What are the best public golf courses in Memphis, Tennessee?

Introduction

In this blog post we’re going to take a look at some of the best public golf courses in Memphis.

This cultural gem of a city is located in southwestern corner of Tennessee, right on the snaking Mississippi River.

When you think of Memphis, you can’t help but think of the legendary blues music.

Sometimes overshadowed by Nashville, also in Tennessee, Memphis more than holds its own for music lovers. Iconic landmarks include Elvis Presley’s Graceland Mansion, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum and the Blues Hall of Fame. 

The foodie scene is also to die for, with the city home to mouthwatering barbecue cuisine. There is even a recognised style of barbecuing named after the city. Memphis-style consists of slow cooking meat in a pit. 

Surprisingly, the city is home to a litany of golf courses, both private and public. It is also a great city for beginner golfers, with a number of municipal courses, both 9 and 18 holes, all close to the city center.

See also: What are the best public golf courses in Nashville, Tennessee?

The best public golf courses in Memphis

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1. Tunica National Golf & Tennis

Yep, I get it. We kick off this list of the best public golf courses in Memphis, a city in Tennessee, with a course way over the state line in Mississippi. I know how it looks. 

But Tunica National Golf & Tennis is a phenomenal golf club open to the public and easily accessible from downtown Memphis. So why not!?

This top class layout opened this side of the millennium in 2004 and is part of a much larger company which owns the multiple casinos in the region. In fact this area attracts millions of tourists every year who come to gamble and enjoy the thousands of slot machines.

And for those looking to play golf, they have one of the finest courses in the state to enjoy. 

Designed by the talented Mark McCumber, you would be excused for thinking you’re playing in Florida. There is water here and lots of it. Sure, you’re about a mile from the Mississippi River, but boy there is a lot. So much so, it comes into play on all but two holes.

Fortunately, the fairways are generous so despite this being a challenging course, there is some respite. That said, when the wind picks up, even those generous landing areas can be tough to hit.

All in all, this is an awesome course with superb greens known for rolling true. And make sure you enjoy a cold one in Murphy’s Bar & Grill. 

2. Forest Hills Golf Course

Up in Drummonds, half an hour north of Memphis, is the superb Forest Hills Golf Course.

The club occupies a beautiful and secluded spot, not overlooked by any housing and surrounded by nothing more than dense woodland. 

The course was built in 1994 and was designed by the complete unknown Hiroshi Kubo. It also appears to be Kubo’s only foray into golf course design. 

Yet despite this apparent inexperience, Kubo has designed a perfectly playable and thoroughly enjoyable golf course. One which year upon year gets highly ranked as one of the top courses in Tennessee by Golf Advisor.

From the back tees, the course stretches to 6,609 yards across blissful rolling hills. Numerous bunkers and several lakes come into play, whilst generous fairways keep play moving swiftly. 

Incredibly good value and a course you can be assured of finding decent conditions. It also offers the right amount of challenge testing your all-round game. Quality golf. 

See also: What is the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Alabama?

3. Mirimichi Golf Club

Yet another course which is without doubt one of the best public golf courses near Memphis. Mirimichi Golf Club is immensely popular and one of few located to the north of the city.

Some might argue its popularity is partly due to one of its previous owners, a Mr Justin Timberlake. But I can assure you, there are no gimmicks here or empty celebrity endorsements. There is plenty of quality to be enjoyed.

Heading north out of the city, just past Woodstock, it takes just under twenty minutes to reach Mirimichi. There is very little urbanization here. Instead a blanket of trees surrounds the course giving a secluded feel.

This wonderful layout first opened in 1976, designed by William (Bob) Mitchell, and known as Big Creek Golf Course. In 2009, Justin Timberlake acquired the course, with a renovation headed up by Bill Bergin. Shortly after, he went on to sell Mirimichi Golf Course to a Memphis businessman. 

Over the years, the course has benefitted from ample investment, and not only is the layout fantastic, the conditioning is second to none. 

Elegant fairways meander through creeks, waterfalls and native grasslands. But one of the main characteristics Mirimichi is renowned for, are the deep pot bunkers, of which there are plenty dotted around the course.

With water also coming into play on a number of holes, this is a course which requires your all-round game to be on point. 

4. Cherokee Valley Golf Club

Once again we venture over the state border, this time to one of north Mississippi’s finest public golf facilities.

Cherokee Valley Golf Club is located in Olive Branch, half an hour’s drive from downtown and just twenty minutes from the Memphis International Airport. 

The club was developed in 1996 by the late M.C. “Clay” Herrington, long time mayor of Olive Branch. It was also one of a handful of golf projects developed in DeSoto County instigated by Herrington.

At the time of writing, Cherokee Valley is still family owned, with his daughter and her family taking care of day to day operations. 

Once voted by Golf Digest as one of the finest public golf courses in Memphis, it is a course which certainly entertains. The property is beautiful and features plenty of elevation changes. There is a reason the word ‘valley’ is in the name!

From the back tees, the course measures over 6,700 yards, so not the longest. But the challenge comes in the constant movement, well positioned bunkers and plenty of water features.

A fine golf course and very affordable with midweek rates kicking off at just over $30. 

