Florida parkland-style course. This course isn’t lengthy, but that was the whole idea; the defense lies in the angles, the greens, and the short game as designed by Ross.
There have been divided opinions among locals about this course because of prices and nothing else since the price of restoration raised the costs higher than the other two older courses. However, opinions on architecture have been unanimous in favor of this course as being the most intriguing golf public course in the region of Sarasota.
The Gillespie Nine and the Practice Facility
The 9-hole John Hamilton Gillespie Course was established in 2024 and is considered one of the most innovative courses in Florida. It features holes between 75 and 188 yards in length and can be set up five different ways, which makes the game varied. The course is named in honor of the Scotsman who introduced golf in Sarasota in the 1880s.
The practice facilities are situated on 25 acres and include a range of 70 hitting stations, 25,000 sq. ft. Himalayan style putting green, and a short-game area with two greens and practice bunkers. A nature park for walking and bike paths is being built next to it.
Rates and Booking in Sarasota
Sarasota is a seasonal resort destination, and therefore there are wide fluctuations in prices. The peak season during winter can be well over $100 for the championship courses. However, the summer rates come down drastically. Citizens of the City of Sarasota get discounts and have the privilege of booking earlier compared to everyone else. Bookings made online offer the best prices.
If the championship courses cost more than your budget allows, then you can go for the Gillespie nine and play golf for a reasonable amount of money.
Which One Should You Play
| If you want | Go to |
|---|---|
| A full 18 holes on classic architecture | Sarasota |
| Something you cannot play anywhere else | Atlanta, for the reversible nine |
| Serious practice with ball-tracking technology | Atlanta |
| A family day where kids can play for free | Atlanta, for the free putting course and par-3 holes |
| Great value in the warmer months | Sarasota in summer, when seasonal rates fall |
| A short course that is more than a novelty | Sarasota, for the adjustable Gillespie nine |
| Golf in the middle of a major city | Atlanta, ten minutes from downtown |
Who Was Bobby Jones
Both courses bear the name since Robert Tyre Jones Jr. is perhaps one of the most important people in the entire history of the game and he never became a professional.
Jones was born in Atlanta in 1902 and at the age of 21 he won his first major title. In total he won 13 majors in the time when US and British Amateur titles were also considered to be major tournaments. In 1930 he accomplished the greatest achievement in golf history: he won all four majors – US Open, Open Championship, US Amateur and the British Amateur. The achievement is called the Grand Slam.
Jones retired from playing golf at the age of 28 without ever accepting any prize money. He became a lawyer, he wrote books about the game and in early 1930s he founded Augusta National Golf Club together with Clifford Roberts and thereby the Masters Tournament. He died in 1971.
It is the reason for giving the name of this person to Atlanta’s first public golf course since 1932 and it explains the reason why restoration of the course attracted such financial resources.
Other Places You Will See the Name
Bobby Jones Links Inc. is a golf management corporation located in Atlanta, Georgia, which manages courses and clubs in many states, including the Atlanta location. However, whenever you come across the name attached to some golf course in another location, it would probably be the result of his management company managing the course rather than being one designed by Jones.
The name of Bobby Jones is associated with many aspects of the game, from clubhouse and trophies to the USGA’s Bob Jones Award for Sportsmanship awarded annually to someone who has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship. Not many courses have been designed by Bobby Jones personally except the Augusta National with Alister MacKenzie.
Planning a Visit
For Atlanta, the course is in Buckhead located on Woodward Way, with the Hartsfield-Jackson airport being approximately 30 to 40 minutes away, depending on the traffic. Golf can be played throughout the year, with the best times being spring and fall and the least being summer because it is humid. It is recommended to go for a round at another public course in the vicinity, as this one is done in about two hours.
As for the course in Sarasota, it is located just to the east of downtown at Circus Boulevard, about 20 minutes from the Sarasota-Bradenton airport and approximately an hour south of Tampa. The season there runs counter to the rest of the country, being winter high season and summer off-season, although in the latter, it gets hot in the afternoon with thunderstorms.
Final Take
So when you hear Bobby Jones Golf Course, you need to specify which one. Atlanta provides a one-of-a-kind reversible nine, a TrackMan range, and free putting and par-3 golf on a drop-in basis. Sarasota provides a renovated Donald Ross 18, a cleverly designed adjustable short course, and 25 acres of practice facility. And while both are public courses, both are worthy of play, and both come into existence because of an amateur golfer who retired at 28 and is still the most respected amateur in the history of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bobby Jones Golf Course?
There are two. Bobby Jones Golf Course is at 384 Woodward Way NW in Atlanta, Georgia, and Bobby Jones Golf Club is at 1000 Circus Blvd in Sarasota, Florida. Both are open to the public.
Is Bobby Jones Golf Course public?
Yes, both are public. The Atlanta course is owned by the State of Georgia and run by a nonprofit foundation, while the Sarasota course is owned by the City of Sarasota.
What is a reversible golf course?
A reversible course can be played in either direction. At Atlanta’s Bobby Jones, the nine holes are played clockwise as the Magnolia and counter-clockwise as the Azalea, using nine large double greens with two pin positions each.
How much does it cost to play Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta?
Green fees generally run about $40 to $70 for nine holes depending on the day and time, with a cart charged separately at around $30. The putting course and the five-hole par-3 Cupp Links are free.
When did Bobby Jones Golf Club in Sarasota reopen?
The restored 18-hole championship course reopened to the public in December 2023, and the nine-hole John Hamilton Gillespie par-3 course followed in 2024.
Who designed Bobby Jones Golf Club in Sarasota?
Donald Ross designed the original course in the mid 1920s. Richard Mandell led the restoration that reopened in 2023, building one 18-hole course from the historic Ross routing.
Did Bobby Jones design these golf courses?
No. The courses are named in his honor rather than designed by him. The only major course Jones helped create was Augusta National, which he developed with Alister MacKenzie.
What was Bobby Jones famous for?
He won the Grand Slam in 1930, taking the US Open, the Open Championship, the US Amateur and the British Amateur in one year, then retired at 28 as an amateur. He later co-founded Augusta National and the Masters Tournament.
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