Destination Golf: McLemore

McLemore is set high atop Lookout Mountain in Rising Fawn, GA, approximately 45 minutes south of Chattanooga, TN. The property overlooks historic McLemore Cove, with the best views coming from the amazing finishing hole, which was named “the best eighteenth hole since 2000” by Golf Digest.

McLemore is a gated community that offers stay and play packages for guests. In addition to the 18-hole Highlands Course, there is a six-hole short course – The Cairn, a clubhouse, and the Skye Lawn, which is a beautiful setting for weddings and events.

The surrounding area offers numerous outdoor activities: hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and nature walks. There are several majestic waterfalls nearby.

For us, this trip was mostly about enjoying some great golf. Our visit was in late June and the mountain climate provided for a very pleasant stay. The oppressive humidity that hovers over much of the south like a damp blanket was nowhere to be found at McLemore.

The Highlands Course at McLemore is a Rees Jones – Bill Bergin design. The two spent most of 2017 renovating an existing course that had some issues.  Their collaborative effort resulted in one of the most spectacular mountain golf courses in the southeast.

Note: Make sure to read our “On the Tee” interview with Bill Bergin on page 12 of the Fall Issue of Southern Fairways.

McLemore sits on a rugged plateau atop Lookout Mountain some 2,000 feet above sea level. The previously mentioned 18^th hole skirts the edge of a cliff overlooking McLemore Cove some 500 feet below.

McLemore features three unique types of holes: cliff, canyon, and highland.

The cliff holes (1, 17, and 18) are situated along the eastern cliff edge of Lookout Mountain and overlook the cove below. They provide dramatic views that must be viewed in person to be fully appreciated.

The canyon holes (2, 3, 6, 7 and 9) play into and along walls and, on occasion, over an elevated ridge line. The holes are surrounded by forest and areas of natural vegetation. Many are dotted with boulders. These holes are known for their beautiful views, and they are some of the most challenging tests at McLemore.

The highland holes (4, 5 and 10-16) are the most prevalent on the course. The holes play along the plateau of Lookout Mountain. They are more traditional than the cliff and canyon holes, while still offering beautiful views of the scenic setting.

If you’re familiar with mountain golf, then you know it can come with some quirks. Just imagine trying to carve a golf hole out of the top or side of a mountain. Now imagine doing it 18 times. It’s hard work and it’s expensive.

The result is sometimes a combination of odd and redundant holes. Golfers don’t like to play a lot of blind shots and they and don’t like to feel like they’re playing the same hole over and over.

Neither are an issue at McLemore.

There are a couple of semi-blind tee shots, but the holes are set in such a way that you instinctively know where to hit your drive. And trust me when I tell you that every hole is its own distinctive challenge.

The fairways are very fair, but if you do stray too far from the short grass there’s little chance for recovery. The condition of the Bermuda grass fairways is excellent.

The bent grass greens are challenging, but not severe by any stretch. They rolled very smoothly and at a manageable pace. Most featured gently rolling contours with very few sharp breaks.

The greens held approach shots very nicely. I found it very easy to play any type of chip or pitch shot.

The finishing hole gets much of the attention at McLemore, and it deserves every bit of it. It is probably one of the most discussed and photographed holes in recent years.

But there are a number of truly remarkable holes on the Highlands Course at McLemore – holes that are beautiful, memorable, and fun to play!

Players are treated to a spectacular view on the very first tee. The opening tee shot drops dramatically to the fairway, especially from the first two sets of tees. The par-five will definitely require three shots for most players and is a great way to get the round going. During the redesign, the green was pushed back and now overlooks McLemore Cove below.

The second hole is easily one of my favorites. It’s absolutely gorgeous and a tough but challenging par four. The tee shot is hit from an elevated teeing area to a generous fairway. A large lake guards the left side of the fairways and fronts the green complex, although there is a bunker in front that can be your friend. While the sand is not an ideal place to land, it’s better than finding the water. It’s a great hole that I could play over and over.

Number six is the one hole I didn’t particularly care for as I walked onto the tee box. The hole drops in such a way that the fairways is not completely visible from the tee. I wasn’t quite sure where I wanted to aim my tee shot. But McLemore had been a fair course so far, so I decided to go with my gut. Sure enough, there was nothing particularly tricky about the tee shot. During my conversation with Bill Bergin, he spoke extensively about the redesign of number six. They extended the fairway out and to the left to give the player plenty of room to drive the ball.

The second shot is one of the most dramatic on the course. The drop is several hundred feet to the fairway and green below. The view of the mountains in the distance is truly magnificent.

I played a 5-wood from 230 yards and would probably have made the green had I not been so distracted by the view. My mis-hit still went the normal 200 yards that I can muster with that club.  A chip and a putt resulted in my only birdie of the day.

First impressions are not always right. I learned to like number six pretty quickly!

As mentioned before, the majority of the holes at McLemore are of the highland variety. Even though they technically fall into one category, each is very distinctive and challenging. I enjoyed these holes every bit as much as the dramatic cliff and canyon holes.

There are some tough holes in this stretch, but they are fair. There are also a couple of easier holes mixed in. In all, the fairness of the golf course is one of the aspects that I enjoyed the most. Bad shots are punished, although not severely, and good shots are rewarded.

I’m not sure what I can tell you about the finishing hole at McLemore that hasn’t already been covered. It is without question one of the most visually intriguing holes in golf. It is gorgeous. Some of the world’s best golf photographers have visited and perhaps you’ve seen their work. While I don’t fall into that category, I’m honored to have captured a couple of pretty nice shots myself. Sometimes the subject does all the work.

Beyond its beauty, it’s a pretty demanding golf hole. The tee shot has to be find the fairway if you want a chance to play the hole successfully. Anything to the right is subject to nestle up to a boulder or be in the high rough at best. A shot missed to the left is not findable without repelling equipment and not playable even then. Don’t go left!

Even after a good tee shot, the second is no cakewalk. The green seems to by almost suspended over the side of the cliff. Again, left is not an option. The green is also elevated. It’s one of the toughest approach shots on the course.

Number 18 is a demanding finishing hole and one that you will hear about – and see photos of – for years to come.

Either before your round, or after, make sure to take in the six hole short course – The Cairn. Just grab a wedge, a putter, and your favorite beverage. It’s a great way to spend a half hour, or so.

After the round we enjoyed lunch in the clubhouse. It is a very relaxed and refined setting with an incredible view of the cove below.

There are a number of lodging options available at McLemore. Our stay was at the Highlands Cottage, a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home near the first tee and the clubhouse. It was very comfortable and well-appointed.

An announcement was made recently of plans to build a 200 plus room hotel and conference center on property, a sure sign that there is much more to come at McLemore!

McLemore offers a unique “Friends of McLemore” invitation, which allows non-members the opportunity to play the course once per season. Just “like” their Facebook page and complete the short form on the website. But remember, there are more friends than available tee times, so make arrangements to get on the tee sheet as soon as you can!

For more information about McLemore visit themclemore.com.