Lawson Whitaker
Black Creek Club
Black Creek Club
4700 Cummings Cove Dr
Chattanooga, TN 37419-2175
United States
Overview
Brian Silva deserves recognition for being one of the first architects to rediscover, restore and popularize the architecture of Seth Raynor. At Black Creek Club, Silva was able to build his versions of Raynor and C.B. Macdonald’s “ideal holes” like the Short and the Biarritz, but the most remarkable one here, or almost anywhere else, is a Silva original. The par-5 sixth (above) plays across mostly open space, though drives must contend with bunkers jutting into the fairway from the left. The real engagement begins on the second and third shots. Golfers cannot see the green ahead, only a tall, fortress-like embankment of long grass and bunkers. At some point, the rampart must be breached, and on the other side awaits a punchbowl arena of more than 55,000 square feet that would make Raynor blush, with sloping banks that funnel shots toward a large, square green perched against a creek. It was ranked by Golf Digest as one of the best holes in America designed after 2000. —Derek Duncan
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked top 10, 2003-'20, 2023-'24. Ranked top 15, 2021-'22, 2025-'26.
Previous ranking: 8th.
2025-'26 ranking: 12th.
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
“Black Creek is an odd and compelling melding of eras. On one hand it is a deft representation of modern templates - verily, I’ve never seen anything like it. I admire the ambition of both the architect as well as those who trusted/chose to underwrite it! The back 9 shined brighter than the front (albeit with the Alps 5-par and the horseshoe green on no. 8 serving as exceptions for the front… 2 was also a decent take on the road hole). But more or less the front felt like a Florida residential club with better land/elevation change. However, on the back it just blows up: 10 is a power 4-par that visually defies scale, enhancing the well-laid risk/reward decision - it’s a world class hole - and I wish it was the first (although I did like the first hole as well). 11 is an absurd redan - it’s mesmerizing how the hill disguises the pitch in the green. 12 down the creek has Sunningdale vibes. 13 is a striking 4-par to mirror 10. 14 is another fabulous Alps. Throw in a short 4-par and a Biarritz, and 18 might be the worst hole on the back (checks notes: it is definitely the worst hole on the back). But my primary complaint is that course seems prone to playing too soft, too often - with many side areas showing signs of flood and wash out. It may simply be an unavoidable condition of the climate in the Lookout Mountain Valley; however, it rendered inconsequential all of the wonderful contours and architectural features that were designed into the course. Meaning, there was no way to run or pitch or play any of the classically-design features the way in which they’re meant to be played. Even so, one can easily imagine a late September day, playing that course in firm-&-fast conditions, where it would be an insanely enjoyable round golf."
Read More2025
Review
“Black Creek is an odd and compelling melding of eras. On one hand it is a deft representation of modern templates - verily, I’ve never seen anything like it. I admire the ambition of both the architect as well as those who trusted/chose to underwrite it! The back 9 shined brighter than the front (albeit with the Alps 5-par and the horseshoe green on no. 8 serving as exceptions for the front… 2 was also a decent take on the road hole). But more or less the front felt like a Florida residential club with better land/elevation change. However, on the back it just blows up: 10 is a power 4-par that visually defies scale, enhancing the well-laid risk/reward decision - it’s a world class hole - and I wish it was the first (although I did like the first hole as well). 11 is an absurd redan - it’s mesmerizing how the hill disguises the pitch in the green. 12 down the creek has Sunningdale vibes. 13 is a striking 4-par to mirror 10. 14 is another fabulous Alps. Throw in a short 4-par and a Biarritz, and 18 might be the worst hole on the back (checks notes: it is definitely the worst hole on the back). But my primary complaint is that course seems prone to playing too soft, too often - with many side areas showing signs of flood and wash out. It may simply be an unavoidable condition of the climate in the Lookout Mountain Valley; however, it rendered inconsequential all of the wonderful contours and architectural features that were designed into the course. Meaning, there was no way to run or pitch or play any of the classically-design features the way in which they’re meant to be played. Even so, one can easily imagine a late September day, playing that course in firm-&-fast conditions, where it would be an insanely enjoyable round golf."
Read More2025
Review
“Black Creek Club provided a golden age throw back experience with many template holes. Some of the most memorable holes template adaptations were the par 5 6th with a massive blind punchbowl green and the short par 4 15th cape hole. The cape hole invites the player to play up the right side, where there is plenty of room, but the angle is very difficult to get the ball close particularly if they cut the pin on the right side of the green. Additionally, the par 3 17th biarritz was spectacular, particularly in the setting sun."
Read More2025
Review
“Very fun course full of template holes. Only negative is you are very much playing in a neighborhood - fairways are lined w/ houses on at least 14 holes."
Read More2023
Review
“A fun, wide, easy to play Raynor facsimile course."
Read More2022
Review
“Great back 9. Fun use of templates. The opening hole sets a bad tone that takes awhile to shake off."
Read More2022
Review
“A template course by Brian Silva. If you took away some of the surrounding houses, it would be top notch. Very fun!"
Read More2021
Review
“Fairly wide course with minimal trees in the playing area give you lots of room to maneuver. The greens are in excellent condition and I would call them Raynor-lite as all the features are very subtle except for the Biarritz on 17. A heavy reliance on redans...some might think too heavy. The front nine is heavily surrounded by housing but also contains the most interesting holes. The back is much more secluded and closer to nature. I would play here again as it is a fun course."
Read More2021
Review
“Designed by Brian Silva after he had renovated Lookout Mtn close by. Built in the style of Raynor/Macdonald. The front 9 is routed through the development while the back 9 is back in the foothills. The 6th hole is a wonderful punchbowl playing as a reachable blind par 5."
Read More2020
Review
“Black Creek is a wonderful course that pays homage to a great designer, Seth Raynor. The geometrical shapes of bunkers and greens combined with a great setting in the mountains surrounding Chattanooga, Tennessee makes this a fun place to play golf. The greens are huge and the fairways are generous. The interesting collection of template-based holes gives the golfer a glimpse into other great courses around the United States that are hard to get a tee time at."
Read More2020
