Stone Mountain Golf Club near Atlanta: Big differences between two courses
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. -- There's a different vibe at Stone Mountain Golf Club, and it all depends on which course you decide to play.
The first tee on the Stonemont Course is no place for the weak of heart.
From the back tee it plays 451 yards to a narrow fairway that slopes to the right to a green that seems perpetually out of reach. Just getting to the green may elicit a sigh of relief. And there are 17 other holes that follow, each with a varying degree of pain.
The first tee at the Lakemont Course is different. The tee shot does require a carry over a lake, but there's not an impending feeling of doom. You can almost hear birds chirping and smell the flowers.
Yes, the two golf courses at Stone Mountain are that different. And that's a good thing.
The par-70 Stonemont, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., plays 6,863 yards from the back tees. It is a typical Jones course -- long and penal, with narrow fairways, plenty of bunkers and loads of Georgia pines. This is a player's course, not the best locale for someone who plays a couple of times a year on vacation.
The par-71 Lakemont, which plays 6,444 yards from the back tees, is a better option for the casual player. Designed by John LaFoy, it is noted for its scenic beauty (there are great views of the carving on the side of Stone Mountain) and its routing. The danger here is water; it seems to pop up everywhere.
Freddie Harris, a single-digit handicap player who lives nearby, said he plays Stone Mountain G.C. several times each year. He prefers the Lakemont Course, but he will occasionally test himself on the Stonemont.
"You have to be mentally prepared to play Stonemont or the round will really get away from you," Harris said.
Stonemont doesn't have the water hazards (the par-3 10th is the only hole with water). But Stonemont requires every drive to be straight. You also get no break on the par 3s; they're all long and unforgiving. And the two finishing holes, a 430-yard par 4 and a 525-yard par 5, can bring you to your knees.
Perhaps the most enjoyable hole on Stonemont is No. 9, a big dogleg right that entices the bold players to bite off as much real estate as possible. The result on the 439-yard par 4 could be a short pitch and a rare birdie opportunity.
Lakemont isn't exactly a patsy, although it appears to be a lightweight compared to Stonemont. The third hole, for example, is tough enough to appear on the other course. The 408-yard par 4 requires an approach shot to carry a creek in front of the green. The lake is behind the hole, which makes is a scenic place to take a bogey.
Stone Mountain Golf Club is aesthetically very pleasing. The courses have met the qualifications to become a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, which includes requirements in many areas of environmental planning, including wildlife management, the reduction of chemicals and water conservation.
The practice facility is more than adequate, although it isn't conveniently located. The clubhouse is well stocked, and there are plenty of food and beverage options available.
June 15, 2012
Stan Awtrey, Contributor
Stan Awtrey spent 25 years as a sports writer with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is editor of Golf Georgia, the official magazine of the Georgia State Golf Association, and writes a weekly column for PGATOUR.com. His work has appeared in dozens of newspapers, magazines and Web sites.