Evan Schiller
Overview
This course, formerly known as Canyon Ridge, opened in 2005 to regional acclaim in large part due to several holes that crept out to the edge of Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia, peering down to a valley floor several hundred feet below. Other parts of the design were less successful. New owners rechristened the club McLemore and brought in Rees Jones and Georgia native Bill Bergin to remodel the course. Those soaring views were opened up even further, revisions were made to the bunkers and greens, and a new 18th hole was built on a previously inaccessible ledge of land farther out over the precipice of the mountain. Golf Digest deemed that hole, a breathtaking par 4 that rides the clifftop and seems to levitate above McLemore Cove, one of the best 18 holes built in the U.S. since 2000. Part of a gated community, McLemore offers attractive overnight packages, and a new 245-room hotel and resort will soon be added to the collection. —Derek Duncan
About
Awards
100 Greatest Public: Ranked 99th, 2021-'22.
Best in State: Ranked 20th, 2021-'22.
Current ranking: 23rd.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
Reviews
Review
“10 tremendous holes-8 average. Some truly unique holes. Tough property but could have done more with the rodinary holes in midlle of course."
Read More2024
Review
“One of the best mountain courses I have ever played. Excellent job incorporating design with scenic views."
Read More2024
Review
“Worth playing once. Seems like a great development with a new original course opening soon. 2 courses, a precision course and several putting greens will make it a great destination."
Read More2024
Review
“Rees Jones and Bill Bergin design atop Lookout Mountain. Even though a mountain course, there is plenty of room off the tee that makes course very playable. Beautiful views especially the 18th hole. Definitely worth a visit if in the area."
Read More2024
Review
“McLemore aspires to be among the nation's best, so the tenor of my comments is to view it in this context. The course sits in an inspiring environment, diving through extreme elevation change and rock outcroppings, on the edge of the Lookout Mountain massif, with a thousand-foot drop providing 50-mile views on one edge of the course. The course itself has many good holes and a few head-scratchers. The 6th is one of the strangest holes I've ever played, and there is even a plaque on the tee basically explaining that if you hate it, you take golf too seriously. I'm on here so I guess I'm too serious, but I don't like short par fives played with a forced layup, a massive carry second, then a 50-yard pitch. The good holes include the reachable 1st, the uphill 9th, the 10th, and the 15th-17th stretch. The bad includes the aforementioned 6th, and the two holes before it, a strange attempt at a strategic tee shot on 4 with a rock outcropping, and the almost completely blind par three 5th The 18th is the showstopper, making several "best 18th" lists. The views are all-USA, but the hole is odd, with many drives ending up in the same 20y x 20y area, leaving an oddly-angled short iron, possibly from a divot. Enjoy it for what it is, a pretty hole in an unreal location. This one isn't top 100 for me, overall or public, but course #2 is incoming soon, and perhaps that one will fit the bill with similar views."
Read More2023
Review
“Overall enjoyable course. The views are great and conditioning is good but several holes are odd. There are also several weak holes that don't add much value to the overall design."
Read More2023
Review
“A unique mountain course with several real challenging tee shots and several that were ordinary. Good greens, good views of mountains. The 18th was like an infinity hole for the entire length."
Read More2023
Review
“I expect that I will score McLemore higher than most, but I appreciated a mountain golf course that provided sufficient width and many interesting holes. The 18th gets all the coverage, but much of the rest of the course is worth playing too. The 6th is the one silly spot due to a severe drop after the tee shot, but there wasn't much the architect could do with that cliff. The rest of the front nine is good enough to offset that compromise."
Read More2021
Review
“This course is fairly wide so you can spray a little bit and not lose your ball. The greens are basic and large so you can get on the greens if you are out of position. This course can play hard with some large forced carries and balls are lost in the fescue or woods. Very minimal recovery. Some holes will bite you on your first go around like #6 and you'll like to take another stab at them. You will have fun playing with your friends here but overall this is your average updscale golf retirement community golf course with beautiful grass. Yes, the new 18th hole is amazing and beautiful. The course is only walkable if you have buddies with carts where you can shag a ride to the next tee box as there are huge distances between each tee. You even need a ride to the first tee and from the 18th green as there are no holes near the clubhouse."
Read More2021
Review
“The last hole is one of the best that I have ever played. Te view and challenge is incredible. The rest of the course is interesting with changes in elevation and wonderful conditions."
Read More2020
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