Through The Clouds, McLemore
When you open the McLemore website a large quote flashes in front of you ' The Best Finishing Hole in America since 2000' as quoted by Golf Digest. My first thought is - "there are so many golf courses in America, so many great courses in that, if this tops the list, I am in."
While the 18th hole is the talk of the town at McLemore the full 18 holes are a great golf experience, though 18 certainly takes the cake. The course sits in Rising Fawn, GA (though the scorecard says Lookout Mountain, GA) at a elevation of 2,000 feet. A sign in the clubhouse speaks to how most mornings clouds cover and then lift from the course at sunrise, truly a special view to start every morning I am sure. The course was designed by Reese Jones and Bill Bergin and has golf holes in and around rugged mountains and towering cliffs. The scorecard describes three primary types of holes; canyon, highland, and cliff (the ones you come for) holes. I was blown away by some of the canyon and holes and they were some of the most memorable of my round.
I had never heard of Rising Fawn, GA; the closest city is Chattanooga, TN, which is no more than a 40 minute drive from the course. There is not much between McLemore and Chattanooga. You could choose to stop by Ruby Falls and Rock City en route, but I would keep going to spend as much time as possible at this property. McLemore broadcasts three avenues to play the course: as a member, stay and play as a guest on site, or through there McLemore and Friends program (which is an online booking platform). It appeals to golf enthusiasts like myself and groups from around the country. There are a number of rental properties designed for large groups on site. It didn't take look to realize what all the hype about this place is about and was formerly known as Canyon Ridge for a reason.
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| Opening views at McLemore let you know you are in a special place before you even get to the first tee |
McLemore has a beautiful clubhouse with a well maintained driving range, putting green, and a short six hole course where the longest hole is probably no longer than 65 yards. A restaurant within the clubhouse know as The Craeg (cool name) provides overlooking mountain views and is a great spot for post round meal or drinks. I had the privilege to play on a big blue sky crisp fall day. I would imagine a day with thick cloud cover may not provide the same experience so I was very thankful for the great weather I was given.
From the tips the course plays 7,005 yards. There are six sets of tees known as I (the tips) , II, III, IV,V, VI. The slope rating from II is 138. I played the member tees which rotate between II and III and plays 6,332 yards. The opening hole is a sight of things to come at McLemore. First views of the course come from above as you look down a large cliff to the opening tee boxes.
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| Hilltop views from the opening hole at McLemore |
McLemore opens with a dog leg par five carrying 548 yards from the II tees. It falls under the label of a cliff hole and it plays fairly open. Make sure you keep your tee shot far enough right for your approach which carries left back towards the hole. The first green gives you the first great down cliff view.
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| Following the opening tee box views, the first green also gives you a special view |
I got my confidence up with a par on the first hole only to run into a incredibly difficult second hole. The first Highland hole is the number one handicap on the course. It's a long fairly straight par four with water on the right and trouble on the right. I was fortunate to escape with a double bogey only with a fortunate chip in. I agree with the handicap that this is the hardest hole on the course.
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| McLemore stiffens the golfers spine early with a difficult par 4 |
Following a short downhill par 3, McLemore sets up its first real blind shot of the day which will not be be the last. A good drive will leave you with a relatively short approach and a good shot at birdie or par, keep the ball on the right side of the fairway on this hole.
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| First blind tee shot of the day comes on number four |
The fifth is a long uphill par three continuing the early trend of course elevation changes. Number six was my favorite hole on the golf course outside number 18. A par five, which dogs right calls for a drive up the left side of the fairway. After a good drive, you will be left with a blind shot over a large canyon. You have to approach the edge of the canyon to see anything that sits below and get an idea of where you want your shot to land.
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| One of the great shots at McLemore is your second shot off the canyon on six into the distant mountain sky |
My second shot was nothing but fun; I hit a mid iron and watched it fly into the blue sky and then completely disappear. If you are left with a long second shot you run the risk of not clearing some of the canyon hazard that sits below. Anything that clears the hazard will leave you with a very manageable approach shot or short wedge into the green.
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| Make sure you clear the hazard on your approach at six, though you won't know your shot result until you come down canyon |
Number seven was another deceptive par 3. I mis-read the downhill grade and hit the back hill at the green. Understanding and correctly evaluating elevation and slope changes at McLemore is one of the keys to success. Playing the course a second time you would have a much greater idea of how iron shots play as well as where the many blind shots on the course take you.
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| Understanding slope adjusted yardages is key to success at McLemore |
With the exception of 18, I found the front nine at McLemore to be a better overall nine hole. 10 through 17 felt like it had somewhat less character, but had some good golf holes built in.
I am going to jump right into one of the best golf holes I have ever played because it eclipses anything else I could write to on the back nine.
Number 18 at McLemore is consistently in articles and ranking list for top finishing holes for golf. I would consider paying a full greens fee to play 18. Every great hole that was just played on 1 through 17 falls short of 18. As my group was on 17, I could feel the anticipation building. The whole round has been leading to this. The initial views when you crest down the hill from 17 are spectacular and proceed to get better and better throughout the hole.
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| First views of 18 will make your jaw drop |
Number 18 is a par four, from the II tees it plays 417 yards. The hole sits around 1,200 feet above ground level with a sheer drop of cliff running to the left side of hole. It's an incredibly difficult hole and ranks as the second hardest handicap hole on the course. The first thing to consider on the tee box is how everything will move from right to left. Large hills line the right side of the fairway which was my aiming point. A drive down the center with any form of miss left presents the risk of taking a ride of the cliff. Without course knowledge from previous rounds, your line of sight up the fairway from where the tee box sits is somewhat limited.
I hit a great drive up the right side of the fairway off the tee it looked even further right than I was aiming, which is not a bad place to miss on this hole. Once we moved into the fairway from the tee box I really my first views of the center of the fairway and the famed 18th mountaintop green.
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| The further you move up 18, the more the rugged beauty of the hole presents itself |
Initially I could not find my ball which naturally created the thought that it had fallen victim to the large cliff that literally sits lining the entire left side of the fairway. As I ventured forward I was fortunate to find my ball probably within the last few feet of the left side of the fairway. I had landed my tee shot probably fifty yards or more right of the fairway and it ended up on the very right edge. I wish they displayed a counter at the end of the hole with golf balls lost over the cliffs on 18. I would venture that on a full tee sheet day number of golf balls lost to the cliffs on the left side of the hole may venture into the triple digits.
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| The famous view McLemore is known for, thankfully pictured with my golf ball still in play |
With the tee shot in the books, now it was time for the money shot. I was left with around a 120 yard shot. It was a fairly favorable pin placement with the pin in the front of the green, centered. This allowed for a safe place to aim on the right side of the green. Once again, the theme of 18 is don't miss left. Even though I was not in competition and I was competing against nothing more than my individual score, it was a very memorable approach shot filled with intrigue, adrenaline, and excitement. It was the type of shot that you might get once every few years. I hit a well-struck wedge and landed fifteen yards above the hole and was able to two put for par. Cocktails tasted extra good.
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| The views on 18 are nothing short of incredible |