{"id":738090,"date":"2026-06-15T10:48:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T10:48:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/738090\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T10:48:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T10:48:30","slug":"mclemore-the-keep-golf-course-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/738090\/","title":{"rendered":"McLemore The Keep Golf Course Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\tIntroduction<\/p>\n

The word \u201celevated\u201d is used frequently to describe things that are high end, luxury, elite.\u00a0 The Keep golf course at McLemore Resort is elevated golf\u2026literally.\u00a0 Located roughly two hours from Atltanta, this highly touted new course sits on the edge of Lookout Mountain, 2,300 feet above sea level, offering golfers dramatic views throughout their round.\u00a0 The Plugged In Golf team visited recently to find out if this needs to be your next golf destination.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Practice Facilities<\/p>\n

McLemore\u2019s practice facilities all reside around the clubhouse for The Highlands, a short shuttle ride from The Keep golf course.\u00a0 There you\u2019ll find a driving range that can accommodate about a dozen players and a short game area with a large putting green.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

The highlight of the practice area is The Cairn, McLemore\u2019s short course.\u00a0 This is a collection of six holes, most around 60 yards with the longest one listed at 83 yards.\u00a0 The greens are appropriately small, demanding precise wedge shots.\u00a0 There is no cost to play The Cairn, and there is no tee sheet: just show up with a wedge, a putter, and a ball.\u00a0 Whether you\u2019re using The Cairn to warm up, improve your short game, or round out the day with a drink in hand, it\u2019s one of the highlights of McLemore.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Customer Service & Amenities<\/p>\n

Everyone on our team agreed that the customer service at McLemore was uniformly outstanding.\u00a0 From the valets who greeted us when we first arrived to the servers in the restaurants to the golf staff, everyone was energetic, warm, and helpful.\u00a0 The staff at McLemore is unquestionably one of the resort\u2019s biggest strengths.<\/p>\n

The caddies at The Keep golf course deserve special mention.\u00a0 In our time at McLemore, we got to play with four different caddies, each of whom enhanced the round in their own way.\u00a0 Caddies are required at The Keep before 1PM Sunday through Thursday, all day on Friday and Saturday.\u00a0 Especially on your first loop, a caddie is an absolute essential for navigating the course.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll also note here that The Keep golf course is walking only before 10AM.\u00a0 Our group \u2013 including two players who normally ride \u2013 agreed unanimously that the course is more enjoyable on foot.\u00a0 While there is a good deal of elevation \u2013 McLemore claims 500 feet of elevation change \u2013 The Keep is a tight course with a walking distance under five miles.<\/p>\n

A nice \u201cextra\u201d that The Keep golf course offers is free snacks and beverages.\u00a0 There are coolers with water bottles every few holes, and a snack cart circles the course with jerky, granola bars, and other drinks.\u00a0 The turn shack \u2013 currently a double-wide trailer, like the pro shop \u2013 has sandwiches and a larger array of snacks, all included in your green fee.\u00a0 The only thing that costs extra is alcohol.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Turning to McLemore as a whole, it\u2019s a full-service, high end resort.\u00a0 You can headquarter at Cloudland, the hotel, or rent homes of all sizes.\u00a0 We stayed in the hotel, which put us close to all the amenities: pool, hot tub, gym, and spa.\u00a0 My favorite part of Cloudland is the beautiful library \u2013 perfect for waiting out rain or fog delays.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Finally, the food at McLemore is excellent.\u00a0 There are four restaurants inside Cloudland: Croft, Pocket Cafe, Skyside, and Auld Alliance.\u00a0 Pocket Cafe has everything you need to get your day started, and they host a nightly happy hour.\u00a0 We had two dinners at Croft which offers a menu that\u2019s curated but still has something for everyone.\u00a0 The Creag serves \u201celevated comfort food\u201d inside the clubhouse at The Highlands (above).\u00a0 If you stop here, you need to have the burnt ends appetizer.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Beauty & Scenery<\/p>\n

Vast, dramatic, and open, The Keep is a stunning golf course.\u00a0 From the moment you arrive, you\u2019ll see the entire course sprawling around you in every direction.\u00a0 That openness is one of the visual signatures of The Keep.\u00a0 From at least five locations, you can see portions of all 18 holes, and only one spot on the course feels at all isolated.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

The other aesthetic hallmark of The Keep golf course is the cliff.\u00a0 Five holes \u2013 1, 9, 10, 11, and 18 \u2013 play along 1.5 miles of cliff edge, giving golfers miles-long views from Lookout Mountain.\u00a0 From almost anywhere on the course, you can look down on the valley floor 1,500 feet below.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

On the course, there are numerous rock features that enhance the look and strategic interest.\u00a0 On 15, a rock face sits in the middle of the fairway, forcing golfers to the right or left.\u00a0 Rocks define both sides of 17 and create one of the more picturesque green sites at The Keep.<\/p>\n

