Sun City Peachtree Golf Club is a ClubCorp owned golf course situated within the Del Webb active adult retirement community in Griffin, GA about 40 miles south east of Atlanta. It’s not too far from the Atlanta Motor Speedway which hosts a NASCAR race early in the season. Sun City is linked to the other nearby ClubCorp courses in this membership cluster – Heron Bay and Georgia National. As a ClubCorp member these are courses I play quite often.
After checking in at the main gate follow the road through the community to the golf club. The golf clubhouse has a large lounge/ dining room area to relax in. The pro shop and small locker room are also in the same building. Behind the clubhouse is a large driving range and short game practice area. When the course first opened the starters box was in a trailer but this was soon replaced with the current golf clubhouse which looks big but is dwarfed by the enormous community clubhouse behind the 16th green.
On this visit in early April the Bermuda grass fairways were beginning to green up after the winter.
Originally a Canongate course (before they sold out to ClubCorp) Sun City was designed by Texas based architect Gary Stephenson and opened in 2008. The course is 6,822 yards from the back tees but there are five other tee boxes to cater to all abilities. The blue tees at 6,340 yards with a rating of 70.3 and slope of 128 are normally regarded as the men’s tees. This is not a course for walking. There are long distances from the greens to next tee box so a cart is essential.
This is one of the most enjoyable courses I’ve played in Georgia. If your game is on you can have great fun here and probably shoot a low score. It’s a fair course with generous fairways but very tricky greens. Many holes have two tier greens with undulations and false fronts – great approach shots are rewarded, poor ones are not! There are also some interesting rock features behind the 3rd green and to the right of the 10th green. Out on the back nine, where there are no houses, is extremely peaceful. I guarantee you will come off the course with a smile on your face.
The holes that stand out for me… (all distances from blue tees)
3rd is the first of the par 5’s, 506 yards, and is the number 1 handicap hole. Avoid the bunker off the tee. The hill to the right may bring a wayward drive back onto the fairway. Lay up on the left side of the fairway for best approach angle. A tricky two tier green.
4th, 382 yard par 4, drive to middle/ left of fairway but avoid left side bunker. Too far right off the tee and you will be blocked by the trees and not have a shot to the green. Another two-tier green!
6th is a really nice 369 yard par 4. Can’t see the green from tee. Play tee shot over the hill towards the left of fairway. Downhill approach shot into another tricky green. Many undulations and slopes on the right side of the green. No fun if you miss on that side!
7th is a short par 4, 325 yards. Nice view of the hole from the elevated tee box. Avoid the bunkers at the left hand side of the fairway. One of the easier greens so take advantage of it!
9th is a beautiful 117 yard par 3. I find that common pin placements mean that the water does not come into play. A miss to the right is ok. Make sure you look back from the green towards the tee box to get the best views of the waterfalls.
10th is a great start to the back nine. The elevated tee box gives a good view of what you need to do on this 421 yard par 4. The hill on right can help bring a wayward shot back onto the fairway. The green is very narrow and hard to hit. There is a stone wall to the right of the green so if you’re going to miss then left is the better side to be on.
11th, 169 yards, par 3. Pin always seems to be back left on the top tier of the green with a bunker lurking behind the flag. Short or right is safer but a more difficult putt.
The 296 yard, downhill par 4 15th is a fun hole. When it’s dry and your drive catches the slope you can reach the green. Most likely you will end up a little short of the green. Another two tier green so pitch to the right level to have any chance of a good score!
16th. Nice 158 yard, par 3 with bunkers front left and right. Try to be below the hole as it can be treacherous putting downhill from the back of the green. The large building behind the 16th green is the community clubhouse.
18th, 358 yard par4, is a tough finishing hole. Approach shot is all up hill to a green with a false front and three tiers! Take enough club – it’s a hard green to hit. Could wreck your scorecard!
Sun City is a private course open to members and guests. Guest rates are $45 on weekdays and $55 at weekends. If you are a ClubCorp member from outside of Atlanta you should add Sun City to your list when in the Atlanta area. More info available at www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/Heron-Bay-Georgia-National-Sun-City/Golf
For non-members it’s a popular spot for outings and you will also find a few tournaments played here – Central Georgia Senior Golf Association have a tournament at Sun City in November this year.
My recommendation for lunch or dinner in Griffin is The Bank Street Cafe. Note, it’s not on Bank Street! But is located in the hisoric Savings Bank of Griffin building built in 1888 at 126 South Hill Street. They have a great menu (steak bruschetta is a favorite) and a good beer list with many local craft beers. There is live music at the weekends. Opening hours, menu’s and details of bands appearing can be found on their website bankstreetgriffin.com
Peachtree Golfer 