Nashville, TN Golf

[ATLDrew]

I toured Old Natchez the other day as we continue to contemplate the move to Nashville. Really nice facility! Looked out over the course but didn't get a chance to play it. As previously posted, our move is a multidimensional nonlinear equation to be solved with more unknowns than knowns. Now potentially thinking about living in Westhaven as it's short commute to Old Natchez (I think WH GC is going to be too $$$$), is in-between the kids in Belle Meade and Brentwood (33 mins to BW, 25-ish mins to BM), while also being relatively close to shopping for the wife and medical care in Franklin/Carothers area.

[TNwanabe]

On 7/13/2025 at 5:38 AM, ATLDrew said:

I toured Old Natchez the other day as we continue to contemplate the move to Nashville. Really nice facility! Looked out over the course but didn't get a chance to play it. As previously posted, our move is a multidimensional nonlinear equation to be solved with more unknowns than knowns. Now potentially thinking about living in Westhaven as it's short commute to Old Natchez (I think WH GC is going to be too $$$$), is in-between the kids in Belle Meade and Brentwood (33 mins to BW, 25-ish mins to BM), while also being relatively close to shopping for the wife and medical care in Franklin/Carothers area.

Westhaven is really nice. It is on the other side of the hill from where our stable is. Have you looked at Hillwood CC? It was completely redone last year and is in amazing condition. 

[cubuffs]

On 7/13/2025 at 5:38 AM, ATLDrew said:

I toured Old Natchez the other day as we continue to contemplate the move to Nashville. Really nice facility! Looked out over the course but didn't get a chance to play it. As previously posted, our move is a multidimensional nonlinear equation to be solved with more unknowns than knowns. Now potentially thinking about living in Westhaven as it's short commute to Old Natchez (I think WH GC is going to be too $$$$), is in-between the kids in Belle Meade and Brentwood (33 mins to BW, 25-ish mins to BM), while also being relatively close to shopping for the wife and medical care in Franklin/Carothers area.

 

So Old Natchez is very compelling.  I have a few friends that have been there for 15+ years, could have upgraded, and stayed - so hopefully that is indicative. When we moved back from New England 4 years ago - Old Natchez was on our list and the only reason we didn’t join is that we got a house on the east side of Brentwood and the drive would have been 35 minutes + each way (we are at Governors Club).

 

Feel free to message me - we looked at living in Westhaven (this was 15 years ago) and have a number of colleagues and friends who live there now.

Edited July 19 by cubuffs

[golfortennis]

So looks like I have Legends South lined up for when I am down.  Google maps is saying the driving is "temporarily closed"?  Any word on that?  Given I want to play well I may need to go warm up somewhere nearby if its closed.

[J4Camp]

Any TN Grasslands members here? I have played both the Foxland and Plantation course and really enjoyed both. I live in Williamson County, but am considering joining as I really like the set up they have. 

[J4Camp]

Adding to the Westhaven and Old Natchez discussion as I have played both numerous times and have friends who are members at both.

 

Westhaven definitely has more of a club feel, but it’s also kind of a stuck up crowd. Great facility and the course grows on you, but it’s not easy. You miss the greens there and you are in for a bogey 9/10.

 

They keep building in that neighborhood and I know the tee sheet fills up fast and most member events get filled up immediately. They really would benefit from a second course. 
 

Old Natchez is certainly going to be less, but is more out of the way in my opinion. Less of a neighborhood feel and the course lacks character in my opinion. Can’t speak as much on the club itself, but definitely smaller. Not many trees in play and while it’s not links style, you are definitely more exposed out there. 
 

Brentwood CC isn’t bad, but I couldn’t play that course everyday and enjoy it. Less amenities also. 
 

Governors Club would be my first choice if I was looking in the Brentwood area. Great course, nice mix of members, solid clubhouse, etc. 

[ATLDrew]

8 hours ago, J4Camp said:

Governors Club would be my first choice if I was looking in the Brentwood area.