Finally, the course conditions do need to mentioned.\u00a0 Being built on a mountain presents unique challenges, and there are numerous spots where the maintenance team is still working to build up the turf and help the course drain.\u00a0 None of these issues affected playability \u2013 in fact, the greens were immaculate \u2013 but they did detract from the aesthetics.<\/p>\n

McLemore is actively working to get the course into pristine condition.\u00a0 During our visit, we saw large teams working to replace portions of the fairways on 1 and 18.\u00a0 While course conditions are quite low on my list of priorities, they\u2019re important to others and mentioning the ongoing work seems relevant given the high cost of golf at The Keep.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Tee Shots<\/p>\n

The Keep golf course is at its most generous and forgiving off the tee.\u00a0 I rated 11 of the 14 fairways as wider than average.\u00a0 The only fairways that could be viewed as narrow are the two halves of the split fairway 2nd hole.\u00a0 Even more important, there\u2019s a lot of room to miss on most holes.\u00a0 Only 10 of the 28 fairway sides present serious trouble; another 10 invite you to hit it crooked in that direction as far as you want.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

It is worth noting that we played the course roughly a year and a half after it opened.\u00a0 There are numerous spots on The Keep golf course where the fescue is just starting to grow in.\u00a0 When it\u2019s as thick and tall as the fescue at The Highlands, the driving will be much more challenging.\u00a0 Spots that currently allow for a moderately challenging recovery shot will become lost balls.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

There are four sets of tees at The Keep and three sets of combo tees.\u00a0 This creates playing distances that range from 4,896 yards all the way up to 7,036 yards with fairly even 300 to 400 yards gaps between.\u00a0 Golfers of all ability levels can find an enjoyable way to play the course.\u00a0 Extra kudos to McLemore for making the combo tees easy to understand: the top 9 handicap holes are played shorter, the lower 9 handicap holes are played longer.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Our group \u2013 which had driver carries ranging from 200 to 275 yards \u2013 played a variety of tees within the 5,700 to 6,400 range.\u00a0 Given the amount of elevation this course throws at you, this was a sweet spot where each hole was challenging but still fun and score-able.\u00a0 The drives on #12 and #15 are almost straight uphill, and there are numerous shots that are less dramatic but still add distance.\u00a0 Even though playing atop Lookout Mountain does enhance your distance a bit, be conservative with your tee box selection if you want to have a good time.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Approach Shots<\/p>\n

The Zoysia fairways at The Keep golf course provide a lush, almost teed-up surface from which to hit approach shots.\u00a0 Pickers and diggers alike will feel comfortable after a quality tee shot.\u00a0 The 30 acres of first-cut aren\u2019t foreboding, but they do carry an element of risk.\u00a0 This longer, thicker Zoysia can prop the ball up or let it burrow down.\u00a0 There\u2019s not so much grass that you\u2019ll need a scythe to find your ball, but you may not have full control of your contact, launch, or spin.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

While your ball may sit comfortably on the Zoysia, The Keep golf course does not guarantee the same to your feet.\u00a0 There is impactful movement in the fairways and rough on every par 4 and 5.\u00a0 \u00a0Getting a flat, level lie is a rare opportunity that you need to take advantage of.\u00a0 Most of your approach shots will require some level of adjustment to a ball above or below your feet.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

One thing that you won\u2019t find at The Keep is a flat shot.\u00a0 Every drive and approach is up or down hill, often substantially.\u00a0 This has numerous implications for your approach shots.\u00a0 First, you\u2019re going to need to adjust your yardages.\u00a0 Standing on the 150 yard marker does not mean you should hit a 150 yard shot \u2013 the elevation changes are often worth a full club or more.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Playing up and down the mountain also discourages the ground game.\u00a0 Most of the greens are at least slightly elevated, so haphazard running shots are unlikely to turn out well.\u00a0 This is a course that requires precise, aerial shots \u2013 something that can be made more difficult by the wind on this exposed layout.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Greens & Surrounds<\/p>\n

First things first, the greens at The Keep golf course are kept in outstanding condition.\u00a0 The bentgrass surfaces are smooth, consistent, and quick.\u00a0 Your results are a pure reflection of your ability to read the greens and roll the ball, which is all a golfer can ask for.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

In terms of size and shape, The Keep\u2019s greens are, on average, large.\u00a0 This is in keeping with the modern aesthetic of the course.\u00a0 However, unlike many modern courses, the shaping of these greens is subtle.\u00a0 You won\u2019t find many unusual shapes, and there are no extreme undulations.\u00a0 The greens are far from flat \u2013 many are tilted and there is always some movement \u2013 but you won\u2019t find big humps, tiers, or depressions.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

