Can the Public Play at East Lake Golf Course?

Dreaming of walking the same fairways as Bobby Jones and the champions of the TOUR Championship? You’re not alone. We get straight to the point: East Lake Golf Club is a private facility and is not open to public play. This article, however, will guide you through the real, legitimate ways you might get the chance to tee it up at this historic course and what to expect from a golf coach's perspective if that day ever comes.

The Short Answer and the Rich History

Let's clear this up immediately. You cannot call the pro shop at East Lake and book a public tee time. It's one of the most exclusive private golf clubs in the United States. Its pedigree is impeccable, it was the home course of the legendary Bobby Jones and is the permanent host of the PGA TOUR’s season-ending TOUR Championship, where the FedExCup champion is crowned.

The club's modern story is just as compelling. In the 1990s, the surrounding neighborhood was struggling. Philanthropist Tom Cousins purchased the club with the vision of revitalizing the community. The East Lake Foundation was born, and the club became a catalyst for positive change, supporting local education and housing initiatives. This mission-driven purpose adds to the club's unique character and makes it more than just a place to play golf - it's a community asset disguised as a world-class country club. Understanding this context helps clarify why access is so tightly controlled, it’s not about elitism, but about preserving its history and its community-focused mission.

So, How Can I Actually Play East Lake Golf Course?

While walking on for a round is impossible, there are several "backdoor" pathways to getting a tee time. Some are more difficult than others, but none are out of the realm of possibility if you’re dedicated. Here are the genuine routes to playing East Lake.

1. Get Invited as a Guest of a Member

By far the most common way for a non-member to play East Lake is by being invited as a guest. The membership roster is a who's-who of Atlanta business and civic leaders. This path is all about relationships.

• Network Purposefully: If playing East Lake is a genuine goal, you need to navigate circles where members are present. This often means getting involved in the Atlanta business community, prominent charities, or other local organizations.
• Be a Great Guest Prospect: Members are often looking to host enjoyable people who love and respect the game. Be known as a quick player, a good playing partner, and someone who understands golf etiquette. Members want to invite guests who will make the day better, not more stressful.
• Understand the Cost: Playing as a guest isn't free. Expect to pay a guest fee that can be several hundred dollars, plus a mandatory caddie fee and tip. You are expected to cover all your expenses, and it's a classy gesture to offer to pay for lunch or drinks at the clubhouse afterwards.

Playing as a guest is a privilege. Treat it as such. Learn the club’s rules a guest phone usage, dress code, and on-course conduct - before you arrive. Thank your host profusely and send a handwritten note a day or two after your round. It's these small touches that turn a one-time invitation into a potential recurring one.

2. Play in a Corporate or Charity Event

East Lake hosts a very limited number of premier corporate and charity golf outings each year. This is your second most likely pathway onto the course.

• Corporate Connections: Major corporations, especially those based in Atlanta like Coca-Cola, Delta, and The Home Depot, often have relationships with the club. Upper-level executives might have membership or the company might sponsor a foursome in a high-profile event. Working for, or having strong connections with, such a company can open doors.
• Charity Auctions &, Tournaments: Keep an eye on major charitable events in the Atlanta area. Foursomes at East Lake are prized auction items, and some organizations host their annual fundraising tournament there. A common example is the Charlie Yates Memorial Invitational, which benefits the East Lake Foundation. While expensive, sponsoring a team or winning an auction not only gets you on the course but also supports a great cause.

This route requires either the right corporate connection or a significant financial outlay, but it's a direct way to secure a tee time.

3. Become a Volunteer for the TOUR Championship

For many, this is the most logistically and financially accessible way to get past the gates and potentially play the course. The TOUR Championship relies on hundreds of volunteers each year for everything from managing scoreboards to marshalling holes.