 

me too. with wait lists and init fees through the roof at so many clubs, Old Natchez (ON) is the best option for me. WH init fee is $75K with a year's wait list. Governor's Club is out of my budget; NGAC has a 3+ year wait list and you need references. Legends stopped adding people to the wait list it was so full. ON is less than 20 mins from WH so it's not a bad drive. We are also looking at Fieldstone Farms which would be super convenient to ON.

[gr8blueheronbird]

On 7/19/2025 at 6:07 PM, J4Camp said:

Any TN Grasslands members here? I have played both the Foxland and Plantation course and really enjoyed both. I live in Williamson County, but am considering joining as I really like the set up they have. 

Not a memeber but live close by. I have friends that belong and 1 that lives on #3 at Fairvue Plantation. Its around $30k to join and about $850.00 per month in dues. The friend that lives on #3 is not a member. We play Longhollow which is a public course here for a pittance of the fees I mentioned above.

[vandyfan]

On 7/18/2025 at 9:46 PM, TNwanabe said:

Have you looked at Hillwood CC? It was completely redone last year and is in amazing condition. 

 

2 year waitlist, $125k initiation and the re-do last year was grassing. They re-grassed all the fairways and greens though I will agree it is in excellent condition. 

[ATLDrew]

5 minutes ago, gr8blueheronbird said:

I have friends that belong and 1 that lives on #3 at Fairvue Plantation. Its around $30k to join and about $850.00 per month in dues

 

current init fee is $35K; monthlies $735 plus $150 F&B/quarter and $250 annual range fee.

[ATLDrew]

9 hours ago, vandyfan said:

2 year waitlist, $125k initiation

I'll have expired by the time my name comes up; the kids will be po'd that's where their inheritance went.

 

😆

 

 

[cubuffs]

I am still amazed at the escalation of the golf/private scene here in Nashville.  

[airjammer]

14 hours ago, cubuffs said:

I am still amazed at the escalation of the golf/private scene here in Nashville.  

Absolutely!  The amount of people with that kind of money that has moved into the area is something I didn’t think I’d ever get to witness. 
 

It’s sad because I hope it continues and  accelerates so that I can sell my house for crazy money in about 10 years and move to another area. It’s the only way I’ll be able to recoup all of the extra cost of living money I’m currently spending just to stay here. 

[golfpractitioner5]

38 minutes ago, airjammer said:

Absolutely!  The amount of people with that kind of money that has moved into the area is something I didn’t think I’d ever get to witness. 
 

It’s sad because I hope it continues and  accelerates so that I can sell my house for crazy money in about 10 years and move to another area. It’s the only way I’ll be able to recoup all of the extra cost of living money I’m currently spending just to stay here. 

The same thing has happened over in Murfreesboro. The Country Club over here went from a $7,500 initiation 5 years ago to $25,000 initiation now which makes sense with how pricey real estate has gotten.

 

We have the same plan as you. Sit around for another 3-5 years with our current house and possibly sell and build a custom home down on Tim’s Ford lake. We are lucky that we bought land down there a few years ago before it became the go to lake for the rich.

[me05501]

The influx of people is problematic for golf on multiple fronts. 

 

More people with more money means more demand, more crowding and more expense. We all see that. 

 

But there's more.

 

Any piece of property that would be suitable for a new course is going to be developed for homes instead. Homes are in such demand that there's no reason to build a course as an amenity. Just put more houses there...they'll sell regardless. 

 

 

[golfpractitioner5]

15 minutes ago, me05501 said:

The influx of people is problematic for golf on multiple fronts. 

 

More people with more money means more demand, more crowding and more expense. We all see that. 

 

But there's more.

 

Any piece of property that would be suitable for a new course is going to be developed for homes instead. Homes are in such demand that there's no reason to build a course as an amenity. Just put more houses there...they'll sell regardless. 

 

 

This is true. And the land that is being used for a new golf course is super exclusive like the Firefly community going up in Spring Hill which does no one outside of that community any good.

