Nashville Golf Courses in September.

[Minarets]

I played Bear Trace at Tim's Ford yesterday and it's worth the trip. Excellent conditions currently. Far better than the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay.

 

How is the Harrison Bay course in Chattanooga? Layout nice if conditions were better?

 

Love Tims Ford.

[me05501]

I played Bear Trace at Tim's Ford yesterday and it's worth the trip. Excellent conditions currently. Far better than the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay.

 

How is the Harrison Bay course in Chattanooga? Layout nice if conditions were better?

 

Love Tims Ford.

 

It's a *great* piece of property and an interesting layout. The fairways are quite a bit wider than Tim's Ford. Still, pace of play tends to be slow, and I'm not really sure why. It's the only "premium" daily fee course in the area and it seems like some players intend to make a day of it.

 

They struggle with various aspects of course conditions from time to time. They replaced the original bent greens with Champion Bermuda, which was a big improvement. We are right on the Southernmost latitude where bent grass is viable during the hottest months. The mountain courses can swing it but most courses in the valley have gone to some kind of Bermuda hybrid.

 

There was also an issue when the course was built these fescue collars the designers included around every green. The local construction company told the designers the fescue would burn up but Nicklaus wouldn't spec a different turf. The first few years the course was open the collars were beat to smithereens. Eventually they were replaced with Bermuda sod but it's always seemed like an afterthought that isn't fully integrated into the design.

 

Worth the trip, but call ahead to check conditions.

[airjammer]

I always thought the layouts where almost a copy of each other than a hole dogleg going the opposite direction.

 

Tims Ford one of my favorite courses too bad they built all of these bear trace courses in the middle of no where. I never got to play the one that got closed and is back to nature.

[me05501]

I always thought the layouts where almost a copy of each other than a hole dogleg going the opposite direction.

 

Tims Ford one of my favorite courses too bad they built all of these bear trace courses in the middle of no where. I never got to play the one that got closed and is back to nature.

 

Their hands were tied as the courses had to be cut into TN state park property. Harrison Bay and Cumberland Mountain are pretty accessible.

 

I never got to play the one near the TN/AL state line, but a friend told me it was the best of the bunch.

[golfgoob]

There were 5 Bear Trace courses? Harrison Bay, Cumberland, Tims and Chickasaw, where was the 5th one again? Chickasaw is open but not part of the state park courses.

[me05501]

There were 5 Bear Trace courses? Harrison Bay, Cumberland, Tims and Chickasaw, where was the 5th one again? Chickasaw is open but not part of the state park courses.

 

Chickasaw was/is the fourth. There wasn't a fifth.

 

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php?topic=38300.0;wap2

[airjammer]

I didn’t realize it was back open.

 

It was incredibly dumb for the state not to buy land a build these courses in the best locations not just already owned land that just so happened to be in powerful districts.

[golfgoob]

That GCA link mentions Ross Creek. Wasn't it the 5th course?

[me05501]

I didn't realize it was back open.

 

It was incredibly dumb for the state not to buy land a build these courses in the best locations not just already owned land that just so happened to be in powerful districts.

 

These kinds of projects are always borne out of compromise and subject to funding. My guess is that the tie to state parks was central to getting the project done at all.

 

Harrison Bay is plenty close to Chattanooga and a lot of locals play it regularly. Cumberland is in Crossville which is a notable golf destination with a dozen other courses, and it's equidistant to Nashville and Knoxville.

 

I wish Tim's Ford was closer to I-24, but it's not on the moon. Maybe 30 minutes from the interstate.

[johnnylongball]

That GCA link mentions Ross Creek. Wasn't it the 5th course?

 

Yes, Ross Creek Landing was in Clifton TN. Absolute middle of nowhere. It was the best course of all the BT. And the hardest to get to.

[smashdn]

Very well could have been the TN answer to the RTJ trail but they boogered it up. I have always been intrigued and had intentions to play the Bear Trace courses but they are off the cut. I am only 35-40 minutes north of Nashville and most of the BT courses are 2+ hours away. Feasibility boondoggle indeed.