• The Process: Volunteer registration typically opens on the TOUR Championship website many months before the tournament. Positions fill up fast, so you need to be proactive.
• The Perk: While not guaranteed every year, volunteers who work a set number of shifts are often rewarded with a "Volunteer Appreciation Day." This includes a round of golf on the very same course the pros just competed on. The course conditions are immaculate, and you get to experience it from inside the ropes.
• The Experience: Even if you don't get to play, volunteering is a fantastic way to see the course up close and watch the best players in the world compete. It’s an immersion in championship golf that you can’t get as a regular spectator.

Playing the Course: A Coach's Game Plan

Let's say you did it. You have a tee time. Congratulations! Now the challenge truly begins. As a coach, here’s how I’d advise you to prepare for and play East Lake. It's a stout test requiring more than just good ball-striking, it demands good thinking.

Understanding the Layout and Conditions

The course you'll play is a Tom Bendelow original design heavily modified by Donald Ross and later restored by Rees Jones in 1994 and 2008. It's a classic parkland course with rolling hills and tree-lined fairways.

• Zoysia Fairways: This is a key feature. Zoysia grass is famous for how perfectly the ball sits up on it, almost like it's on a tee. It practically invites you to hit a great iron shot. However, be aware of the "Zoysia flyer." Shot from the fairway can sometimes jump a little extra and fly farther than expected, so it's a good idea to consider clubbing down slightly, especially on shorter approach shots.
• Bermuda Greens: The greens are undulating and lightning-fast, especially when prepped for a tournament. They are Bermuda grass, which means they can be grainy. As the day goes on, the ball will tend to break more in the direction the grain is growing (usually towards the setting sun or a water source). Your caddie’s advice on putting lines will be absolutely vital.
• Using Your Caddie: This is my most important piece of advice. East Lake is a caddie course. You'll be assigned an experienced looper, many of whom are part of the club’s development programs. Trust them. They know every break on the greens, every subtle slope in the fairway, and how weather affects a shot on every hole. Ask questions, listen to their club recommendations, and let them read the putts. Leave your ego in the car and use this incredible resource. It will improve your score and your overall experience.

Key Strategic Holes

While every hole is strong, a few will stick in your memory. The routing for the TOUR Championship has changed over the years, famously flipping the nines.

The Par-4 6th

This hole, formerly the 15th, is a stunning "cape" hole where the fairway doglegs right around a massive lake. The temptation is to bite off as much of the lake as you can to leave a shorter approach. My advice? Don't be a hero. A well-placed shot down the left-center of the fairway is the smart play. It leaves a manageable mid-iron into a protected green. Trying to cut the corner brings a big number into play very quickly.

The Par-3 18th

The iconic finishing hole, once the 9th, is one of the coolest shots in golf. It’s an all-or-nothing, uphill shot over water to a multi-tiered green right in front of the magnificent clubhouse. Take a moment here to soak it all in. Club selection is everything. Check the wind, trust your caddie, and make a confident swing. Walking off with a par here feels like a victory, regardless of what you scored on the day.

General Strategy

The key to scoring at East Lake is precision over power. It is a second-shot golf course. Find the fairway, even if it means hitting a 3-wood or hybrid off the tee. From there, your primary goal is to leave yourself on the correct tier of the green to have an uphill putt. Being above the hole at East Lake is a recipe for three-putts.

Final Thoughts

Playing East Lake Golf Club is a rare and special opportunity saved for members and their guests. The most realistic pathways involve a personal invitation, playing in a high-end charity or corporate event, or volunteering at the TOUR Championship. Each path requires either networking, financial investment, or a commitment of time.

Whether you're preparing for that bucket-list round at East Lake or just tackling your weekend game, the principles of smart strategy are the a universal key. A round of a lifetime deserves your best preparation so that you don't get stuck on what club to hit or what shot to take... you just have fun. That’s why we at Caddie AI built a personal golf expert that you can access straight from your phone. Our app gives you instant, AI-powered course strategy for any hole on any course, analyzes difficult lies from a photo you take, and is available 24/7 to answer any golf question you have. We want you to step onto any tee - from your local course to a legendary venue - with the confidence of a pro, ready to play your best.