Gatlinburg trip

[trilerian]

I am going to Gatlinburg around the end of October and the wife says I can play 2-3 rounds while we are out there. Any suggestions on which courses to play? I do prefer to walk if that makes a difference, but the wife may play a round as well, in which case we will ride. The wife says my golf budget is $200 for the trip.

[golfgoob]

Sevierville has 36 holes that are nice. Could probably play both the same day for under $100 it go over the mountain and play Sequoyah National in Cherokee.

[Minarets]

Love Sevierville but never even heard of the Cherokee course but it looks awesome on the website.

[trilerian]

Wow, I don't think I have ever seen so much water on a golf course... And my home course crosses a river 4 times. Anyway, can you walk the Sevierville courses for less or is it a mandatory cart fee?

[golfgoob]

I'm not sure about the cost. I've only played the River course and it walkable but there are long walks between holes. Probably the same for the other course because the old course that was there has holes on both courses, had large gaps between holes.

[glk]

Wow, I don't think I have ever seen so much water on a golf course... And my home course crosses a river 4 times. Anyway, can you walk the Sevierville courses for less or is it a mandatory cart fee?

Cart only.

[me05501]

River Islands in Kodak, TN is pretty good and not far from Sevierville. There's a bit of a big gap between the championship tees and the normal men's tees IIRC. One a little too long, the other a little short? Anyway, the course plays back and forth across a gorgeous river a couple of times. Really cool layout IMO.

[me05501]

FYI the closer you are to Gatlinburg the more you're playing actual mountain golf with a lot of blind shots, forced carries, elevation changes etc. Stay out near Sevierville and it's a lot more flat.

[Minarets]

I don’t even know any courses up towards Gatlinburg besides the GCC. everything else seems to be down toward Pigeon or Kodak.

[golfgoob]

There is a course called Bent Creek, I think, thats on 321 between Gatlinburg and Cosby. Never played it.

[2muchclub]

Stick with Sevierville GC and River Islands. Bent Creek is an old Gary Player course; not sure what shape it is in these days but its pretty short, and as I recall one nine is fairly flat, the other nine is a mountain course. Gatlinburg GC is just ok.

[trilerian]

Thanks for all the replies. Leaving tomorrow morning.

[golfgoob]

Make sure you call River Islands before you go. They have been struggling the past few years and its/was up for sale.

[alcap26]

Avoid river islands and bent creek. River islands from the last update I got a few weeks ago not in that great of shape and bent creek was just totally let go. Gatlinburg was in good shape and sevierville both in good shape. It has turned colder and been rainy so expect it to play soft. Sevierville has 36 holes and the two courses are very different. Most prefer the river course fo a true test and the highlands for a mountain style.

[me05501]

Restaurants to hit while you're there: Park Grill, Cherokee Grill, Smoky Mtn Brewery. Definitely check TripAdvisor or Yelp before randomly choosing a place to eat. There are a lot of mediocre places up there that survive on the concept that you'll never be back anyway.

[trilerian]

Going to play the river course at sevierville, and thanks for the dinner ideas.

[glk]

Going to play the river course at sevierville, and thanks for the dinner ideas.

Drive to downtown knoxville and eat at stock & barrel. Smokies are full of mediocre dining places - virtually every chain restaurant in the country.

Or go to Gus just west of downtown for some really good fried chicken. Sweet P’s is good too. Like Elvira’s in Wears valley.

 

[BrianMcG]

Be sure to hit The Pancake Pantry. It’s cash only FYI.

[cardia10]

Avoid river islands and bent creek. River islands from the last update I got a few weeks ago not in that great of shape and bent creek was just totally let go. Gatlinburg was in good shape and sevierville both in good shape. It has turned colder and been rainy so expect it to play soft. Sevierville has 36 holes and the two courses are very different. Most prefer the river course fo a true test and the highlands for a mountain style.

 

Surprisingly, River Islands is in great shape and is $25 for seniors Mon-Thu. Bent Creek has been bought and brought back up to a decent level. Not great at their asking price of above $40 but better than it was the last time I played it.