 

Are there any courses in West TN that are must plays? I don't count Greystone as west TN.

[chasd]

Chaps,

 

Thanks again for all your help & recommendations , just back from Nashville and loved it.

 

This my view of the courses and their condition.

 

Thursday 09/06 played Gaylord Spring :- Outstanding and great condition, best overall course & golfing experience of the trip.

 

Friday 09/07 played President's reserve @ Hermitage golf course :- Greens were a disgrace and wasted the round. Wouldn't ever play it again and nearly cancelled the booking for the General course because of it.

 

Sunday 09/09 Old Fort :- Nice track, it rained heavy so didnt see it at it best but it was a good value enjoyable round.

 

Momday 09/10 Greystone :- Really interesting course, some strange holes but it was great.

 

Wednesday 09/12 Sweetens Cove :- I loved the course. It reminded me of Taymouth Castle golf course back in Scotland, which in Perthshire hills and was one of my favourite courses until some half wit closed it to redesign the course and it never re-opened. The portal toilet at the course was minging and I hope they get some money to build a clubhouse, must able to do some crowd-funding as looking at this thread, its well supported. Would play again tomorrow, great 9 hole course, geat condition and great views.

 

Thursday 09/13 Gerneral retreat @ Hermitage golf course :- Liked the course, greens were night and day with President course and have a enjoyable round with really nice holes.

 

Loved Nashville, its a great town. Now planning our next golfing trip to US in 2020, any sugguestions welcome. We have been the to the following so looking for somewhere new with good golf and bars.

 

(Daytona/Orlando, Myrtle beach, San Antonio/Houston, Las Vegas, Scottsdale, Palm Springs & Fort Worth/Dallas).

 

Charlie

[golfgoob]

Pinehurst. Must play Tobacco Road.

[torrejuan]

Wish you had the chance to play Indian Hills, 15 min away from Old Fort. I am a part timer there and in the best shape ever.

 

[smashdn]

Pinehurst. Must play Tobacco Road.

 

This. So much good golf in that area and it is a golf area first and foremost.

[Minarets]

Wish you had the chance to play Indian Hills, 15 min away from Old Fort. I am a part timer there and in the best shape ever.

 

This is true. Greens are best shape they have ever been. I’ve played there a majority of the time this year to Old fort.

[Minarets]

I’m shocked to hear that about Presidents Reserve at Hermitage. It is usually in fantastic shape and probably the best public course in middle Tennesee. What was wrong with them? Did they lose them or something?

[TNBIGJOE]

I’m shocked to hear that about Presidents Reserve at Hermitage. It is usually in fantastic shape and probably the best public course in middle Tennesee. What was wrong with them? Did they lose them or something?

 

We played presidents that same weekend. The aerated the greens on the 10th. Hopefully they are in better shape now.

[BlueCollarKid]

I'm shocked to hear that about Presidents Reserve at Hermitage. It is usually in fantastic shape and probably the best public course in middle Tennesee. What was wrong with them? Did they lose them or something?

 

We played presidents that same weekend. The aerated the greens on the 10th. Hopefully they are in better shape now.

 

Played Presidents yesterday. The greens were atrocious. We were surprised they didn't mention this when booking or before teeing off. The course itself was in great shape, but the greens...not so much.

[The General]

They never mention that the greens are aerated, you always have to ask - it should probably be the 1st or 2nd question you ask when you call a golf course. I've been burned a few times and it always chaps my a** when you get to the practice green and see the holes and your blood starts to boil, at least mine does. It's so lame that the jerks in these pro shops don't tell you about the greens ahead of time.

[BlueCollarKid]

They never mention that the greens are aerated, you always have to ask - it should probably be the 1st or 2nd question you ask when you call a golf course. I've been burned a few times and it always chaps my a** when you get to the practice green and see the holes and your blood starts to boil, at least mine does. It's so lame that the jerks in these pro shops don't tell you about the greens ahead of time.

 

They aerated them back on 9/10, I believe. There weren't any punch marks. They were just in bad shape. Oh well :-) For me, right now, some golf is better than no golf.