Category: Lifestyle

Golf Courses Near Tellico and Watts Bar Lakes

by Lacey Spear
Rarity bay golf course by Tellico Lake
Photo Courtesy of Rarity Bay
  • Top golf courses near Lakes Tellico, Fort Loudoun, and Watts Bar:
    • The Links at Kahite Golf Club
    • Rarity Bay Golf Club
    • Tanasi Golf Club
    • Tennessee National Golf Club
    • Toqua Golf Club

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, try pairing excellent golf with breathtaking views. Situated in east Tennessee, Tellico and Watts Bar Lakes boasts unparalleled golf courses nestled on the banks of pristine waters. So if you want to live the ultimate lake lifestyle, there’s no better place to start than on these greens.

The Links golf course by Tellico Lake
Photo Courtesy of Tellico Village

Welcome to Tellico Village’s newest 18-hole championship course. The Links at Kahite Golf Club is a nature enthusiast’s paradise that showcases stunning Tellico Lake and Smoky Mountain views. You’ll never tire of taking in the flawlessly-manicured Bentgrass greens and Bermuda fairways. Yet, even though the course may be easy on the eyes, it still presents plenty of challenges. For example, the course contains 93 total bunkers, and 12 of those are on hole number 18. So, it’s the perfect place to play if you want to up your game.

Rarity Bay Golf Club

Photo Courtesy of Rarity Bay

Nothing compares to golfing on 150 acres surrounded by Tellico Lake and backdropped by the Great Smoky Mountains. Designed by DJ DeVictor and Peter Langham, Rarity Bay Golf Club features 18 holes on gently rolling hills. You can find the course rates and information about annual memberships here. If you become an annual member, you receive the following privileges:

  • Unlimited use of driving range
  • 14-day advance tee times
  • Member can play in MGA, LGA, Couples, and Club events
  • Members may bring guests to play at the Guest Rate
  • Pro Shop merchandise discounts
  • Restaurant discounts
  • USGA Handicap establishment available

Tanasi Golf Club

Tansi golf course by Tellico Lake
Photo Courtesy of Tellico Village

Showcasing Crenshaw Bentgrass greens and Bermuda fairways, Tanasi’s 18-hole course is a Tellico Village gem. Compared to the other two courses in the community, Tanasi features a more expansive layout and boasts larger greens. When you play on this breathtaking course, get ready for holes 8, 9, and 10, which offer some of the region’s most incredible lake views. But the course is not all looks and no books—the tough elevated greens and abundant bunkers pose plenty of challenges.

Tennessee National Golf Club

Photo Courtesy of Hampton Golf

Considered one of the top courses in the state, Tennessee National Golf Club is a premier golfing destination. Nestled on the banks of Watts Bar Lake, this Greg Norman Signature course has a walkable and private layout, offering the ultimate exclusive golfing experience. Plus, the course boasts spectacular amenities—perfect for families who want numerous options.

Toqua Golf Club

Photo Courtesy of Bergin Golf Designs

If you’re a fan of classic layouts, Toqua Golf Club could become your new favorite course. Originally built in 1987, the course underwent significant renovations in 2008. Today, this Tellico Village hotspot offers the best of both worlds—a traditional player-friendly layout with a fresh feel. Throughout the winding hills and valleys, the course features a variety of landscapes, from tree-lined holes to links settings on the lake.

  • Amenities: Driving range, short-game practice area, practice putting green, 6,800-square-foot clubhouse and restaurant
  • Location: 200 Toqua Club Way, Loudon, TN 37774
  • Contact: (865) 458-6546

Boasting stunning mountain vistas and exquisite lake views, these Tellico and Watts Bar courses offer the ultimate golfing experience.

The course contains 93 total bunkers, and 12 of those are on hole number 18.

Rarity Bay Golf Club was designed by DJ DeVictor and Peter Langham.

Tanasi Golf Club uses Crenshaw Bentgrass and Bermuda grass.

Tennessee National Golf Club

1987

Family Home Hotspot: East Tennessee Lakes

by Lacey Spear
Older woman and man fish with three grandchildren at the lake.
Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock | Monkey Business Images
  • These three Tennessee lakes are great for raising children and hosting grandchildren:
    • Tellico Lake
    • Fort Loudoun Lake
    • Watts Bar Lake

Imagine living on pristine waters near premier cities and college football games. You invite the whole family to go boating on the lake and spend evenings together at top-rated waterfront restaurants. This is what life is like in the ultimate family home hotspot: east Tennessee lakes. Nestled near Knoxville, Lakes Tellico, Fort Loudoun, and Watts Bar showcase the state’s finest lake living and provide many family recreation and relaxation opportunities. So whether you want to spend Saturdays cheering on The Volunteers or taking a day trip to Atlanta, Nashville, or Charlotte, you are in the ideal location. If this sounds like your ultimate lifestyle, learn more about why these three lakes are perfect for gathering as a family.

