Piedmont Driving Club Atlanta | Private Club Since 1887
Atlanta's oldest private social club, founded 1887. Overlooks Piedmont Park — land the club sold to the city in 1904. Membership requires 20+ referrals.
Piedmont Driving Club was founded in 1887 by Atlanta's civic leadership as the Gentlemen's Driving Club — a name that reflected members' interest in exercising their horses and carriages on club grounds. The club sold its adjacent land to the city of Atlanta in 1904, creating what became Piedmont Park. Its current campus at 1215 Piedmont Avenue, overlooking the park it helped create, operates a 27-hole championship course designed by Rees Jones in 2000, along with squash, tennis, swimming, and formal dining.
Founded 1887 as the Gentlemen's Driving Club; sold the adjacent land that became Piedmont Park to the city in 1904. Requires 20+ member referrals for admission. The closest Atlanta comes to a Knickerbocker-style institution.
Founded in 1887, Piedmont Driving Club is Atlanta's most exclusive private institution — the club that sold adjacent land to create Piedmont Park in 1904. Admission requires 20+ member sponsors. The campus at 1215 Piedmont Avenue includes a Rees Jones-designed 27-hole course added in 2000.
Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta was founded in 1887 and sold the land adjacent to the club that became Piedmont Park in 1904. It requires 20+ member sponsors for admission and is considered the most exclusive private social club in Atlanta.
At a glance
- Address
- 1215 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, Atlanta, GA
- Price range
- $$$$
- Cuisine
- Cultural, Arts, Museum
- Phone
- (404) 875-2565
Common questions
How selective is Piedmont Driving Club membership?
Extremely selective — applicants require more than 20 member referrals and a thorough board review. It is widely considered one of the most difficult club memberships to obtain in the American South.
Why is the club called a 'driving club'?
The Piedmont Driving Club was founded in 1887 as the Gentlemen's Driving Club, an era when carriage driving was the leisure pursuit of Atlanta's elite. The name has been retained as a point of institutional pride.
What is the relationship between Piedmont Driving Club and Piedmont Park?
The club originally owned land adjacent to what is now Piedmont Park. In 1904, the club sold that land to the City of Atlanta, making Piedmont Park possible — a piece of Atlanta history the club carries with quiet distinction.
Does Piedmont Driving Club have public-facing events?
The club is entirely private. All events, dining, and social programming are exclusively for members and their invited guests.