Top 5 Best Golf Courses in Tennessee 2025
- 5. Fall Creek Falls State Park Golf Course
- 4. TPC Southwind
- 3. The Golf Club of Tennessee
- 2. Troubadour Golf & Field Club
- 1. The Honors Course
Fall Creek Falls State Park Golf Course
A three-time selection by Golf Digest as one of the Top 100 Public Places to Play, this Joseph L. Lee design opened in 1972 and remains a challenging championship layout. The course features 6,669 yards of golf from the longest tees with a par of 72, carved through Tennessee's natural landscape with Bermuda grass fairways and greens. The course is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, showcasing exceptional environmental stewardship.
Pros
- Three-time Golf Digest Top 100 Public Places
- Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary
- Challenging championship layout
- Excellent value for quality golf
Cons
- Remote location requires travel
- Limited amenities compared to resorts
TPC Southwind
Located 30 minutes from downtown Memphis, TPC Southwind hosts the annual FedEx St. Jude Championship and has been a PGA Tour venue since 1989. The Ron Prichard design features consultation from PGA Tour players Hubert Green and Fuzzy Zoeller. This par-70, 7,244-yard championship layout showcases undulating zoysia fairways, champion Bermuda greens, and numerous lakes, streams, and ponds creating strategic challenges throughout.
Pros
- Annual PGA Tour host since 1989
- Championship-level conditioning
- Strategic water features throughout
- Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certified
Cons
- Premium pricing during tournament season
- Extremely challenging for average golfers
The Golf Club of Tennessee
Ranked 199th nationally in Golf Digest's Second 100 Greatest courses for 2025-26, this Tom Fazio masterpiece maintains its position as Tennessee's second-ranked course. The Kingston Springs layout showcases Fazio's signature modern design philosophy with excellent variety and strategic options. The course offers nice variety and modern architecture that appeals to golfers seeking a contemporary championship experience in Tennessee.
Pros
- Top 200 course nationally by Golf Digest
- Tom Fazio's signature design excellence
- Modern architecture with strategic variety
- Consistently excellent course conditioning
Cons
- Private club with limited access
- Premium membership requirements
Troubadour Golf & Field Club
This Tom Fazio design enters the state rankings at 3rd as of 2024 and represents modern golf architecture at its finest. Built on elevated tees with panoramic views of central Tennessee foothills, the redesign eliminated previous severity and created more accessible, graceful layouts. The course showcases Fazio's ability to blend challenging golf with stunning natural beauty, making it one of Tennessee's premier modern golf destinations.
Pros
- Tom Fazio's masterful modern design
- Spectacular panoramic views
- Redesigned for enhanced playability
- Premier modern golf destination
Cons
- Exclusive private club membership
- Limited public access opportunities
The Honors Course
The venerable championship layout designed by Pete Dye has been ranked No. 1 in Tennessee since it opened in 1983 and remains a mainstay in the top third of national rankings. Considered radical in the early 1980s with acres of tall native-grass rough, durable zoysia fairways, and terrifying greens perched atop bulkheads of rock, The Honors Course represents a well-preserved example of Pete Dye's death-or-glory architecture that continues to challenge and inspire golfers today.
Pros
- Tennessee's #1 course for over 40 years
- Top third of national golf rankings
- Iconic Pete Dye death-or-glory design
- Well-preserved architectural integrity
Cons
- Extremely challenging for average players
- Exclusive private club access only
Honorable Mentions
Sweetens Cove Golf Club
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
The nine-holer 30 miles west of Chattanooga is probably the buzziest nine-hole course in the U.S. Designed by King-Collins with financial backing from Peyton Manning, this inland links layout offers numerous alternative routings and is consistently ranked one of the best Tennessee golf courses and a top 100 golf course in the world. The laidback atmosphere encourages casual dress and even allows dogs on the course.
Gaylord Springs Golf Links
Location: Nashville, TN
Located 10 minutes from Nashville International Airport, this 1991 Jeff Brauer/Larry Nelson design once hosted the Champions Tour from 1994-2003. The course features wetlands, limestone bluffs, and the Cumberland River among its handsome hazards, offering golfers a classic layout that emphasizes accuracy over length for a bold and rewarding adventure.
Tennessee's golf landscape showcases exceptional variety, from Pete Dye's intimidating masterpiece at The Honors Course to modern Tom Fazio designs and championship PGA Tour venues. Whether seeking the ultimate golf challenge or scenic beauty, these five courses represent the pinnacle of Tennessee golf excellence.
Rankings based on comprehensive analysis from multiple golf publications including Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine, Golfweek, and Top 100 Golf Courses.