Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain State Park

As someone who is a member at a private club with a Nicklaus signature course, my expectations for this course were probably way too high from a conditioning standpoint. The fairways at Bear Trace Cumberland Mountain were in average shape, but unfortunately they have lost a good number of the greens on the course, some of which were virtually unplayable. Nicklaus courses of this vintage are expensive to maintain and without proper funding there's simply no way a state run daily fee course can expect to keep their course in top notch condition without raising the green fees. The design of the course is challenging and the rolling terrain of the site probably makes growing turf difficult even with an adequate budget. However, I simply can't recommend this course to my fellow golfers when there are other options in the area that are far superior and priced similarly. The pro shop staff was incredibly nice and helpful, but they can't make grass grow, which is sort of essential to the whole process of making a golf course enjoyable. Hopefully, they will get the course back in shape, but I think this course is a prime example of a state park being in way over their head from maintenance standpoint.

Our first experience with TN Golf Trail and will say that it an overall good experience. The layout was challenging as all Nickolaus course can be. Play was good with no waiting. The course had some water damage with Nate spots from runoff and lots of clover. But for a public course in a park it was one of the better we played.

Not a country club or resort course but one that will challenge your game And make sure to bring your A putting game.

Having been to this area from Michigan, I never miss playing this course. I really look forward to everything about this course. The staff are great, the layout is great and the pro shop is great. The course conditions are always up to standards and the greens are perfect. Anyone who loves a challenge and wonderful scenery should play here.

Great golf course! Must play if you are in the area.

Had a great round. People on the course but not rushed or held up. Some of the greens are very challenging. Well maintained and staff are great. I would come back again definitely.

Great course. Very good layout and challenging. Fairways were in good shape as well as greens. I have no complaints what so ever. One of the best courses around

This is probably the 5th or 6th time I have played here. Each time course conditions are worse and worse. Greens are pry the best part of course and they are not fantastic just good. Fairways don't seem to get mowed or maybe its just when I play. Also some fairways are spotty. Rough is very very rough I mean if it was a pga tour event they would complain. It had to be at least 4-5 inches tall and grass clipping clods everywhere. I mean there are such things as dragging rakes. Sand traps were absolutely horrible!!! I mean rocky and untouched not turned or raked or anything. Tee boxes needed mowed. Practice tee area was horrible, not mowed and just divot filled. Carts are good. People were nice. Price is far too expensive for course conditions. Pro shop is basically filled with everything that has their name on it which is not cheap. All in all I was expecting things to be better then last time I played here and the fly were worse. I truly hope something happens at this course and things get better because it seems to me they are about making money and not putting it back into the course which is deteriorating. Cant believe Jack allows his name to be associated with such a mediocre course.

Coarse faired well due to all the rain they had and overall was good ,hey fellow golfers fix your ball marks on the greens it's not that hard these guys knock themselves out trying to give us good conditions due your part . One of my favorites to play

Met some friends from Knoxville and had a great round. Will make the trip again asap.

My wife and I played the Bear Trace for the first time in early August. The layout of the course was very interesting. As first time players we had to drive ahead to see the hole. Could use visuals of each hole by the tee boxes. The greens were in good condition and rolled true. The fairways were a bit spotty and didn't have enough yardages on sprinklers etc. the grass is different than most courses in the Midwest which made chipping tougher for me. All in all this t was a fun course and I would recommend it.

The course is well maintained and greens were in good shape. The layout provided some good challenges, particularly if you were in the rough. Lots of trees and some good elevation changes on a few holes. I would definitely play again.

The course was extremely crowded. Sat waiting on every tee box for the group of men in front of us to play. Sat and watched them not hit a ball or do anything for 8-10 min. Overall beautiful course with a friendly staff. Love the fact they give you a small range bag to hit before you tee off. Really cool touch.

Really enjoyed playing here. The course is excellent. Scenery is beautiful. Very challenging layout with lots of elevation changes. Brung your A game if you want to score well. Everyone at the course was very friendly and helpful. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Course in great shape. Rough is high so take your medicine and don't try to play long irons out of it unless your ball is sitting up. Greens have mixture of grass, hard to read., faster than most, but relatively soft for iron play into them. Fairways in great shape. Bunkers need some work but ok. Fun course.

Really love playing this course. It really has a beautiful secluded feel. From the Range to the 18th Green, the course was in great shape (with the exception of 4-5 bunkers but the area had just had a lot of rain fall). We were the second group to go off and we were a twosome. We finished our round in 3 hours 15 minutes.

I thoroughly enjoyed Bear Trace. It was early season and not long after airifacation but the course was in good shape and well maintained. A very nice layout that is playable yet challenging. I play quite a few courses and this was a pleasure. I recommend Bear Trace. You will enjoy it.

Been playing here since course opened. Our golf trip wouldn't be complete without playing here. Greatest course design and very challenging

DO NOT waste your time and money. This course could have been good at one point, but the conditions of every part of the course are not worth playing. I know it is near the end of the season, and Tennessee needs rain - but those are not excuses for such awful conditions and unhelpful staff. Then when wanting to get food at the turn they were out of everything except lunch meat sandwiches and a three beer options. Their excuse was, "We're going to close in two weeks and if we order anymore food it might spoil." I'm sure the Nicklaus organization would be sad to see the conditions and lazy staff. Please find another place to play, this one just isn't worth it.

A dramatic change with no homes on the course. An interesting layout, not many golfers. Greens need some work. I would recommend as a good instructional course with interesting challenges.

The course that day was cart path only and boy what a walk !.