Arriving at Whitewater Creek you are met by the most impressive clubhouse in Peachtree City. This antebellum style building with wraparound porch has southern charm written all over it and is a very popular location for weddings. Nearby, the scenic Starr’s Mill is also a great spot to visit.
This Arnold Palmer signature course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, opened in 1987. Whitewater Creek is not the longest course in Peachtree City (both Braelinn and Planterra Ridge beat it by just over 100 yards from the back tees) but it is most difficult. From the tips the course plays 6,739 yards with a rating of 73.8 and slope of 140. The Blue tees are a bit shorter at 6,284 yards (71.0/134) and the White tees play 5,648 yards (68.2/125).
With water in play on 12 holes there is no let up and poor shots are punished. The Bermuda greens are fast adding to the challenge. This course can wear you down if you’re not playing well!
Holes 3 through 7 are a great stretch of holes on the front nine.
The 180 yard (blue tees), par 3 third is the most beautiful hole on the course! Perched on the side of the lake it always plays a bit longer than the yardage on the scorecard. There is some space short and left of the green but out of bounds on the right.
The fourth is a 512 yard, par 5 that turns slightly to the left. From the tee aim for the bunker on the right of the fairway. The fairway slopes right to left so should bring your ball back into the middle. Beware out of bounds on the right. Second shot will not likely be a layup short of the water in front of the green.
The fifth is a short uphill par 4 that plays 321 yards from the blue tee box. The green is not visible from the tee but the telegraph pole is a good line. The green is very receptive so an accurate wedge shot will give you a look at birdie.
The sixth is a dogleg left par 5 (527 yards). Safe tee shot is between the bunkers. The risky tee shot is to carry the left hand bunker. The approach shot is downhill to fairly small green. The area in front of the green is normally soft and balls plug easily if approach shot is short.
The par 3 seventh is is 184 yards downhill to a green with water left an behind. It’s a large green so you have the option to play a safe shot to the center or right hand side of this two tier green.
The back nine gets off to a really tough start. The tenth hole forces a long approach shot over water into a small green. The alternative is a layup short of the water but it’s still a difficult pitch from there.
The par 3 eleventh at 137 yards is the shortest hole on the course and the despite being the #16 handicap hole is in my opinion the most difficult of the par 3’s. Alongside the lake there is always a breeze which makes club selection difficult.
The twelfth is a short (416 yards) par 5 that tees off across the lake. The distance to cross the water is not that long but there is a lot of water in your vision! This is another par 5 where a layup to a good distance is likely the best option. The green is surrounded by water.
If you survive the start to the back nine you might be able to relax a bit and enjoy the the next few holes which are slightly easier! But don’t let up too much as the final three holes are a challenge.
The par 3 sixteenth (161 yards) again plays over a lake to an elevated green with steep slopes on all sides. A miss to the left leaves you at the bottom of the hill with a very difficult chip with the potential of hitting across the green and into the lake.
The seventeenth is a short, 369 yard, par 4 with most of the danger on the right where a wide creek runs alongside the hole.
The round finishes with the 477 yard par 5 eighteenth uphill towards the clubhouse. Big hitters may be tempted to go for the green in two but there are a large number of bunkers short of the green to catch anything that comes up short.
The driving range does not have many bays and during busy periods it’s hard to get a spot for a quick warm up before your round. There are two practice putting greens – one by the 1st tee and another by the 10th tee.
Insie the 35,000 square foot clubhouse is a large pro shop and bar/ restaurant area. More than enough space to accommodate the busy weekend schedule.
Whitewater Creek is part of the Clubs of Peachtree City cluster in the ClubCorp family. The other courses in this membership cluster are Planterra Ridge, Braelinn and Flat Creek. Contact details and more information can be found at clubcorp.com/Clubs/Flat-Creek-Whitewater-Planterra-Braelinn
My food recommendation nearby is City Cafe & Bakery in Fayetteville. This upscale German restaurant with indoor an outdoor seating is one of the best restaurants south of Atlanta. citycafeandbakery.com
Thanks to my good friend Mr H.G. Tucker for the clubhouse photo used as the featured image of this post.
Peachtree Golfer 