A trip to Clarksville is sure to be an adventure, as the city in northern Tennessee town is home to many of the amenities that travelers come to expect, all the while exuding true southern charm. The natural areas surrounding the city are a sight to behold, including the fabulous vistas along the Cumberland River.
With plenty of culture and cuisine, Clarksville offers a good mix of things to keep you busy, while retaining that small-town charm that will be sure to help ease the stress of the everyday hustle and bustle. Whether your trip is for business or recreation, be sure to include a round or two of golf on your list of things to do.
After you’re done checking out the local artists at the Downtown Artists Co-Op or sampling a brew at the Blackhorse Pub & Brewery, it’ll be time to unpack the polos and khakis and set up a tee time to hit the links at one of Clarksville’s many golfing destinations. There are a wide variety of courses providing ample tee times to fit whatever your schedule allows.
Both Swan Lake and the Mason Rudolph Golf Course are owned and operated by the city of Clarksville. Both are open year-round and offer annual green fees. Swan Lake was opened in 1950 and is an 18-hole, Par 71 course that measures just 6,419 yards from the back tees, so if you’re so inclined, toss your Sunday bag in the trunk and walk the course. It is also adjacent to Dunbar Cave State Park which is the site of significant prehistoric Mississippian Native American cave art, some actually dating back to the 14th century, as well as an abundant population of local wildlife. The 9-hole Mason Rudolph Golf Course was named for the former PGA tour member. With a par of just 30 and running just over 2,000 yards, it’s the perfect course to simply enjoy a relaxed round while enjoying the beautiful Clarksville surroundings.
For a more comprehensive golfing environment, the River Club Golf & Learning Center has several options to give you a full golf experience. The semi-private, link-style course offers the opportunity to play nine or 18 holes, with tiered tee boxes making the most of the terrain that was once rich farmland nestled along the Red River. The course design is such that three of the holes have separate greens, while the other six holes are played with greens large enough to have two separate pin placements.
The River Club’s practice facility has three styles of greens to work on your putting stroke, while a chipping area allows for work on your sand and fringe shots. Established in 2013, the River Club also provides a relaxing setting for dinner, along with live music and entertainment several times a week. Several options for charter memberships are available for singles, couples, families and seniors which include green fees, driving range and carts.
A relatively short tract, the 18-hole course at the Eastland Green Golf Course facility covers just 6,437 yards of golf from the longest tees. The Par-72, John Baggett design features bent grass fairways.
Finally, the private Clarksville Country Club is one of the oldest in the state, having opened in 1913 and has been host to many Tennessee Golf Association events and also hosted several United States Golf Association qualifier events. The 18-hole, Par-72 course and its tree-lined fairways allow public play on select days of the week.
So there you have it. While you’re planning your next trip to north Tennessee, make sure to include a few days, or even a week to stop in Clarksville on your itinerary and enjoy the many things this historic city has to offer.
