Best Country Clubs in Franklin and Brentwood, TN

Franklin and Brentwood have grown into two of Middle Tennessee's most sought-after addresses, and a lot of that appeal comes from the lifestyle built around them — including a handful of country clubs that range from quiet, family-oriented golf communities to fully private clubs with decades of history. If you're weighing a move here, or you already live in the area and are ready to join one, it helps to know what actually separates these clubs before you tour a clubhouse or sit down for a membership conversation.

This isn't a ranked "best of" list in the sense of picking a winner — the right club depends on whether you golf competitively, want a family pool and tennis scene, or simply want to live inside a gated community built around a course. Here's an honest look at the clubs actually located in Franklin and Brentwood.

Key takeaways

• The Governors Club in Brentwood is the area's marquee private golf community, built around an Arnold Palmer Signature course on a gated, 600-plus-acre property.
• Franklin has more variety: Vanderbilt Legends Club, Westhaven Golf Club, and Annandale Golf Club each serve a different kind of member.
• Not every option requires full country club membership — Forrest Crossing Golf Course in Franklin is a public alternative for anyone who wants to play without joining.
• Buying inside or near one of these communities is different from joining the club itself — the two are usually separate decisions with separate costs.

The Governors Club — Brentwood

The Governors Club is Brentwood's best-known private golf community, built around an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature course on a gated property of more than 600 acres. It's a private club — membership is required to use the course and clubhouse — and the community itself is made up of custom estate homes built around the course. Amenities extend beyond golf, including the Palmer Dining Room, a pool and pavilion, and a 24-hour gated entrance. This is the club most people mean when they talk about the "country club lifestyle" in Brentwood specifically.

If you're picturing that kind of setting, it's worth knowing we currently have an active listing in Brentwood: 5858 Cloverland Drive, a 6-bedroom, 7-bath home at 7,508 square feet, listed at $1,499,900 (MLS #3180819).

Vanderbilt Legends Club — Franklin

Vanderbilt Legends Club sits on Legends Club Lane in Franklin and is best known for its two 18-hole championship courses, which also serve as the home courses for Vanderbilt University's golf programs. It operates on a membership model with golf instruction, dining, and fitness facilities, and it draws a mix of serious golfers and members who value the connection to Vanderbilt athletics. It's a good fit for someone who wants a club built primarily around the golf itself.

Westhaven Golf Club — Franklin

Westhaven Golf Club is the golf amenity inside Westhaven, one of Franklin's largest New Urbanist communities. It's built to welcome a wide range of players rather than cater only to low handicaps, which makes it feel more approachable than some of the area's other clubs. Because it's tied to a walkable master-planned neighborhood with its own town center, pools, and trails, it tends to appeal to families who want golf as one part of a broader lifestyle rather than the sole focus.

Annandale Golf Club — Franklin

Annandale Golf Club is a private club tied to the Annandale neighborhood in Franklin, one of the area's established golf-course communities. It fits alongside Vanderbilt Legends Club and Westhaven as a third distinct option in Franklin, generally appealing to residents who want a private club experience within a residential setting rather than a large resort-style property.

Forrest Crossing Golf Course — the public option

Not everyone wants to join a private club, and Franklin has a well-regarded public course in Forrest Crossing, set along the Harpeth River. It's the right answer for someone who wants to golf in the area regularly without paying for or committing to a membership — a useful contrast to the four private and semi-private clubs above.

Featured-snippet answers

What is the most exclusive country club in Brentwood, TN?

The Governors Club is Brentwood's most prominent private country club — a gated, 600-plus-acre community built around an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, with a full clubhouse, dining room, and pool.

What golf communities are in Franklin, TN?

Franklin is home to several: Vanderbilt Legends Club (two championship courses, tied to Vanderbilt University athletics), Westhaven Golf Club (part of the Westhaven master-planned community), and Annandale Golf Club (a private club within the Annandale neighborhood).

Frequently asked questions

Is Vanderbilt Legends Club open to the public? It operates on a membership model rather than as a walk-up public course, though non-members may have access through certain events or arrangements. Contacting the club directly is the most reliable way to confirm current guest and membership policies.

Do you have to live in Westhaven to use its golf club? Westhaven Golf Club is the amenity built for the Westhaven community, so residency there is typically part of how access works, though membership structures can vary — it's worth confirming directly with the club.

Is there a public golf course near Franklin, TN, if I don't want to join a club? Yes — Forrest Crossing Golf Course in Franklin is a public option along the Harpeth River, open without a membership.

Does buying a home near one of these clubs include club membership? Not automatically. Buying inside a golf community usually gets you the neighborhood and its shared amenities, but club membership — especially at fully private clubs like The Governors Club or Annandale — is typically a separate application and cost.

Why do so many luxury buyers in Franklin and Brentwood care about being near a country club? For many relocating or move-up buyers, a nearby club is as much about the built-in social and family lifestyle — golf, dining, pools, tennis — as it is about the sport itself, which is part of why homes in or near these communities tend to hold strong demand.

Practical next steps

1. Decide what you actually want from a club — competitive golf, family amenities, or simply proximity — before comparing them.
2. Contact the club directly for current membership categories, initiation costs, and guest policies, since these change and aren't always posted publicly.
3. If you're house-hunting near one of these communities, ask your agent to separate "what the home includes" from "what club membership costs," since they're rarely bundled.
4. Tour more than one club before deciding — the difference in atmosphere between a resort-style community like Westhaven and a golf-first club like Vanderbilt Legends is significant.

The bottom line

Franklin and Brentwood each offer a genuinely different country club experience — Brentwood's is anchored by The Governors Club, while Franklin spreads the choice across a few clubs with distinct personalities, plus a solid public option in Forrest Crossing. The right one comes down to what you want your day-to-day life to look like, not just what's nearby.

If you're exploring homes near any of these communities — including our current Brentwood listing at 5858 Cloverland Drive — Morrell Property Collective can walk you through what's actually included with the home versus the club. Call us at (615) 593-3103.