Nashville/Memphis Golf/Food

[Tipsy McHooker]

Planning a trip in early september for Nashville, TN. My group evacuated during a hurricane from myrtle beach years ago and drove to Nashville. The extent of our golf was the 2 courses at the Hermitage. This time around we'd like to get info from locals and people that have played golf in Nashville as to what their favorite courses and restaurants were. Also a couple of us are going down a few days early to Memphis for Graceland/BBQ & a round of golf. So if you are familiar with memphis as well, we'd appreciate your suggestions as well.--Tipsy

[Awarren11]

I am not a local but have been to Nashville many times for pleasure and a couple times for golf.

There are plenty of really good food options, but the one place you have to go to without a doubt is Monell's. I have been many times and there are many locals who will tell you the same. I think they have a few locations but we always make sure to go to I think it's the 6th st location as it is the original I believe.

Public golf isn't out of this world. The best course is probably 30 minutes outside of Nashville, Greystone in Dickson. Do not hesitate to travel to Greystone.

Harpeth Hills is a really good municipal option. It is in a very nice area of Nashville and has hosted a lot of events like pub links qualifiers,etc. The clubhouse is a trip. It's really old school. They have barely changed that place since it opened.

Gaylord Springs was pretty good when I played it some time ago. It was pre-Opryland flood, but I understand it has recovered.

I understand there are some very good private options. If you have the connections you may take advantage of a couple. Vandy Club is supposed to have 2 nice courses. One course used to be public so it might be worth a shot. Belle Meade I think I had heard was good but very exclusive. NGAC may be a good option. Foxland Harbor I heard good things about as well. It may have been semi private when it first opened.

I will try to think of some other places I have been to eat, but Monell's is the main place I can think of that is just great.

[macrock7]

Greystone is worth the drive West to play.. Also about an hr and 15 minutes East go play Tims Ford it's a Bear Trace course.. Try Saddle Creek in Lewisburg it's a decent play. U won't get on either of the Vanderbilt legends courses they both are private now.. Foxland Harbor is over rated but it was in great shape when I played it.. Memphis bbq simple answer is Germantown commissary, have sent many friends there no one has complained about it..

[MarkCPA]

I'm a regular vistor to Nashville, but have only played the courses at Hermitage. Given you are out of Chicago you know all the major chains, so eat something local just to shake things up. I've always loved Demo's Steakhouse. It's a great steak and won't bust the wallet. Attentive service is always a plus at Demo's. I've been to the one downtown and in Lebanon, just east of Nashville.

I agee that the Germantown Commissary is the best of the Memphis BBQ joints. It's very small though, so be prepared for a wait just about any night of the week. Corky's is good with multiple locations in Memphis and the suburbs.

Do you have any courses in the Memphis area on your short list?

[TM_HOYER]

For food I highly recommend Jack's BBQ. There are three locations. It is a more traditional BBQ joint rather than a Memphis style. When I am heading through Nashville, I always time my travel to have lunch or dinner at Jack's.

[wldchld22]

Just did a road trip with the wife to Memphis and Nashville. Didn't golf but in the past my friends and I have gone 40'minutes south to stay and play at some of the courses near the casinos in Tunica. Cheap and fun.

Food? In Memphis I'm a big fan of Rendezvous. I bring back the rub for my home cooking all the time. It is dry bbq so it won't be the wet stuff. Its not for everyone.

Ive been to Marlowes several times and have been underwhelmed. The sides are great but overall it is nothing to write home about.

My wife and I are from Chicago and have to say that a lot of Memphis bbq disappointed after eating at Real Urban BBQ. Only rendezvous stood out this last time

In Nashville you HAVE TO GO TO THE LOVELESS CAFE for breakfast and take home some preserves.

[Awarren11]

I haven't been there, but I'll throw in that the course Justin Timberlake owned is in the Memphis area. I think it is called Mirimichi. Always heard good stuff.

