Sequoyah National Golf Club

First, the positives: This is a fabulous design by RTJones in a breathtaking setting! What other course gives you an unobstructed 360 view of the Great Smokey Mountains, including Clingman's Dome. The course offers spacious fairways, strategic bunkering, and a nice mix of difficult (See #10-Wow!) and easy, birdie opportunity holes. The clubhouse is spartan, yet functional, and the staff is accommodating (as well as apologetic. You'll see.)

Now the negatives: This is the worst conditioned course ever! Before my wife and I teed it up, the pro apologized that aeration had been done that very morning, so the course was chewed up. That made NO difference! After the round was over, the pro admitted that the construction company (an in-house group) laid 1/4 inch of soil over heavy, compacted clay instead of the 6-to-8 inches that had been required. Perhaps in 2009 when the course opened the grass looked OK, but today there is none! We liberally played "winter rules," up to 10' away to find a tuft of something green. It was a sedge, according to my botanist spouse.

I apologize for sounding harsh, but what this facility needs is a three-year hiatus while a real construction company (How about Wadsworth?) comes in to start over. The Cherokee Nation would then have a facility to be proud of, and golfers would flock to Sequoyah National again and again. Until that day, this is not a course to earn a recommendation.

A challenging track but well worth the time and effort
A "do not miss" experience! I golf primarily in Florida and Sequoyah was a total departure from what I'm used to. Took some getting used to the elevation compensation but oh what a joy it was to play here!
Staff was very accommodating and friendly, facilities top rate, We had to rent equipment and the Callaway X hots were even better than my own equipment.
Will definitely play here again!

Just dont do it....the pictures online are deceiving....this course was the worst course i have ever played......i would have rather played mini golf than played here.....only good thing was the cart path and the carts had GPS in them,,,,,but the carts were also super slow,......i have nothing good to write about this course.

Having played this course 5 years ago, I was excited to get another chance at this beast! I remember it being in pristine condition, immaculate fairways and perfect rolling greens. The scenery is just awesome on the tee box at #1, #13 and #15!
This time around, it was so totally different than before. Fairways had lots of dead spots and uncut grass. The greens were in similar shape with lots of dead spots, uncut greens, uneven rolls on putts and generally hard to keep a putt on line. #17 green is almost completely gone!
Spoke with the cart attendant and he said that the course is changing management companies and that Troon Golf is not putting any money into the course. It really shows as this was a very disappointing experience.
If you're in the area, head for Springdale instead. Even Asheville Muni is in better shape than Sequoyah.

Sequoyah National's layout is very challenging and the views are spectacular, but the course conditions are deplorable. Fairways are only 40-50% grass on many holes and greens are just as bad. The greenest part of the course is "goose grass" and other weeds that are mowed but not removed. Troon Golf apparently manages the facility for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians and both the manager and owner should be ashamed of the product they're offering.

THIS COURSE USED TO BE AWESOME, THIS TIME BY FAR WORSE CONDITIONS ICE PLAYED THIS YEAR. NO GRASS ON GREENS FAIRWAY OR TEE BOXES. THEY NEED TO CLOSE FOR THE YEAR AND GET THIS COURSE BACK. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY.

This course has beautiful vistas! Tee boxes, fairways and greens were in poor condition on the date I played. I would recommend it to others only if the course is in better shape.

This mountain course could be great. They just need a great superintendent. The grass is thin on the fairways. Tee boxes were a disgrace. Some greens were very nice, others rough. It was disappointing to see the condition of the course given the quality of the layout.

Played the course last summer and the challenging layout lbrought me back again this year. While they have repaired the washout on #2 that necessitated a temp green, last year, the overall conditions are worse than I remember. The fairways uniformly lack grass and are very soggy. Several greens are also in poor shape. Those that aren't, are exceptionally good. Unfortunately, the 3some in front of us included one player who spent half the day talking loudly on the phone while his playing partners were half a hole ahead of him. Not Sequoyah's fault, but never a ranger in sight to mention it to. Glad I bought a Hot Deal because the course, right now, is not worth more than the $35 I paid.

Playing the course for first time was difficult not knowing where to not to hit certain shots but was fun and the GPS helped alot

Wow!

Be prepared to ride up and down long hills, take long drives up to elevated tees, or hit tee shots up hill. Hardly any flat spots on the fairways,
This course is crazy challenging - gorgeous views - but challenging.

Lots of issues with weather problems on the greens as well. Staff was great.

We wanted to play a course that was beautiful, challenging, and in country club condition. This course met all of our parameters. It was about a 45 minute drive from our rental and very worth it.

The views are magnificent, but the condition of the tee boxes, fairways, and greens is abhorrent. We also had to wait on almost every shot. Needed to use the restroom at round's end and it was locked. Would recommend for the views.

Sequoyah National is a mountain course with severe elevation changes. Players without playing experience on the course may find it daunting.

The staff is friendly and welcoming. Amenities include range balls and carts with GPS including audio playing tips.

The greens are in very good condition. Fairway turf is sparse on a number of holes and it is necessary to play preferred lies. The rough... do not go there.

Balancing the difficulty and severity of the course are the awe inspiring vistas afforded the golfer. Excellent signage describing the culture and history of the area is located at each tee box.

A round at SN provides the player with superb vistas and challenging shots.

Not a huge fan of the green undulations. The layout tee to green was fantastic, but very spotty as far as conditions go. some spots/holes looked immaculate while other areas looked like Carl Spaclar had been chasing the gopher there. If you can find a sub $50 fee on golf now I'd say its worth the try.

Exceptional layout difficult course. The range is beautiful and as a guest you feel like a member

The course is extremely challenging but absolutely beautiful nested among the mountains. The greens are not cut too close and are slow in the morning but improve in the afternoon with the heat. Expect to walk many holes because there are wire barriers along most of the cart paths. There are some fabulous heights from which you hit down into the valley below which is both interesting and challenging. Must keep the ball on the fairways or it will be difficult to find in the unmowed grass along the fairways. Fun experience.

Amazing views and the most elevation change in a golf course i have seen. Great layout and a wonderful round of golf, they have done a lot of work the last two year making the course more playable. The tall grass has been mowed and finding stray balls is easy. I would reccomend this course for a memorable round of golf. By far one of the most scenic courses I have played. The tees were in average condition, the fairways in good condition and the greens were very slow, (rolled fine and played good, just very slow for a course this nice). A challenging but fair course, played 36 and finished the first round in 3 hours and the second in 4 and a half.

This is the 2nd time that my son & I have played Sequoyah National. The pace of play is as it should be, the course is challenging & there are spectacular views. We will definitely play this course again on our next trip to the area.

Course in great condition a lot of fun holes course is challenging but you can still use your driver great views course is worth the cost