CR&J’s Final Rating: 49/80 (Good)
Old Fort is the best municipal golf course in Nashville without much of a doubt. Owned by the city of Murfreesboro, Old Fort went through a recent bunker and greens renovation that has tightened up the bunker edges and converted the putting surfaces to the more durable Bermuda grass that has become industry standard in Nashville.
This course was reviewed as part of a broader Journal entry exploring public golf courses in the Nashville, TN area.
Murfreesboro clearly sees the value in properly investing in their golf course, and that type of stewardship should be recognized and applauded, as so many municipalities take the opposite approach. Old Fort packs plenty of length and challenge as well, playing some 7,200 yards from the back tees to a nearly 74 rating.
What Works: Old Fort is typically in good condition, perhaps a tier below Hermitage on an average day, but not too far away and better than the average course in the area. Old Fort is a well-balanced golf course – nothing sticks out to me as being overly challenging; rather, the Fort presents a consistent challenge throughout round. If Old Fort has any particular challenges, it’s a few tight tee shots off of the first, fourth, eighth, ninth, fourteenth, and eighteenth holes, placing Old Fort into more of a tee-shot golf course. The green complexes are somewhat challenging, not flat but not the type that will induce any fear. Old Fort has great variety and, for a course located a stones throw from a shopping mall parking lot, has some rather scenic, aesthetic holes. Just excuse the occasional police siren.
Best Hole: While there’s no hole that I’d consider a stunner at Old Fort, the second is a really good hole. The mid-length par-5 provides some risk reward for bigger hitters that can choose to go for the green after a good drive, working a long approach shot into a smaller green over an array of bunkers. But the target is tight and unforgiving both right and long, because there is a significant drop off. For shorter hitters or those required to layup, deciding whether to position in front of the cross bunkers, and accept a longer, uphill shot from a worse angle. Conversely, some may elect to try to carry the cross bunkers for the shorter shot with a much better angle; however, failure here will leave the hardest shot in golf, the dreaded 60-yard uphill bunker shot (and the potential to go bunker to bunker).
Interesting Hole: I have to choose the drive-able par-4 eleventh hole here. Most people actually cannot drive the green here, but can get close. Rather, the hole plays more of a “bite off as much of the lake as you are willing.” This is a great test of how good you think you are vs. how good you actually are at golf, because picking the right line to ensure you carry the water is the primary task. Accomplish it, and a good birdie looks await. However, let your ego get the best of you, and your birdie attempt may be from the tee box.
Limitations: While Old Fort is generally acceptably conditioned, it can sometimes be a bit spotty. This is the nature of being a high volume municipal course, but must be referenced. I also particularly dislike the section of the course from the fifth to the ninth hole, with the ninth being the biggest offender for being overly tight off the tee. It also has an unmistakable municipal feel, which is a negative for me personally, but others might feel as this is a positive. However, none of the limitations at Old Fort discourage me from being a repeat visitor.
Final Thoughts: Old Fort is the best municipal course in the Nashville area, albeit a low bar to clear. However, Old Fort is more than just a municipal course. Its one of the best value rounds in Nashville, and provides a championship level test on a course that may just fall a tier or two below championship level. It would comfortably fit in a Top 5 public courses in the Nashville area, and perhaps Top-15 overall in Nashville, which really is quite an accomplishments for a municipal course.
CR&J’s Final Rating: Shot Options: 6; Challenge: 6; Layout Variety: 6; Distinctiveness: 7; Aesthetics: 6; Conditioning: 6; Character: 6; Fun: 6. Total: 49/80 (Good)