Review: Harpeth Hills Golf Course
Edwin Warner, who served on the Park Board for eighteen years, was known as the "best friend Nashville golfers ever had." This statement rings true when pulling into Harpeth Hills Golf Course. Nestled in the hills of Percy Warner Park on the very edge of the county, this 6,900-yard championship layout was designed by the team of Allen Brown and Hershel Eaton in 1965 and was remodeled in 1991 to enhance playability.
Coming up the road, you’ll see the clubhouse on the side of the hill. Inside, it’s very spacious, with a great grill and generous beer selection. Similar in size to Two Rivers, the large locker rooms boast shower facilities—a rare feature for any course these days. The driving range is all downhill, so it’s very hard to dial in your yardages here; but other than that, this is a great place to practice 100-to-150-yard approach shots.
The putting and chipping greens are the absolute hardest of all Nashville public courses. When I worked in town, I spent countless lunch hours trying to master these fast greens with their hidden breaks.
The Front Nine
The front has a pretty tough hole right from the get-go: a 370-yard steep downhill par 4 with a pesky creek about 50 yards in front of the green. A hole like this is dangerous if you’re a big hitter and blast one off the tee, it’s best to go 3-wood here; the approach shot is cake due to the large green.
Next, we get a par 4 370-yard easy dog leg right onto a green surrounded by a nice shady grove. Then, an easy 180-yard par 3 before the difficulty is turned up again on Hole 4.
Before I started reviewing these Nashville municipal courses, I’d never played so many dang dogleg holes. It really is a vanishing feature in modern day professional tournament play. Here at Hole 4, we have an almost full 90-degree left-angle 434-yard uphill par 4.
A monster 500+ yard par 5 is up next as we head down to Old Hickory Blvd, with Hole 6 being a par 3 of about 160 yards. I like the uphill approach the large green gives you; an aggressive shot is possible here.
Hole 7 is a 430-yard par 4 dog leg left. On this hole, you better hit it at least 280 yards off the tee in order to have a clear look at the hole.
Hole 8 is the hardest out here, another long par 5. It’s going take you two at least two shots just to get in position. The green is tiny, and has a very short fringe in the back: if you try to hit a driver or 3-wood to get on in two, I promise that ball is going to run straight off the green and into the creek; so play it safe.
Hole 9 is a short par 4 that leads you back up to the clubhouse.
With the first, third, and fifth most difficult holes, the font 9 is on the harder side. If you’ve made it this far without blowing up your scorecard, the back nine has some birdie opportunities.
The Back Nine
I lied. The back nine isn’t easier—at least not this hole. Number 10 is the fourth-hardest out here. A 470-yard par 4, the best way to play it is to aim down the left side of the fairway. The right side is pretty wide open, so an errant slice out there will still leave you with a straight line to the green. Once you’re on the green, it’s pretty flat—so putt it in. The rest of the back nine is friendlier.
Next two are a long par 3 and a short par 4—straight as an arrow, nothing tricky here. Number 13 runs along the backside of the Steeplechase, 400 yards uphill. Don’t be afraid of the trees off the tee; they’re just a visual obstacle.
Number 14, a 400-yard par 4, is a fun hole, featuring a green that is a hallmark of Championship-style courses.
Hole 15 is an aesthetic uphill par 3 with my favorite feature of the whole course: the approach shot over a gully.
Hole 16, however, is clearly the nicest hole out here from a design standpoint.
It’s a 500-yard par 5 that has trees down the right side and a bunker near the middle of the hole to watch out for with another greenside bunker lurking.
I’m a firm believer in golf as a therapeutic endeavor, even when you’re having a bad round. Walking this course surrounded by some of the prettiest country in all of Davidson County will clear your head and, at $40, is cheaper than therapy.
Hole 17 is another long par 5 with dual bunkers at around the 250 mark. If you’re a big hitter, take it over the bunkers off the tee and try to get on in two. If not, I would hit your 3 or 5-wood to lay up around the 120-130 yard mark. The green is like Hole 14’s, only smaller and even more elevated.
Finally, #18 is a 427-yard par 4 with a slight right bend. This one has trees down the right and left, so no funny business. Hitting a straight tee shot is crucial to scoring par.
With an awesome location and great playability, the only thing I can say against the place is it’s very hard to get a tee time. Make sure you call right when they open at seven in order to beat the regulars and lock in your appointment for the next week.
See y’all next time,
Porter