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Guide to the Top Golf Communities in Tennessee

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Guide to the Top Golf Communities in Tennessee

Golf communities in Tennessee are among the region’s best retirement communities. Retirees and other seniors who love to play golf can take advantage of top-notch courses and an active social calendar that comes with the country-club lifestyle.

Designed with Play in Mind

The best golf communities feature courses designed by the finest minds in the industry, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson. Acclaimed architects Tom Fazio, Pete Dye, Tom Jackson, and Arthur Hills have also created exceptional courses all over the country.

Of course, a great golf community starts with a course that uses the area’s natural features to create a unique experience. Mountain courses challenge players with elevation changes and reward them with sweeping views. Lakeside links are dotted with water features to maneuver around. Tidal wetlands and strong ocean breezes of seaside courses test the most skilled golfers.

Courses are the gems of golf residential communities; thus, upkeep is a priority. From routine maintenance to complete refurbishments, golf communities offer consistently high-quality courses.

Most golf communities have multiple onsite courses—some as many as six! This means convenient tee times and a rotation of different challenges. And even if there is only one course within the community, residents are usually provided complimentary access to other local courses.

Up-To-Par Member Services

Golf community residents experience superior services to help them reach the top of their game. Professional instruction, available as group or private lessons, takes players’ skills to the next level. For those who prefer a tech approach, digital swing analysis may also be available.

Professional staff help residents book lessons and tee times. They also manage league schedules and member-exclusive tournaments. An onsite pro shop means that residents are always fully equipped to play.

Clubhouse Calendar

New residents and veteran members can mingle at the clubhouse. Restaurants and private dining rooms provide an intimate setting for old friends, while lounges and outdoor decks are great places to make new ones.

Aside from golf, clubhouses also feature amenities such as state-of-the-art fitness facilities and pool complexes. Those who want to take a break from golf can pick up a racket and play on the tennis courts.

From playgrounds to lounges, these communities offer amenities to entertain residents of any age. Further, these amenities add value to the neighborhood, which benefits homeowners in these great communities.

Sample Communities to Discover

Rarity Bay

Vonore, TN

Condos $250k, Villas $500k, Homes $750k, Homesites $40k

The undulating vistas of the Smoky Mountains make for an idyllic backdrop to life at Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake. Situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Knoxville, this gated lakefront community offers space to grow and explore the iconic wilderness of the region.

At Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake, you’ll find a variety of real estate options, including homes, rentals, condos, and sites ready for development. The turnkey single-family homes are large, with sweeping views and plenty of space to spread out when guests inevitably come to visit. Pools, courtyards, patios and firepits make the outdoors an extension of your space. For those that make boating an everyday element of life, there are plenty of waterfront lots waiting for your custom-built dream home.

Water skiing, recreational boating, fishing and kayaking are all popular pastimes on Tellico Lake, and Rarity Bay offers over 10 miles of shoreline and a number of community docks for easy access. Golfers will delight in the par-72, 18-hole golf course, designed by DJ DeVictor and Peter Langham. The professionally maintained stables make it easy for equestrians to board their horses and offers lessons for the casual rider looking to take advantage of the 125 miles of riding (and hiking) trails.

Renovated in 2020, the 11,000 square foot Country Club is a social hub with a bistro and full-service bar. Just outside, you’ll find lighted tennis courts, pickleball facilities, and a swimming pool.

Tennessee’s low cost of living, 0.64% effective property tax, and lack of tax on salaries as well as income made on dividends are added bonuses to life in the Volunteer State. The real draw is what’s beyond your front door. So come to Rarity Bay and make the majestic Smoky Mountains and clear waters of Tellico Lake the backdrop for your vacation getaway, second residence or forever home.

Request more information about Rarity Bay.

Black Creek Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN

Homes, Townhomes starting at $650K - Lots $225K and up

Black Creek – Chattanooga, Tennessee

Where Living Comes Naturally.

Tucked into the scenic foothills just 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, Black Creek isn’t just a neighborhood—it’s a lifestyle rooted in nature, community, and connection. For more than 25 years, this master-planned community has brought together people who want more from where they live: more natural beauty, deeper connections, and the kind of everyday convenience that makes life feel effortless.

Now entering its most exciting chapter yet, Black Creek is expanding with new homes, enhanced amenities, a future mountaintop village, and a nine-acre lake. Whether you’re dreaming of a peaceful retreat or easy access to a thriving city, Black Creek offers the best of both worlds.

With hundreds of acres of protected land, miles of private hiking and mountain biking trails, and scenic mountain views, outdoor adventure is woven into daily life. At the heart of it all is Black Creek Club, where optional memberships include access to golf, racquet courts, fitness, chef-led dining, and a year-round calendar of social events.

Chattanooga’s mild four-season climate, no state income tax, and easy airport access make living here not only enriching, but practical. From active retirees to second-home seekers to families planning their forever home, people come to Black Creek for the views—and stay for the lifestyle.

Lake Tansi Village Resort

Crossville, TN

Homes from $100K.

Lake Tansi Village is located just south of the city of Crossville, Tennessee, on the beautiful Cumberland Plateau. This community has so much to offer.
18 Hole Championship Golf Course – Voted #1 course on the Plateau
2 Swimming Pools (Includes 1 indoor pool)
Lakefront Beach and Boardwalk
Fishing Pier
Full-Service Seasonal Marina
Bike & Walking Trail
Recreation Center
Dances – Game Room – Ping-Pong – Miniature Golf – Tennis – Basketball – Horseshoes – Volleyball – Shuffleboard
Country Club Restaurant and Lounge
19th Hole Snack Bar
Arts & Crafts Department
Various Clubs
Three additional excellent fishing lakes

Lake Tansi Village is home to around 4,000 residents. Lake Tansi is the largest man-made lake on the beautiful Cumberland Plateau and residents enjoy fishing, swimming, waterskiing, plus the 18-hole championship golf course that is rated in the top 10 courses in Tennessee by Golf Advisor.

TNVacation.com/Retire TN calls Lake Tansi Village “one of the most affordable community villages in the country” and with its many activities, long list of amenities and low annual home owners fees it’s also one of the most enjoyable places to live.