Best golf courses: Tennessee / Kentucky

Tennessee / Kentucky: the table below provides brief details about the top golf courses in this country or region. Each golf club has been visited and/or researched by Where2Golf. Click on the course name below to discover more. The course ratings below range from 5 highest, to 2 lowest. They attempt to provide an indication of the golfing experience you might expect at the course (based on its design, condition and surroundings). Hover your cursor above the Rating Key for the rating definitions.
4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Crossville
Nicklaus, Jack

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Crossville

Designer

A Jack Nicklaus Signature Course

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Chattanooga
Nicklaus, Jack

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Chattanooga

Designer

A Jack Nicklaus Signature Course

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Chattanooga
Nicklaus, Jack

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Chattanooga

Designer

A Jack Nicklaus Signature Course

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Cincinnati
Von Hagge & Devlin; Hurdzan.

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Cincinnati

Designer

Brookview & Lakeview nines: designed by Robert von Hagge & Bruce Devlin (1979).
Ridgeview nine: designed by Michael Hurdzan (1989).

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Lexington
Pfaff, David

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Lexington

Designer

David Pfaff

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Kingsport
Griffiths, Denis

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Kingsport

Designer

Denis Griffiths

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Memphis
Nicklaus, Jack

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Memphis

Designer

A Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Kingsport
Clark, Tom

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Kingsport

Designer

Thomas E. "Tom" Clark

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Somerset
Ault, Brian

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Somerset

Designer

Brian Ault

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Crossville
Greenwood, Bobby

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Crossville

Designer

Bobby Greenwood

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Crossville
Howard, Leon

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Crossville

Designer

Leon Howard

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Knoxville
DeVictor, D.J.

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Knoxville

Designer

D.J. DeVictor

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Memphis
Gremmels, Dave

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Memphis

Designer

Dave Gremmels (Falcon Ridge's original owner and long-time golf professional).

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Knoxville
Langford & Cupp

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Knoxville

Designer

William B. Langford (1955) and later renovations by Bob Cupp (1993, 2007).

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Nashville
Nelson, Larry

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Nashville

Designer

Larry Nelson & Jeff Brauer

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Memphis
Ault & Clark

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Memphis

Designer

Edmund B. Ault & Tom Clark of Ault, Clark & Assocs.

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Kingsport
Jones & Packard

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Kingsport

Designer

Rees Jones designed the Knobs and Fodderstack nines (1978). Larry Packard designed the Chimney Top nine (1994).

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Nashville
McCumber, Mark

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Nashville

Designer

Mark McCumber

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Lexington
Jones, Rees

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Lexington

Designer

Rees Jones

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Crossville
Baird, Gary Roger

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Crossville

Designer

Gary Roger Baird

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Crossville
Baird, Gary Roger

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Crossville

Designer

Gary Roger Baird. Nine holes came from the original Heatherhurst 27-hole design, with nine new holes added in 2000 to create a second 18-hole course at Heatherhurst.

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Nashville
Unknown

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Nashville

Designer

Unknown

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Nashville
Baird, Gary

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Nashville

Designer

Gary Roger Baird

5-star: Fabulous – courses don’t get much better than this.
Visitors welcome
Nashville
Griffiths, Denis

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Nashville

Designer

Denis Griffiths

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Lexington
Ault, Brian

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Lexington

Designer

Brian Ault

Private: A course for members and their invited guests only.
Private club
Knoxville
Ross, Donald

Visitors?

Private club

Nearest city

Knoxville

Designer

Donald Ross

Private: A course for members and their invited guests only.
Private club
Chattanooga
Dye, Pete

Visitors?

Private club

Nearest city

Chattanooga

Designer

Father/son team of Pete Dye & P.B. Dye.

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Knoxville
Hills, Arthur

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Knoxville

Designer

Arthur Hills

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Lexington
Dye, Pete & P.B.

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Lexington

Designer

Father/son team of Pete Dye & P.B. Dye

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Cincinnati
Hurdzan, Michael

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Cincinnati

Designer

Willows course: Dr Michael Hurdzan (1976).
Pioneer course: Taylor Boyd (1968).
Fox Run course (now closed): Arthur Hills (1992).