For the Family Looking for a Retirement Home: Tellico Lake

An aerial shot of Tellico Lake in Tennessee, featuring large homes and clear blue waters.
Photo Courtesy of Karen Packett

With top-notch communities such as Tellico Village and Rarity Bay, Tellico Lake attracts retirees from all over the nation. Although Tellico Village is more exclusively a retirement destination than Rarity Bay, both feature attractive amenities, such as recreational facilities, wellness centers, golf courses, hiking trails, marinas, and more. Many locals also enjoy hosting progressive dinners, participating in sporting events, and going on boating adventures. In addition to these activities, retirees love sipping coffee on the back porch while soaking in the magnificent Smoky Mountains views. A Tellico Lake home is an unparalleled place to host children and grandchildren. They can enjoy boating, kayaking, skiing, and tubing on the water and have quick access to major Southeastern metropolitan hotspots. With all this fun and more, the entire family will never want to miss a trip to Tellico Lake!

For the Family Who Loves Local Events: Fort Loudoun Lake

An orange and pink sunset over Fort Loudoun Lake.
Photo Courtesy of Karen Packett

Fort Loudoun Lake has been synonymous with family from its earliest days. The lake derives its name from the 18th-century British fort constructed during the French and Indian War. At one point during the war, many Cherokee tribes abandoned the fort to fight skirmishes against the French. Their departure left the British significantly more peacetime than they had experienced before. As a result, soldiers’ wives journeyed to live at the fort, and several had children. Many believe their offspring to be the first English children born west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Today, families love attending the numerous festivals and fishing tournaments that occur every year on Fort Loudoun Lake. Known as a boat-centric lake, Fort Loudoun hosts dragon boat races and the annual Rockin’ The Docks—a favorite local event featuring food, fireworks, and live music. Plus, each year, the lake residents celebrate the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day together. These events offer meaningful opportunities to gather as a family and stay in touch with loved ones.

For the Family Who Loves the Outdoors: Watts Bar Lake

Photo of Watts Bar Lake taken from a lake home balcony featuring large white columns and wooden floors.
Photo Courtesy of Karen Packett

Spanning 39,000 acres, Watts Bar is the size of Tellico and Fort Loudoun combined. The lake typically attracts younger families than the other two and boasts vibrant waterfront restaurants and natural landscapes. Consisting of many wild, undeveloped areas, Watts Bar is ideal for families looking to experience peaceful, rural lake life. Watts Bar Lake is one of the most popular fishing lakes in east Tennessee, and it offers bountiful opportunities for catching striper, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and spotted bass. Plus, it provides excellent duck hunting opportunities in the winter and birdwatching endeavors year-round. If you value teaching your children and grandchildren about fishing and wildlife, there’s no better place to live than Watts Bar Lake.

Although Lakes Tellico, Fort Loudoun, and Watts Bar feature different specialties, they are all experts in one thing—being a family home hotspot. So, whether you’re raising kids or hosting the grandkids, there’s no better place to live than on an east Tennessee lake!

FAQs

Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte make for an easy day trip for Lakes Tellico, Fort Loudoun, and Watts Bar residents.

With top-notch communities such as Tellico Village and Rarity Bay, Tellico Lake attracts retirees from all over the nation.

Although Tellico Village is more exclusively a retirement destination than Rarity Bay, both feature attractive amenities, such as recreational facilities, wellness centers, golf courses, hiking trails, marinas, and more. Many locals also enjoy hosting progressive dinners, participating in sporting events, and going on boating adventures.

The Cherokees’ departure left the British significantly more peacetime than they had experienced before. As a result, soldiers’ wives journeyed to live at the fort, and several had children. Many believe their offspring to be the first English children born west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Today, families will love attending the numerous festivals and fishing tournaments that occur every year on Fort Loudoun Lake. Known as a boat-centric lake, Fort Loudoun hosts dragon boat races and the annual Rockin’ The Docks—a favorite local event featuring food, fireworks, and live music. Plus, each year, the lake residents celebrate the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day together.

Spanning 39,000 acres, Watts Bar is the size of Tellico and Fort Loudoun combined.

Watts Bar Lake is one of the most popular fishing lakes in east Tennessee, and it offers bountiful opportunities for catching striper, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and spotted bass. Plus, it provides excellent duck hunting opportunities in the winter and birdwatching endeavors year-round.