Bear Trace at Harrison Bay

The Tennessee Golf Trail manages nine courses along its routing, three of which were designed by Jack Nicklaus under the “Bear Trace” moniker. Although it faces stiff competition from the entry at Cumberland Mountain, many suggest that Bear Trace at Harrison Bay is the best of the bunch.

The course sits along the Chickamauga Lake, northeast of Chattanooga, offering scenic views all around. Nicklaus used his routing to tickle the aesthete’s fancy, with many holes diving down or approaching the lake or its sloughs.

Although many clubs make a habit of playing up to the clubhouse on No. 18, Nicklaus assumed (correctly) that it would be worth extending the drive a little bit if he brought the closing green next to Hide Out Slough, for both scenic and strategic considerations. Only No. 14 features a forced carry, however, as the tee shot on this par three crosses 175 yards of the slough’s finger in order to reach the green.

Although Tennessee is eager to promote playability among its municipal offerings, Harrison Bay can be stretched to 7,100 yards for the bigger bears in your foursome.