The state of Tennessee is home to several big cities, each with its own collection of upscale daily-fee courses, private clubs, and golf resorts. But when it comes to quantity, accessibility, and variety, one small town has earned a title that carries real weight among traveling golfers.
That town is Crossville, Tennessee, recognized as “The Golf Capital of Tennessee.”
Located in Cumberland County on the Cumberland Plateau, Crossville sits just off I-40, about two hours east of Nashville and roughly an hour west of Knoxville. With a population of less than 15,000, it may not look like a major golf destination at first glance. But the area’s high concentration of championship courses, variety of layouts, and mild year-round climate have helped make Crossville one of the most appealing golf getaways in the Southeast.
The elevation on the plateau also helps. Temperatures here often run several degrees cooler than in cities like Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis, which makes summer golf more comfortable and extends the season for players looking to tee it up nearly all year.
Of the many golf courses in the Crossville area, three properties stand out for golfers planning a true stay-and-play trip: Fairfield Glade, Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain State Park, and Lake Tansi Golf Resort.
Fairfield Glade: The Heart of Crossville Golf
Fairfield Glade is the most recognized golf property in the area and, arguably, one of the most important golf communities in the state. Located in eastern Cumberland County, Fairfield Glade is a resort and retirement community with more than 9,000 residents and five championship golf courses: Druid Hills, Dorchester, The Brae and The Crag at Heatherhurst Golf Club, and Stonehenge.
It is one of the biggest reasons Crossville has earned its golf reputation.
Druid Hills Golf Club
Druid Hills Golf Club is where golf at Fairfield Glade began. The first nine holes opened in 1970, with the second nine completed in 1973. Located at the highest point on the property, Druid Hills offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Behind the back tees on the 14th hole, you’ll even find a plaque identifying the mountains visible in the distance.
The course features modest elevation changes, tree-lined fairways, plenty of water, and well-undulated Bentgrass greens. It is not the longest course at Fairfield Glade, which means course management matters. Keeping the driver in the bag on certain holes can be the smarter way to score.
Druid Hills is also home to The Golf Garage, an indoor-outdoor teaching, training, and practice facility with two Trackman hitting bays. The bays are used for private lessons, club fittings, clinics, and training sessions, and they can also be rented for virtual golf. The Golf Garage also handles grip replacements and club repair.
In August 2024, Druid Hills unveiled The Quarry, an 18-hole putting course designed to challenge even confident putters. Each hole features multiple breaks and plenty of subtle movement, often more than you think at first glance. It is a great place to settle bets, recoup earlier losses, or simply extend the fun after a round.
Dorchester Golf Club
What Dorchester Golf Club lacks in length, it makes up for in precision. This is a course that rewards accuracy, control, and patience.
Many of the fairways are narrow and framed by trees, starting with the first hole, which plays as the No. 1 handicap hole. Water comes into play on six holes, and bunkers are positioned to make players think carefully from the tee. Several holes include noticeable elevation changes, while well-groomed fairways lead to challenging Bentgrass greens that can leave even good putters shaking their heads.
Heatherhurst Golf Club: The Crag and The Brae
Heatherhurst Golf Club is home to two distinct 18-hole layouts: The Crag and The Brae.
The Crag is the more player-friendly of the two and opens with a short par 5 that can be reachable after a strong drive. Rolling fairways rise and fall throughout the round, creating a layout that is scenic, playable, and enjoyable for a wide range of golfers. Bentgrass tees and greens, generous landing areas, plenty of wildlife, and beautiful views from the 17th tee all help make The Crag an enjoyable round.
The Brae presents a different kind of challenge. The front nine includes what many consider one of the toughest par 5s in Tennessee. The 4th hole is a double-dogleg par 5 that requires two carries over Otter Creek. The back nine features three par 3s, three par 4s, and three par 5s, beginning with one of the most visually memorable holes on the property, a downhill par 5 with a green overlooking Lake Dartmoor.
The Brae is also the only course in the area with Zoysia fairways, a turf that performs especially well in hot weather. Golfweek has recognized The Brae among the top public courses in Tennessee, adding to its reputation as one of Fairfield Glade’s must-play layouts.
