4001 Clubland Drive, Marietta; 770-971-7663; www.indianhills.com
STAFF: Lance Cantrell is the PGA Golf Professional; John Nigh is the PGA Instructor.
PAR/YARDAGE: Indian Hills features 3 nines (Choctaw, Seminole, Cherokee), with Choctaw the longest and most difficult of the three from the two back sets of tees. Each nines feature four sets of tees, with the combinations ranging from 6,386 to 6,667 (Blue); 6,089 to 6,270 (White); and averages of 5,676 (Gold) and 5,233 (Red).
COURSE RATING/SLOPE: (Average) 72.3/136 (Blue); 71.0/133 (White); 68.9/127 (Gold); 72.1/132 (Red).
ABOUT THE COURSE: One of metro Atlanta’s “under the radar” private clubs, Indian Hills opened in 1969 and added a third nine several years later. The club has long been known for its family orientation and affordable fees, and is considered one of the best values among metro area private clubs. All 27 holes were designed by Joe Lee, who was the course architect for a sizeable percentage of Atlanta area courses in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Like his other 20-some courses throughout the state, Indian Hills is a thoughtful, well-crafted design that is not overly difficult, but is by no means a pushover. In its early days, Indian Hills hosted an LPGA tournament from 1970-76 and gave the LPGA players all the challenge they wanted, with the winning score for 54 holes typically right around par. Since then, the club has not hosted many high profile events, concentrating its efforts on its membership. Seminole and Choctaw make up the original 18, with Cherokee constructed on the opposite side of the road leading to the club, a bit removed from the clubhouse. The Seminole and Cherokee nines make up the friendliest combination of the three, with Choctaw a good bit longer and more difficult. Cherokee is the shortest of the three, although it begins with its strongest hole, a narrow, lengthy dogleg left par 4. Water is in play on six of the first seven holes, primarily off the fairways, placing a premium on accuracy. Once you get past the opening hole, length is not a concern, and a series of gentle greens offer the hope of holing a few putts. As with most Lee designs, the putting surfaces are well guarded by sand, with the par-3 ninth also featuring some encroaching trees that can snag slightly errant tee shots. The false front on the green at the sixth helps make the two par 3s much testier than their minimal length. Like Cherokee, Seminole has an abundant amount of hazards in play, beginning with the downhill tee shot on its opening hole. Both par 5s include creeks that border the fairway and cut in front of the greens, with bunkers again a major presence around the putting surfaces.