Wild Laurel Golf Course
Wild Laurel Golf Course offers hikers and players a mountain-style 18-hole layout framed by native grasses and woodland in Townsend, Tennessee. With approachable playability and notable scenery, it provides an authentic, budget-friendly mountain golf experience.
Course Overview
Wild Laurel Golf Course, located in the foothills near Townsend, Tennessee, offers an 18-hole public layout that embraces the rugged charm of its mountain surroundings. The course stretches across rolling terrain, blending natural elevation changes with wide open fairways framed by native grasses and patches of woodland. This setting creates a sense of escape, where the sights and sounds of the local wildlife punctuate your round, providing an unvarnished connection to the area's landscape.
Designed to be accessible, Wild Laurel serves a broad spectrum of golfers. While not a pristine championship course, it appeals to those who value a solid round with dramatic views over manicured perfection. The course’s mountain-style layout features some generous fairways but also uneven areas where rough and natural foliage come into play, demanding careful shot placement and a strategic approach from players of all skill levels.
Wild Laurel’s greens maintain a reputation for responsiveness, offering a reliable putting surface even when other parts of the course reflect the wear of seasonal conditions. The tee boxes and fairways occasionally show signs of inconsistent upkeep, which may affect footing and ball lies, especially during peak growth periods. Golfers planning a visit should consider midweek or off-peak tee times for the most pleasant playing conditions.
Amenities at the clubhouse include a friendly staff and bar area that invites players to unwind after their rounds. Walking is welcomed and recommended, allowing players to immerse themselves fully in the course’s natural rhythm. Sturdy shoes are suggested to navigate some uneven ground and occasional tall grasses.
For those seeking a golf experience where scenery and a casual round take priority over polished presentation, Wild Laurel delivers notable value. The combination of rugged mountain scenery, approachable layout, and welcoming service makes it a distinct destination for golfers exploring the Tennessee landscape.
Course Highlights
Wild Laurel’s mountain-style layout features wide fairways contrasted by rough areas of native grasses and natural foliage. The course gives players frequent panoramic views of the surrounding forested hills and often showcases local wildlife such as turkeys and coyotes. Responsive, well-kept greens contrast with tees and fairways that may require strategic navigation due to occasional unevenness. The course strikes a balance between rugged outdoor golf and approachable, budget-friendly play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Lifestyleofthe Brokeandunknown
I’ll start by saying the staff are incredibly nice and super friendly. The views are spectacular! But, with that being said, you’re there to golf. And for the price of 18 holes on a Saturday, the course should be a lot better than it is currently. The tee boxes are in terrible shape, the fairways are 30% dirt and clover fields. I lost 3 balls yesterday that were within 15 feet of the green because the surrounding grass/weeds were too high.
Miller C.
I really enjoy playing this course. The scenery is beautiful, and the service is excellent. We even spotted several turkey and a coyote lounging on the course, and everyone we encountered was very friendly. However, my 3-star review is based on the condition of the course. The fairways were in rough shape, with a mix of different grasses that made it feel like we were playing in someone’s backyard. Additionally, three of the pins on the back nine were not properly supported by the cup, which resulted in the edges of the cups being damaged by the flagsticks. I plan to return with the hope that the grounds crew will have the course in better shape for the fall season.
Fredrick Miller
Played the course 5 years ago with my family and we loved it. Came back 5 years later to play again. They have some awesome holes just tucked into the mountains for some absolutely beautiful views. Staff is amazing. Course shape wise the fairways are ok. Greens though are perfect no issues with the greens. Definitely recommend visiting them.
Matt B
Pros: The views are top notch. Carts are new and great shape. Clubhouse is beautiful and staff is friendly. Not very expensive either. Cons: The conditions were extremely poor. Greens baked out, tee boxes and fairways were extremely long. Some tee boxes were afterthoughts all together. It doesn’t look like chemicals or broadleaf treatments are used at all. Less than thrilling that sprinklers went off while putting. The clubhouse while nice was barren of any item of interest. When business is challenging, owners tend to skip on these items. This only escalates the cycle with a poor product. Have to invest and market well.
