Relocating to Chattanooga - private clubs?

[me05501]

Last I heard, all the good clubs are full at the moment. The pandemic turned out to be a godsend for golf clubs. 

[SWFL Couple]

We are looking to get out of South West Florida during the summer months, where the temperatures are 92 degrees with 75% humidity.

What are the summers like? Would like to join a country club for golf, tennis and socializing.  Currently live in a gated country club in FL. 

Initially would look to rent a condo for summer months and potentially buy if enjoyable.

[me05501]

On 7/20/2022 at 9:44 PM, SWFL Couple said:

We are looking to get out of South West Florida during the summer months, where the temperatures are 92 degrees with 75% humidity.

What are the summers like? Would like to join a country club for golf, tennis and socializing.  Currently live in a gated country club in FL. 

Initially would look to rent a condo for summer months and potentially buy if enjoyable.

 

Over the last couple weeks our weather conditions haven't been that far off from what you describe. We've touched the mid-90's with lots of humidity, but then these conditions only last for a couple months versus the entire summer in SW Florida. 

 

There are a lot of mountaintop living opportunities here. Signal Mtn, Lookout Mountain, Elder Mountain, Sand Mountain, Monteagle Mtn and the Cumberland Plateau are all about 1800 feet above sea level and tend to feel 5-6 cooler than the valley throughout the year. 

 

There are also a lot of lakefront home sites on Chickamauga, Watts Bar, Nickajack and the Tennessee River. 

 

McLemore is one development to consider. It's gated and has a great golf course and clubhouse. It's a bit remote but manageable.

 

Jasper Highlands is another. There's no golf there it's very close to Sweeten's Cove. 

 

It's worth looking at the Clifftops and other developments on Monteagle Mountain. It's about an hour from Chattanooga in the direction of Nashville. The closest golf would be the Course at Sewanee, but it's also 30 minutes to Sweeten's and about the same to the Bear Trace at Tim's Ford. 

 

Closer to the Knoxville area you can check out Tellico Village, Rarity Bay or Tennessee National. 

 

Most of the "real" Smoky Mountains are a little east of here in NE Georgia and Western NC. Those areas have tons of high-end golf developments. The Blue Ridge, GA and Cashiers, NC areas are very popular with Atlantans trying to beat the heat.

Edited July 25, 2022 by me05501

[Ty-Webb]

Chattanooga native here.. I have been have been gone since 2009, briefly returned for less than a year in 2016, and now may be coming back home. A post mentioned back in April that the clubs are all full. I was eyeing Council Fire, I guess I could always get on the waiting list? The move is 4 months or more from be a reality. 

 

With that being said, where I live in the PNW there's several courses, resort & a really good muni, that I have bought annual passes at. Technically both consider it membership but there's no initiation and less amenities than a private membership. Does such an option exist in Chattanooga? I thought maybe WindStone or Battlefield (I have nostalgic memories of both those courses). Not really worried about it, just thinking that could be a good option while waiting for a club spot without paying daily rates all over town. 

 

[me05501]

19 hours ago, Ty-Webb said:

Chattanooga native here.. I have been have been gone since 2009, briefly returned for less than a year in 2016, and now may be coming back home. A post mentioned back in April that the clubs are all full. I was eyeing Council Fire, I guess I could always get on the waiting list? The move is 4 months or more from be a reality. 

 

With that being said, where I live in the PNW there's several courses, resort & a really good muni, that I have bought annual passes at. Technically both consider it membership but there's no initiation and less amenities than a private membership. Does such an option exist in Chattanooga? I thought maybe WindStone or Battlefield (I have nostalgic memories of both those courses). Not really worried about it, just thinking that could be a good option while waiting for a club spot without paying daily rates all over town. 

 

 

Here's the latest:

• Council Fire is still an excellent club, top-notch for the area. They had a brief period a couple of years ago where they needed to entice new members and they dropped the initiation down to $3,500 or so. I have heard that the club is full again and the initiation is now closer to $20K. You won't be disappointed in the product they offer so if you're inclined to join there it wouldn't hurt to get on the list before you move. 
   
