I want to continue my self-appointed role of crapping on certain courses. Here’s some trusty do not plays:
Nashville National (should be called Joelton National because it is so far out, greens are tiny, conditioning varies quite a bit, super tight in some spots)
12 Stones (super slow, has the worst hole in Nashville)
Nashboro (very slow and run down but haven’t played it in 2 years)
Smyrna (unless you live close it is a municipal that is decently fun but not better than Two Riv, Harpeth Hills or Ted Rhodes)
Over $50 – I will continue to beat the drum for Hermitage in the $50-80 range. Free range balls, 36 holes of golf, interesting holes with good conditioning, every 5th round you play is free (so if you play a lot it is like a 20% discount on each round…don’t check my math please)…it’s almost like they want you to come play their golf course or something. I used to love Franklin Bridge but they are charging WAY to much money and they get a ton of member play that snatches up all the good tee times leaving you with a super slow course at a bad time. Brooks the owner is a great guy though and I wish him all the success in the world.
Under $50 – This is mostly municipals and I would ask what you like in a golf course and what are you used to (wide or tight fairways? hard or easy? elevation changes? elite conditioning, etc?). I am not ashamed to say I like a golf course that looks hard but plays easy and usually I prefer wide fairways because I don’t have fun when I have narrow corridors to land my wayward drives in. For me the municipals shake out like this: Harpeth is the hardest, McCabe is the easiest, Ted Rhodes has the most water and variety, Two Rivers reminds me of a pumped up McCabe (in a good way) in that it is still pretty open but requires you to think more and pull off some specific shots.
Another one that is down in the 'Boro is Old Fort. It can play really really slow but I do like the layout over there. Some pretty open holes and some that can be pretty tight.
I agree with you on Nashville National 100%. Not a bad place to take someone who doesn’t play golf for the first time.
12 Stones is home to the worst hole in Nashville but I actually like the course other than that. It plays long and has some tight shots here and there. Not a ton of risk reward holes. I really enjoy target golf and I feel 12 Stones really offers that on a lot of the holes. I really enjoy getting out there once a month. It can get a little burnt out in the dog days of summer though which is always a shame.
As far as muni’s, Two Rivers gets my vote as my favorite. A good walk, cheap, decent conditioning, and a fun layout. I like McCabe especially with the new greens, but it just isn’t long enough (except the north) to scratch the itch sometimes.
As far as non-muni publics, Legacy is my go-to. There’s usually a prepay deal that makes it a great value, and the greens are my favorite at any course (even though they kick my ass).
Will also always go to bat for Old Fort. It’s my favorite layout in Middle TN, plus it’s super cheap and walkable. As an MTSU alum, I can’t even count how many afternoon classes I skipped to go out there and play.
Henry Horton is so good for what it is. I have a friend who is a member at Golf Club and he thinks Horton’s greens are better. Not only do they roll pretty good they are just interesting. Love the multi-tiered greens on #4 and #15.
I’d rather play Horton than Greystone all day every day. I realize I’m in the minority here but I am no fan of Greystone at all.
That does it. I went to GolfPass and looked at the reviews for Henry Horton and everyone is raving (to the point of evangelism) about these greens. I guess I am going to have to drive my ass all the way down to Chapel Hill, TN. Can’t be avoided. Thanks for the rec!
I promise it will not disappoint. They are the only public greens that can prep you for playing at private clubs in Nashville. They will let those things run 12+ in July and August which is hilarious for a public state park course.
I am definitely going to be headed down there one weekend here soon. I have never played it before. I may have when I was 8 or something but its been a LONG time.
That drive is part of the reason I think Horton is so good. They don’t get near as much play as other courses around. They have the financial backing of the state and in the middle of nowhere. It’s a hidden gem.
We ended up doing 36 at Greystone Sat. The pace of play was super slow but we were in no hurry and enjoyed the course. Thanks again for the recommendations. Sounds like i need to comme back and play MB soon.
Played Harpeth Hills this morning (FYI you can go off at 7 am now) and I don’t know if it was just because the weather was perfect but it is seems to be in excellent shape (except the green on par 3 15th which is getting a little bare). Had an excellent time out there and I am back to thinking it is the best municipal golf course we have.
Side note: I think you should have to show a HDCP card of less than 3 to play the Black tees out there. I played with a guy who couldn’t hit it more than 220 (no disrespect, I don’t hit it much farther) and he played from back there and took forever. I just don’t understand anyone who isn’t scratch playing Harpeth from that far back, like…it’s hard enough.
Played Montgomery Bell today. The tees, rough, and fairways were in extremely tough shape and the greens were mint condition.
The poa and weeds in the fairways and rough were completely out of control. I think it was made worse because of the recent rain and it looked like they couldn’t mow. I will probably give it until the deeper summer with the spring weeds are gone and the bermuda has come back stronger.
Pretty stark difference in MBSP and HHSP considering they have presumably the same budget. Henry Horton stands out even more.
Went Saturday and absolutely loved it. I definitely plan on getting out there more days next year. The event was great and The Grove is a good course to have the tournament at.
Not a bad course when you get it in good shape. A little overpriced with a cart IMO but its a walkable course which is nice. There are some very ho hum holes but nothing terrible. A few good par threes and some par 4’s you can really cut some corners and risk it. I usually play scrambles out there with my company.
Shoutout to Kevin the super at Horton. I’ve heard other supers and pros rave about how great he is at growing grass out there. And an excellent player in his own right
Funny you say that. I was playing today with a pro from one of the Nashville clubs. He asked where ive been playing and I brought up HH. He immediately mentioned Kevin and said he’s one of the best in middle TN. They’ve apparently used him for some consulting on their greens.
Sidebar-
Got to play The Grove today. Seriously impressed. Great facilities. Very friendly staff. Difficult course if you aren’t getting off the tee. Really loved the greens. They were stand out good. Had a couple of template greens out there.
If I didn’t have lessons this afternoon, curiosity would have gotten the best of me and I was going to check it out. I think the fact it’s at Franklin Bridge just about says everything that needs to be said about that.
