9 replies to this topic

[RBenton13]

Hello All - I was wondering if anyone on here has played the Gatlinburg Golf Course recently.  My buddies and I are going down to the Gatlinburg area for our annual golf trip and are wondering if we should play it.  We already are planning to play 36 at River Islands (played it before and love it), and will likely play Avalon on the west side of Knoxville (also already played it and thought it was really  nice).  

We have also played Sevierville Golf Club (thought it was pretty nice) and Patriot Hills in the past, but will likely pass on those this year.  Just trying to get a few honest opinions on this course as the opinions I've found online seem to be very polarizing.  Some people love it and some people hate it!  I know it was renovated a few years ago.

And if anyone has any other recommendations for courses in the Pigeon Forge/Sevierville/Knoxville area, that would be great!

Thanks in advance for any help!!

[RookieBlue7]

Gatlinburg Country Club was always fun, especially the cliff par 3.

[865golf]

Gatlinburg is in fairly decent shape - can't say that it's my favorite, but not a bad track.  If you want to have some fun, I'd travel across the mountain and play Sequoyah National Golf course.  It is a true mountain course, fun to play and they have started to get their green fees in line with other courses in the area.  As an added bonus, the casino now has live dealers for card games (no longer just electronic slots). I'd play it in a heartbeat before Gatlinburg.

If you haven't played River Islands since they redid their greens last summer, you are going to be very pleasantly surprised - I think they are the best greens in the area right now.

[RBenton13]

Thanks guys!  That is great news about River Islands.....it's been two years since we played so that will be a nice bonus.  

I just looked up Sequoyah and it looks awesome.  Unfortunately we are staying in Sevierville so it looks like it is about an hour and 45 minute drive from our place.  I already have a deposit down but maybe I can switch.....

Are there any other golf courses in the Cherokee area that you would recommend?  And how would you compare Gatlinburg Golf Course to River Islands, Sevierville Golf Club, etc?

[atlanta golfer]

Have played Gatlinburg Golf Course each year for the past three or so, when my wife and I travel that way and get a cabin for a long weekend.  It is a really fun course to play and the people who run the course (pro shop, starter) are nice folks.  It is a great way to enjoy the scenery and weather.

[smartcore]

Hello, just wanted to chime in. That is a great course but only if you go at the right time of year.
The last couple of years my wife and I have taken an earlier vacation (anytime beteween end of March thru end of April) and both times it has been cart path only (which can be especially difficult due to the hills) and the grass has an almost dead quality to it.
While it is still fun to play, I have felt that being off season it does take quite a bit away from the course.
Not saying I still wouldn't do it but in July/August its in superb shape.
Just my 2 cents.

[Kevinmcfl]

One of the most fun I have ever had playing golf.  That par 3 is etched in my mind forever.  Play it!

[RBenton13]

Awesome.  So it sounds like it will be a good play if we go to Gatlinburg.  

865golf has also piqued my interest in Sequoyah National.  If we change plans and decide to go to the Western North Carolina Smoky Mountain area, what other courses would be good to play within reasonable driving distance?  The courses I have seen from some initial research are:

• Smoky Mountain Golf Course - seems like it is okay but is pretty short (6100 yards par 71).
  
• Maggie Valley Club - sounds like a good course but have seen some reviews saying it was in really bad shape last year.
  
• Laurel Ridge Country Club - looks really nice.  But I can't tell if it is fully private or not.
  
• Waynesville Inn Courses - has three 9 hole courses, which all seem to be fairly short as well.
  
• Springdale Country Club - seems decent.

Anyone have any input on any of the above courses?  Or any recommendations on where to stay if we head down to North Carolina instead of the Gatlinburg area?

Thanks again, this is a huge help!

[RBenton13]

Just bumping to see if anyone has any advice on golf in the Western Carolina Rockies.....thanks!!

[865golf]

I think Maggie Valley will be in better shape this year.  They tend to be pretty good about addressing any issues on the course.  I have a group that goes over every other year and we have had good luck with the course conditions.

Etowah Valley is a fairly nice course with 27 holes.  A great lawn bowling/croquet court.

Springdale is an odd course - 9 flat holes and 9 mountain holes, though none of them very memorable.  Their signature hole is called the "Spasm" and i cant say I'm very fond of it.  Because of the topography, rain can quickly wash out the course. The last time I was over there they had lost a lot of their cart paths after a heavy rain.

Smoky Mountain is ok, but I wouldn't pass up any other course to play it.

Haven't played Laurel Ridge or Waynesville Inn.

Quite frankly, I'd make the day trip over to Cherokee and play 2 rounds at Sequoyah National.  It's only 35 miles from Gatlinburg and the scenery going across the mountain on 441 is incredible - especially if you go around sunrise.  You'll really appreciate the 2nd round because there are some shots you really won't be prepared for on your first round.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!