• WindStone is now fully private but rather affordable. I played there recently and the conditions were as good as ever. It's still not my favorite layout but if I lived out that way I'd be looking hard at it. 
   
• The course in Ooltewah that was formerly known as Champion's Club is now private and re-branded as the Ooltewah Club. They've spent a lot of money on the property and continue to improve the course and practice facilities. Conditions are great there now. The layout has a few quirks and it's not super walkable, but there are several very memorable holes and a good membership. 
   
• Battlefield was part of the Luken Holdings deal. Unsure of the status now. Henry Luken bought Battlefield, Valleybrook, Eagle Bluff, Montlake and Mt. Airy and offered a local membership that provided access to all of the courses. Sadly he let the conditions deteriorate at most of them and they're all either sold or for sale at the moment. I've heard that Battlefield has been the best-conditioned of them all throughout this ordeal and it's the most likely one to remain a golf course if sold. 
   
• There is an annual pass available for the TN Golf Trail courses. From Chattanooga you'd have relatively easy access to Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, Bear Trace at Tim's Ford, Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain and Fall Creek Falls. I think it's about $2200 per year for unlimited access. Not sure if pass holders get preferred tee times. 
   
• There's also some kind of annual pass at the local munis. I think it only includes Brainerd and Brown Acres. You'd probably have to be in the Chattanooga city limits to get that deal. I enjoy Brainerd but will only play Brown Acres in a pinch. 

 

The group I play most with is a rotating cast of 10-12 guys and many of them are more budget-conscious. We play at Bear Trace, Brainerd, Nob North, Moccasin Bend, Dogwood Hills and Sewanee. One of the gang is a member at Creeks Bend in Hixson so we play a lot there too (their guest fee is comparable to the other courses we play). 

[Ty-Webb]

1 hour ago, me05501 said:

 

The group I play most with is a rotating cast of 10-12 guys and many of them are more budget-conscious. We play at Bear Trace, Brainerd, Nob North, Moccasin Bend, Dogwood Hills and Sewanee. One of the gang is a member at Creeks Bend in Hixson so we play a lot there too (their guest fee is comparable to the other courses we play). 

 

Thank you!

 

How's Creeks Bend? I have never played it mainly since I lived in the N.GA area and didn't venture out to Hixson area much. Brainerd and Nob North were also two staples of mine. My dad would always comment that Brainard was a Donald Ross and always enjoyed a round there. 

[me05501]

11 minutes ago, Ty-Webb said:

 

Thank you!

 

How's Creeks Bend? I have never played it mainly since I lived in the N.GA area and didn't venture out to Hixson area much. Brainerd and Nob North were also two staples of mine. My dad would always comment that Brainard was a Donald Ross and always enjoyed a round there. 

 

It's similar to those courses in a lot of ways. It's definitely a blue collar club. Par 70. Really good hybrid Bermuda greens, and pretty much all of them are elevated since a good chunk of the course is in a flood plain.

 

Conditions from tee to green are always decent but it's pretty scruffy if you venture beyond the first cut of rough. 

 

I probably end up playing there once a week on average during the summer. No complaints. 

[Tristar423]

Updated to this Chattanooga Golf thread is Valley Brook Golf & Country Club in Hixson has been purchase by the Urban Story Ventures / family that once owned the course where the Enclave development now sits. This is a positive development from what I understand about the family. The previous owner of VB was sub-par and that's all i'll say about that. New owners plan to re-work the course and add back the "Country Club Amenities" I worked at this course in the 90's as a teenage and played countless evening rounds. I remember going to the PGA event at VB as a highschool golfer. I personally love the fact it challenges just about every club in the bag. I'm really hoping the new owners revitalize it original form. 

https://info.urbanstoryventures.com/valleybrook-membership-brochure

[me05501]

3 minutes ago, Tristar423 said:

Updated to this Chattanooga Golf thread is Valley Brook Golf & Country Club in Hixson has been purchase by the Urban Story Ventures / family that once owned the course where the Enclave development now sits. This is a positive development from what I understand about the family. The previous owner of VB was sub-par and that's all i'll say about that. New owners plan to re-work the course and add back the "Country Club Amenities" I worked at this course in the 90's as a teenage and played countless evening rounds. I remember going to the PGA event at VB as a highschool golfer. I personally love the fact it challenges just about every club in the bag. I'm really hoping the new owners revitalize it original form. 

https://info.urbanstoryventures.com/valleybrook-membership-brochure

 

Agree 100%. I was a member when Gibby Gilbert had the lease and it was a well-run club with a great membership. It definitely needs a capital injection and Urban Story has the money to make it go. 

