Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Jared Melson who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.
Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property Bear Trace Tims Ford is a beautiful Par 71, 18 hole golf course surrounded by a 10,500 acre man-made lake. We say we are on a "virtual island" as the only connection to land is the entranceway to the course which is only about 40 yards wide. The course opened in 1999 as part of Jack Nicklaus' Bear Trace golf courses.
If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course? Very player friendly golf course combined with natural beauty and quiet serenity. Super friendly staff to welcome you and help you enjoy your day.
What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course? "All putts break towards the water!" Seriously, every putt breaks towards the water because we're on a "virtual island" completely surrounded by water. All joking aside, Bear Trace Tims Ford plays slightly easier off the tee compared to typical Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses. The approach shot into the greens are more challenging, but not so difficult you can't score well.
Any recent changes to the golf course? Or any upcoming changes? New greens were sprigged in 2024 with TifEagle Bermuda grass. Greenside bunkers were renovated using the Better Billy Bunker method to ensure drainage and washout problems were eliminated. We are in Phase 1 of 2 of fairway bunker renovations and hope to have those completed by this fall/winter.
What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole? Hole #6 includes a Half Biarritz green design with the front third approximately 8 feet above the bottom two-thirds. Being on the correct tier is of utmost importance. Hole #9 (formerly #18) is very challenging with a two-tiered green protected by bunkers on either side. A view of Tims Ford Lake is to the golfer's right as they finish the hole. Hole #18 is a Par 3 slightly over water protected by bunkers both short left and long right. A great opportunity to end your day with a Hole-In-One!!
What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It? I love them all!
Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole? Burgers are cooked fresh as you order! A great mixture of beer, soft drinks, and sports drinks can satisfy your thirst after your round.
For the traveling golfer, do you have lodging onsite or partner with any area hotels? Tims Ford State Park has 20 cabins and multiple campgrounds within the Park.
Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score? Tournament record of 63 shot by two different players on back to back days in August 1999, just after grand opening, in a TearDrop Mini-Tour event.
Back Tee Stats Par: 71 Yardage: 6,763 Slope: 128 Rating: 72.7
More Information Bear Trace Tims Ford
891 Wiseman Bend Road Winchester, TN, 37398
(931) 968-0995
https://tnstateparks.com/golf/course/bear-trace-at-tims-ford
