Cobblestone is an awesome track.  If you only play one, play that one.  It's about 45 min form ATL.

Stone Mountain is a fun one too.  It's got 36 holes and is more of a resort style course and is a bit closer.  I liked the Stone 18 better than the other one.

I would be willing to bet both courses have rentals.

Completely 2nd Cobblestone.  Great public course.  They used to have the qualifier for the PGA tournament Bellsouth Classic when it was in Atlanta years ago plus they recently rebuild all their greens about a year or 2 ago.

Echelon Golf Club is another great track that you can play.  Pretty new course designed by Rees Jones.

I am assuming your will be at Perimeter Center North adjacent to 285 and GA 400. Most of the courses close by are private. Of the public courses, River Pines is within 30 minutes of there and they have great twilight rates. Not sure if they have rentals so you will have to call. My home course, Echelon, has rental clubs and is about 45 minutes up GA 400, not hard to find. It is in great condition and one of the toughest layouts you will find in town.

You can find more options on GolfNow.com and search North Atlanta.

Joel

I recently got together in northern Atlanta with a couple of FootJoy Ambassador friends.  We played Echelon--a tough track in Milton, and Country Club of the South.  Both were in fantastic condition and made for fun rounds, but not necessarily good scoring ones.  Both are private, but you might be able to get on.  CCS is a Club Corp club.