
Shelby Course
Shelby Golf Course

About this course
Shelby Golf Course is a municipal facility located in Nashville's Shelby Park, a historic urban green space established in the early twentieth century along the Cumberland River. The course was designed by George Livingston and has served the Nashville community for decades as an accessible public golf option in the heart of the city. The park setting provides mature tree cover and rolling terrain characteristic of Middle Tennessee's landscape. The layout occupies relatively compact acreage within the park boundaries, sharing space with other recreational amenities. The routing works with the natural topography, incorporating elevation changes and wooded corridors that define individual holes. Shelby Park's location near downtown Nashville makes the course a convenient option for city residents and visitors seeking a quick round without traveling to suburban facilities. As a municipal course, Shelby serves a diverse golfing population and functions as an entry point for beginners while remaining playable for more experienced golfers. The facility reflects Nashville's commitment to public recreation and has adapted over the years to meet the needs of its community. The course operates within the broader context of Shelby Park's history as one of Nashville's oldest and most significant public parks, contributing to the recreational fabric of the city's east side neighborhoods.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in TN
Quick facts
- Location
- Nashville, TN, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1924
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- George Livingston
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,079 yards
- Difficulty
- 71.2/114
- Course Vaults score
- 5.2
Getting there
Shelby Golf Course sits just minutes from Nashville International Airport (BNA), making the arrival as seamless as the course itself is intimate. From BNA, the drive westward into Nashville's rolling suburbs takes roughly twenty minutes, threading through the gentle terrain that defines Middle Tennessee's golf landscape. Private aviation options at nearby Nashville's general aviation facilities offer an alternative for those seeking a more discreet approach. The final miles unfold along quiet residential roads that give way to the manicured grounds of Shelby, a course that rewards the brevity of its journey with the kind of understated elegance that defines Nashville's most discerning golf destinations.

FAQ
Common questions about Shelby
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Shelby has a Course Vaults score of 5.2 out of 10 based on 20 logged golfers.
Shelby was designed by George Livingston.
Yes. Shelby is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Shelby is 72.
Shelby plays 6,079 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Shelby is 114.




