Golfing In The Smokies
Posted by Leif Palmer in Things to Do
With its mountainous backgrounds, green forests and abundant streams, the Smokies region is a golfer's paradise. That's why so many visitors each year make sure to pack their clubs when they head here on vacation. With so many scenic and challenging courses to choose from, a golf fanatic could play a different 18 holes every day of the week and never see a repeat.
Summertime is prime golfing season in the Smokies, so if you've never teed off on one of our courses, here's a quick overview of some of the area's top golf destinations. There's still plenty of time left this summer to book your lodgings, hit a few buckets of practice balls and enjoy a morning or afternoon on the links.
Lakeland Golf of Baneberry
lakelandgolfcourseofbaneberry.com
This 18-hole course is located on a peninsula in Douglas Lake, near Sevierville, TN. The par-71, 6,700-yard course is a test of skills, featuring Bermuda fairways, large bent grass greens and four tee positions on each hole. Rolling hills, challenging bunkers, lakes and streams add to the captivating scenery.
Bent Creek Golf Village
Designed by legendary golfer Gary Player, Bent Creek blends in seamlessly to its Great Smoky Mountains setting. Located in the Cobbly Nob area outside Gatlinburg, the 18-hole, par-72 course offers such features as a mountain stream, creek-side grill, putting green, golf shop and access to nearby cabin and condo rentals.
Sevierville Golf Club
This municipal golf course features two 18-hole courses-the River Course, which runs along the Little Pigeon river-and the Highlands Course, which features more rolling terrain. The courses are par 72 and 70, respectively.•Amenities include a golf shop, driving range, pitching area, practice bunkers and a putting green. The facility is easily accessible via Interstate 40.
Gatlinburg Municipal Golf Course
This 18-hole course is actually located in Pigeon Forge, just a short distance off the Parkway. The layout is challenging but beautiful, occupying a section of rolling woodlands with tremendous views of the Smokies. The 6,281-yard course showcases a par-three hole with a 200-foot drop in elevation as well as a 529-yard par-five hole called Long Lane.
Lambert Acres Golf Club
Just head to Blount County and the peaceful side of the Smokies to enjoy this destination's 27 holes of challenging scenic play. Divided into three nine-hole courses, Lambert Acres delivers rolling terrain, Bermuda fairways, bent grass greens and a beautiful mountain backdrop. Water hazards and bunkers increase the challenge, while a full slate of amenities makes this year-round course an area favorite.
Laurel Valley Country Club
Nestled into a breathtakingly beautiful mountain valley, this Townsend, TN, course is also found in Blount County, just a short drive from Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Known for its narrow fairways and blind shots, Laurel Valley is a true test, although the outstanding views are worth the effort. The par-70 course includes a driving range, while a staff golf pro and on-site restaurant are also available.
River Islands Golf Club
Located near Sevierville, River Islands has been named one of Golf Digest's top ten Tennessee courses on multiple occasions. Considered one of the more scenic courses in the Smokies, this 18-hole links-style layout is well manicured with Zoysia fairways and borders the French Broad River. Several islands located in the river come into play on a number of holes.
The Smoky Mountains offer overnight rentals that would be well suited to accessing many of these golf properties. So if you're looking for scenic-view cabins, Gatlinburg or any other surrounding community would be the ideal place to settle in for a week of great golfing in the Smokies.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in the Smoky Mountains. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.
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