In 2025, McLemore Resort opened its latest 18-hole championship course, known as The Keep. Overlooking northwest Georgia’s Lookout Mountain, the course quickly garnered rave reviews.
Golf Digest rated it No. 2 on its “Best New Public Course” list. Golfweek ranked it No. 25 of the “Top 200 Resort Courses.” And, perhaps most impressively, Sports Illustrated has just announced that The Keep was the “Best New Course of 2025.”
It’s obvious why the roughly 7,800-yard-long course has received such high praise: the views are indescribable.
“Every hole has panoramic, 50-plus-mile views,” emphasizes Doug Amor, head professional at The Keep. “These views — again, on every hole — are extremely rare in the United States.”
DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE
Nestled on a mountain plateau approximately 1,500 feet above a valley, the links- and headlands-style course was designed by two world-renowned architects, Bill Bergin and Rees Jones. While combining their two visions, Bergin and Jones were committed to maintaining the area’s natural landscape.
As an example of their commitment, very little soil was moved during the design process. This dedication to the native scenery allows golfers to play in the midst of boulders, cliffs, mountain wetlands, rock outcroppings and streams.
“Besides the prestigious honors it’s received, The Keep also features stunning vistas,” Amor says. “Between these vistas and the natural landscape, it has plenty of dramatic holes too, all along the eastern side of Lookout Mountain.”
Without question, the 479-acre property will challenge even the most skilled golfers. Yet The Keep was also designed with less experienced golfers in mind, featuring more than 200 acres of Stadium Zoysia-sodded fairways. Through this turf (which may have never been used at any other course beforehand), The Keep’s course conditions should thrive.
With large greens and wide fairways, players at all skill levels should hit their drivers on most of the tee boxes … if they prefer to be aggressive.
In short, The Keep will enamor everyone, from weekend warriors to professional golfers. Even hosting professional tournaments is not out of the question for the course in the future.
“McLemore offers a unique setting for golf that’s rarely seen in the Southeast,” Amor says. “And it’s only an hour from Chattanooga and two hours from Atlanta, making it very accessible.”
GOLF ON THE EDGE
Golfers can also play “on the edge” on McLemore Resort’s other championship layout: the Highlands Course. Also designed by Bergin and Jones, the 7,005-yard course is 2,300 feet above sea level.
Featuring three primary types of holes — The Canyons, The Highlands and The Cliff Edges — the Highlands Course provides something for everyone. If golfers are seeking an opportunity to play among ancient boulders, the five Canyons holes will enable them to do exactly that. If they’re seeking more traditional holes situated on a mountain plateau, the 10 Highlands holes will be perfect for them. Holes 1, 17 and 18 are literally located on cliff edges.
Since opening in 2019, the Highlands Course has offered members and resort guests breathtaking views, longstanding memories and one of the world’s best closing holes. Now, through the addition of The Keep, it will provide two more key benefits in the future.
“First, it will be a wonderful complementary course for The Keep,” predicts Ryan Crimmins, chairman of The Keep. “And second, it will help solidify McLemore as a premier golf destination.”
McLemore also offers fine dining (Auld Alliance), casual fare (Croft and The Creag) and several hospitality options (“Stay and Play” home rentals, along with the Cloudland hotel), ensuring every visit is exceptional.
“McLemore sets the standard when it comes to service, too,” Crimmins concludes. “Every employee is willing to do whatever it takes to make each guest’s visit a special one.”
For more information about McLemore Resort, visit mclemoreresort.com or call 800-329-8154.