 

That said I was a little surprised at the numbers they're asking for membership now considering the current state of things. A little high compared to what I expected. 

 

Living on Signal makes it hard to justify joining a club other than Signal. It takes me 30 minutes to get to Valleybrook or Creek's Bend and that's just too far in a town like ours. I don't find the course at Signal that appealing so I'm kind of stuck until our last kid is done with school. 

[OldCooper]

Long time area resident and panelist/rater from a major magazine updating this thread w/ more current info:

 

Best course in area from a pure golf perspective is the Honors Course. Arguably one of Pete Dye's top 5 designs. They have a few local memberships available at the moment if you know the right people and have the money. Catch is, they are really looking for people who come out, spend the whole day there, bring 3 guests and preferably stay on site. Used to be a very intimate club where it was mostly members with great weekly games. Now it's more of factory type setting - lots of groups, mostly member + 3 guests. I know plenty of great members, but also know several who have left lately because, in their words, it's gotten too "douchey". As others have said, also closes 3-4 months per year.

 

2nd best course in area is by far Lookout Mountain. They just had a major reno that, from the scores I've seen come in, will put them into a top US list as well as no 4 in Georgia. Like most other prominent Seth Raynor course (ShoreAcres, Camargo) it's a very generational membership and they intentionally keep it small enough to where they don't do tee times (think there's ~75 nat'l and ~250 local mbrs, of which only ~150 live locally year round). Currently, their wait list is "indefinite" as the turnover rate is almost zero. Could be 10yrs, could be 20yrs - no one really knows.

 

After those two, Black Creek and Council Fire are both fantastic and interesting architecturally. They are also very much neighborhood courses, though. Both host a lot of amateur qualifiers and have decent weekly games. Black Creek is slightly better imo, but my main concern there would be that they're building thousands of new homes in the neighborhood and there's a chance its could be very overcrowded in the coming years. 

 

Chattanooga G&CC's main draw is that it's in a very appealing location right downtown. The course is fine, but rather bland architecturally (think tree-lined, some qwerky holes, back-and-forth routing). That said it is usually in great shape conditioning wise. They have a massive membership so tee times can be difficult to get at peak times. There's a waitlist but there's also fair amount of turnover so I believe it's only ~3yrs at the moment. They have great amenities for the family - but it's very much a "here's my business card" type of club, if you're into that.

 

Signal Mountain is a bit if a qwerky "mountain" course, but it can be endearing. If you live up there, it is reltively cheap, convenient, and somewhat easy to join. They do have some really good, fun players out there who get regular games going.

 

Creek's Bend is a local club in Hixson, decent option if you live in that area. On the more affordable end and fairly accessible.

 

Sweeten's Cove is only 30 mins away, but it's 9 holes and although they have members (a few very high profile ones at that) the attainability to become one is pretty closed at the moment. They have mostly public tee times but they sell out quickly and it can be very crowded out there that times. Sewanee is also 9 holes, but nearly an hour away and likewise a lot of public play.

 

McLemore is a pretty course but it's pretty far out there (in Georgia close to Alabama border) and it's also semi private so it can be crowded at times as well. Worth joining if you have a house in that neighborhood, but it's mostly peoples second homes used for "weekend getaways".

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

[OldCooper]

Long-time area resident and panelist for a major golf magazine. A lot has changed post-COVID so updating this thread with some more current information:

 

Best course in the area in The Honors Course. Arguably one of Pete Dye's top 5 designs. They have a few local memberships available at the moment if you know the right people, but it's the type of club where they want you to come out, bring guests, spend the whole day, and preferably stay on site. Used to be a very intimate atmosphere - predominantly members with a couple guests and there was a great weekly game. Now it's more of a factory - lot's of groups that are almost all member + 3 guests. Great test of golf though, no question there. I do know a few long-time members who have quit in recent years because, in their words it has gotten a bit "douchey", but there are still many great guys that are members out there. As others have said, it's golf only and closed 3-4 months per year.

