Fairfield Glade Golf Courses.....need opinions

[Tarantula18t]

Which are the best to play out of these..........

I am wondering what are the best courses at Fairfield Glades. I have heard that Stonehenge is the best one, but I have no idea really.

The courses that are available to play are: Stonehenge, Heatherhurst Brea and Crag, Dorchester, Druid Hills, Bear Trace at Cumberland, Lake Tansi, River Run, River Watch, and Renegade National. Renegade National has a small upcharge I believe.

We have 5 rounds to deal with, and can use them however we like. We can also play one course multiple times if we want.

We haven't set this in stone yet. I am trying to get some opinions on the entire place, but the courses are the most important to us.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

[sandman]

[quote name='Tarantula18t' date='31 January 2010 - 08:09 PM' timestamp='1264986542' post='2217678']
[size="2"]I am wondering what are the best courses at Fairfield Glades. I have heard that Stonehenge is the best one, but I have no idea really.

The courses that are available to play are: Stonehenge, Heatherhurst Brea and Crag, Dorchester, Druid Hills, Bear Trace at Cumberland, Lake Tansi, River Run, River Watch, and Renegade National. Renegade National has a small upcharge I believe.

We have 5 rounds to deal with, and can use them however we like. We can also play one course multiple times if we want.

We haven't set this in stone yet. I am trying to get some opinions on the entire place, but the courses are the most important to us.

Any opinions would be appreciated. [/size]
[/quote]

Stonehenge is probably the most scenic. Now that carts are allowed, it's nicer to play.
Bear Trace is one of our groups favorites when playing that area. Not as scenic as Stonehenge.
River Run is a very deceiving course. The clubhouse/parking is an absolute disaster, but the course is fun to play. The conditioning is not the best either.
The Brea and Crag courses are excellent. Clubhouse is nice also, but we found some of the people working there a little harsh at times.
Dorchester and Druid Hills are pretty much run of the mill layouts, but fine to play. You may find yourself behind some Senior Leagues here. Best to check the teetimes.

Haven't played the other courses you mentioned. We pretty much stick to Bear Trace, Stonehenge and the Brea and Crag courses when there. River Run can be ok for something different and fun.

[volrus]

[quote name='Tarantula18t' date='31 January 2010 - 07:09 PM' timestamp='1264986542' post='2217678']
[size="2"]I am wondering what are the best courses at Fairfield Glades. I have heard that Stonehenge is the best one, but I have no idea really.

The courses that are available to play are: Stonehenge, Heatherhurst Brea and Crag, Dorchester, Druid Hills, Bear Trace at Cumberland, Lake Tansi, River Run, River Watch, and Renegade National. Renegade National has a small upcharge I believe.

We have 5 rounds to deal with, and can use them however we like. We can also play one course multiple times if we want.

We haven't set this in stone yet. I am trying to get some opinions on the entire place, but the courses are the most important to us.

Any opinions would be appreciated. [/size]
[/quote]


I grew up in this area playing all of the courses you mention. Stonehenge is hands down the best and is a different experience (for us southerners anyway) because they have bent fairways. From there I would rank them as follows:

Bear Trace at Cumberland...absolutely beautiful
Heatherhurst Brea
Heatherhurst Crag
Lake Tansi
Druid Hills
The rest are really a toss up. Renegade National at the time I was playing it was by far the most scenic golf course in Tennessee due to steep drop offs/bluffs, rolling hills, views of the Cumberland Plateau, etc. It literally sits on top of a pretty high mountain peak and used to have a ski resort. However, since that time it has gone through a couple of different owners and I'm not sure of the conditioning any longer.

One thing to note is that Stonehenge, the Heatherhurst courses, Druid Hills, and Dorchester are the only ones that are actually inside Fairfield Glade. The others are in other locations around Cumberland County with the furthest drive probably being Renegade.

Also, depending on when you are going, snow could be an issue getting to Renegade. Of course the best times to see all of these courses is in mid to late October when the leaves are changing. If you are going when the weather is warmer keep in mind that Stonehenge will likely be very wet due to the required amount of water to keep the bent grass alive.

[golfgoob]

I haven't played all the courses you mentioned but I would play Renegade twice, Bear Trace, Stonehenge and Riverwatch. Renegade was closed for a few years for a redue but when I played it before, I loved it. Haven't played Bear Trace but heard its nice. Stonehenge is good but its always wet because of the Bentgrass. The sleeper is Riverwatch. Its about 45min or so from Crossville but well worth the drive. Demanding tee shots and shots to the greens with little room for error. Riverwatch would be a good one to play as a second round of the day because its close to Cookeville and it has better options for food.

[coffee-cup]

I have played all the courses mentioned, as i am a local. The must plays are Bear Trace and Stonehenge. Stonehenge was were the state open was held at several times. Used to be the #2 or 4 public course in the state. I prefer Dorchester more than the other Fairfield courses, just for the various hole setups. In my opinion, if you play one fairfield course, then you've played them all. No offense, but they are all very similar to me.

Renegade will be the most scenic by a mile. No one plays there because it's private and green fees are ridiculous(compared to other crossville courses). With that being said, it doesnt get much use and stays in good shape.

River Watch is a good 30 minutes away, but its always in killer shape. I would suggest it also.

Lake Tansi is my favorite since i grew up playing there. Maintenance is not as good as Bear Trace but its still nice.

Crossville also has a course called Deer Creek. It and River Run are the cheaper courses but still decent to play on. I would skip those if i were you.

My list would be:
Bear Trace
Stonehenge
Renegade
River Watch
Lake Tansi

This list will offer plenty of variety, compared to playing just the Fairfield courses. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Hogan81]

Has anyone been to Stonehenge or the other fairfield glade courses recently? Thinking about a trip there soon. Just wondering what kind of shape they are in. Thanks

[coffee-cup]

[quote name='Hogan81' timestamp='1283814795' post='2682162']
Has anyone been to Stonehenge or the other fairfield glade courses recently? Thinking about a trip there soon. Just wondering what kind of shape they are in. Thanks
[/quote]

I was there saturday. Seemed to be in the same shape it's always in. Greens are decently fast and upkeep is pretty good.

[cardia10]

What did you play saturday, I'm going Thursday and playing Deer Creek for our cheapie, Heatherhurst, Bear Trace, and Heather Hurst Brae and Crag.

[IUbball23]

Thinking about putting together a Fairfield Glade trip for mid October. Have the courses recently aerified, or does any know if they plan on punching them soon? Also, is Renegade National fully private? If not, does anyone know what the greens fees are there? I want to play courses with lots of undulation, and from what I have read, Renegade seems to be the one with the most. Thanks!!

[golfgoob]

Renegade is closed down. I stopped by there in July and the course was closed and don't know when or if it will open back up. Its a shame because it was an awesome course. Check out Riverwatch in Smithville. Maybe 30-45 min. from Fairfield Glades.

[volrus]

[quote name='golfgoob' timestamp='1285704030' post='2718448']
Renegade is closed down. I stopped by there in July and the course was closed and don't know when or if it will open back up. Its a shame because it was an awesome course. Check out Riverwatch in Smithville. Maybe 30-45 min. from Fairfield Glades.
[/quote]

Hate to hear that, back in the early/mid 90s that was one of the best courses in all of east Tennessee. No course in TN that I've ever played can compete with the scenery and views of the mountains that you get at that course. Just had to watch out for the snapping turtles and copperheads! All of this and a very tough course to play.