[etodd]

Bounty Club too... it's crazy. Hell, i'll have to move from Nashville if I even think about joining somewhere anytime soon. I miss the days back in school where you'd get made fun of for being a golfer. Take me back...

[me05501]

I know Nashville has several indoor golf places. Seems like there might be demand for a big one similar to what they have in Asia with practice areas for every aspect of the game. Would take a lot of dough to put one in the right location, but there are probably plenty of abandoned big box stores that would be suitable. 

[vandyfan]

48 minutes ago, me05501 said:

Would take a lot of dough to put one in the right location, but there are probably plenty of abandoned big box stores that would be suitable. 

 

My first response was going to be say that since we have almost a year-round golf season this wouldn't make sense. HOWEVER, your idea about practice areas for every aspect of the game is compelling. I went to D-Bat with my son which is essentially an indoor batting cage but they have launch monitors and simulators for baseball which was pretty amazing. I would think you could snap up a former Big Lots or TJ Maxx (that amazon is busy destroying) and try your hand at this. Also McCallie School has a version of this where they converted their old indoor tennis facility into a short game/simulator barn. It was pretty cool. How much would I pay to use that? Tough to say. 

 

But there is significant risk there of course. I, personally, don't love the simulator. I now have access to one for "free" and I still only use it once a month....maybe...and only the range. The actual simulated golf courses do nothing for me. 

[etodd]

I've actually talked about this quite a bit with some buddies.

 

Being the range rat that I am, having to drive 30+ minutes after work just to hit balls, and the only place with lights being Harpeth Valley Golf Center, you're basically SOL on "convenience". I've dreamed of finding a piece of real estate closer to metro Nashville and somehow gather investors to build a practice facility/range almost like Topgolf, but less for entertainment, and more for GOLFERS...

 

Like you mentioned, they have these all throughout Asia. As much as I hate the sudden surge of popularity from a personal standpoint and how it affects me, I think it could help pretty recently saturated city like Nashville, and especially people who are new to the game learn a little before going out on the course.

 

Build it elevated, partially enclosed, and climate controlled to some extent. Parking real estate is easily solved so long as you're okay with building upwards (and the city is okay with it). Essentially have a parking garage underneath the hitting area, and then tons of stacked trackman range bays (100+) up top. Indoor putting lab, chipping greens/bunkers, offer lessons, pro shop for sales/repairs, yearly/monthly memberships, etc.

 

Fairways and Greens in Knoxville is pretty close to what i'm thinking of... it's just finding the real estate and making it convenient.

 

A guy can dream.

 

For example:

 

Then put all the indoor stuff behind the camera man. Could be cool.

 

Edited July 22 by etodd

[me05501]

The places in South Korea include:

• Simulators with moving hitting areas that tilt to approximate various terrain and multiple different hitting surfaces that offer different lies (rough, sand, etc). 
• Practice bunkers
• Large putting greens as well as moving putting greens
• A pro shop
• Lessons

etc. 

 

The average South Korean golfer plays the majority of their "golf" indoors. Outdoor golf is relatively inaccessible so far, though I'm sure that's changing a bit with the success they've had in producing pro players. When it comes down to it they have the same issues Nashville has: too many players and not enough space. 

[smashdn]

What are they putting in where Rivergate Mall was?

[vandyfan]

1 hour ago, smashdn said:

What are they putting in where Rivergate Mall was?

 

Mixed-use development including retail, townhomes, single family rentals and potentially a senior living facility. Completion somewhere between 2029-2030 (yikes) but obviously will be built in stages. Development partner is Merus and there is some combination of bond debt and private equity financing. 

[subcrazy12]

On 7/21/2025 at 10:01 AM, ATLDrew said:

 

current init fee is $35K; monthlies $735 plus $150 F&B/quarter and $250 annual range fee.

 

that's honestly wild to me.  I am not even paying that at PDC in Atlanta for F&B or range fee.  The monthlies are higher but not by a ton.