 

2nd best course by far is Lookout Mountain. Due to a major restoration / renovation project in 2022, it will (from the scores that have come in thus far) likely land them in the Top US lists and No 4 in GA. Like other elite Seth Raynor courses (ShoreAcres, Camargo Club), they keep membership small so there's no tee times, and it's very generational, which has pros and cons. It's the only other club in area besides the Honors with a sizeable national membership as well. Their waitlist time is "indefinite" at the moment - lengthy amount of people and due to the reno there's virtually no turnover so timeframe could be 10 years or could be 20 years... no one really knows. 

 

Black Creek and Council Fire are both great tracks. They are interesting and challenging architecturally, but they are also very much neighborhood courses. They each host a lot of amateur qualifiers and have great weekly games. IMO Black Creek is a slightly better course, but they are building thousands of new homes in the neighborhood so there may be some concern for course being overcrowded in the coming years. I would select between these two based on what part of town you are in as they are not really close to each other. 

 

Chattanooga G&CC's main appeal is 1) its location right downtown and 2) their non-golf amenities such as the pool and gym are top notch. The golf course is pretty bland from an architectural standpoint (tree lined, back-and-forth routing, a few quirky holes) but it is usually in excellent shape. Membership is massive so it can be tough to get a tee time during peak windows. They have several great golfers and good weekly game though. Waitlist has a few dozen people on it but there is a lot of turnover there so it's estimated to only be ~3 years. General vibe is it's a "Here's my card" type club, if you're into that. 

 

Signal is a mountain course, both quirky and endearing. Most of the membership lives up there, and it's fairly cheap/accessible. They have good weekly games and there are some very good players that play out there regularly. 

 

Creeks Bend and such in the Hixon area is likewise affordable and accessible if you're close to there. 

 

Sweeten's Cove is a public access course ~30 mins away and although they have memberships (with a few very high profile members) they are not taking new members at the moment. Arguably one of the best 9 hole courses in the country. The public play day passes sell out quick so it can be very crowded out there at times. Sewanee is likewise 9 holes, mostly public play, and a great track but is a little further away from Chatt (~1hr).

 

McLemore is a fun, quirky mountain course that's usually in decent shape and has great views. Kind of far away as it's near the Georgia/Alabama border. They have one course that is semi-private with another fully private course opening in 2024. A large portion of the membership joins because they have "weekend getaway" houses in either in the club neighborhood or nearby. 

 

Hope this helps.

[Fish-N-Chips]

Apologies for hijacking an old thread, but we’ll be traveling to Chattanooga for a golf trip centered around Sweeten’s Cove. Looking to add a private round (3 of the 4 in our group are members at clubs in TX/AL), and we’re trying to figure out what may be our best options. We’re coming on Georgia Tennessee weekend, so hoping the clubs are open on that Saturday. Leaning Lookout Mountain or Black Creek, but open to any recommendations or info regarding getting on these courses with reciprocal requests. 

[Llortamaisey]

1 hour ago, Fish-N-Chips said:

Apologies for hijacking an old thread, but we’ll be traveling to Chattanooga for a golf trip centered around Sweeten’s Cove. Looking to add a private round (3 of the 4 in our group are members at clubs in TX/AL), and we’re trying to figure out what may be our best options. We’re coming on Georgia Tennessee weekend, so hoping the clubs are open on that Saturday. Leaning Lookout Mountain or Black Creek, but open to any recommendations or info regarding getting on these courses with reciprocal requests. 

Lookout and Black Creek are worthy inclusions but I would go play Honors before those two. 

[me05501]

The Honors won’t send anyone out without a member so that’s probably out. 
 

Black Creek is corporate-run and allows unaccompanied guests all the time. Any pro can call and set it up, or you can probably just call the pro yourself. I love the course. Conditions are always great and there are some interesting template holes. 
 

Lookout is a little more exclusive and expensive and out of the way. It’s also very difficult since the recent refresh. I wouldn’t prioritize it unless your entire group is made up of single digits. 

