Achasta Golf Club

Achasta Golf Club sits in the North Georgia mountains near Dahlonega, roughly an hour north of Atlanta. Jack Nicklaus designed the course, which opened in the early 2000s as the centerpiece of a private residential community. The layout takes advantage of significant elevation changes characteristic of the southern Appalachian foothills, with holes routed across rolling terrain that offers views of the surrounding mountain landscape. The course plays through a mix of hardwood forest and open corridors, with Nicklaus incorporating natural rock outcroppings and elevation shifts into the design strategy. Several holes feature dramatic downhill tee shots, while others require uphill approaches to elevated greens. Water comes into play on a handful of holes, though the primary design interest derives from the topography and the need to manage uneven lies and varying shot trajectories across the mountainous property. Achasta operates as a private club serving its residential membership, with amenities typical of upscale golf communities in the region. The course reflects Nicklaus's design approach from this period, emphasizing playability across different tee sets while incorporating the natural features of a site with considerable movement. The North Georgia location places it within a cluster of mountain golf developments that emerged in the decades surrounding the turn of the century, offering an alternative to the flatter terrain found closer to Atlanta.