No. 8. Atlanta, Ga.
Population: 5,017,397
Median home price: $170,400
Number of public courses: 92.5
Median green fee: $46

THE GOLF: You've got the Bobby Jones trifecta: East Lake, Peachtree, and Atlanta Athletic Club. East Lake is one of the area's two PGA Tour sites, along with TPC Sugarloaf. There's also the Crabapple course at the Capital City Club, a former Tour host. With its high ranking for access to quality public golf, its many junior golf programs, a whopping 60 quality public courses, Hotlanta is sweeter than a peach for golfers.

THE REST: The capital of the South oozes charm like sausage gravy. It's the home of the civil rights movement, sweet tea and funky blues clubs. On perfect-weather summer evenings, locals can hit the lively restaurant scene and enjoy a cold one on one of the many awesome outdoor patios.

• Perfect Day of Golf in Atlanta

Tall pines and snow-white bunkers frame the water-fronted 13th hole at Bear's Best.

Credit: J2 Golf Marketing