Island Pointe Golf Club

I love everything about this course except The unregulated slow play The course and the staff are top notch. But on the previous play we followed a foresome two ladies and two men They stopped to eat after the ninth hole we went around them and were finishing the tenth hole when they came to the tee The ranger chewed on us even tho we never saw them again as a twosome Then the last trip a onesome went around us on two and we waited on him at three Then he joined a single on four and we waited on them. Then on seven a guy and his wife came around and joined the twosome Now you have a twosome following a foresome without any one asking. I’m calling BS here Told the Ranger did he say something to them. Noooo Ilove the course and the people but the rangers need to do their job

Eastern Tennessee is known for many things. It’s home to Oak Ridge, the site of the world's first successful uranium enrichment operations. Bluegrass Music originated in Bristol, TN, and Coca-Cola was first bottled at a plant in Chattanooga in 1899. Knoxville was visited by over 11 million people in 1982 when it hosted the World’s Fair. It’s also home to the University of Tennessee and the Volunteers. However, the area is probably best known for its mountainous terrain and the Great Smoky Mountains.

For golfers, there are several unique and challenging golf courses. One of them, Island Pointe, is slightly off the beaten path but well worth the trip. Island Pointe is located in Kodak, Tennessee, between Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains, and was created to rival the country’s most prestigious golf clubs and bring world-class, daily-fee golf to Tennessee. One visit and you’ll be back.

This Arthur Hills design first opened in 1991 as River Islands Golf Club and was ranked as high as 10th on Golf Magazine’s Public/Private Golf Courses in Tennessee. Current owner Dan Feehan had already fallen in love with the uniqueness of the golf course and realized its potential, so when the club started to struggle financially in 2009, Dan knew that with a little innovation and some subtle guidance, the course could be returned to its former glory. So, he left the New England banking scene, purchased the golf course, and moved his family to East Tennessee.

Island Pointe is unlike any course I have ever seen with the way it weaves seamlessly into the French Broad River Islands. Arthur Hills took that uniqueness and incorporated it into the golf course. The three islands in the middle of the French Broad River play an integral part in the design and routing of the golf course with holes 3, 4, 5, 15, and 16 sharing the islands. And, while each of the 18 holes at Island Pointe provides its own unique challenge.

Based on its slope and course rating, Island Pointe is the most challenging public golf course in East Tennessee. From the back tees, Island Pointe plays 7,001 yards with a course rating of 74.3 and a slope of 146. Members play from the White Tees (6,223/70.3/137) while the ladies will find Island Pointe enjoyable for the Island Tees (4,873/69.1/122). There are five sets of tees in all so you’re sure to find one that suits your game.

Island Pointe is situated on more than 175 acres with breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the French Broad River two features you will become more familiar with as you play the golf course. The ball sits up nicely on the well-manicured Zoysia fairways - often regarded as some of the best in the area –and leads to small, well-contoured mini-Verdi Bermuda greens. This area of East Tennessee is rich with wildlife and it’s not uncommon to see river otters playing on the riverbanks and the occasional bald eagle soaring overhead.

It’s important to get off to a good start at Island Pointe and the first four holes can make or break your round. But not to worry, just take a look at all of the beauty Mother Nature has surrounded you with! The course starts with a modest 365-yard, par 4, with a slight dogleg to the right. The entire hole plays uphill so your second shot will probably require an extra club to reach the green.

Number 2 is another medium-length par 4 and starts with a somewhat blind tee shot up and over a hill with a deep grassy hollow on the right and worse things to the left! Your approach shot is into a shallow green with a steep grassy bank and a trap behind the green. My advice is brains over brawn off the tee.

Number 3 is the course’s first island hole. From the Member Tees, the hole plays 160 yards and is all carried over water. Rocks line the shore leading down to the water with long, gnarly grass between the rocks and the green.

The 4th hole is Island Pointe’s first par 5, with the French Broad River forming the boundary on the left. Playing your tee shot down the left-center of the fairway and your layup shot down the right-center will set up the best angle into the green. This is Island Pointe’s #1 handicapped hole, and, in the event, it didn’t treat you well, look across the river at the 60-foot solid wall of rock! It’s quite impressive.