[j.b.newton]

Rendezvous would be the last BBQ place a local would send someone. It is not real Memphis BBQ. Central BBQ and the Commissary would be my two Memphis style places for BBQ. Memphis BBQ Co in Horn Lake is very tasty as well. She is probably the most award winning BBQ chefs in Memphis, which is saying a lot. Corkys has great pulled pork and pulled pork nachos, but the other two have amazing true Memphis style ribs. You should also visit Gus's for fried chicken and Gibson's for the maple bacon doughnuts.

If you can can still play with a food baby after those eatery's the public golf is not all that great in Memphis. Mirimichi in Millington is the best option, but JT just sold it - not too sure how it will change (if any). TPC Southwind is private but they will allow some non members here and there. If you have connections, Spring Creek Ranch is the best course in the area. Tunica National is nice. In Tunica, they closed the other decent one and the third is not worth the drive.

[2muchclub]

Some random thoughts - Rendezvous is a highly over-rated tourist joint. Not a fan of Tim's Ford golf course. Harrison Bay in Chattanooga is much better. Harpeth hills is at best an average muni with off/on maintenance. Greystone is worth the trip. Better public golf can be found in Knoxville.

Another worthy choice for golf in the Nashville area is Kings Creek, located about 40 minutes south of Nashille.

[lightgrip]

I'm a Nashville native and a Memphis BBQ fan so I'll chime in. Greystone is the best public golf in Middle Tennessee, so it's worth the trip. I'm also a fan of Tims Ford, but if you do not want to travel that far then Old Fort in Murfreesboro is a great option. Well kept and the people are great. Also, Saddle Creek in Lewisburg is a great value, but it is about 1 1/2 hour ride.

As far as food, IMHO Central Barbecue in Memphis is the best I've had. Don't miss it, especially the bbq nachos. As far as Nashville eats, agree with Demos' and Monell's. For bbq, I like the Peg Leg Porker a little better than Jack's, although Jack's is good. Rotier's (not barbecue) used to be good; I haven't been there in a while so I don't know if anything has changed, but I loved the French Bread Cheeseburger. If you're looking for a steakhouse, I've always been partial to Jimmy Kelly's. Lastly, the best chicken sandwich I've ever had is at Hog Heaven, right next to Centennial Park. The white sauce on that sandwich is out of this world. (I ate two of them today). Hope that helps.

[lightgrip]

I forgot to mention something else about Nashville food. We have become famous for "Nashville Hot Chicken." If you you haven't tried it, I highly recommend that you do. You can get it anywhere from plain to XXX hot. (Each establishment has it's own scale). Prince's is the original and the gold standard, but there are several other very good ones, including Hattie B's (my favorite), 400 Degrees, Bolton's and Pepperfire. Hot Chicken is one of the "it" things to do here now. Enjoy!

[shortgame85]

I am less familiar with Nashville than Memphis. So here are a few recommendations for the Memphis area.

For playing golf: Miramichi and Spring Creek are the best bets. If you belong to a Country/Golf Club with reciprocal arrangements with other clubs, the Memphis Country Club and the TPC Southwind are fine courses. About 35 minutes south of memphis is Tunica National Golf Club, just north of Tunica, Mississippi. It is a fine course.

OK, go to Graceland. It's pretty cool. Go by Sun Records. If you like art, go by the Dixon. If you like BBQ, go to Interstate BBQ at 2265 S Third Street. It's in one tough neighborhood but, it's the best according to many of the Memphis cognoscenti. If you like fried chicken, and that is a Southern specialty, then you must go to Gus' Fried Chicken for lunch or supper. For a more upscale experience try Iris at 2146 Monroe Avenue or Erlin Jenson at 1044 South Yates. Very authentic Italian at Bari at 22 South Cooper Street.

