Nashville, Tennessee may be most famous for its live music, honky-tonk bars, and Southern charm. But beyond the bright lights of Broadway, Nashville is also home to some incredible golf courses that provide a mix of scenic beauty and challenging play. Whether you’re a local or visiting Nashville for a golf getaway, these are some of the best courses you can play.
Best Nashville Golf Courses
1. Hermitage Golf Course: President’s Reserve
Located just 30 minutes from downtown Nashville, Hermitage Golf Course is a hidden gem featuring two unique 18-hole courses: the President’s Reserve and the General’s Retreat. The President’s Reserve, crafted by Denis Griffiths, is the more acclaimed of the two, meandering through 300 acres of the Cumberland River’s natural wetlands. It’s earned a spot on Golf Digest’s list of the top 10 Nashville golf courses.
What makes Hermitage especially unique are the famous Scottish Blackfaced sheep that have called both courses home since 2012. A tribute to golf’s Scottish roots, over 40 sheep freely roam the grounds year-round, serving as the course’s beloved mascots and a distinctive part of its identity.
2. Gaylord Springs Golf Links
There is plenty to do beyond golf at our next pick, but that’s where we’ll begin. Gaylord Springs Golf Links is a Scottish links-style golf course designed by former US Open and PGA Champion Larry Nelson. The course features rolling fairways, strategic bunkering, and undulating greens all among natural limestone bluffs and the banks of the Cumberland River.
Families and non-golfers will find plenty to enjoy at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, from relaxing at the Relâche Spa to dining at options like Old Hickory Steakhouse and Jack Daniel’s restaurant. The resort’s SoundWaves water attraction features pools, lazy rivers, and water slides, perfect for families. Guests can also explore the nearby Grand Ole Opry for live shows, or enjoy the resort’s shops, gardens, and indoor boat tours for a unique Nashville experience.
3. Harpeth Hills Golf Course
Harpeth Hills Golf Course, a top municipal option in Nashville, is renowned for its value and scenic setting in Percy Warner Park. Originally designed in 1965 and renovated in 1991, this par-72 course features elevated tees, lush fairways, and firm, fast greens resurfaced with TifEagle Bermuda grass in 2017. Offering a challenging layout with a classic parkland feel, Harpeth Hills is known for its natural beauty and affordability, with rates under $30 on weekdays and under $40 on weekends. It’s a standout choice for golfers looking for a high-quality experience without breaking the bank.
4. Vanderbilt Legends Club: North
For those seeking a more exclusive round of golf, Vanderbilt Legends Club in nearby Franklin, Tennessee, is one of the region’s premier private clubs since its opening in 1992. The club features two exceptional championship courses: the North Course and the South Course, designed by renowned architects Bob Cupp and Tom Kite.
Among the two, the North Course often garners the most acclaim. Its greens are intricately undulated, offering a variety of challenging hole locations, while its large, boldly shaped bunkers add to its complexity.
5. Belle Meade Country Club
Belle Meade Country Club, one of Nashville’s most prestigious private clubs, has a rich history intertwined with the evolution of golf in Tennessee. Originally founded as the Nashville Golf and Country Club in 1901 on Harding Pike, it quickly became a hub for both men’s and women’s golf tournaments and a thriving social scene with lavish dances and parties. In 1911, club president Frank O. Watts proposed relocating the club to Belle Meade to create the “biggest and best golf and country club in the South.” The move was unanimously approved, and in 1916, the club settled into its current location on Belle Meade Boulevard.
The course itself is one of the best Nashville golf courses featuring a classic layout designed by the renowned architect Donald Ross, with later enhancements by Robert Trent Jones in the early 1950s.
Whether you’re planning to tee off in the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee or take on the storied fairways of the best Nashville golf courses, traveling with your own clubs can make all the difference in your game. That’s where Ship Sticks comes in. Ship your clubs ahead of time to ensure they arrive safely and hassle-free at your chosen destination, allowing you to focus on your swing, not your baggage. With Ship Sticks, you can enjoy a stress-free golf trip, knowing your gear is waiting for you when you arrive. Plan your next getaway to the best Nashville golf courses and let Ship Sticks handle the heavy lifting!