Three holes on the back nine really stand out, too. Number 15 is a 159-yard par 3 with water all down the left side into a very long and narrow green. The front left bunker comes into play more than you think.

Number 16 is a short par 5 that requires a drive over water and then an approach shot into a green with water protecting the left side.

Arthur Hills saves the best for last. Number 18 is a 400-yard dogleg left and is best played with something less than a driver off the tee. Your approach shot plays downhill into a well-protected green with water on the left and sand on the right.

Before your round, warm up on Island Pointe’s full-length driving range where you can hit every club in the bad. There’s also a short game area and a large practice putting green. Island Pointe has some of the most extensive practice facilities in the area.

Even if you’re not a golfer, there’s still a good reason to visit Island Pointe: the food! Golfers have the best of both worlds, the food truck at the turn and the Island Pointe Grille. While it may be your typical clubhouse menu, they do it right. Fantastic hamburgers, pork sandwiches, and chicken strips. The smoked potato salad and French fries alone are worth the trip!

The ongoing goal of Island Pointe is to help families in East TN and to give golfers a whole new reason to play their golf course to help a variety of special causes. Island Pointe plans to operate as a nonprofit. Course owner Dan Feehan has created a foundation that will raise funds to help battered women, homelessness resulting from addiction, and early childhood development. While this may sound like quite an endeavor, each of these areas has touched Feehan personally through employees and friends. The official launching of the foundation, its name, purpose, and intention will be formally announced in late 2023.

“We are excited to continue to provide an incredible playing experience for all golfers while directing daily proceeds from the golf course operations to helping East TN families. The foundation will not diminish the Island Pointe golf experience in any way or increase the daily fee rate. It offers our golfers a chance to play at a first-rate facility that they know is working to make a significant difference in the community.” We are thrilled to do this for our community."

As of August, the foundation has three fundraising events planned for the remainder of 2023: Night Golf, Thanksgiving Morning 18-hole Shootout, and a Santa’s Run. As they move into the 2024 golf season, the golf course expects to be able to direct all proceeds generated from daily sales into the foundation.

Although it’s uncertain, the Foundation may offer corporate memberships to Island Pointe and hold tournaments and special events to raise funds for early intervention care at East Tennessee Children's Hospital.

I've played some really great and expensive courses and this one ranks up there with the top in the area. would recommend to anyone any skill level. The price is very good for the experience you'll have

You can't beat this spot for $50 as far as I am concerned.

Enjoyed the round, staff was very friendly and accommodating, shared good course tips. Incredible layout along the river. Pace of play was very slow, played as a single and multiple three and four player groups would not let me through. Obviously not the course fault just inconsiderate players.

Played 4 rounds over 4 days (9-18-23 through 9-21-23). A+ greens and fairways. Accommodating and friendly employees. Some high and thick grass around some bunkers and a few greens could be trimmed to avoid very penal situations, but it's a super course that I could play every day if I lived around there.

Staff is accommodating and friendly; course is in great shape! Challenging holes for the better golfer, but playable for the high handicapper. A couple forced carries from the tee. I consider this a real gem on a unique property. Enjoy!!

Absolutely amazing course from tee to green. Best course conditions that I’ve played all year. Beautiful layout… challenging but fair. Second cut of rough is high so keep it in the short stuff! Very unique with 6 par 5… 6 par 4…and 6 par 3. The River comes into play quite a bit on the par 3s. If you don’t carry the ball very far you probably need to play from whites. The back two tees require a few longer Carrie’s to get to the green or fairways. I highly recommend this course!

I was told that they had revamped the golf course, it was 15 years ago when I last played here. what a pleasant surprise, fairways were very accessible from the tee. The most impressive thing was the approach to the greens were very visible, and made yardage reading very easy. it’s not easy to make a golf course that really invites you to hit your approach shots the green we had a great time.

Had a great time this weekend playing your course. Lost a lot of balls so be ready. Water holes everywhere and bring your camera for awesome pictures.

Course was in great condition, challenging layout, but overall great value for money.

The couse was in excellent condition. Greens and fairways were awesome. It does have high grass in the rough, much like a links course, so accuracy is important. There is quite a bit of water in play, also. This was a challenging, beautiful course that runs along the river.

The clubhouse isn't available at the turn, so bring plenty of water. There was water coolers accessible in only one place.