[golfgoob]

Its not a private course but Sewanee is close to Sweetens. Heard it's a good course. Would McLemore be an option?

[smashdn]

Don't sleep on Sewanee.

[Fish-N-Chips]

We're already hitting Sewanee on the way in from the airport, then two days of Sweetens. We were considering McLemore, but I'm just not that interested in playing their daily non guest rate.

 

I'm the highest of the group at an 11, so we may make a run at Lookout first then try Black Creek. Hoping the football game has the course totally empty. 

[me05501]

Mclemore is okay but the current rate is silly. 
 

Clubs will still have their normal money games going on but afternoon times will probably be available. I’m always surprised how deserted club courses get after 3pm on weekends. 

[Hstead]

Lookout is fantastic if you can get on it.  I would pick Chattanooga Golf and CC before any other course in town.  It is a Donald Ross and the greens are perfect.  If I could join one place in Chattanooga that  would be the one.  

[Wbarksda]

On 6/28/2025 at 8:05 PM, me05501 said:

The Honors won’t send anyone out without a member so that’s probably out. 
 

Black Creek is corporate-run and allows unaccompanied guests all the time. Any pro can call and set it up, or you can probably just call the pro yourself. I love the course. Conditions are always great and there are some interesting template holes. 
 

Lookout is a little more exclusive and expensive and out of the way. It’s also very difficult since the recent refresh. I wouldn’t prioritize it unless your entire group is made up of single digits. 

We played The Honors last summer without a member.

[me05501]

1 hour ago, Wbarksda said:

We played The Honors last summer without a member.

 

Wow. Thanks, good to know. 

[golfortennis]

On 7/7/2025 at 12:39 PM, Wbarksda said:

We played The Honors last summer without a member.

 

Gotta ask how that was made possible...

[me05501]

2 hours ago, golfortennis said:

 

Gotta ask how that was made possible...

 

I'm also curious. I played there with a group of 3-4 foursomes and our member had to recruit other members so there'd be one in each foursome. 

 

But ya know...money talks. 

 

*****

A buddy here in the office has two close friends who belong there and they each invite him out several times per season. As last season was winding down those members got emails from the club reminding them that any specific guest may only play once each month of the season, and not "once per member" either.

 

It was a not so subtle reminder that my friend was pushing his luck out there. 

[Wbarksda]

23 hours ago, me05501 said:

 

I'm also curious. I played there with a group of 3-4 foursomes and our member had to recruit other members so there'd be one in each foursome. 

 

But ya know...money talks. 

 

*****

A buddy here in the office has two close friends who belong there and they each invite him out several times per season. As last season was winding down those members got emails from the club reminding them that any specific guest may only play once each month of the season, and not "once per member" either.

 

It was a not so subtle reminder that my friend was pushing his luck out there. 

Possibly the guy that made the call for us.

[golfortennis]

20 hours ago, Wbarksda said:

Possibly the guy that made the call for us.

 

So kind of like the story in "Living on the Black" by John Feinstein.  Tom Glavine is a golf fanatic, and having gone to the New York Mets, had to learn who played after years of playing with Maddux and Smoltz on their off days.  One time, the Mets are heading to Pittsburgh.  Glavine has one of the relievers call Oakmont to get a tee time.  "Sorry, we don't have any availability."  Glavine then calls himself.  "Sure, what time do you want to play?"

 

Is this where we ask you to say hi to Peyton Manning for us?  😀

[Wbarksda]

On 7/11/2025 at 8:20 AM, golfortennis said:

 

So kind of like the story in "Living on the Black" by John Feinstein.  Tom Glavine is a golf fanatic, and having gone to the New York Mets, had to learn who played after years of playing with Maddux and Smoltz on their off days.  One time, the Mets are heading to Pittsburgh.  Glavine has one of the relievers call Oakmont to get a tee time.  "Sorry, we don't have any availability."  Glavine then calls himself.  "Sure, what time do you want to play?"

 

Is this where we ask you to say hi to Peyton Manning for us?  😀

Haha, not Peyton. It was for my buddies 40th, his in laws are tied into the Lupton's somehow.