Chattanooga for a quick guys' trip?

[thejuice]

My golf group went to play the RTJ trail at Montgomery and Opelika last Spring and I was thinking of doing something very different. I have a lot of guys that are cheap so I am looking for fairly inexpensive hotels and good golf at an affordable rate. The only issue I have is that it seems like Chattanooga is a lot like Atlanta in terms of the number of private courses to public courses within the city is tipped towards the private side.

 

So my questions...where would you stay as a group and what four courses would you play? I'd love Sweetens Cove as a "warmup" round since it's only a 9-hole track. What else would even come close to that experience? Or should we just stick with RTJ trail? For the record, we all live in Atlanta.

 

Thanks!

[golfgoob]

Chattanooga public golf is poor. I haven't played any of these but I think these would be good options and are fairly close to each other. Sweetens, Sewanee, Canyon Ridge. I'd give a call to Blackcreek and see if you can get on, especially if its wintertime. I've heard that Bear Trace is in bad shape plus nothing else worth playing in that area. So its sounds like staying in South Pittsburgh is place to stay. Its not too far from downtown.

[TheLarch]

Drive an hour past Chattanooga to Goose Pond in Scottsboro, AL. Lake Course is great.

[lightgrip]

We had a group that went to Goose Pond for years. Really enjoyable course for a fair price.

Drive an hour past Chattanooga to Goose Pond in Scottsboro, AL. Lake Course is great.

[thejuice]

If I recommend Alabama to the guys then they'll surely just say "let's just play Birmingham or Opelika." I'll look into Goose Pond though. I know I definitely want us to play Sweetens Cove and Canyon Ridge.

 

Many of my group members (including me) are Clubcorp ONE members and I believe BlackCreek is on the list of courses available to us. I will look into it. Thanks for the suggestions and opinions so far!!!

[thejuice]

So the courses I'm looking at based on some research I've done...

 

Sweetens Cove (although it seems like this is out of the way for a 9-hole round)

Canyon Ridge (also out of the way but seems WELL worth it)

Black Creek

Fields Ferry (for a round either on the way there or on the way back)

 

Tough because there's no hotel that's actually near any of these and close to downtown Chatt-town (although Black Creek isn't far).

[BrianMcG]

Chattanooga public golf is poor. I haven't played any of these but I think these would be good options and are fairly close to each other. Sweetens, Sewanee, Canyon Ridge. I'd give a call to Blackcreek and see if you can get on, especially if its wintertime. I've heard that Bear Trace is in bad shape plus nothing else worth playing in that area. So its sounds like staying in South Pittsburgh is place to stay. Its not too far from downtown.

 

The Bear Trace is in great shape right now. They just rebuilt their greens and they are some of the best greens I've ever played.

[Fore Putt]

So the courses I'm looking at based on some research I've done...

 

Sweetens Cove (although it seems like this is out of the way for a 9-hole round)

Canyon Ridge (also out of the way but seems WELL worth it)

Black Creek

Fields Ferry (for a round either on the way there or on the way back)

 

Tough because there's no hotel that's actually near any of these and close to downtown Chatt-town (although Black Creek isn't far).

 

If you're driving to Sweetens Cove, it's only another 20 minutes to Sewanee to play GIl Hanse's 9 hole course there.

[lincolnduff]

You don't just play 9 at Sweetens, you play the 9's twice... at least. Totally worth the trip. With you club corp membership you could probably have success getting on Lookout Mountain (Seth Raynor) or Councilfire. Both are nice tracks, and could be open to getting you out with a phone call. If you could line up one of those with black creek and sweetens, you have a great trip.

[naws-golfer]

As a "member" at sweetens, its not a warm up spot. its the kinda of play you play three loops at least and find new and interesting ways to play each time.

 

also there are hotels near black creek, just not any nice hotels. but its only 12 min from downtown, as is look out and council fire.

 

Bear trace is the nicest public course, but won't be playing its best, stay pretty damp, as does black creek.

 

If i were you id head to jacksonville and play a few rounds.

[thejuice]

So is Sweetens Cove a true must play? My mother is from Chattanooga so I may just go see family to see how great this course is before I make any final decisions. It can't be THAT good, can it?

[naws-golfer]

So is Sweetens Cove a true must play? My mother is from Chattanooga so I may just go see family to see how great this course is before I make any final decisions. It can't be THAT good, can it?