As long as you're in Memphis and if you like the Blues, do what Paul Simon, Robert Plant, ZZ Top, Eric Clapton and others do: drive down US Highway 61 (Blues Highway) to the Crossroads of the Blues, Clarksdale, Mississippi. Go to Red's Lounge, Ground Zero (Morgan Freeman's club), Hambone's and Hopson's Commissary for superb music. And for those who don't know: the Crossroads is that place that legend has it that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil to play the most wicked blues guitar ever. of course, that happened in the Mississippi Delta and most swear the deed took place in Clarksdale.

[padget]

[quote name='lightgrip' timestamp='1421120206' post='10736871']
I forgot to mention something else about Nashville food. We have become famous for "Nashville Hot Chicken." If you you haven't tried it, I highly recommend that you do. You can get it anywhere from plain to XXX hot. (Each establishment has it's own scale). Prince's is the original and the gold standard, but there are several other very good ones, including Hattie B's (my favorite), 400 Degrees, Bolton's and Pepperfire. Hot Chicken is one of the "it" things to do here now. Enjoy!
[/quote]

Hattie b's is awesome! I was in town for 3 days and ate their twice. There will be a line, get there early or just deal with it. Ate a couple other places that were good but can't remember their names, but Hattie b's was on point.

[wldchld22]

[quote name='j.b.newton' timestamp='1420874948' post='10720551']
Rendezvous would be the last BBQ place a local would send someone. It is not real Memphis BBQ. Central BBQ and the Commissary would be my two Memphis style places for BBQ. Memphis BBQ Co in Horn Lake is very tasty as well. She is probably the most award winning BBQ chefs in Memphis, which is saying a lot. Corkys has great pulled pork and pulled pork nachos, but the other two have amazing true Memphis style ribs. You should also visit Gus's for fried chicken and Gibson's for the maple bacon doughnuts.

If you can can still play with a food baby after those eatery's the public golf is not all that great in Memphis. Mirimichi in Millington is the best option, but JT just sold it - not too sure how it will change (if any). TPC Southwind is private but they will allow some non members here and there. If you have connections, Spring Creek Ranch is the best course in the area. Tunica National is nice. In Tunica, they closed the other decent one and the third is not worth the drive.
[/quote]

Which one did they close in Tunica?

We played Tunica National and a links style course called River Bend. I just remember that it was very cheap and in nice condition for early spring.

We had gotten a $35 room for the night at the Fitz that included a free breakfast buffet.

[MarkCPA]

Cottonwoods, the golf course on the Harrah's property, closed a few months ago. It was my favorite of the three in Tunica.

[MikeH21]

[quote name='wldchld22' timestamp='1421247890' post='10744817']
[quote name='j.b.newton' timestamp='1420874948' post='10720551']
Rendezvous would be the last BBQ place a local would send someone. It is not real Memphis BBQ. Central BBQ and the Commissary would be my two Memphis style places for BBQ. Memphis BBQ Co in Horn Lake is very tasty as well. She is probably the most award winning BBQ chefs in Memphis, which is saying a lot. Corkys has great pulled pork and pulled pork nachos, but the other two have amazing true Memphis style ribs. You should also visit Gus's for fried chicken and Gibson's for the maple bacon doughnuts.

If you can can still play with a food baby after those eatery's the public golf is not all that great in Memphis. Mirimichi in Millington is the best option, but JT just sold it - not too sure how it will change (if any). TPC Southwind is private but they will allow some non members here and there. If you have connections, Spring Creek Ranch is the best course in the area. Tunica National is nice. In Tunica, they closed the other decent one and the third is not worth the drive.
[/quote]

Which one did they close in Tunica?

We played Tunica National and a links style course called River Bend. I just remember that it was very cheap and in nice condition for early spring.

We had gotten a $35 room for the night at the Fitz that included a free breakfast buffet.
[/quote]


wldcld22, some buddies and I did the same thing in Tunica a few years back for our golf trip. Stayed at the Fritz and played River Bend, Cottonwoods, and Tunica National. Thought Cottonwoods and Tunica National were nice. River Bend was in good shape, just not as nice a course as the other two. Everybody in our group enjoyed the Tunica courses/trip, especially for the price.

