Dorchester Golf Club

The state of Tennessee has several big cities, each with its fair share of upscale daily fee golf courses, private clubs, and resorts. But it’s the small town of Crossville that is recognized as “The Golf Capital of Tennessee.”


Crossville is located in Cumberland County, up on the Cumberland Plateau. It’s right off I-40, two hours east of Nashville, and about an hour west of Knoxville. Crossville garnered this distinction because of the high concentration of championship courses, a wide variety of layouts suitable for all skill levels, and a mild, year-round climate. The temperature on the plateau runs 5 – 12 degrees cooler than cities like Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis.


Of the ten or so golf courses in the Crossville area, three facilities offer “golf packages” that include both golf and accommodations on the property: Fairfield Glade, Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain State Park, and Lake Tansi Golf Resort.


Fairfield Glade is the most recognized golf property in the area, if not the state. It’s a resort/retirement community in eastern Cumberland County. Fairfield Glade is home to over 9,000 residents and five stunning championship golf courses: Druid Hills, Dorchester, The Brae and The Crag at Heatherhurst Golf Club, and Stonehenge. It’s the biggest reason that Crossville holds the title.


What Dorchester Golf Club lacks in length, it more than makes up for in accuracy and control. Many of the fairways are narrow and framed by trees, starting with Number 1, the course’s No. 1 handicap. Water comes into play on 6 holes, and bunkers dot the landing area on many holes. Several holes have some noticeable elevation changes, but nothing like what lies ahead. Well-groomed fairways lead to challenging Bentgrass greens that can leave you shaking your head.


All three properties offer accommodations, whether it’s a cabin at Cumberland Mountain State Park, a lakeside cottage at Lake Tansi Village, or a condo rental at Fairfield Glade. Each one also has a restaurant or two on the property, with plenty of choices nearby as well. So, when you’re done with golf for the day and you’ve enjoyed a good meal at one of the restaurants, sit back on the patio and look around at all of the wonderful views up here on the Cumberland Plateau. With a low cost of living, a modest climate where golf can be played year-round, and the friendliest people you’ll meet, it’s enough to make Crossville your home. I did.

A must play if you are in the Crossville area. The back nine puts you in the heart of the hills, valleys, and streams of the area. Challenging course, but very playable.