Fairfield & Crossville Golf Courses

royhobbs93 · January 19, 2009

Which to play?

I've been invited to play golf with my dad and bunch of his old cronies. I'm not from the area so I have no idea about any of the courses. I read on this site they are "mickey mouse" (not sure what that means), but I was hoping for some thoughts on what course might be fun to play. We are playing 5 courses and I believe at least one is Stonehenge. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

lightgrip · January 22, 2009

When are you going? Stonehenge closes in the winter. It is very nice, but they bent grass fairways, which are always soggy. I have seen several balls lost in the middle of the fairway (plugged) because they have to keep the fairways so wet. However, it is a very nice and beautiful course. The Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain is very nice for not a lot of money.

chamgel2 · January 22, 2009

I live in FFG, and there are definately some mickey mouse courses. The Craig and Druid are both incredibly short, most par 4s at the Craig can be driven off the tee. I would recommend, Dorchester, The Brae, and Stonehenge as long as all are open when you visit. The Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain is very nice as well. If you have any questions give me a shout.

royhobbs93 · January 22, 2009

We are going in April (3-5ish). This is exactly the info I was looking for. I'm sure we'll play one or two of the shorter courses since we'll have some senior citizens with us, but I'll definitely recommend these other courses. Thanks for the info guys.

On a side note, I may try and play a round near Knoxville, any recommendations for that area?

lightgrip · January 23, 2009

River Islands is nice. Fox Den and Willow Creek also. The staff at Willow Creek used to be kind of snooty, but that may have changed. My choice would be River Islands in Kodak.

royhobbs93 · January 25, 2009

Thanks for the info. River Islands looks pretty sweet. I'll have to check it out.

golfgoob · January 26, 2009

Riverwatch in Smithville is a good course. About 45min or so from Crossville. In Knoxville, try Avalon, River Islands or Ruggles Ferry. All the courses in Knoxville are Bermuda and don't overseed so be ready for that.

volrus · January 26, 2009

Egwani Farms is very nice also in the Knoxville area.

As for Crossville courses, perhaps the absolute most beautiful, scenic course I have ever played is Cumberland Gardens, but it's been about 8 years since I played it. It was very tough from what I remember with MANY elevation changes. Is it even still open? Watch out for the snapping turtles and copper heads, but I'm telling you it has some awesome scenery...almost like it was built already integrated into the mountains!

Stonehenge is a very nice track also, but as someone else mentioned, it can be very wet during warmer months due to all the irrigation to keep the bent grass alive (still not sure why they used bent).

alcap26 · January 26, 2009

I played Stonehenge in March on year and lost 4 balls in the fairway...needless to say I will not play that course again. Egwani Farms in Alcoa, TN is a great course and has by far the friendliest staff in the Knoxville area. They are so friendly...Willow Creek could really use a lesson from them on how to treat their customers.

lightgrip · January 27, 2009

I'm pretty sure Cumberland Gardens is closed, and has been for some time. But you are right, it was probably the most beautiful course in Tennessee at one time. I played it every year for a while, but they just couldn't make a go of it.

volrus · January 27, 2009

I'm pretty sure Cumberland Gardens is closed, and has been for some time. But you are right, it was probably the most beautiful course in Tennessee at one time. I played it every year for a while, but they just couldn't make a go of it.

That really sucks, it really was a treat to play, and cheap from what I remember (about $35 I think).

golfgoob · January 29, 2009

Here is a link to what Cumberland Gardens is now. http://renegadenational.com/

Egwani Farms is too expensive $60? for a round there.

royhobbs93 · February 4, 2009

Can't thank you guys enough for the info. We are definitely hitting Stonehenge. Shouldn't have a problem losing the ball in the fairway, I only hit it 30% of the time. Thanks again you guys.