 

For me it is.

 

its so unique in terms of looks and play. there isn't a course like it around here, except for maybe the sandbelt courses in the carolinas.

 

It was rated the new # 1 public course in TN by golfweek or golf world. So someone thinks its special besides me.

 

I'm in the cult for sure, but i like the courses mentioned. I just want to flock to warmer climates this time of year.

 

Give me a shout if you come up we'll play a round together.

[nso123]

All of the courses you have mentioned are within a short drive from downtown. The drought had things kind of touchy this summer, but it is easing up with the rain we have had. All summer long you would think you were a long drive champ they were so hard.

[thejuice]

So is Sweetens Cove a true must play? My mother is from Chattanooga so I may just go see family to see how great this course is before I make any final decisions. It can't be THAT good, can it?

 

For me it is.

 

its so unique in terms of looks and play. there isn't a course like it around here, except for maybe the sandbelt courses in the carolinas.

 

It was rated the new # 1 public course in TN by golfweek or golf world. So someone thinks its special besides me.

 

I'm in the cult for sure, but i like the courses mentioned. I just want to flock to warmer climates this time of year.

 

Give me a shout if you come up we'll play a round together.

 

We are the same way. I should've noted we are looking to do a quick trip next Spring. Definitely not before late March! If we go anywhere between now and then, it will be South Florida or Zona.

[TM_HOYER]

All of the courses you have mentioned are within a short drive from downtown. The drought had things kind of touchy this summer, but it is easing up with the rain we have had. All summer long you would think you were a long drive champ they were so hard.

 

You are right about driving distances. I use Game Golf to track my shots. I just got back from a couple days playing Bay Hill and my driver and fairway wood shots were shorter than my home course here in Atlanta. I can highly recommend Canyon Ridge. A few of the holes are quirky (in a fun way) and some of the views are not to be believed. Also when I played there, you could rent townhomes to stay in. They had hree bedrooms that could handle 4 people.

[nso123]

All of the courses you have mentioned are within a short drive from downtown. The drought had things kind of touchy this summer, but it is easing up with the rain we have had. All summer long you would think you were a long drive champ they were so hard.

 

You are right about driving distances. I use Game Golf to track my shots. I just got back from a couple days playing Bay Hill and my driver and fairway wood shots were shorter than my home course here in Atlanta. I can highly recommend Canyon Ridge. A few of the holes are quirky (in a fun way) and some of the views are not to be believed. Also when I played there, you could rent townhomes to stay in. They had hree bedrooms that could handle 4 people.

 

I just got back from Kiva and Craft Farms yesterday. I thought I had a lead weight in my ball by how short my drives seemed.

[tuckman]

So is Sweetens Cove a true must play? My mother is from Chattanooga so I may just go see family to see how great this course is before I make any final decisions. It can't be THAT good, can it?

 

It is THAT good. We took a large group down there and they charged $50 for all we could play. We played 36 and I wanted to play more.

[FairwayFred]

Don't miss Sweeten's Cove it is definitely THAT good. Will easily be the best course you play on your trip. Played 18 there today and wow it was pure the greens running 11+ and firm. Going back for more tomorrow.

[naws-golfer]

Its rare that a course basically plays the same year round.

 

hope you get out there every day but sunday this week.

[FairwayFred]

Spent the day at Sweetens Cove again today. They are offering some amazing membership specials this winter. $1500 for a full year membership INCLUDING carts, unlimited play. Not sure you can beat that anywhere.

[naws-golfer]

Spent the day at Sweetens Cove again today. They are offering some amazing membership specials this winter. $1500 for a full year membership INCLUDING carts, unlimited play. Not sure you can beat that anywhere.

 

You think we should get Patrick a porch space heater for Christmas?

[FairwayFred]

Spent the day at Sweetens Cove again today. They are offering some amazing membership specials this winter. $1500 for a full year membership INCLUDING carts, unlimited play. Not sure you can beat that anywhere.

 

You think we should get Patrick a porch space heater for Christmas?

 

That's a good idea. Either that or a nice jacket.

[Scratchtastic]

Spent the day at Sweetens Cove again today. They are offering some amazing membership specials this winter. $1500 for a full year membership INCLUDING carts, unlimited play. Not sure you can beat that anywhere.

 

You think we should get Patrick a porch space heater for Christmas?

 

Where's that heater? I'm freezing this morning.