Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
Rankings:
The Takeaway: The most difficult and contrived layout in Tennessee, Nashville G&A features some engaging holes as well as a few head scratchers. The polarizing course tends to be one you love or hate instantly. Grade B
Quick Facts
Designer: Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge 1971
Cost: Private
Phone Number: 615-370-3346
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Nashville Golf and Athletic Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 1703 Crockett Springs Trail, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027 – UNITED STATES
Photos: See additional photos of Nashville Golf and Athletic Club
What to Expect: One of the more controversial designs in Tennessee, the Nashville Golf & Athletic Club tends to be one of those clubs you love or hate. The layout was conceived during a time in golf architecture when creating punishing layouts was applauded. As such, the course falls square into that category as one of the most difficult layouts in the state with the chops to challenge the best players in the world if ever called upon to host a competition. The flip side to that is that many casual players will find the design too punishing to enjoy on a consistent basis. The design features plenty of interest from start to finish with the routing taking players over and around highly undulated terrain where shotmaking is at a premium. A handful of water hazards come into play throughout the round which adds to the difficulty of a course that tips out at 7600 yards. The elevation changes in the course lend to producing mountain views and the southern end of the course is isolated away from everything to deliver a peaceful retreat. If you can play to your handicap at Nashville Golf & Athletic, you are on your game and should consider picking up a lottery ticket on the way home.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | 72 | 7600 | 76.8 | 137 |
| Blue | 72 | 7043 | 74.3 | 133 |
| Players | 72 | 6639 | 72.2 | 133 |
| Member | 72 | 6340 | 70.9 | 131 |
| Senior Players | 72 | 6142 | 69.8 | 130 |
| Seniors | 72 | 5811 | 67.9 | 127 |
| Red (Women) | 73 | 5177 | 69.6 | 117 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 6th Hole – 171 Yard Par 3 – A butterfly shaped green awaits on the downhill 6th that plays at least a club shorter than the distance indicates. The four bunkers that surround the green ensure that only an accurate aerial shot will be successful in finding the putting surface. The undulations in the putting surface add some challenge to this hole, so don't lose your focus even if you find the green in regulation. Found in the southwest corner of the property where privacy is at its finest, this hole is a beauty.
Best Par 3: 10th Hole – 211 Yards – Nothing is easy at Nashville G&A and that is further evidenced by how each nine begins. Here at the start of the back nine, players find themselves contending with a tee shot that is all carry over the water to a green that is just 12-18 yards deep depending on which side of the putting surface you are attacking and bunkers across the entire back. The green is nearly 50 yards wide, but that offers little consolation considering there is much more water and sand to find than green. Par here is an impressive start to the back nine.
Best Par 4: 4th Hole – 470 Yards – Like all the holes here, you need length, accuracy, and finesse to conquer the 4th; but it is perhaps magnified here more than anywhere. A tee shot that hugs the left side will yield the best chance of success, but the uphill climb to the green will have to be accurately judged when striking an approach shot. If you can manage a par here then it is a great momentum boost for the rest of the front nine.
Best Par 5: 18th Hole – 655 Yards – So much can happen on the final hole of the day; a 655 yard behemoth. The blind tee shot plays uphill with the ideal finishing position being on the left side of the fairway to achieve the optimal angle to the green. When you eventually get to the green you will find a long, skinny putting surface with an odd protrusion off to the right that is pinched by bunkers in front and back. With only a 5 yard opening into the green to find, accuracy is at an absolute premium considering water flanks the entire left side where the green slopes off to. Birdie here is an impressive finish.
Birdie Time: 14th Hole – 153 Yard Par 4 – On a course where the shortest par four is still over 400 yards and the par fives are rarely reachable in two, you have to look for other opportunities to throw a birdie on the card. That is where the 14th comes into play with this short par three that will still take a well played tee shot. The green slopes left and the front right corner has overhanging trees that can come into play, so a tee ball on the left side of the green that yields an uphill putt is the ideal scenario for success.
Bogey Beware: 1st Hole – 437 Yard Par 4 – The last thing that Nashville Golf & Athletic is interested in doing is offering players a gentle handshake to start their round. Hopefully you have a full warmup under your belt as you step onto the 1st tee as players find themselves staring at a long par four with water up the entire left side. Driver may not be the play as balls that fly straight can tumble in the lake since the fairway bends to the right. Driving up the right side of the fairway isn't a guaranteed solution though as a tree sits in the middle of the fairway 100 yards from the center of the green on that approach line. The green is just 10 yards wide in front and never opens more than 14 yards in the back while it stretches over 40 yards front to back. With water up the entire left side and right on the right, there is so little room for error. Double bogies are much more frequent than birdies on this bear.
