If you’ve spent five minutes asking around about where to play golf in Middle Tennessee, someone probably mentioned the sheep. Seriously. People talk about those Black-faced Scottish Highland sheep more than they talk about the actual greens at Hermitage Golf Course Nashville. It’s kind of a weird flex for a golf resort, but once you’re standing on the General's Retreat or the President's Reserve, it honestly makes sense. This place is a bit of a local legend, but let’s be real—not every golfer leaves happy.
Nashville’s golf scene is getting crowded. Fast. Between the private clubs that cost a kidney to join and the muni courses that look like they haven’t seen a lawnmower since the 90s, Hermitage sits in this high-end public space that feels a little fancy but stays accessible. Located in Old Hickory, just a short drive from the neon lights of Broadway, it’s basically two completely different courses tucked into the wetlands of the Cumberland River.
The Tale of Two Courses (And Which One You’ll Actually Like)
Most people don't realize that playing here is basically a "choose your own adventure" situation. You have the General’s Retreat and the President’s Reserve.
The General’s Retreat was the original, built back in 1986. It even hosted the LPGA’s Sara Lee Classic for over a decade. It’s the "classic" one. If you like tree-lined fairways and a more traditional feel where you can actually see the green from the tee box, this is your spot. It’s shorter, sure, but it’s tight. You can't just grip it and rip it into the woods and expect to find your ball. You won't.
Then there’s the President’s Reserve. This is the one designed by Denis Griffiths, and it’s a beast. It’s spread out across 300 acres of natural wetlands. It feels massive. If the General is a chess match, the President is a marathon. You’re weaving through lagoons and heavy brush. It’s also where the sheep live. They literally roam the course. It sounds charming until you have to chip over a literal animal that refuses to move because it’s busy eating grass.
What the Scorecard Won't Tell You
Let’s talk about the grass. This is something that gets people heated. The President’s Reserve uses Trailing Indigo 419 Bermuda fairways and MiniVerde greens. In the heat of a Nashville July, that Bermuda is bulletproof. It’s crisp. But if you play in the shoulder seasons? It’s dormant. It’s brown. Some golfers hate that aesthetic, but the ball rolls for days.
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The greens are usually some of the fastest public surfaces in the state. If you’re used to slow, shaggy municipal greens where you have to hammer the ball to get it to the hole, you’re going to three-putt all day at Hermitage. They’re slick.
Why Everyone Obsesses Over the Sheep
It's a gimmick, right? Sorta.
The Scottish Highland sheep were brought in to give the President’s Reserve a "links" feel, even though Tennessee is about as far from Scotland as you can get without leaving the hemisphere. They have their own Twitter accounts (or X, whatever we're calling it now). They have names. But from a maintenance perspective, they actually help keep the fescue down in areas where mowers can't easily go.
Just a heads up: don’t try to pet them. They aren't in a petting zoo. They are working animals with horns. They generally ignore you, which is more than I can say for the beverage cart on a busy Saturday.
The "Nashville Price Tag" Reality Check
Is it expensive? Compared to a typical city course, yeah. You're looking at anywhere from $80 to over $150 depending on the day and the season.
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A lot of locals complain that Hermitage Golf Course Nashville has priced them out. And they aren’t entirely wrong. It’s become a destination for bachelor parties and corporate outings. If you’re looking for a quiet, sub-four-hour round on a Friday morning, you might be disappointed. This is a high-traffic area.
But you’re paying for the "Resort" experience. The carts have GPS. The practice facility is actually decent—not just a patch of dirt with some plastic mats. The clubhouse, specifically Sweeny’s Pub, actually serves food you’d want to eat even if you weren't golfing. The "General" burger is a staple for a reason.
The Logistics of Playing Here
- Location: It’s in Old Hickory, about 20 minutes from the airport and 25 from downtown. If there’s a wreck on I-40, God help you. Give yourself an extra 30 minutes.
- Booking: Don't walk on. You won't get a spot. Use their online portal or call the pro shop.
- The Carts: They have these "Shark Experience" carts with speakers and screens. Some people find them annoying, but hey, you can watch the game while you wait for the group in front of you to find their ball in the marsh.
Is it Actually "Pro" Quality?
The General’s Retreat having hosted the LPGA gives it some street cred. The layout is fair but punishing. However, if we're being brutally honest, the President’s Reserve is the superior golf challenge. It’s longer (over 7,100 yards from the back tees) and the wind off the Cumberland River can turn a 7-iron into a 5-iron in a heartbeat.
The bunkers are usually well-maintained, but after a heavy Middle Tennessee rainstorm, the President’s Reserve can get "swampy." It’s built on wetlands, after all. If the area has seen three days of rain, maybe reconsider or check their "Cart Path Only" status. Playing 18 holes on "Cart Path Only" at the President’s Reserve is a great way to walk five miles and ruin your shoes.
Staying on the Course
They have these "Cottages." If you’re doing a golf trip, they are actually pretty slick. Each one has a "Great Room" and multiple bedrooms. It beats staying at a generic Marriott in Brentwood. Plus, you’re right there for your morning tee time.
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The vibe at the cottages is very "Old Nashville." Lots of leather, wood, and golf memorabilia. It feels like a place where deals get made over bourbon, which is exactly what happens.
Hidden Challenges You Should Know About
- Hole 18 on the President: It’s a par 4 that requires a carry over water to a green tucked against the clubhouse. Everyone is watching from the patio. Don't shank it.
- The Rough: They let the fescue grow long in the summer. If you go in there, just drop another ball. It’s not worth the ticks or the lost time.
- The Humidity: Nashville in August is a different beast. Hermitage doesn't have a lot of shade on the Reserve course. If you don't hydrate, you're going to have a bad time by hole 13.
The Verdict: Worth the Hype?
Hermitage Golf Course Nashville isn't the cheapest round in town, and it's certainly not the most exclusive. But it occupies this middle ground where you feel like you’re getting a premium experience without needing a private membership.
It’s the kind of place you take your father-in-law or a client you’re trying to impress without looking like you’re trying too hard. It’s polished but still has that Tennessee grit.
If you want the best conditions, play the President’s Reserve. If you want a more relaxed, classic round of golf, go with the General’s Retreat. And seriously, watch out for the sheep.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit
- Check the Aeration Schedule: Before you book, call the pro shop. Nothing ruins a $120 round like greens that look like a giant waffle iron. They usually aerate in the spring and late summer.
- Download a GPS App: While the carts have screens, having a handheld app like 18Birdies helps you see the "hidden" water hazards on the President's Reserve that the cart screen sometimes misses.
- Arrive 45 Minutes Early: The range is included with most green fees. Use it. Moving from your car straight to the first tee is a recipe for a double bogey on a course this demanding.
- Book the Early Bird: If you can swing a 7:30 AM tee time, you'll beat the heat and the 5-hour "bachelor party" pace of play that plagues the weekend afternoons.
- Visit the Pro Shop: Honestly, their apparel selection is better than most dedicated golf stores in Nashville. Look for the sheep-logo hats; they’re the best souvenir in the city.