Black Creek Club in Chattanooga: A Private 18-Hole Course on the City's North Shore

Black Creek Club is an 18-hole private golf course located on the north side of Chattanooga, designed as a members-only facility with a clubhouse, practice range, and full dining service. It ranks among the region's more established private clubs and serves as one of Chattanooga's three primary private course options alongside Honors Course and Sewanee Golf Club, each with distinct layouts and membership structures.

What Black Creek Club Actually Is

Black Creek occupies roughly 160 acres of rolling terrain in north Chattanooga. The course plays to a par 72 with a routing that blends wooded holes and open fairways typical of courses built in the 1990s Southeast region. Membership is required for play; the club does not offer public green fees or guest play without a member sponsor. The facility includes a full-service clubhouse with restaurant and bar service, a practice range with short-game area, and a pro shop staffed by PGA professionals.

Membership and Pricing

Black Creek operates on an annual membership model. Initiation fees and monthly dues vary based on membership tier and have historically ranged from $3,000 to $5,000 in initiation with monthly dues between $300 and $500, though these figures shift with club policy. Current pricing should be confirmed directly with the club; membership structures occasionally adjust seasonally or with leadership changes. The club typically offers limited membership categories, including full golf, golf-plus-dining, and social memberships. Spouses and dependent children may access courses and facilities under primary member accounts.

How Black Creek Compares to Other Chattanooga Private Courses

Honors Course, located south of downtown near the Tennessee River, features a Tom Weiskopf design and plays significantly longer than Black Creek with more dramatic elevation change and higher slope ratings. Sewanee Golf Club, about 45 minutes northwest in Sewanee, Tennessee, is also a private 18-hole facility with a more classic, well-established membership base. Black Creek draws members who prefer a more accessible drive within city limits and a less tournament-oriented atmosphere than Honors, though both require membership. For golfers seeking public play, Chattanooga's public options include Willow Creek Golf Club and Bent Creek Golf Club, both 18-hole courses open to daily fee players at rates typically between $45 and $75 depending on season.

Who Black Creek Suits and Who It Does Not

Black Creek works best for Chattanooga residents and business owners seeking consistent membership access to a private facility without the longer drive to Sewanee or the steeper initiation cost sometimes associated with older established clubs. It suits players who value convenient practice facilities and social membership benefits alongside golf. The club does not accommodate casual or occasional golfers; its membership structure demands annual commitment and is not open to walk-ups or public play.

What a First Visit Involves

Prospective members must be sponsored by an existing member, who introduces them to the club and may arrange a tour of the course, practice facilities, and clubhouse. A formal application follows, typically reviewed by a membership committee. Once approved, new members receive orientation on course rules, club policies, and access to the member portal for tee times and billing. Initial rounds often include rounds with the head professional or with sponsoring members to acclimate to the layout.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

Black Creek is located in north Chattanooga; the specific street address and detailed access instructions are best obtained directly from the club. The course typically operates dawn to dusk year-round, with occasional closures for maintenance. Parking is available on-site at the clubhouse. Verify current hours, maintenance schedules, and any seasonal adjustments by contacting the pro shop or membership office.

Black Creek serves the segment of Chattanooga golfers for whom private membership and walking distance to quality practice facilities outweigh the appeal of daily-fee public play.