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Crossville
Renault, Robert

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Crossville

Designer

Robert Renault

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Knoxville
Lee & Roquemore

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Knoxville

Designer

Joe Lee & Rocky Roquemore

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Cincinnati
Hurdzan, Michael

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Cincinnati

Designer

Dr Michael J. Hurdzan

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Memphis
Mitchell, Bergin & Timberlake

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Memphis

Designer

William F. Mitchell (1965); major redesign by Bill Bergin & Justin Timberlake (2008/9).

3-star: Good course – an enjoyable test for your game.
Visitors welcome
Nashville
Baird, Gary Roger

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Nashville

Designer

Gary Roger Baird

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.
(Closed in 2017)
Lexington
Marsh, Graham

Visitors?

(Closed in 2017)

Nearest city

Lexington

Designer

Graham Marsh

Private: A course for members and their invited guests only.
Private club
Chattanooga
Morrish, Jay & Carter

Visitors?

Private club

Nearest city

Chattanooga

Designer

Father-son team of Jay & Carter Morrish (1999); subsequently renovated by Bobby Cupp Jr (2019).

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.
Visitors welcome
Nashville
Wihry, Benjamin

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Nashville

Designer

Benjamin Wihry

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Lexington
Dye, Pete

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Lexington

Designer

Pete Dye & Tim Liddy.

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Memphis
Wihry, Benjamin

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Memphis

Designer

Benjamin Wihry

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Memphis
Pfaff, David

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Memphis

Designer

David Pfaff

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Kingsport
Maples, Ellis & Dan

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Kingsport

Designer

Original design by Ellis Maples; redesigned by son Dan Maples (2006).

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Nashville
Nicklaus, Jack

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Nashville

Designer

A Jack Nicklaus Signature Course

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Chattanooga
Hanse, Gil

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Chattanooga

Designer

Original layout by Albion Knight; significant redesign using the original routing by Gil Hanse (2013).

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Memphis
Pate, Jerry

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Memphis

Designer

Jerry Pate & Fred Couples

Private: A course for members and their invited guests only.
Private club
Memphis
Nicklaus, Jack

Visitors?

Private club

Nearest city

Memphis

Designer

A Jack Nicklaus Signature Course

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Memphis
Cobb, George

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Memphis

Designer

George Cobb

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Crossville
Lee & Roquemore

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Crossville

Designer

Joe Lee & Rocky Roquemore

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Chattanooga
King-Collins Design

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Chattanooga

Designer

Original course here designed by S.L. Rogers (1951). Complete redesign by Rob Collins & Tad King (of King-Collins Golf Course Design) (2014).

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
(Closed in 2017)
Nashville
Foster, Keith

Visitors?

(Closed in 2017)

Nearest city

Nashville

Designer

Keith Foster

Private: A course for members and their invited guests only.
Private club
Memphis
Prichard, Ron

Visitors?

Private club

Nearest city

Memphis

Designer

Ron Prichard with input from Hubert Green and Fuzzy Zoeller.

Private: A course for members and their invited guests only.
Private club
Louisville
Nicklaus, Jack

Visitors?

Private club

Nearest city

Louisville

Designer

Jack Nicklaus

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Somerset
Hurdzan, Michael

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Somerset

Designer

Dr Michael J. Hurdzan

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Knoxville
Oliphant, Bill

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Knoxville

Designer

Bill Oliphant

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Nashville
LaFoy, John

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Nashville

Designer

John LaFoy

Unrated: Well regarded course not yet visited by the Where2Golf team.
Visitors welcome
Knoxville
Powell & Connor

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Knoxville

Designer

Chip Powell & Ed Connor

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.
Visitors welcome
Lexington
Hills & Forrest

Visitors?

Visitors welcome

Nearest city

Lexington

Designer

Arthur Hills & Steve Forrest

Find a course

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Tournaments

The Sentry: known for many years as the Tournament of Champions, the PGA Tour’s 2025 season-opener gets underway on Kapalua’s Plantation course (Jan 2-5). Chris Kirk defends.

Tournament of Champions: the LPGA Tour’s 2025 season is launched at Lake Nona with the their Tournament of Champions (Jan 30-Feb 2). The 2024 edition gave Lydia Ko her 20th LPGA Tour title.

Who's Who

Attahya Thitikul: also known as “Jeeno”, the Thai golfer won the LPGA Tour’s 2024 CME Group Tour Championship … and an eye-watering $4 million, the richest first-prize in women’s golf.

Rory McIlroy: scooped the 2024 European (DP World) Tour season-long Order of Merit title, joining Seve Ballesteros as a six-time winner of this prestigious award.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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