Big things are happening a few hours away from me at Sweetens Cove, the unassuming nine-hole course in Tennessee that has developed such a cult following over the years that you have to take it for granted.
The Chattanooga area course is known for a few things. One, the layout designed by Rob Collins and Tad King features dramatic complex greens capable of holding multiple hole locations, making playing the same hole over and over a very different experience each time. Another, the all-day nature of the course where players gather early in the morning to drink celebratory whiskey and then hang out until they drop. Another: the community element around Sweetens, a course that was really dug out of the dirt and now has owners like Peyton Manning and Andy Roddick.
Now Sweetens — the little nine-hole that could — is set for a major expansion that will transform it into “the ultimate 24-hour golf course,” according to Collins.
More golf will be available at Sweetens
The most exciting project is a new 13-hole short course that will open its doors next summer (2027).
However, this is not just another short course. Collins said it will connect and overlap with the existing regulation course, encouraging cross-country play.
Woah. Think how cool that could be. Depending on who is around you, you can choose any tip and decide to go for any green around you. I’ve always wanted to do this in certain courses, but it’s almost never allowed, let alone encouraged.
I wonder how this will work logistically, but the concept is very creative.
More beef will be added to the golf experience in the form of a new multi-acre fairway (coming next spring), three bays of golf simulators and a clubhouse operation.
All of this will undoubtedly help the traffic on the course move more smoothly, which tends to be a recurring issue around Sweetens.
The area around the golf course will be built
I can bury lede here.
You will be able to stay in place at Sweetens for the first time.
One criticism of Sweetens is that it is quite remote and there isn’t much accommodation anywhere nearby. Most people should stay in Chattanooga and drive to South Pittsburgh.
This is being facilitated by the first on-site accommodation with cabin accommodation opening in phases starting in late 2027.
There will also be a full-service restaurant and bar exclusively for golf package guests, public-facing Sweetens Cove Spirits bottle shop and micro-distillery, expanded retail offerings and additional outdoor experiences, including a fishing dock, shooting range and event barn space.
That old image of Sweetens being a nine-hole course with a literal clubhouse and nothing else? You can kiss that goodbye.
Taking Sean
It’s definitely interesting to see Sweetens go from this dilapidated nine-hole course – on the verge of collapse many times – to a real brand that’s becoming even more of a destination.
I worry that this place will lose some of its soul, but I think everyone involved is aware of that.
Part of me wishes Sweetens could remain this daring nine-hole course in the rolling hills. It really is a great course. You have to go experience it. Sweetens is pure golf.
This move seems to take them away from that a bit, but I’m confident the additions will be made tastefully.
What are your thoughts? Have you played Sweetens?
I’m interested in everyone’s thoughts here. Let me know in the comments.
