Tag: Golf

Golf Digest Rates Gatlinburg Course #1 Municipal Course in Tennessee

The title of Best Municipal Golf Course in the State of Tennessee was recently awarded to the Gatlinburg Golf Course, as published in Golf Digest magazine this past August.

The magazine concluded that the Gatlinburg Course was best by using a combination of star ratings from Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” rankings and the magazine’s “Best In State” ratings. This was done by a panel of editors and contributors to the magazine.

“Muny” course was defined as a course owned by a city, town, county or state. Gatlinburg Golf Course received a rating of 4 and one-half stars out of 5 in the magazine, rating among the nation’s top courses, with a listed green fee of $60. Only one municipal golf course, Bethpage State Park (Black) in Farmingdale, N.Y., which in recent years has held such prestigious tournaments as the U.S. Open, received a rating of 5 stars.

A year-round golf course with modern facilities, the Gatlinburg Course features a newly designed, fully equipped pro shop. It’s been a staple in the area since 1955 and is located off Dollywood Lane near Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. Esteemed golf course architect William Langford designed the 18-hole course before undergoing major renovations in 1993 and again in 2007.

The Course has always been public and has had only two PGA Professionals – Harry “Cotton” Berrier, a Hall of Fame inductee who retired in 1998, and Tucker, the current director of the Golf Course, which is a Department of the City of Gatlinburg.

In addition to a $500,000 hole renovation project, a new $1.24 million clubhouse opened in 2007, featuring a full-service pro shop and patio deck overlooking several holes. All of the clubhouse’s utilities have been placed underground at the 7,500 square foot facility, which includes modern locker rooms and restroom facilities and is fully handicap accessible.

Acclaimed as one of the most picturesque courses in America with breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains, the course includes the legendary #12, affectionately known as “Sky Hi.” The hole is 194 yards in length and drops 200 feet, tee to green, making it one of the most dramatic holes in the country.

Davy Crockett Mini Golf

Everybody loves to play miniature golf.  In Gatlinburg, one of the most popular mini golf locations is Davy Crockett Miniature Golf.  Located right off the parkway, there is plenty of parking, free parking, and you are out of the press of downtown Gatlinburg.  Add to this that it is one of the most beautifully made and creative mini-golf locations in Gatlinburg and you are in for quite a treat.

Davy Crockett Mini Golf attempts to tell the story of legendary hero of the Tennessee mountains with the help of an all-critter cast.  From Davy, in this case a fun loving raccoon to the rest of his mountain home friends, you will be amused and your children will be delighted by the antics that these animals get up to.  From shooting cannons to creating water sluices, the animals have been placed around the golf course to add obstacles and to create an atmosphere of fun and adventure around the course, or in this case, two courses.

Both of the courses (36 hole sin all) are challenging and fun.  The obstacles range from water hazards to hills, from wavy bumps meant to make it hard to putt to holes that are not visible from where you start.  Ripleys (yes, the same folks that run the Aquarium) have made this one of the neatest golf courses you will ever play on.  And, unlike many other attractions and activities in Gatlinburg, you don’t have to park and walk for a long time to get there.  There is a parking lot for Davy Crockett Mini Golf guests right next door to the golf course itself, so you aren’t paying extra to park but, it is not far down the street from some of the hotels and motels so you are always welcome to walk to Davy Crockett and enjoy the nice stretch of the legs on your way to play with the family.

Next trip you take to Gatlinburg, make sure that the Davy Crockett Mini Golf is part of your itinerary.  Get the family together and hang out in the great outdoors.  Spend some time challenging the kids.  Play both courses and take in the playful antics of the critters that tell a story about Davy Crockett as you make your way around the courses.  See who can win the game and then, when you come back year after year, play again and again, wait for that day when your kids finally win and then you can reflect on that first game you played with the Davy Crockett raccoon watching from the sign.

Davy Crockett Mini Golf
188 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN
865-430-8851
http://www.ripleys.com/gatlinburg/your-visit/ripleys-mini-golfs/

Gatlinburg Golf Courses

Discover the best places to play golf in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN. The Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg golf courses will give you an experience like no other course in the nation. Surround yourself with the beauty of the Smoky Mountains and the game you love!

When you think of visiting Gatlinburg, golfing might not immediately come to mind as an activity. But, there are some of the most picturesque golf courses in the entire world right in the heart of Gatlinburg! There can’t be anything more relaxing or refreshing than a few holes of golf nestled in the breathtaking blues and gorgeous greens of the Great Smoky Mountains!

Take a day and experience one of the championship golf courses that were designed especially for the mountain terrain of Gatlinburg! The manicured greens fit right into the verdant forest landscapes, framed perfectly by the mountains. And the price is always right, with many courses offering discounted games, along with vacation packages!

Perfect your swing along tranquil mountain streams at Bent Creek in Gatlinburg, TN designed by three time Masters and British Open Winner Gary Player. Bent Creek is a par 72 course that teases you with a fairly open front 9 and then puts you to the challenge on an exciting back 9 that features doglegs, uphill shots, enormous downhill shots onto greens, and opportunities for some extremely long drives. While you could easily walk the front 9, don’t even think about walking the back 9. Even the local high school players don’t attempt it! It’s as much fun to drive the golf cart from holes 13-15 as it is to play them! While they do not post their rates online, they do offer a $5 off coupon which you can print off at http://www.bentcreekgolfcourse.com/coupon.html . For rates & tee times, you can call them at (800) 251-9336 .

Bent Creek Golf Village

3919 East Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Challenge yourself at one of the most unique courses in the country at the Gatlinburg Municipal Golf Course, which is oddly located in Pigeon Forge. Originally Designed by golf course architect William Langford, it was renovated in 1993 by Bob Cupp & Associates of Atlanta. The famous hole #12 nicknamed “Sky Hi” features a dramatic 200 foot drop from tee to green, making for a distinctive and unforgettable golfing experience! Here are the rates for Gatlinburg Municipal Golf Course. These may have changed since this post, so be sure to contact the course at (800) 231-4128 or (865) 453-3912 for the latest rates and information.

(price includes 18 holes with cart):

June through October & Holidays
Before 12 Noon: $60
12 Noon to 4 p.m.: $50
After 4 p.m.: $40
9-Hole Fee: $30

April, May & November
Before 12 Noon: $55
After 12 Noon: $45
9-Hole Fee: $30

December through March
18 Holes: $45
9 Holes: $30

Gatlinburg Municipal Golf Course

520 Dollywood Ln
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863-4105

For more information or tee times at the Gatlinburg Municipal Golf Course, call the pro shop at (800) 231-4128 or (865) 453-3912. During prime season (June through October) tee times are available and may be reserved up to 14 days in advance. Discounts are available for seniors, juniors and active military.

Didn’t pack your clubs and gear? Don’t worry! There are excellent pro shops at each of the courses, fully stocked with everything you need for a perfect game of golf!

Golf isn’t just a pastime; it is a way of life! And when you schedule a game or two at one of Gatlinburg’s remarkable golf courses, you will be in for the golf game of your life! From stunning mountain views surrounding you to holes that challenge you beyond compare, it will be an experience that you will never forget!