A Quick Nine: Best public golf courses in Atlanta area

All eyes will be on the Peach State these next two weeks, as Atlanta plans to host the NCAA men's basketball Final Four (which our friends at NCAA.com have covered and smothered), followed by the Masters just a couple of hours down the road in Augusta.

The great state of Georgia has so many great courses to choose from. We asked our friends in PGA.com Facebook Nation to help us out and tell us: What are the best public courses you can play in the Atlanta/Augusta areas?

Make sure you pack your clubs, folks. There are some great courses on the list. Here are the top 9, according to you.

Editor's note: If you've played any of the courses below, please click its name and visit its course page on PGA.com to leave a review for others to see.

9. Forest Hills Golf Club, Augusta, Ga. Chances are tee times will be impossible during the Masters, but that doesn't mean you can't try and call over for a tee time for later this week before the Final Four starts up, right?

Here's a description of Forest Hills, via the course's official website:

Established in 1926, Georgia Regents University's Forest Hills Golf Club is a much-loved staple within the golf community in Augusta, Georgia. This 18-hole golf course holds remarkable history from Bobby Jones beginning his 1930 Grand Slam of Golf at Forest Hills in the Southeastern Open to College golf events where future greats like Phil Mickelson (1989), Davis Love III, (1981, 1982) and others competed. Forest Hills is home to the Men’s and Women’s Jaguar Golf Teams, and became a part of golf history again when the Men’s Team successfully defended their 2010 NCAA Division I National Title and earned their second consecutive National Championship in 2011.

The 18-hole golf course was originally designed by world-renowned golf course architect Donald Ross and was redesigned by the Arnold Palmer Company in 2004. Continuing its long standing tradition of excellence, Forest Hills is repeatedly named “Best Public Golf Course” by Augusta Magazine and offers traditional Southern topography with level, rolling fairways surrounded by magnificent trees.

Facebook fan quote:

"Forest Hills where Bobby Jones played. I had goose bumps after I read that he had played there." -- Connie Dean

8. Ashton Hills Golf Club in Covington, Ga. Formerly known as Indian Creek Golf Club, Ashton Hills is just a 35-minute drive from Atlanta.

According to the Ashton Hills website, "It is the only course in the East Atlanta area designed with Picasso-like flair by world famous golf course architect, Desmond Muirhead. Providing golfers with not only a challenge, but a beautiful backdrop as well, it is a course that always remains in excellent condition. Conveniently located just 35 minutes east of Atlanta in Covington, Georgia, Ashton Hills opened in 1997, and was instantly voted Atlanta's Best New Course by the Georgia Golf News (previously Indian Creek Golf Club)."

Facebook fan quote:

"Ashton Hills in Covington is a great place on the way to Augusta." -- Bryan Raines

7. Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga. Featuring 117 holes of fantastic golf, it's tough to beat Reynolds Plantation. If you're not a member, you can still get on the courses if you are a guest at the community condos, or the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Basically the halfway point between Atlanta and Augusta just off I-20, Reynolds Plantation is the perfect stop if you're looking to include some special golf on your getaway.

Facebook fan quote:

"Reynolds Plantation. About an hour from Augusta on I-20 East... Pricey, though!" -- Thomas Edison Craig III

"Reynolds Plantation. That place looks awesome." -- Josh Winchell

"I enjoyed the courses at Reynolds Plantation. Halfway between Atlanta and Augusta. Also, I hear great things about the Crenshaw-Coore course at Cuscowilla, near Reynolds Plantation." -- Eric Christensen

6. Cobblestone Golf Course in Acworth, Ga. In the past, its been recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top 100 courses you can play. That's a strong endorsement.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Best Public course, Cobblestone!" -- Bob Smith

"Agree on Cobblestone. Reynolds is a must but good luck Masters week. For the money, Cobblestone!" -- David Loflin

5. Chateau Élan in Braselton, Ga. Chateau Élan features two public 18-hole championship golf courses, a public par-3, 9-hole course, and The Legends, a private golf club.

Facebook fan quote:

"Partial to The Legends at Chateau Élan, lot of blood sweat and tears put in there during construction and The Sarazen golf tournaments." -- David Adams

4. The Frog in Villa Rica, Ga. From the course website:

Designed by legendary golf course architect Tom Fazio , The Frog is recognized among the top courses in Georgia. Located off I-20 in Villa Rica, The Frog is a masterpiece complete with bentgrass greens, expansive bunkering, and has also attained status as an Audobon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Facebook fan quotes:

"The Frog." -- Thad Fine

"The Frog in Villa Rica Ga. Fazio design." -- Arthur Kelsch

"The Frog." -- Randy 'Beaker' Thomas

3. Stone Mountain in Stone Mountain, Ga. Just a few minutes from downtown Atlanta, Stone Mountain features two, 18-hole championship courses -- the Stonemont and the Lakemont. Both are breathtaking, winding through tall Georgia pines and around the Stone Mountain Lake.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Stone Mountain is great and its a neat view." -- Jonathan Evans

"Stone Mountain... Stonemont is a great test. Greens rolling about a 12 right now." -- Andrew Johnson

"Stone Mountain's Stonemont course. Close to town and a good test! Good luck on #1." -- Mark Poelker

"Stone Mountain Golf Club. Great tracks at a great price." -- Scott Lien

2. Echelon Golf Club in Alpharetta, Ga. Designed by renowned architect Rees Jones, Echelon was a clear favorite among our friends in PGA.com Facebook Nation. Rolling hills, dramatic elevation changes and incredible panoramic views are what make Echelon so special.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Echelon is affordable and in great condition, loved it." -- Sean Fairholm

"Echelon." -- Mike McAvoy

1. Bear's Best in Suwanee, Ga. As its name suggests, Bear's Best is a collection of replica holes -- 18 of the Golden Bear's favorites from his more than 200 course designs worldwide.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Bears Best is in great shape. Greens are running fast and fairways are green and well taken care of. A little pricey but well worth it." -- AJ Renteria

"Bears Best." -- J.B. Chiappini

"I guess it's Bears Best!" -- Mike Harris