Best Private Golf Clubs in Middle Tennessee

Golf membership in Middle Tennessee isn't one-size-fits-all. Some buyers want an exclusive, invitation-driven retreat away from the city. Others want to live on a golf course community they can walk to every morning. Both exist here, and they come with very different lifestyles attached.

That distinction matters for anyone weighing a move into golf-oriented living around Nashville. A membership at a standalone club is a different commitment than buying inside a golf course community, and the real estate dynamics differ accordingly.

This guide looks at three private clubs that represent genuinely different versions of golf living in Middle Tennessee, plus what to know before pursuing either path.

Key Takeaways

• Golf Club of Tennessee, a Tom Fazio design in Kingston Springs, represents the region's most exclusive standalone retreat-style club.
• Fairvue Plantation in Gallatin shows how golf and lakefront living combine inside a planned residential community.
• Belle Meade Country Club offers a historic, in-town alternative for buyers who want club life without leaving Nashville.
• Membership structure and real estate ownership are often separate decisions — joining a club doesn't require living inside its community, and vice versa.

Golf Club of Tennessee: The Exclusive Retreat

Golf Club of Tennessee, in Kingston Springs about 30 minutes west of downtown Nashville, is among the most exclusive private clubs in the region. Founded in 1988 by businessman Bronson Ingram along with Toby S. Wilt and George N. Gillett Jr., the club's 18-hole course was designed by Tom Fazio across a 317-acre property.

The club has drawn national recognition — Golf Digest ranked it 163rd among America's 200 Greatest Golf Courses as of its 2017 rankings [VERIFY CURRENT DATA: current ranking may have changed]. Its 31,000-square-foot clubhouse can accommodate overnight guests, reinforcing its identity as a retreat-style club rather than a neighborhood amenity.

Fairvue Plantation: Golf and Lakefront Living Combined

Fairvue Plantation, in Gallatin roughly 30 miles northeast of Nashville, takes a different approach entirely — golf as part of a residential community rather than a standalone club. Developers purchased the historic Fairvue Farms property around 1999 and built a luxury golf community of more than 400 homes that opened in 2004, set on a peninsula created when Old Hickory Dam flooded the surrounding land in 1956.

The development's growth came with tradeoffs: the National Park Service withdrew the original Fairvue mansion's National Historic Landmark designation in 2005, citing damage to its historic integrity from the surrounding development. For buyers, though, it remains one of the clearest examples in the area of golf and lakefront living built into a single planned community.

Belle Meade Country Club: Golf Life In-Town

For buyers who want private club membership without leaving Nashville, Belle Meade Country Club offers golf, tennis, a pool, and fitness and wellness facilities inside the city's most storied residential enclave. Unlike the retreat-style or community-based clubs further out, membership here comes with in-town convenience as the primary draw.

What to Know Before Joining a Private Club

Private golf club membership in Middle Tennessee typically involves an initiation fee plus ongoing dues, though exact figures vary significantly by club and membership category [VERIFY CURRENT DATA: current initiation fees and dues before quoting to a client]. It's also worth confirming whether a club requires residency within an associated community, since that's true for some golf communities and not for standalone clubs.

Is Golf Club of Tennessee Open to the Public?

No. Golf Club of Tennessee is a private facility in Kingston Springs, accessible only to members and their guests. It was founded in 1988 and designed by Tom Fazio, and has been recognized by Golf Digest among America's top-ranked golf courses.

What Golf Communities Are on Old Hickory Lake?

Fairvue Plantation, near Gallatin, is the primary golf community built directly on Old Hickory Lake. Opened in 2004 on the site of the historic Fairvue Farms property, it combines a private golf course with more than 400 homes on a peninsula formed by the lake.

FAQ

What is the most exclusive golf club in Middle Tennessee? Golf Club of Tennessee is widely regarded as one of the region's most exclusive clubs, based on its Tom Fazio design, national Golf Digest recognition, and retreat-style membership structure rather than any official exclusivity ranking.

Are there golf course homes near Nashville? Yes. Communities like Fairvue Plantation combine private golf courses with residential development, though homeownership and club membership are typically separate commitments even within these communities.

How much does it cost to join a private golf club in Tennessee? Costs vary widely by club and membership tier, including initiation fees and ongoing dues. It's best to confirm current figures directly with each club rather than rely on published estimates, which can be out of date.

Why work with a specialist familiar with golf course communities? Golf communities often carry HOA structures, mandatory or optional membership arrangements, and resale considerations that differ from standard neighborhoods. A specialist who knows the local clubs can help you understand those details before you commit.

Do I have to buy inside a golf community to join a private club? Not usually. Standalone clubs like Golf Club of Tennessee and Belle Meade Country Club accept members regardless of where they live, while golf-community developments like Fairvue Plantation more often tie membership to residency.

Practical Next Steps

• If you want an exclusive retreat experience: Look into Golf Club of Tennessee and confirm current membership availability and fees directly with the club.
• If you want golf and lakefront living together: Explore homes within Fairvue Plantation and ask specifically how club membership is structured relative to homeownership there.
• If you want in-town convenience: Consider Belle Meade Country Club, which pairs golf with a historic Nashville address.
• Before joining any club: Ask about initiation fees, ongoing dues, guest policies, and any residency requirements tied to membership.

The Bottom Line

Golf living in Middle Tennessee ranges from an exclusive Fazio-designed retreat to lakefront community golf to historic in-town club life, and each represents a genuinely different lifestyle rather than points on the same scale. The right fit depends on whether golf is the whole point of the property search or one part of a broader lifestyle decision.

If you're exploring homes near a golf club or community in Middle Tennessee, Morrell Property Collective can help you understand how membership, HOA structure, and real estate value fit together at each one. Call us at (615) 593-3103 to talk through your options.