[wldchld22]

[quote name='MikeH21' timestamp='1421252238' post='10745211']
[quote name='wldchld22' timestamp='1421247890' post='10744817']
[quote name='j.b.newton' timestamp='1420874948' post='10720551']
Rendezvous would be the last BBQ place a local would send someone. It is not real Memphis BBQ. Central BBQ and the Commissary would be my two Memphis style places for BBQ. Memphis BBQ Co in Horn Lake is very tasty as well. She is probably the most award winning BBQ chefs in Memphis, which is saying a lot. Corkys has great pulled pork and pulled pork nachos, but the other two have amazing true Memphis style ribs. You should also visit Gus's for fried chicken and Gibson's for the maple bacon doughnuts.

If you can can still play with a food baby after those eatery's the public golf is not all that great in Memphis. Mirimichi in Millington is the best option, but JT just sold it - not too sure how it will change (if any). TPC Southwind is private but they will allow some non members here and there. If you have connections, Spring Creek Ranch is the best course in the area. Tunica National is nice. In Tunica, they closed the other decent one and the third is not worth the drive.
[/quote]

Which one did they close in Tunica?

We played Tunica National and a links style course called River Bend. I just remember that it was very cheap and in nice condition for early spring.

We had gotten a $35 room for the night at the Fitz that included a free breakfast buffet.
[/quote]


wldcld22, some buddies and I did the same thing in Tunica a few years back for our golf trip. Stayed at the Fritz and played River Bend, Cottonwoods, and Tunica National. Thought Cottonwoods and Tunica National were nice. River Bend was in good shape, just not as nice a course as the other two. Everybody in our group enjoyed the Tunica courses/trip, especially for the price.
[/quote]

Oh yeah for sure. We played River Bend on our last day and had no complaints. If you go to trip advisor it looks like they were open this year and everyone says the same thing. Good course for the price.

For me and my friends it was great because we do not have a lot of golf courses like that around us. So it was a little treat to play something that looked like that at a reasonable price.

[exgolfpro]

All of the golf has been discussed and many good restaurants, but I will give you two suggestions in both cities for food...only one being for BBQ. In Nashville, I would endorse Jack's BBQ. The food is fantastic. But, you might also try a little food truck that is getting a lot of buzz. I believe it is called Biscuit Love Truck. You need to check their website for daily locations, but if you are in a hurry for breakfast and don't want to stand in line somewhere, give it a try. [url="http://www.biscuitlovetruck.com"]www.biscuitlovetruck.com[/url]. The next two spots are in Memphis. I found a shrimp dish at Blues City Cafe (on Beale St) that is really great and I will send you to a place that is known for its burgers, not its bbq. It is Dyer's Burgers. It has made Esquires list of 60 Things Worth Shortening Your Life For and Playboys list of top 10 burger joints in America. Fantastic.

[wldchld22]

Any Nashville folks recommend the Yellow Porch? I went based on reviews from a local friend if mine. It's not down home southern cooking or bbq but it's a nice upscale place for a dinner if your buddies and you are looking for a break from fried chicken and bbq

[johnnylongball]

[quote name='wldchld22' timestamp='1421261708' post='10746157']
Any Nashville folks recommend the Yellow Porch? I went based on reviews from a local friend if mine. It's not down home southern cooking or bbq but it's a nice upscale place for a dinner if your buddies and you are looking for a break from fried chicken and bbq
[/quote]

Yellow Porch is ok, but if you want a nice upscale place, I'd recommend Urban Grub. Get the pork chop. Thank me later. I'd also recommend Husk but it's really tough to get a reservation there.

[lightgrip]

In Nashville another nice upscale is The Southern.

[gr8blueheronbird]

Jimmy Kelleys for steak and Martins BBQ Joint in Nolensville for BBQ. These would be my recommendations for Nashville food. For Golf, Greystone and Old Fort. Best 2 public courses that provide excellent golf at a great value.

