At a first glance, the Candler Park Golf Course might seem like any other golf course. It has neat putting greens, a tee box and neatly-raked sand traps. But unlike other golf courses, as soon as you walk inside, you notice ripped jeans, graphic tee shirts and sneakers.

The Candler Park Golf Course is a public course for the neighborhood. It has nine holes, each with different features and challenges. It is open to anyone who wants to play, drawing a diverse crowd of people. Local schools such as Inman Middle School and Ben Franklin Academy regularly use the golf course to practice because the course is public.

“We’re one of the few public courses in the area, there are a lot of private clubs in the area, and they are a little harder to get on for schools,” said Heath Walker, the golf course’s manager. “We have the availability for them that the other places don’t.”

This course is popular because of how easy-going the community and course is. At the course, there isn’t any dress code, anyone can play golf there, and most people aren’t here for competition, but for casual, carefree golfing.

“I’ve been playing golf at Candler Park since I went to school at Georgia Tech,” John Wolf, a local golfer said. “At that time, it was a convenient and inexpensive way to get in a quick round here and there. I still appreciate the golf course’s convenience. I also love how quickly I can finish nine holes.”

Duncan and Ross Smith, two sixth graders at Inman Middle School, golf there almost every day. They know all of the people that work there, and have good relationships with them. One of the reasons they don’t go to a different golf course is because of the accommodating staff.

“I like the golf course because it’s not as uptight about the rules as other places are,” Duncan Smith said. “I know the people that work there and they know me.”

Because the golf course has been here since 1927, it adds a lot to the community. The people in Candler Park think of it as part of the neighborhood even if they don’t play here.

“It provides a fun atmosphere that anyone in the community, even outside the community can come, play golf, enjoy themselves, and get away from their everyday struggles,” Walker said.

Many people don’t usually play golf because it would take too much time and places are too far away. The Candler Park Golf Course is cheaper than many other places, and is only nine holes, instead of the standard eighteen, allowing it to be played quicker.

“I’m too busy to spend an entire day playing golf at a full-length 18 hole course,” Wolf said. “The course allows me to quickly fit in a round when I have a spare couple of hours.”

The Candler Park Golf Course is a simple, easy place to golf that many people can enjoy.

“Candler Park Golf Course makes it possible for anyone on any budget to come out and enjoy the game of golf,” Wolf said. “It’s a place where we can meet people from Atlanta that we might not get a chance to meet otherwise.”