The biggest challenge on the greens is properly judging the speed.\u00a0 Putts toward the mountain are slower than those moving toward the valley.\u00a0 This adds a third variable \u2013 alongside distance and slope \u2013 to your speed calculations, and it can make even mid-length putts a challenge.\u00a0 Having one of The Keep\u2019s veteran caddies at your side can substantially raise your odds of converting your birdie chances or saving par.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

The areas around the greens at The Keep golf course feature a mixture of fairway, first cut, and slightly longer rough alongside modest to moderate undulations.\u00a0 Most of the greens are at least a couple feet above the surround which adds a layer of difficulty to recovery shots.\u00a0 It\u2019s rare that you\u2019ll find yourself in a spot that screams trouble, but the difficulty of the greens demands great precision in the short game.\u00a0 If you prefer running shots to drop-and-stop pitches, you\u2019ll need to put some work into understanding the green before you chip.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Finally, sand is prevalent around the greens at The Keep golf course, but it\u2019s hardly the defining feature.\u00a0 The bunkers are never hidden, so they\u2019re easily avoided.\u00a0 While there are exceptions, most of the bunkers are shallow or of average depth, so you don\u2019t need exceptional sand skills to splash the ball onto the green.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Overall Design<\/p>\n

On the McLemore website, there\u2019s a long list of goals that architects Bill Bergin and Rees Jones sought to achieve with The Keep golf course.\u00a0 They achieved many of them, including the ones I would argue are most important.\u00a0 This is a course that\u2019s fun for high handicap players but also challenging for skilled players.\u00a0 In its current condition, you shouldn\u2019t lose many balls, but you won\u2019t make birdies without a healthy application of skill.\u00a0 It\u2019s a course that\u2019s fun, playable, and open with enough challenge to be your regular track.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

The one statement I don\u2019t agree with is that this is strategic course with a lot of optionality.\u00a0 A few holes \u2013 primarily the ones noted below \u2013 offer an interesting choice off the tee.\u00a0 And yes, the large greens allow for different options with course set up, so it can change from day to day.\u00a0 However, for any given round, The Keep golf course puts everything right in front of you \u2013 what you see is what you get.\u00a0 It\u2019s not overly prescriptive, but it\u2019s not a blank page.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Favorite Holes<\/p>\n

#2 \u2013 Par 5 \u2013 518 Yards<\/p>\n

The Keep golf course gets off to a very strong start: the first hole is the toughest on the course and was in contention for a spot on this list.\u00a0 That\u2019s followed by this par 5 which has one of the tougher tee shots on the course.\u00a0 Golfers choose from hitting to the left or right fairway: left demands an accurate drive, right requires good distance control.\u00a0 From there, it\u2019s an uphill tee shot to a mid-sized green where long or left are the preferred misses.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

#5 \u2013 Par 4 \u2013 365 Yards<\/p>\n

This is another hole highlighted by an interesting choice off the tee.\u00a0 A cape-style hole, you can choose to hit anything from a mid iron to driver off this tee.\u00a0 After playing it three times, our group learned that there\u2019s only a modest benefit to trying to stretch yourself off the tee.\u00a0 Regardless of which club you choose, you can\u2019t swing wildly: a bunker and a copse of trees protects the \u201cback\u201d of the fairway.\u00a0 I made an adventurous par from there in my first go round.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

#6 \u2013 Par 4 \u2013 312 Yards<\/p>\n

From the tee, you\u2019re staring at a Y-shaped fairway that straddles a small pond and one of the smallest greens at The Keep golf course.\u00a0 Three options present themselves: playing short of the water for the safest tee shot, playing left of the water for the most forgiving approach shot, or playing directly to the green \u2013 even trying to drive it \u2013 for the shortest approach.\u00a0 No matter your choice off the tee, your second needs to be precise to earn a birdie.<\/p>\n

\"McLemore<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/p>\n

The Keep golf course offers players unforgettable views and a fun, modern style of golf.\u00a0 While it can be fairly forgiving off the tee, the Tour-caliber greens present a challenge to even highly skilled putters.\u00a0 A prime time round with a caddie can cost nearly $500, so this is unlikely to be your regular track, but guests of McLemore Resort should carve out time for at least one loop.<\/p>\n

Book Your Trip to McLemore Resort HERE<\/a>
\n \"Matt<\/a> <\/p>\n

Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf<\/p>\n

Matt has worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking.<\/p>\n

He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.<\/p>\n

Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.<\/p>\n

\"Matt<\/a>Latest posts by Matt Saternus (see all<\/a>) \t\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Introduction The word \u201celevated\u201d is used frequently to describe things that are high end, luxury, elite.\u00a0 The Keep…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":738091,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[443],"tags":[49,48,622,82],"class_list":["post-738090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-golf","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-golf","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/738090","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=738090"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/738090\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/738091"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=738090"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=738090"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=738090"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}