The Legacy, Springfield, TN

Some things never change. When I visited and played The Legacy four years ago, General Manager Chet Frazier bragged that Legacy was one of the best golf values in the Nashville area. So, when I got home I did some research. Being a great value not only includes inexpensive/reasonable greens fees but also the quality of the course, food and beverage, and the attitude of the staff; it’s the total package. After taking all of this into consideration and looking at several other comparable courses in the area I have to admit, he was right!

Fast forward to 2023 and rates are still low, the course is in great condition and the pro shop and maintenance staff are as amiable as ever. Local golfers have known this for years and have been taking advantage of this hidden gem in Robertson County since the course opened in 1996.

The Legacy was designed by PGA TOUR professional and four-time major champion Raymond Floyd and is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, meaning they are committed to protecting the local environment and conserving natural resources. The Legacy has been ranked in the Top 15 Public Courses in Tennessee by Golf Advisor since 2016, including Number 2 in 2019.

Floyd took advantage of the natural terrain and incorporated the mature woodlands and lush, rolling hills into the layout. Consequently, you’ll see tremendous views of the Tennessee countryside and surrounding area as you make your way around the layout.

The Legacy offers golfers five sets of tees to choose from so finding a suitable yardage for your game should be easy. More skilled players will find the Blue Tees (6,776/72.5/137) to be a challenge, while juniors, seniors, and ladies can move up and play the Red Tees at 4,831 yards. As always, choosing the tees that best fit your game will provide the most enjoyment.

It’s far from the longest course in the area, but the tight fairways, water hazards, and tall grasses will keep you honest and add to the challenge. A few of the many elevation changes throughout the layout create blind approach shots into greens.

According to Frazier, “As challenging as the layout is, the real challenge begins on the Bentgrass greens. They have a lot of undulation and roll true; they will put your putting skills to the test.” Frazier adds “A big reason that the greens are consistently in good shape is that the members do their best to replace divots and repair ball marks. "That helps them roll as good as they do."

The Legacy starts with a couple of straightforward holes – that is if you play them correctly. Number One is a 482-yard par 5 hole with trees down the right side and a fairway bunker in the landing area. The adjoining #2 fairway is on the left. Keep your layup shot to the left or risk having your approach shot blocked out by trees. A lone bunker guards the front right of the green. Find it and you’ll have to deal with both sand and trees!

Number 2 is a very slight dogleg right that plays 359 yards from the White Tees. Push anything right off the tee and the severe drop-off may claim your ball! Hitting your tee shot down the left side will not only take the fairway bunker out of play, but it will also leave the best angle into the green. Consider hitting an extra club on your approach shot as it plays uphill. The green is long and narrow with a large bunker on the right and the rolling fairway can cause some uneven lies.

In many cases, Legacy requires brains over brawn, and nothing exemplifies that more than the 341-yard 4th hole. The fairway bunker on the right is only about 200 yards off the tee while the one on the left is about 240. Choose the appropriate club off the tee and leave a manageable distance to the green. There’s a deep bunker across the front so you’ll need to carry your approach shot onto one of the shallowest greens on the course.

At 399 yards from the White Tees, Number 5 is The Legacy’s biggest challenge. It’s a significant dogleg left and can leave a very long second shot for those who slice the ball. There are trees all down the left side along with a creek. Even a well-struck tee shot that finds the middle of the fairway is going to leave a long to mid-iron into a long narrow and well-undulated green that is guarded by a couple of pot bunkers on the left and a long bunker on the right. See for yourself why it’s the #1 handicap!

The front nine ends with a par 4 that plays 381 yards from the White Tees. As you stand on the tee the landing area looks small but trust me, there’s a lot more out there than meets the eye. Avoid the fairway bunker on the right off the tee and you’ll have a long to medium iron into the green. Anything that misses the green right will likely find the bunker while anything left will leave a delicate chip shot from grass mounds.

The back side starts with the toughest on the inward nine. Number 10 is a 382-yard par 4 It requires an accurate drive off the tee with a decent forced carry. The left side of the fairway will take all of the trouble on the right out of play and leave the best angle for your approach shot. Again, an extra club is advised on your approach shot as it plays longer than you think. The entire right side of the green is guarded by water.

The 17th hole is a 145-yard par 3. The water on the right shouldn’t come into play, but one of the three bunkers that surround the green might. With a bunker directly between the tee and the green, you’ll need to hit a crisp tee shot and fly it onto the putting surface.

Your round at The Legacy ends with a 509-yard par 5 dogleg left that proved to be a tricky driving hole. Trees line both sides of the fairway off the tee, forcing many players to hit right. That brings a lone tree on the right side of the fairway into play for your second shot, which is no picnic either. Fairway bunkers guard each side of the landing area and require a carry of about 200 yards to get by them. Two good shots thus far will leave a short iron or pitching wedge into the long, narrow green with a bunker on the right. It’s a great hole to end a great round!

I noticed a few changes since my last visit to The Legacy. The biggest is the driving range with its new artificial tees and target greens. There’s also a new chipping area, and a putting green to practice your short game. Be sure to hit a few balls and stroke a few putts on the practice green before you head to the first tee. And new concrete cart paths are being installed; it’s an ongoing project and makes for a “smoother” round!

Inside Legacy’s pro shop, you’ll find a wide variety of golf accessories and logoed apparel from several of the major brands. They also sell golf equipment that’s priced to compete with the major retailers. The professional golf staff can help with club repair, or you can take advantage of a certified custom fitting when you purchase a set of clubs.

The Legacy Grill is a great place to relax and unwind with friends and relive your round. If you’re hungry, you’ve got to try the Smashburger; it’s extremely popular among locals and visitors alike. It says something when non-golfers stop by for a burger! There’s also a variety of hot & cold entrees, quick-to-go sandwiches, snacks, breakfast, and plenty of cold beverages all while enjoying spectacular views of the golf course.

During our visit, I asked several golfers what they liked most about Legacy and the answers were the same as what I heard four years ago: the value, and the people. Some things never change!

Golfers in the Nashville area have a lot to choose from when it comes to playing golf in the area. however, if you’re willing to drive about 30 minutes or so outside of town, you can play the best dollar-for-dollar round of golf in the area. Plan a visit and see for yourself everything The Legacy has to offer.

The Legacy is a fantastic, challenging golf course. I had to use every club in my bag to get around. Scenery is beautiful, holes are varied with a little bit of everything to test your ability. The greens tend to large with a lot of slope. They do roll very true.
This is a must play and will be my regular.

Love this course. Target golf at its best. I drive 2 hours to play it. Problem is most of my golf buddies won't go back because it is too hard

Very challenging, and tough greens. Just because your on doesn't mean much #3puttsarecommon....Nice course in northern middle Tn. Great staff in the club house too...