5. Wedgewood Golf Club

Another firm favorite in the Olive Branch neighborhood is Wedgewood Golf Club. 

Literally just a few miles from Cherokee Valley Golf Club, many would argue Wedgewood Golf Club should be positioned higher on this list. Either way, what we can agree is that two of the best public golf courses in Memphis are sat right next to one another.

Wedgewood opened in 1990 and since then has consistently attracted the more capable golfers in the greater Memphis area. This is because it is a challenging course, one which has hosted the 4A Mississippi High School State Championships.

This true-test of golf features tight tree-lined fairways with many of the 419 Bermuda fairways flirting with water. The greens are great, some of the best in the area. 

If you are a higher handicapper, don’t be put off. There are five sets of tees which shorten the course from 6,863 yards to 4,854 yards. 

Rates to play here are some of the most affordable in the city. Monday to Friday walking, which is easily done, starts just under $25.

See also: What are the best golf courses in Alabama?

6. Cypress View Golf & Recreation

Same city, yet on this occasion we cross another state line, this time heading into Arkansas and the wonderful Cypress View Golf & Recreation. And yet despite being across the Mississippi River and into Arkansas, it is just a fifteen minute drive from downtown Memphis. 

Cypress View Golf is located in the city of Marion and at the time of writing is one of two courses easily accessible over the river into Arkansas. The other, Meadowbrook Country Club is a private club, unlike Cypress View which is semi-private.

The course opened in 1997 and was designed by Lyndy Lindsey, course designer for the company Lindsey Golf. This is an architectural firm renowned for creating quality yet affordable golf courses.

As for Cypress View, it is located within a 125-acre plot split into two parts on the river delta. A rectangular plot to the south which houses most of the holes and the clubhouse. Whilst to the north, a pointed parcel of land home to four holes and the driving range.

With a litany of challenges and hazards, including numerous bunkers and tight tree-lined fairways, many consider this to be one of the mid-south’s most demanding courses. 

And then throw in a copious amount of water, be it large lakes, smaller ponds or canals, water is literally everywhere. Oh, and did I mention the wind? 

But boy this is fun and the club has a relaxed informal atmosphere. Well worth a visit.

7. The Links at Galloway Golf Course

The first of our municipal courses in central Memphis is The Links at Galloway Golf Course. 

One of a number of courses owned and managed by the city, The Links at Galloway is great fun. And as far as locations go, it would be hard to get any more central.

The course first opened in 1926, hence the proximity to downtown being just a few miles away. 

But this is the challenge for city center courses. On one hand we celebrate the fantastic central location. Whilst on the other hand, surrounded by residential zones, the club can’t expand any further. Therefore this 6,013 yard course will always be on the slightly short side. 

But what it can do, is ensure the conditions are top class and that the course remains immensely playable. And that it does to perfection with a multi-million dollar investment and redesign coming in 2002 headed up by Kevin Tucker.

Clearly the course gets a lot of traffic and getting tee times here can be challenging. So make sure you book well in advance. 

There is plenty of variety in the routing, with risk/reward shots and water hazards the main challenge. Whilst the large greens are great, again considering how much play they get.

See also: What are the best golf courses in Columbus, Georgia?

8. Timber Truss Golf Course

Back down in Olive Branch is another fine public golf course near Memphis. This time we take a look at Timber Truss Golf Course, formerly called Plantation Golf Club.

Built in 1990 and designed by William Leather, the club occupies a verdant 180-acre plot a mile from downtown Olive Branch. To get to central Memphis, you’re looking at a half hour’s drive.

This is another popular course, which offers a good test without completely beating you up. Fairways give room off the tee, whilst if you do spread the ball, you should find it easily enough. 

The main hazard is water and there is lots of it. Large lakes and plenty of smaller ponds and creeks mean you can’t switch off at any point. Especially if playing off the backs which will see you playing just under 6,800 yards.

Under new management and with an injection of investment, it will be interesting to see how Timber Truss Golf Club develops over time. 

9. Lakeland Golf Club

Lakeland Golf Club is a popular course amongst the locals and has existed since 1973. Some may recognize it from its previous name, Stonebridge Golf Course.

Located north east of Memphis in the city of Lakeland, it was designed by the great George Cobb. 

Throughout his career, Cobb was hugely influential in golf course architecture. Yet he is probably most recognised for having designed the par-3 course at Augusta National Golf Club. 

Here at Lakeland, he created a wonderful tree-lined course which makes full-advantage of the beautiful surroundings. Measuring 6,768 yards from the backs, there are four sets of tees which I would recommend considering quite seriously before playing.

The course is tough, especially for first-time players. Tight fairways requiring accuracy off the tee. A thick canopy of trees makes finding balls from wayward drives tricky. Strategically placed bunkers and a number of water hazards are also ever-present. 

Hence tee selection feels like it could make or break the enjoyment of your round!

Under new ownership, with continued investment Lakeland Golf Club could well climb quite swiftly up this list.

What is the best public golf course in Memphis, Tennessee?

The best public golf course in Memphis, Tennessee, is Tunica National Golf & Tennis. Located just over the state line in Mississippi, this superb layout opened in 2004 and was designed by the talented Mark McCumber.