Alfred "Tup" Holmes Golf Course

About Alfred "Tup" Holmes Golf Course

This is the City of Atlanta's course in Adams Park, and the name is the first thing to know. In 1951 Alfred "Tup" Holmes, his brother Oliver and their father, Dr. Hamilton Holmes, were ordered off the Bobby Jones course because they were Black, and they sued. When a lower court offered limited access, Tup turned it down and pushed on to the Supreme Court, which ruled on November 7, 1955 that the city's segregated courses were unconstitutional. Weeks later, with threats hanging over the original plan to play Bobby Jones, the group teed off at North Fulton instead, just in time for Christmas.

Holmes was a serious player, too: four National Negro Amateur titles and three Black-only Southern Amateurs, and the Georgia State Golf Association put him in its Hall of Fame in 2012. He died in 1967, and his family and the city dedicated this course to him in 1983. His son Hamilton was one of the two students who integrated the University of Georgia in 1961.

As for the golf, the city calls it low rolling hills, with three sets of tees on every hole. The Clio historical guide credits the design to Garrett Gill and George B. Williams. The map survey shows water touching nine holes, six of them along a creek, with four forced carries, and eight doglegs, five of them turning left. It's lightly bunkered, 27 in all, and half the holes are tree-lined. Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data.

It's one of 82 courses Yoink watches in the Atlanta area, and John A. White Golf Course is practically next door — handy when your first choice is booked solid.

What it's like to play Alfred "Tup" Holmes Golf Course

There's real elevation change: some holes rise or fall about 85 feet from tee to green. You'll carry water off the tee or into the green on 4 holes. A creek or river runs through the property and comes into play on 6 holes.

Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data (ODbL).

Booking a tee time at Alfred "Tup" Holmes Golf Course

Book online through City of Atlanta Golf. The public, Fore Pass holders and annual pass members each have their own booking link. The course is open dawn to sunset every day. Cancel more than 24 hours out or you can be charged up to rack rate for each empty spot, and tee times aren't refundable. Players must be at least 7, cart drivers at least 18, check in at the pro shop first, and have carts back 30 minutes before sunset.

How to get a tee time at Alfred "Tup" Holmes Golf Course