Bailey Roubus
Matt Hahn
Jeff Marsh
Matt Hahn
McLemore: The Keep
McLemore: The Keep
14653 Highway 157
Rising Fawn, GA 30738-2320
United States
Telephone
Overview
The Keep’s scenic vantage point, peering over a flank of Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia from over 300 feet above the valley below, is almost unmatched for an inland course. Five holes flow along the cliff edge with the rest routed through the open interior providing views that stretch 10 to 20 miles into the distance. Friendly for resort play, the big fairways tumble toward ample greens that alternate between gentle, almost flat surfaces like the first and 12th and more accentuated surfaces that demand short-game acumen. The par 5s are the strength of the design, but the best single hole might be the par-4 ninth playing into an elevated skyline green set against the vast horizon.
About
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“We visited in mid October. Spectacular property with great views the entire round. The course is still new, so the conditions are not what I think it has the potential to have. There are really no bad holes on the course. There several that really standout, including the 17th hole which works its way through beautiful rock formations. #9 sits on the cliff and is quite memorable. The greens were fast and challenging throughout the whole course. Challenging par 3s throughout the who course. I'd love to see the course in prime conditioning. Would very much like to play again."
Read More2025
Review
“This is a true golf test placed on top of a mountain. Not many mountain courses or any that i have played have maintained this open concept allowing for great views while creating so many good varieties in the 3s, 4s, and 5s. It is quite challenging as the greens are very large but fast, firm and subtle on the slopes. With it being bent grass and no grain to read, it really enhances that as well. It offers a fair amount of risk reward tee shots and good shot options upon approach on how you would like to attack a certain pin location. The wind at this location blows a steady 15 mph on a calm day and tips nearing 7800 yards, it is all the challenge one can ask for while offering so many other teeing options to play the course countless ways. Overall this was a tremendous new build!"
Read More2025
Review
“Several unique holes and the setting on the cliff-edge is outstanding."
Read More2025
Review
“Loved the layout. Great views from almost every hole. Wide open fairways, greens rolled true. Course was new and a little raw. It needs several years to fully mature. Looking forward to coming back in several years to see what it matures into. Should be a great tournament course when it does mature into what the designer envisioned."
Read More2025
Review
“Course condition is good for such a new course."
Read More2025
Review
“Course condition is good for such a new course."
Read More2025
Review
“There is some extrapolation / guessing in how the course will play once it's grown-in, but I think this is an excellent course. The layout is on a spectacular location and, with good weather, would be extremely beautiful. The greens were interesting to me. I thought that with modern green speeds, the amount of slope is close to being just right. A lot of top golf courses have greens that are too fast for the amount of slope they have. I'm guessing for 12-13 stimp greens, these greens will be just right. I thought the routing was really good and liked how we kept moving at different angles for different shots. The corridors were a little wide, but I'm guessing there is a fair amount of wind at times. All-in-all, a really solid and well-done new golf course."
Read More2025
Review
“Great course in a spectacular setting! Most walking courses set in the mountains are really valley courses surrounded by mountains. Not here. This one is set on top of the mountain, but creating walkable routing was prioritized. Awesome!"
Read More2025
Review
“I actually rated the course higher than I first thought, but category by category the golf course is uniformly strong. Great piece of property to work with, and Bergin/Jones maximized the drama. When the course grows in I am sure the conditions will be terrific. Last three holes create great drama, views, and memories.."
Read More2025
Review
“This is a stunning course on top of Lookout Mountain. It has an excellent routing, but the green complexes are somewhat uninteresting. They lack imagination."
Read More2025