Obviously the initiation tiers are way different, but also way different levels of club

[smashdn]

22 hours ago, vandyfan said:

 

Mixed-use development including retail, townhomes, single family rentals and potentially a senior living facility. Completion somewhere between 2029-2030 (yikes) but obviously will be built in stages. Development partner is Merus and there is some combination of bond debt and private equity financing. 

 

That will be an odd area to mix in residential type stuff in that spot when for years it was retail/mall/movie theatre.  There used to be a golf store across Gallatin Pike just off Myatt Dr.  It is an urgent care now.

[TNwanabe]

On 7/22/2025 at 2:41 PM, etodd said:

I've actually talked about this quite a bit with some buddies.

 

Being the range rat that I am, having to drive 30+ minutes after work just to hit balls, and the only place with lights being Harpeth Valley Golf Center, you're basically SOL on "convenience". I've dreamed of finding a piece of real estate closer to metro Nashville and somehow gather investors to build a practice facility/range almost like Topgolf, but less for entertainment, and more for GOLFERS...

 

Like you mentioned, they have these all throughout Asia. As much as I hate the sudden surge of popularity from a personal standpoint and how it affects me, I think it could help pretty recently saturated city like Nashville, and especially people who are new to the game learn a little before going out on the course.

 

Build it elevated, partially enclosed, and climate controlled to some extent. Parking real estate is easily solved so long as you're okay with building upwards (and the city is okay with it). Essentially have a parking garage underneath the hitting area, and then tons of stacked trackman range bays (100+) up top. Indoor putting lab, chipping greens/bunkers, offer lessons, pro shop for sales/repairs, yearly/monthly memberships, etc.

 

Fairways and Greens in Knoxville is pretty close to what i'm thinking of... it's just finding the real estate and making it convenient.

 

A guy can dream.

 

For example:

 

Then put all the indoor stuff behind the camera man. Could be cool.

 

I would join that in a heartbeat. Great idea. I have taken my practice into the PGA Superstore during this heat wave. An indoor chipping range would be ideal. If I win the lottery its open asap!

[me05501]

We played a charity scramble at Nashboro yesterday.

 

Kind of scruffy overall but the greens were really good and there was adequate shade to be found (which starts to become a real priority when the heat index is 102*...whew!).  

 

 

[etodd]

Nashboro is pretty solid for what it is. Obviously no range, and plays pretty short, but not bad for the $. Haven't been out there in a while.

 

I've started walking McCabe several nights per week with some buddies and have been pretty impressed too. Greens are super grainy and slow, but you can't ask for much with how much traffic is out there. I never really saw the allure, but I get it now. Need to queue up some rounds at HH too.

[J4Camp]

The Grassland fees are a little wild, but I am looking at the Sport Membership. It's only $10k initiation and dues are $275 month. It's a 45 min drive for me, but it gets you 12 rounds a year which I would just expense as you still have to pay the green fee. Id only be going up there to play with clients so I am really trying to justify it. 

 

Maybe I’m just desperate, but you get access to their practice facility and both clubhouses, pool, etc. I never play on the weekends cause of family stuff, so I think 12 rounds would suffice given I have friends at Westhaven, Governors, and BCC….i also don’t play much between December and end of February. 

 

I just really enjoyed the vibe out there and both courses are just as nice as most private courses here in Franklin. I am really chewing on it.

Edited July 26 by J4Camp

[TNwanabe]

On 7/25/2025 at 2:09 PM, etodd said:

Nashboro is pretty solid for what it is. Obviously no range, and plays pretty short, but not bad for the $. Haven't been out there in a while.

 

I've started walking McCabe several nights per week with some buddies and have been pretty impressed too. Greens are super grainy and slow, but you can't ask for much with how much traffic is out there. I never really saw the allure, but I get it now. Need to queue up some rounds at HH too.

McCabe is looking great lately. The wet summer has been a huge benefit. There are still some tee boxes that are bare, but I heard they were going to do some improvements next spring. The fact that I can get a tee into the ground without a hammer in July is a bonus!