
The Honors Course
The Honors Course



About this course
Nestled in the rolling hills of Ooltewah, Tennessee, The Honors Course exists as a testament to a vision of pure, unadulterated golf, its challenging layout designed to test the mettle of even the most seasoned players. Built upon the principles of strategic shot-making and course management, it remains a sanctuary for those who appreciate the game's intellectual demands. Architect Pete Dye, a visionary known for his bold designs, carved The Honors Course from the Tennessee landscape in the early 1980s. The course is an expression of Dye's modernist design principles. Undulating fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and subtly contoured greens demand exacting approaches and a keen understanding of angles. A course that favors players who can strategically manage their way around the challenges, where accuracy, finesse and intelligent decision making is rewarded. The Honors Course, while not a regular fixture on the professional tour circuit, stands as a respected venue for top-tier amateur golf. It has hosted the U.S. Amateur and Curtis Cup, drawing the finest talents to compete on its demanding layout. This commitment to amateur excellence underscores the club's dedication to the spirit of the game. The membership at The Honors Course is notably tight-knit, comprised of passionate golfers who share a deep appreciation for the course's challenging nature and tranquil setting. Word has it that the club's no-frills approach extends to the clubhouse menu, focusing on simple, well-prepared fare that allows the golf to remain the undisputed star of the show.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in TN
Quick facts
- Location
- Ooltewah, TN, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1983
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Pete Dye
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,070 yards
- Difficulty
- 75.4/148
- Course Vaults score
- 9.3
Getting there
The journey to The Honors Course begins at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, a compact regional hub just twenty minutes northwest of the club, or from Nashville International for those connecting through a larger gateway roughly two hours to the west. Private arrivals often favor Chattanooga's Lovell Field, which sits even closer to the wooded ridges of Ooltewah. The drive from Chattanooga traces the eastern edge of the Tennessee Valley, climbing gently into the foothills where suburban sprawl gives way to hardwood forest and the quiet, rolling terrain that Pete Dye sculpted into one of the South's most formidable and secluded tests of golf.

FAQ
Common questions about The Honors
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Honors has a Course Vaults score of 9.3 out of 10 based on 71 logged golfers.
The Honors was designed by Pete Dye.
The Honors is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at The Honors is 72.
The Honors plays 7,070 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at The Honors is 148.







