Tennessee Golf Trail Offers Great Golfing That’s Sure To Please

By Jessie Brooks

Known as the “volunteer state,” Tennessee has great golf in some wonderful, little out of the way places. Volunteerism was very important during the war of 1812, as President Andrew Jackson needed all of the troops that he could muster up get while fighting the battle of New Orleans.

If you fly into Nashville, the Doubletree hotel (located downtown) is a spacious and comfortable place to lay down your clubs and, Doubletree is well-known for their delicious chocolate chip cookies.

BLACKBERRY RIDGE GOLF CLUB is great for those who are near Shelbyville. We found the greens to be in good shape; some of the fairways were hard with bare spots. The course is challenging and a deal at $32.00 w/cart summer and $25.00 w/cart during the winter months.

BEAR TRACE, located at Tim’s Ford in Winchester, is a Jack Nicklaus designed course. This course is one of five Bear Trace golf courses on the Tennessee Golf Trail. Expect great things here; you won’t be disappointed. Nicklaus placed deep bunkers in strategic locations and the fairways are wide enough to miss most bunkers with decent tee shots. There aree deep bunkers in front of the greens; a wayward approach may find water. The course is fun to play from the white tees and provide a challenge from the back tees. It plays at a bargain: $32.00 weekdays, $42.00 weekends/holidays. There’s also great bass fishing with cabins and pontoon boats for rental. While in Winchester, visit Arezzo’s restaurant, located on the Square. Their extensive Italian menu is delicious and provides a great option for fine dining in a small town.

CLAX BRANCH, located in Loretta, is a shot-makers course. Designer Bob Hamerline created a course that is fun to play with plenty of risk-reward holes. Number 10 is a 370-yard, par 5. The first shot is a 175-yard lay up. The second shot is 210-yard carry over water or 80 yard lay up to the right. The third shot is a 100-yard shot to the green. Number 11 is a 350-yard, par 5.

The tee shot is a 135-yard lay up with a 90 degree left turn. The second shot is down a narrow fairway, the green is located in a bluff that you cannot see until you drive to the end of the fairway and look down. (You can leave the driver in the bag on these two holes.) Even those without course knowledge can get a high score here. Rates are an attractive: $24.00 weekdays, $30.00 weekends/holidays.

BEAR TRACE AT ROSS CREEK LANDING in Clifton is the fifth and newest course on the Bear Trace. The course was sold to private investors, and the plan surround it with villas. Bear Trace was recently named one of the best public access golf courses by Golf Week Magazine. While located off the beaten path, the Jack Nicklaus signature course is well worth the trip. This championship course has a 74.7/137 rating/slope from the back tees at 7131 yards.

The course has both left and right doglegs with water coming into play on 10 holes. It’s beautiful and makes you want to play your best golf. The signature hole is #10, with water on the left and right of the landing area. The green is on a peninsula, which requires an accurate second shot. Writing about this course doesn’t do it justice. It is a must play to be fully appreciated. Visit www.RossCreekLandingGolfClub.com.

In Clifton, visit Meo Mio’s in nearby Bath Springs for good Cajun food-- the red beans ‘n rice and jambalaya, very good and spicy!

PICKWICK LANDING STATE PARK GOLF COURSE is a traditional course, and all holes are tree-lined with out of bounds guards on eleven of the holes. Water comes into play on eight of the holes. The signature hole #2 is a 396 yard, par 4 with out of bounds protecting the entire right side. In addition to the golf, one good thing about this destination is there is lodging at the nearby Pickwick Inn, with rooms facing the Tennessee River it offers a great view of the river and marina. Greens fees:$34.00 w/cart in season. Visit www.tngolftrail.net.

SHILOH FALLS GOLF CLUB is just two miles from Pickwick Landing. This is a championship golf course designed by Jerry Pate and Fred Couples. The fairways are tree-lined with rolling terrain, views of the Tennessee River, elevation changes, plenty of bunkers and of course water on eight holes. Hole #15, the signature hole, features a 55-foot natural waterfall behind the green and a change in elevation of 88 feet from tee to green. Standing on the tee box is a picture perfect moment. Shiloh Falls has a beautiful clubhouse and the wonderful Links Restaurant. Be sure to try Amy’s beer batter bread and home made clam chowder soup. Green fees: $24.00 Monday-Thursday, $31.80 Friday/Sunday, $38.80 on Saturdays. A hotel package is available. Visit www.ShilohFallsGolf.com.

After playing Tennessee’s golf trails, make time to enjoy Nashville and relish in its culture. Nashville’s Frist Center for the Visual Arts is an educational Art Museum, with exhibits that change throughout the year. To fully appreciate the works of art, take a tour of the museum with a Docent, an articulate member of the museum team, offering visitors an intelligent introduction to the exhibits. Docent Mancil Ezell, works onsite and is an excellent interpreter of style and art.

Do you believe that a Post Office could be a work of art? Well, the Union Station Hotel has a clear décor connection to the Art Museum, remodeled with bright colors and draperies. The 125 rooms are all unique and the hotel is conveniently located near nightclubs for a variety of lively music.

Chappys Restaurant is excellent for fine dining with a New Orleans-style flair. The chef makes everything fresh and puts his heart and soul into every meal. www.chappys.com.

Put Tennessee on your “must-do” list…challenging, beautiful, and competitive courses; great food; entertaining sights and more make it a place for a great vacation.