Stonehenge Golf Club
Stonehenge is Fairfield Glade’s premier layout and one of the most acclaimed public courses in Tennessee. Designed by Joe Lee, the course makes excellent use of the natural terrain, moving through rolling and wooded land on the Cumberland Plateau.
As you make your way around Stonehenge, you’ll encounter large rock outcroppings and walls of native stone, which inspired the course’s name. Its signature hole is the par-3 14th, a dramatic downhill shot that plays roughly 80 feet below the tee. It is one of the most photographed holes in the area and a highlight for many golfers visiting on a package trip.
Stonehenge features Bentgrass from tee to green, creating excellent playing conditions and helping cement its place as one of the standout courses in Crossville.
Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain State Park
Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain was designed by Jack Nicklaus and quickly earned attention when it opened in 1999. The course fits beautifully into its natural surroundings, using elevation changes, mature pines, flowing streams, and native woodlands to create a memorable round.
Nicklaus adds his own touch through strategic bunkering and a handful of risk-reward opportunities. The layout asks players to make decisions, not just swing away.
Recently, Bear Trace underwent a major transformation that included converting 28 acres of cool-season grass to warm-weather Bermudagrass. The change has improved playability, enhanced the look of the course, and earned strong reviews from golfers who have seen the course in its current condition.
As you work your way around the course, native woodlands border many of the rolling fairways, while rock formations come into play often enough to demand your attention. Elevated tee boxes provide panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, and the Nicklaus greens will keep even strong players guessing.
There is nothing quite like hitting a drive from an elevated tee and watching it soar over valleys and ravines before catching a downslope when it lands. It’s the downhill approach shots I’m not nearly as fond of.
Lake Tansi Golf Resort
In my opinion, the most underrated golf course in Cumberland County is Lake Tansi Golf Resort.
Over the years, Lake Tansi has received numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the top courses in Tennessee by Golf Advisor. Golf Course Superintendent Todd Mathews and his staff do a tremendous job keeping the course green throughout the year with a closely guarded blend of Bentgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Fescue.
“Lake Tansi lies at an elevation of 1,900 feet, making the daytime temperatures considerably cooler than other areas of the state. The grasses don’t lose a lot of their color when they go dormant in cooler weather,” Mathews says.
Early in the season, the greens may surprise you. They can show several shades of green before fully growing in, but they still roll true.
Lake Tansi is probably my favorite course in the area. That may be because the staff is great, the layout is challenging but fair, and the course stays green year-round. Or it may be because I made a hole-in-one on the 15th hole a couple of years ago while playing with Head Pro Gavin Darbyshire.
But seriously, it’s the hole-in-one.
A couple of the par 5s are reachable in two with a good drive, and the par 3s, while not overly long, will test your shot-making and putting. The two par 3s on the front nine feature greens with plenty of slope, and if you leave yourself above the hole, putting can become an adventure.
The finishing stretch is demanding. No. 17 is a long par 4 with an approach shot over water, and unless you are long off the tee, you may be hitting a mid or long iron into the green. No. 18 is a three-shot par 5 with an elevated green that also includes plenty of slope. Good rounds can easily be spoiled on these final two holes.
Lake Tansi also has plenty to offer beyond golf. This charming lake-resort community includes a 550-acre lake, a beach area, and boat rentals, making it a strong option for golfers traveling with family or anyone who wants more than just 18 holes a day.
Planning a Crossville Golf Trip
One of the best parts of a Crossville golf trip is the convenience. Fairfield Glade, Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain, and Lake Tansi all offer accommodations on or near the property. Golfers can choose from cabins at Cumberland Mountain State Park, lakeside cottages at Lake Tansi Village, or condo rentals at Fairfield Glade.
Each property also offers dining options, with plenty of additional restaurants nearby. For golfers looking for an easy stay-and-play setup, Tennessee Mountain Golf is another helpful resource for building a Crossville golf package.
After the final putt drops and dinner is finished, the best thing to do is sit back on the patio and take in the views across the Cumberland Plateau. With a low cost of living, a mild climate where golf can be played year-round, and some of the friendliest people you’ll meet, Crossville has a way of making visitors feel at home.
It certainly worked on me. I made Crossville my home.
For more information or to plan your next golf vacation to Tennessee’s Golf Capital, visit Explore Crossville Golf.