EvAn CoHeE
Terrible condition course. Do not play here. Tee boxes are like a 7 month unmowed lawn same with the fairways when there is a fairway half the time the rough and fairway is the same.
C R K
I’m giving this 5 stars. Yes, the fairways are a bit rough in spots and tees could use some water, but price to experience ratio, we had a great time. Dial down the expectations of perfect conditions and this has become our favorite place to play in the area. Staff and bartender were fun, other golfers were nice, greens were soft and true and the wildlife was off the charts. Not to mention the views and feeling of isolation. After 40+ years of playing golf I don’t take it serious all the time anymore. Wild Laurel is a perfect spot for getting the whole golf experience for a reasonable price. Will be back!
Chuck LAMBRIGHT
Quinten Drew
This is quite literally the worst golf course I’ve ever played. The fairways on the front nine were non-existent it was almost like playing purely out of the rough. I’ve been to many courses on vacation all of them advertised as nice and well maintained courses and most of them are. But, this one it’s quite the opposite. They advertised this course as well maintained and we got here and well it was hardly maintained at all. As again the fairways weren’t mowed and there was tall grass/weeds growing all over the fringes of the greens. Not to mention the greens were in some of the worst shape of any green I’ve ever seen as well. Some of the fairways on the back 9 appeared to be being mowed but that’s maybe a couple of them at most. That’s not all though, The tee boxes hardly existed at all as well. Most of the tee boxes mainly consisted of dirt and tall/uneven grass and terrain. It seems like they were kind of making an effort to mow the fairways of the back 9. But, this wasn’t started until around 2pm in the afternoon. Meaning that none of the fairways were mowed at all in the slightest and wouldn’t be fully mowed/completed until the late afternoon/evening. I’m not the best golfer out there by no means. I’m not even picky with my courses but, this course stood out as literally the worst one that I’ve ever played on. This course has decent rates for customers, but if they don’t maintain it better I’d suggest a lowering of the rates. Almost 30 bucks for 9 holes per-person. That I just felt was a waste of money for me and my friend's I don’t understand how we are expected to play on straight rough and unbowed fairway for that price. If I could give a zero star rating I would. But the service is good and the people are friendly. That’s how I came to the conclusion of at least giving it a star.
Steve Taylor
Quinten Drew
This is quite literally the worst golf course I’ve ever played. The fairways on the front nine were non-existent it was almost like playing purely out of the rough. I’ve been to many courses on vacation all of them advertised as nice and well maintained courses and most of them are. But, this one it’s quite the opposite. They advertised this course as well maintained and we got here and well it was hardly maintained at all. As again the fairways weren’t mowed and there was tall grass/weeds growing all over the fringes of the greens. Not to mention the greens were in some of the worst shape of any green I’ve ever seen as well. Some of the fairways on the back 9 appeared to be being mowed but that’s maybe a couple of them at most. That’s not all though, The tee boxes hardly existed at all as well. Most of the tee boxes mainly consisted of dirt and tall/uneven grass and terrain. It seems like they were kind of making an effort to mow the fairways of the back 9. But, this wasn’t started until around 2pm in the afternoon. Meaning that none of the fairways were mowed at all in the slightest and wouldn’t be fully mowed/completed until the late afternoon/evening. I’m not the best golfer out there by no means. I’m not even picky with my courses but, this course stood out as literally the worst one that I’ve ever played on. This course has decent rates for customers, but if they don’t maintain it better I’d suggest a lowering of the rates. Almost 30 bucks for 9 holes per-person. That I just felt was a waste of money for me and my friend's I don’t understand how we are expected to play on straight rough and unbowed fairway for that price. If I could give a zero star rating I would. But the service is good and the people are friendly. That’s how I came to the conclusion of at least giving it a star.
Book Your Round
Experience one of golf's most legendary courses
Direct booking • No commissions
Course Details
Access & Location
702 Country Club Dr, Townsend, TN 37882, USA
Main clubhouse with pro shop and casual dining bar
Walking encouraged; terrain includes hills and natural grass areas, so comfortable golf shoes with good traction are advised
Open daily to the public; tee time reservations recommended during weekends and holidays
Nearby Courses
