Best of 2016: Top 15 golf courses in Tennessee

Golfers volunteered thousands of reviews across the state of Tennessee in 2016, and we've compiled the top-rated courses based on their submissions.

Unique to Tennessee's list, two nine-hole courses were worthy enough to crack the Top 15, and the top course was strong enough throughout the year to make our Top 50 U.S. Courses ranking. From metro Nashville and Memphis courses, to more remote courses in the Smoky Mountains and Crossville, there are great courses - many of which are fine values - throughout the state.

To compile our state lists, we used a similar method to that of our our national Top 50 ranking. A course's score is based on their overall (50%) rating and subcategory average (50%). Reviews are weighted based on how prolific that reviewer is on Golf Advisor, and a course receives a bump in their rating if their score is better than that reviewer's average score.

Don't see your favorite Tennessee golf course? You can make your voice heard by writing a review here.

Top courses by subcategory in Tennessee in 2016

Course layout: River Islands Golf Club
Course conditions: Greystone Golf Club
Value: Greystone Golf Club
Off-course amenities: Mirimichi
Pace of play: Mirimichi
Staff friendliness: Greystone Golf Club

Top 15 courses in Tennessee in 2016

Lenoir City


Rockford


Sewanee
*9-hole course


Crossville


Knoxville


Springfield


Pigeon Forge


South Pittsburg
*9-hole course


Sparta


Kodak


Sevierville


Sevierville


Drummonds
No. 25 most improved in 2016


Dickson


Millington
No. 43 in the U.S. in 2016


Brandon Tucker is the Sr. Managing Editor for GolfPass and was the founding editor of Golf Advisor in 2014, he was the managing editor for Golf Channel Digital's Courses & Travel. To date, his golf travels have taken him to over two dozen countries and nearly 600 golf courses worldwide. While he's played some of the most prestigious courses in the world, Tucker's favorite way to play the game is on a great muni in under three hours. Follow Brandon on Twitter at @BrandonTucker and on Instagram at @btuck34.
2 Comments
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I'm very surprised that not one of the courses at Fairfield Glade is not on your list. Apparently, you haven't been there and don't know much about the golf courses in Tennessee.  Come see for yourself.

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Sweetens Cove behind Riverwatch is an absolute joke. Riverwatch is not in great shape these days. SC is arguably the best 9 hole course in the country

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Best of 2016: Top 15 golf courses in Tennessee