The Hot Chicken thing is just fairly new to me as someone who has lived in Nashville for almost 40 years, which makes me feel like it is not very authentic. Additionally it is odd that Nashville Hot Chicken is now our food calling card when I don’t remember anyone eating it when I was a kid (to @Clings1175 point). But that said, when I have hattie b’s it is pretty good, I just won’t wait in line for it.
Nashville sucks for public golf
Does it? This is a genuine question rather than a challenge. I feel like we have decent munis in Harpeth Hills, Two Rivers and Ted Rhodes and then some nice upscale options via Hermitage’s two courses. The pace of play absolutely sucks but since the munis went to bermuda the greens hold up soooo much better. How do we compare to Memphis, Atlanta, and other similarly sized Southern cities? Going to college in Jackson, MS, I can tell you…that is a crappy public scene. Nashville has such a better portfolio. I guess when you get down to it, Nashville has at least 8 public courses within 20 miles of my house that I would play on a regular basis which seems pretty good?
Hot chicken: I’m 25 and didn’t know it was our signature thing until I moved to Colorado for college. Hattie B’s has made themselves the best through ease of access (locations/delivery), consistency, and catering at events like tournaments at Sweetens. I still reminisce on those meals they served during the Hot Chicken Open. I had older siblings eat at Prince’s or Scoreboard’s, but I’m a big fan of Hattie B’s now. They’ve done a solid job expanding and I think they do a good job representing Nashville.
Strapped (great topic, enjoyed everyone’s input): Here’s my take…
Ted Rhodes is the clear selection due to reasons already explained.
I think Vinny Links (and unfortunately Shelby too) is also a clear selection. Putting myself in DJ Pie’s shoes, make that one episode but focus on the Vinny. Not only due to the Ross greens, but the First Tee and impact they have on the community. (Shoutout my guy Carey Ray)
For the third course, get out of Nashville. It seems like a lot of posts on here are focused on the metro parks courses, but I would venture to say that a lot us who consider ourselves Nashvillians played most of our golf outside the city. A year and a half ago, I would have recommended a golf course than I don’t even want to say the name of anymore, they don’t deserve the publicity. I’d argue Franklin Bridge is representative of a small segment of the population, but that The Legacy, despite my own personal issues, has golfers travel from all over the mid-state and is surprisingly reasonable if you can find the right time. Showcasing the best of Tennessee’s rolling hills and with some agricultural highlights, I think it’s a great representation of golf in Middle Tennessee.
Golf in Middle TN: With that being said, yes our golf is pretty bad, but it could be worse. I’ve traveled to other cities that have more golf-friendly soil conditions, and of course they have quality golf course spread about. But I think the larger issue with golf in Middle TN is the management. As someone who worked in and around golf for my entire professional career up until recently, there are some seriously bad management groups in play in this area. I won’t name names, but there a certain golf courses I refuse to give my business to because I know what’s going on behind the scenes. To end my rant… I was born and raised in this area. I lived outside of Nashville and drove in town for school/golf, and I have left golf as a profession because there are so many scummy/shady/ just overall bad people in the golf business, and I only learned that my environment.
But I think the larger issue with golf in Middle TN is the management.
Preach. And you would actually know about it from the professional side, I just have my opinions from being a paying customer (re: see my constant bitching about Gaylord). Would love to hear more about it but it would likely have to be offline…
As a native Nashvillian that left for 10 years to live in 4 other cities (Tampa, Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte) we could do way, way worse. I actually think Nashville muni’s have some of the best conditioning I have seen for muni’s in the south.
It’s probably an underserved golf market currently, especially post Covid.
Land - Gabbys burgers and Vinny Links or the par 3 at Harpeth Valley or Percy Warner. Stan at HV can talk about the flooding and how he routed the holes to use each club with varying wind directions. These three are pure Strapped courses.
Day 1: Ted Rhodes, talk about the historical relevance of the golfer, Ted Rhodes, and The Duffers Association. Maybe post round grab some wings and 2 for 1s?
Day 2: Harpeth Hills: Great shots of sunset over 18 from the balcony. Maybe talk about Steeplechase and the history of the old country club that became public. They love old country clubs gone muni. Post round Baja Burrito and cervezas.
But wait… where would they stay that’s not $200 a night? They’re gonna have to stay in the burbs which might lend itself to a Greystone, Montgomery Bell, Old Fort, Smyrna, Ceder Crest, VA golf course, Champions Run, Country Hills Twelve Stones, Legacy.
Day 3.
Two Rivers, #11 is probably the most visually appealing muni hole. Also have a skyline view that will drone well.
Shelby has the history, shows the damage still unresolved as a result of the tornado. Can showcase the East side.
Ultimate Strapped Course
Lightning Bug. If you know you know.
I think Ted Rhodes, Shelby and Vinny Links, and Montgomery Bell would be the courses/episodes. Based on prior seasons, I don’t think they could do Vinny Links on its own.
Re: hot chicken. I’m a native and think there’s room for both a Hattie B’s and Prince’s. I respect Prince’s for not wanting to expand as much, but have no issues with Hattie B’s. Prince’s is more convenient for me, so I have it a lot more. And Prince’s does have boneless tenders, btw.
Hey guys, Murfreesboro here. Would love to meet up with anybody in or around Nashville or host people at Stones River CC. Weekday’s work for me especially in the afternoon.
No further details yet but they are planning to improve/change 5 holes by the end of this year. They need approval from the City of Franklin before announcing.
safety net added to protect #1 from the driving range
expansion of practice facilities and they will be blocking off spots on the range for course warmup only
Very interested in seeing what the changes/improvements will be for the holes. I know #7 and #9 are going to be changed but no clue what other holes they are thinking about updating.
Not to quibble but I would say number 8 (in the summer) with the tilted-ass fairway is worse than 7. 7’s green is insanely shallow but other than that I rather like the hole. I wonder if/how they would do anything with number 4. Love the direction they are headed with that golf course but $82 for a weekend round there? SHEESH!!! That is a bit ridiculous.
My bro and I are heading in town 5/1 for, hopefully, 36. Any recommendations? We’ve played Two Rivers and Hermitage General’s Retreat. I’ve also played Indian Hills and Old Fort. Something new would be great.
Legacy is a great course but nothing like Greystone. MBSP is a fantastic course and challenging for sure.
Also I went to Gaylord the other day and had a great time. I know the people here hate it but the greens were great/slick and the conditions were overall really good.