Smoke Rise Country Club in Stone Mountain, Georgia, is a member-owned private club that welcomes public tee times for its 18-hole championship golf course. The course is a hidden gem in the Atlanta metro area. Located 25 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, Smoke Rise Country Club is a Gary Roger Baird design from 1998 that rambles on green rolling hills as it spreads out over 175 virtually housing-free acres. Carved out of forest land, the playing field features exciting elevation changes and stunning views on Stone Mountain, Georgia s most famous natural landform. The course, which plays host to Emory University's golf teams, demands accuracy over power. Stone Rise Country Club features tight playing corridors. Steep terrain and elevation changes lead to some blind shots and lots of canted lies and stances. Ponds, ravines, and trickling streams further enhance the beauty of the golf grounds even as they add to the challenge. With five sets of tee markers, the layout can play as long as 6,792 yards and as short as 4,945 yards. While Smoke Rise Country Club is considered one of the Atlanta area s toughest courses from the tips, it eases up considerably from shorter distances where the trees are not so intimidating. The holes, many of which are doglegs, proceed uphill and downhill and set off in a multitude of directions with some intriguing angles. Driver is often not a wise club choice from the tee. Among the standout features of Smoke Rise Country Club are its fun collection of par 3s and its putting surfaces. The green complexes are impressively varied with plenty of contours. Putts roll fast with lots of breaks. If you want to warm up before your round, the club s extensive practice facilities include a grass driving range, short game area with practice bunker, and large, multi-tiered putting green. The large clubhouse boasts a full-service pro shop, locker rooms, and a restaurant and bar. There s also a lovely deck where you can relax and savor the view and a grill on the ground level that serves golfers making the turn. For a scenic round on an exciting playing field that will test your accuracy, make a tee time to play Smoke Rise Country Club in Stone Mountain.