When people think of Nashville, their first thought is most likely ‘Music City USA’. If you are able to pry yourself away from the live music and honky-tonks, you would be pleased to find enough worthy golf courses to fill your Saturday mornings. Whether you are looking for a golf community, a public course or something private, Nashville has a range of options. Georgia Mascali, daughter of a PGA Golf Tour professional and buyers agent with The Erin Krueger Team is our expert on Nashville’s top courses.
Golf players tend to have a passion for the game and it is easy to see why with all the rush that can come with the sport – cursing your shot and then celebrating the next, the social time, the opportunity for stress relief, time outdoors, plus the physical and mental benefits that golf provides. Like most things in life, golf courses and communities come in all shapes and sizes. Some courses tailor to yearly memberships, some are a pay-as-you-play and other golf communities offer amenities that tailor to a specific lifestyle. What best fits your needs depends on how frequently you play, your budget and what kind of amenities you are looking for. There are birdies and bogeys of each lifestyle.
Nashville offers high-end amenities when it comes to golf communities, that are suitable for an avid golfer or a socialite looking for privacy, security and grand estates. The Governors Club, one of Nashville’s premier golf communities is located in the heart of Brentwood. Behind its 24-hour gated entrance are custom estate homes, an award-winning signature Arnold Palmer golf course and amenities of fine dining, swimming and year-round community events.
The Grove, located just outside of Nashville and minutes from Historic Franklin lies the newest private gated golf community in Southern Williamson County. This community also features gorgeous custom homes and plenty of family-friendly amenities such as resort-style pools, tennis courts, equestrian, an organic garden, a general store, spa, dining and even fishing. Foxland Harbor Golf & Country Club; luxury lakeside living, neighboring Fairvue Plantation in Gallatin and Five Oaks Golf & Country Club in Wilson County, are also notable communities offering peace and quiet with golf and lifestyle amenities.
One of the big perks of living in a golf community is that it offers more of a lifestyle than just a course. Even if you do not play golf, a neighborhood like this is more walkable than your average community. Shockingly, in a typical golf community, only 35 to 40 percent of residents play the game. Most residents find themselves enjoying the pool, tennis courts and full social calendar that comes with having a clubhouse. A lot of people find this to be a safe haven, especially with security that comes with being in a gated community which can be comforting for families, especially with children. An added bonus is all the green space you won’t find in a typical neighborhood.
If you are searching for amenities and golf regularly, but are not looking to live on a course, Nashville also offers a prestige variety of private clubs from Williamson County to Davidson County. There is no shortage of perfectly manicured greens throughout Nashville. Private courses can offer the amenities that come with living in a golf community without having to purchase a home. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for here. If you enjoy socializing this would be a good option as you will begin to see familiar faces in the community and build relationships on and off the course.
If you are an avid golfer, a membership will surely be your best bet. With many courses to choose from like, Nashville’s Golf and Athletic Club, a championship golf course originally designed for the US Open and hosting local and regional tournaments is ranked No. 16 of US hardest courses in the heart of Cool Springs. Vanderbilt Legends Club, since opening in 1992 has made its mark in the world of golf by receiving national recognition and accolades. Housing two championship golf courses and the No. 4 ranked Vanderbilt golf team, it is centrally located in the heart of historic Franklin. Brentwood Country Club, nestled in the emerald hills between Nashville and Franklin surrounded by luxury homes, offers privacy and luxurious amenities. Richland Country Club, a private member-owned club is one of our favorites serving excellence for over 100 years. Just south of downtown Nashville this club boasts its amenities including: both indoor and outdoor tennis facilities, a resort-style pool and a fitness center.
Nashville also offers more inexpensive and relaxed public courses located in prime neighborhoods such as sought after Sylvan Park, Hermitage and Harpeth Hill area. The perks of a public course is that they are generally cheaper therefore you will not be tied to one course and instead have more varied played and play as you please without pressure. If you want to occasionally knock around but still be in the neighborhood long running, McCabe Golf Course in Sylvan Park offers 18 and 9 hole courses, plus a driving range. Hermitage Golf Course, recognized by Golf Digest magazine, also offers lodging on site. Another notable public course, Harpeth Hills Golf Course located close to Steeplechase, offers a club house and a layout challenging golfers of all levels and skill sets. As you can see Nashville is more than just country music and hot chicken. The city also caters to a wide variety of player’s needs or families searching for neighborhoods with luxurious amenities.