Golf in Pigeon Forge
Golf With a Smoky Mountain View
Golf in the Smoky Mountains offers a different kind of experience from a typical round of golf. Courses throughout Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and the surrounding area combine rolling fairways, mountain scenery, wooded terrain, rivers, and changing elevations.
Whether you're planning a serious round of golf or looking for a fun activity the whole family can enjoy, the area has options for every skill level.
Traditional Golf Courses
Gatlinburg Golf Course
Despite its name, Gatlinburg Golf Course is located in Pigeon Forge and offers a scenic mountain setting close to the area's major attractions. The course combines traditional golf with rolling terrain, wooded areas, elevation changes, and Smoky Mountain scenery. It can be a convenient choice when you want to fit a round of golf into a Pigeon Forge vacation.
Sevierville Golf Club
Just north of Pigeon Forge, Sevierville Golf Club features two 18-hole courses with different playing experiences. The River Course incorporates the Little Pigeon River into the layout, while the Highlands Course provides a more traditional mountain and foothills experience. With two courses on one property, it can be a good option for golfers who want to spend more than one day on the links.
Bent Creek Golf Course
Located in Gatlinburg, Bent Creek provides a peaceful mountain golf setting away from the busiest parts of the Parkway. The course incorporates both valley and mountain terrain, creating a varied round with scenic views and changing elevation.
Island Pointe Golf Club
Located near the French Broad River in Kodak, Island Pointe Golf Club offers a scenic course layout surrounded by water and East Tennessee countryside. It's farther from central Pigeon Forge than the other options, but worth considering for golfers who want to explore courses beyond the immediate Smoky Mountain tourism district.
More Golf Around the Smokies
If you're willing to drive beyond Pigeon Forge, several additional courses can make a great day trip.
Wild Laurel Golf Course
Located in Townsend on the quieter side of the Smokies, Wild Laurel offers a peaceful golf experience surrounded by mountain scenery.
Its location makes it an appealing choice for visitors who want to combine golf with a slower-paced day exploring Townsend and the western side of the national park.
Dandridge Golf & Country Club
Near Douglas Lake, Dandridge Golf & Country Club offers multiple nine-hole layouts and rolling East Tennessee terrain.
The course can be a good option for golfers who want to spend a day away from the busiest tourist areas.
Baneberry Golf & Resort
Located near Douglas Lake, Baneberry provides another opportunity to combine golf with lake and mountain scenery.
Consider making it part of a longer day trip if you're exploring the Douglas Lake area.
Family-Friendly Mini Golf
Traditional golf isnt the only way to enjoy the game in Pigeon Forge. The Parkway is filled with creative mini-golf courses featuring elaborate themes, oversized obstacles, indoor options, and interactive challenges.
Mini golf is especially popular with families because it doesn't require the same experience or equipment as a traditional golf course.
Crave Golf Club
Crave Golf Club combines golf with a colorful candy-inspired theme. The property includes indoor and outdoor mini-golf experiences, making it an option in different weather conditions.
Additional entertainment options make it easy to turn a round of mini golf into part of a larger family outing.
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay combines pirate and underwater themes with elaborate mini-golf environments.
The imaginative settings and large-scale decorations make it as much about the experience as the game itself.
Toy Box Mini Golf
Toy Box Mini Golf turns the course into a giant playroom filled with oversized toys and colorful obstacles.
It's a fun choice for families with younger children looking for a casual activity along the Parkway.
Tips for Golfing in the Smokies
Book Tee Times Early
Popular courses can become busy during spring, summer, fall foliage season, weekends, and holidays. Reserve your tee time ahead of your trip whenever possible.
Expect Elevation Changes
Mountain golf can be very different from playing on a flat course. Pay attention to uphill and downhill shots and consider how elevation affects club selection.
Check the Weather
Weather can change quickly in the mountains. Check the forecast before heading out and be prepared for changing temperatures, wind, or rain.
Ask About Twilight Times
If your schedule is flexible, ask the course about afternoon or twilight tee times. These can sometimes provide a more relaxed round.
Bring Extra Golf Balls
Wooded areas, water hazards, and elevation changes can make mountain courses challenging. Bringing a few extra balls can save you an unnecessary trip to the pro shop.
Allow Extra Travel Time
Traffic around Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville can vary significantly. Give yourself additional time when traveling to a tee time.
Golf for Every Type of Traveler
You don't have to be a serious golfer to enjoy a golf-themed day in Pigeon Forge.
- Experienced golfers can choose a full 18-hole mountain course.
- Casual players can enjoy a shorter round while taking in the scenery.
- Families can choose themed mini-golf courses that combine the game with entertainment.
- Couples and groups can make mini golf part of an evening along the Parkway.
With traditional courses, scenic layouts, and creative mini-golf experiences, the Smoky Mountains offer plenty of ways to put your golf skills to the test.
Plan Your Pigeon Forge Golf Experience
From a scenic morning round to a family mini-golf challenge, golf can easily fit into a Smoky Mountain vacation.
Choose a course based on your group's experience, available time, and preferred setting, then build the rest of your day around nearby restaurants, attractions, and outdoor experiences.
Looking for more things to do?
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