Tullahoma Golf Courses: The Bear Trace, Lakewood, and More
For golfers considering a move to Tullahoma, Tennessee, the local golf scene offers something you won't find in many small cities: a Jack Nicklaus-designed championship course at a state park, a well-maintained private country club with a full suite of member amenities, and easy access to additional courses in the surrounding region. Whether you're a serious golfer who plays multiple times per week or a casual player who enjoys occasional weekend rounds, Tullahoma's golf options deliver quality, scenery, and value that make this community a standout for golfers in Middle Tennessee.
As a Tullahoma real estate agent who has helped golf enthusiasts find homes near the courses they love, here's your complete guide to golf in the Tullahoma area.
The Bear Trace at Tims Ford: A Jack Nicklaus Masterpiece
The crown jewel of Tullahoma-area golf is The Bear Trace at Tims Ford State Park — a Jack Nicklaus-designed championship course that opened in 1999 as part of the Tennessee Golf Trail. Situated on a peninsula surrounded by the picturesque Tims Ford Lake, The Bear Trace has received widespread acclaim since the day it opened, earning recognition as one of the "Top Ten Places You Can Play" and "Best New Destination" in Tennessee.
Course Layout
The 6,764-yard, par-71 layout showcases the full range of Nicklaus' design genius. The opening holes blend links-style creations that gently roll across former pastureland, then gradually transition to wooded settings dominated by giant oak trees. The course features five sets of tees, accommodating players of every skill level from beginners to low-handicap competitors.
Tims Ford Lake is visible from every hole on the course and comes into play on eight holes, creating a unique combination of scenic beauty and strategic challenge. The 419 Bermuda fairways and TifEagle Bermuda greens are maintained to championship standards, providing playing conditions that rival private clubs at public course prices.
Why It Matters for Tullahoma Residents
Having a Nicklaus-designed course minutes from home is the kind of amenity that most golfers only experience on vacation. In Scottsdale or Hilton Head, a round on a comparable course would cost $150 to $300 or more. At The Bear Trace, Tullahoma-area residents can play one of the most acclaimed courses in Tennessee as part of their regular rotation — not as a once-a-year splurge.
The Bear Trace also hosts tournaments, events, and golf outings that bring the regional golf community together and provide competitive opportunities for players who want to test their games against quality competition on a championship layout.
Lakewood Golf and Country Club: Tullahoma's Private Club
Lakewood Golf and Country Club at 1900 Country Club Drive is Tullahoma's premier private club, offering members an 18-hole golf course with a full practice area, lighted tennis facility, swimming pool, and a clubhouse with banquet facilities and a full-service bar and grill with a patio overlooking the course and Lake Tullahoma.
The Course
The Lakewood course is a par-72 layout stretching 6,548 yards with a course rating of 71.6 and a slope of 125. Designed by Bubber Johnson and Pete Grandison and built in 1957, the course has been refined over decades into a well-conditioned private club experience. TifEagle Bermuda grass greens and sculptured Bermuda grass fairways provide excellent playing surfaces that reward skilled shot-making.
Beyond Golf
Lakewood's appeal extends well beyond the golf course. The club functions as a social hub for the Tullahoma community, with the swimming pool, tennis courts, and clubhouse dining providing year-round amenities for members and their families. For families who enjoy the country club lifestyle, Lakewood provides the complete package — golf, tennis, swimming, dining, and social events — at membership costs that are a fraction of what comparable clubs charge in Nashville, Franklin, or Brentwood.
Country Club Estates Neighborhood
The Country Club Estates neighborhood adjacent to Lakewood Golf and Country Club is one of Tullahoma's most sought-after residential areas. Homes in Country Club Estates range from approximately $280,000 to $500,000+, offering generous lot sizes, mature hardwood trees, and the convenience of living steps from the club. For serious golfers, Country Club Estates provides the rare combination of walking-distance access to a quality golf course with the affordability that Tullahoma's housing market delivers.
Regional Golf Options
Beyond the two primary courses in the immediate Tullahoma area, golfers benefit from proximity to additional courses throughout the region.
The Tennessee Golf Trail, which includes The Bear Trace at Tims Ford, features multiple Nicklaus-designed courses across the state. Tullahoma's central location in southern Middle Tennessee provides reasonable driving access to other Trail courses, giving dedicated golfers variety in their course rotation.
Additional public and semi-private courses in the surrounding communities of Manchester, Winchester, and Shelbyville expand the options for golfers who want to play different layouts regularly. The concentration of quality courses within a 30-to-45-minute drive of Tullahoma creates a golf ecosystem that keeps the game interesting without requiring long road trips.
Golf Climate: A Long Playing Season
Tennessee's temperate climate gives Tullahoma golfers a significantly longer playing season than courses in the Northeast, Midwest, or Mountain West. While winter months bring occasional cold snaps that limit play, the season typically runs from early March through late November — with many playable days even in December and January when temperatures cooperate.
Summer brings the heat, with July and August temperatures regularly exceeding 90 degrees. Early morning tee times and the shaded holes at both The Bear Trace and Lakewood make summer golf manageable for players who adjust their schedule to avoid peak afternoon heat.
Golf as a Family and Social Activity
In Tullahoma, golf serves as more than individual recreation — it's a social connector and a family activity that builds relationships across the community. Lakewood's junior golf programming introduces kids to the game, and the disc golf course at East Park Arboretum provides an accessible entry point for families who want to enjoy a golf-adjacent sport without the equipment costs and club memberships.
The 27-hole Tullahoma Sunrise Rotary Disc Golf Course at East Park Arboretum is free to play and has become increasingly popular with teens and young adults. Starter discs cost just $10 to $15, making disc golf one of the most budget-friendly outdoor activities in the community.
Business relationships, friendships, and community connections form on Tullahoma's courses every day. For professionals relocating to the area — particularly those working at AEDC, Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital, or local businesses — golf provides a natural networking environment that accelerates integration into the community.
Living on the Course
For golfers who want to live as close to the game as possible, Tullahoma offers real options. Homes in Country Club Estates provide walking-distance access to Lakewood Golf and Country Club. Properties in communities near Tims Ford Lake put The Bear Trace within a short drive. The affordability of Tullahoma real estate means that course-adjacent living — which commands premium prices in most markets — is accessible to a wider range of buyers here.
Contact Jon Smith today at jonsmithrealtor.com to find your Tullahoma home near the courses you'll love. Whether you're looking for a Country Club Estates property overlooking Lakewood or a home with easy access to The Bear Trace at Tims Ford, I'll help you find the perfect fit for your golf lifestyle.
Browse all Tullahoma homes for sale or read my complete guide to Tullahoma outdoor recreation for hiking, fishing, and lake activities beyond the golf course.