[darrickpe]

I'm local to Nashville

Golf as others have stated Old Fort and Greystone are great public courses. You already played Hermitage. The state course are decent(Montgomery Bell, Henry Horton) If you "know a guy" the golf club of tennessee(private) one of the best experiences.

If you don't mind the drive(lil over an hour east of nashville), fairfield glades is well worth it! Dont expect anything else to do at fairfield but play golf(retirement community). They have about 5 courses within minutes of each other! ALL are great.

BBQ i would suggest The Slick Pig in Murfreesboro by far!!!!
Monells, Hattie B's are great non BBQ places.

[lightgrip]

[quote name='darrickpe' timestamp='1421444853' post='10759491']
I'm local to Nashville

Golf as others have stated Old Fort and Greystone are great public courses. You already played Hermitage. The state course are decent(Montgomery Bell, Henry Horton) If you "know a guy" the golf club of tennessee(private) one of the best experiences.

If you don't mind the drive(lil over an hour east of nashville), fairfield glades is well worth it! Dont expect anything else to do at fairfield but play golf(retirement community). They have about 5 courses within minutes of each other! ALL are great.

BBQ i would suggest The Slick Pig in Murfreesboro by far!!!!
Monells, Hattie B's are great non BBQ places.
[/quote]
Love the Pig! Barbecue is good, chicken wings are great!

[gr8blueheronbird]

A few golf buddies of mine frequent the Slick Pig often and rave about the wings.

[Tipsy McHooker]

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys, keep em coming! If some locals don't mind as im an outsider, to explain how far some of the trips are from the epicenter of the cities. Ive heard murfreesboro, tunica, and many other cities and have no idea how far away by car etc that they are. My group basically has two leaders--myself and one other guy. The lower handicaps and big eaters are with me and we are willing to drive an hour for the best courses. The other car/group complain about anything 20/30 mins away (Total Bitches) and don't care because they shoot 105. So my group will be heading on the road more often.

[Tipsy McHooker]

[quote name='Tipsy McHooker' timestamp='1421877884' post='10793027']
Thanks for all the great suggestions guys, keep em coming! If some locals don't mind as im an outsider, to explain how far some of the trips are from the epicenter of the cities. Ive heard murfreesboro, tunica, and many other cities and have no idea how far away by car etc that they are. My group basically has two leaders--myself and one other guy. The lower handicaps and big eaters are with me and we are willing to drive an hour for the best courses. The other car/group complain about anything 20/30 mins away (Total Bitches) and don't care because they shoot 105. So my group will be heading on the road more often.
[/quote]
Also if there is a nice suburban area/hotels close to Memphis, we want to stay away from high crime/gang infested war zones. Suggestions on that greatly appreciated

[wldchld22]

Tunica, MS is 40 minutes south of Memphis. So you can stay in a casino. The 105 guys can hit the Waffle House or buffets while you guys drive into Memphis for some grub. Not a bad drive at all and you don't have to wonder if you are in the "right" area of Memphis.

[Awarren11]

[quote name='Tipsy McHooker' timestamp='1421877884' post='10793027']
Thanks for all the great suggestions guys, keep em coming! If some locals don't mind as im an outsider, to explain how far some of the trips are from the epicenter of the cities. Ive heard murfreesboro, tunica, and many other cities and have no idea how far away by car etc that they are. My group basically has two leaders--myself and one other guy. The lower handicaps and big eaters are with me and we are willing to drive an hour for the best courses. The other car/group complain about anything 20/30 mins away (Total Bitches) and don't care because they shoot 105. So my group will be heading on the road more often.
[/quote]

My golf trip group has a couple of these. The problem with mine is its probably a 5-3 split with the 3 kind of being the "bitches." Would be better if it was split even. Going through an issue with one of them currently in planning this years trip.

[darrickpe]

[quote name='gr8blueheronbird' timestamp='1421537857' post='10766147']
A few golf buddies of mine frequent the Slick Pig often and rave about the wings.
[/quote]

the wings are awesome!