The Bear Trace at Tims Ford

891 Wiseman Bend Rd,

Winchester, Tennessee TN 37398

Office
+1 (931) 968 0996
Pro shop
+1 (888) 558 2327 toll free

Website
Visit website

Golf pro
Matt Daniels (Head Golf Professional)

About the course

The Course:

18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:

Woodland and lakeside.
Designer:

A Jack Nicklaus Signature Course

Back
tees

Club
tees

Front
tees

Yards

6745

5477

4806

Par

SSS or slope

72.4

66.3

Location

Latitude:

35.209178

Longitude:

-86.259584

How to get there:

75 miles W of Chattanooga.

Americas /
Chattanooga /
Bear Trace Tims Ford

The Bear Trace at Tims Ford

Est. 1999

Like the other four Bear Trace courses designed by Jack Nicklaus for Tennessee State Parks, the layout at Tims Ford benefits from a wonderfully natural setting. Situated on a peninsula surrounded by picturesque Tims Ford Lake, roads and housing play no part in proceedings here. Much in evidence is the quality of the course and its conditioning, as well as many wonderfully scenic views onto the lake. The opening holes have a predominantly open, links-style character, gently rolling across former pasture land. These early stretches gradually transition to incorporate wooded, tree-lined holes where giant oak trees dominate. The back-nine, also pleasantly undulating and a mix of open and tree-lined holes, lays down an arguably stronger test. It culminates in the long par-4 18th that features traditional Nicklaus bunkering and, on the rightside, the shoreline of the surrounding lake. The expansive Tims Ford reservoir is visible from most holes, either through the trees or from the course's higher elevations; rarely however is it directly in play. With generous width fairways, not overly penal rough and a relative absence of threatening water hazards, this is not perhaps one of Jack Nicklaus's sternest tests. However, the many partially "concealed" fairway bunkers, deeper greenside bunkering and generally smallish putting surfaces, call for good-quality shot-making if you are to score well. This well-rated and always popular golf course contains many attractive features, scenic lake views and several excellent holes to enjoy. It is also home to several families of deer.

List of courses: Tennessee (West)

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes, peak rate in high season (April thru' mid-Nov): weekdays $43; weekends $53. Golf cart included.

Credit cards accepted. Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2018].

Other information

Non-metal spike facility. Walking permitted.

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

The Tims Ford Lake, that surrounds the golf course was created as part of an electricity generation and recreation project. Long before the construction of Tims Ford Dam on the headwaters of the Elk River, the area was used extensively by the Indians as a hunting and fishing territory. Archaeological excavations uncovered numerous sites and artefacts, indicating that people had occupied the area as much as 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. The 10,700-acre Tims Ford Lake is one of the most picturesque in Tennessee and is regarded as one of the top bass fishing and recreational lakes in the Southeast.

Where2Stay

Tims Ford State Park Cabins

891 Wiseman Bend Rd, Winchester, TN 37398

+1 (800) 471 5295 (toll free)
Visit website
Tims Ford State Park offers 20 comfortable cabins situated on the wooded slopes of Tims Ford Lake. The cabins are equipped with cooking appliances and serving utensils. Each cabin features a gas fireplace, outdoor balcony, colour television and charcoal grills. Cabins have two bedrooms with two double beds in each bedroom. Reservation requirements are two night minimum stays.
- Golf at this hotel:
  
  Bear Trace Tims Ford
- Golf within 5 miles:
  
  No
- Golf within 20 miles:
  
  No

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