Golf And Luxury Among The Clouds At McLemore Resort
Above the clouds in northern Georgia lies one of the country’s most unique golf destinations, Cloudland at McLemore Resort. At the southern tip of the Appalachians, with an elevation of around 2,400 feet lies Lookout Mountain. It is atop this ancient mountain, worn down over millions of years by erosion, where you will find golf and luxury accommodations that stand out in the “mountain golf” genre, which can be polarizing among golf enthusiasts.
McLemore Resort - Highlands Course
In 2019, McLemore enlisted famed golf course architect Rees Jones and Georgia native Bill Bergin to remodel a golf course formerly called Canyon Ridge, which had opened in 2005 and featured multiple holes at the cliffs edge. With the hiring of these men and the work they did, McLemore’s first course, the Highlands was born.
The Highlands course plays to a par of 71 and can stretch out to 7,005 yards, giving a variety of options to golfers of all abilities. A feature of the Highlands course that makes it stand out from other mountain golf courses is the variety of holes it provides.
There are canyon holes that are regarded as some of the most challenging holes on the golf course and feature deciduous forests, natural areas and boulders that help shape the holes on this portion of the golf course along the eastern side of Lookout Mountain. These canyon holes also offer some extreme elevation changes that are both scenic and challenging for even the most skilled player.
The majority of the holes of the Highlands course sit atop Lookout Mountain and play like a lot of typical golf courses, with one striking difference, incredible views of the surrounding valleys. Part of playing the Highlands course is getting away and enjoying nature, and to let life slow down as you take it all in while playing this portion of the golf course.
Far and away the showstopper of the Highlands course are the cliffs edge holes, especially the 18th. A dogleg-left along the cliffs edge, the fairway slopes from right-to-left, towards the cliffs edge and McLemore Cove, providing a finishing hole that is both scenic and a daunting challenge. Regarded as one of the best finishing holes in America, it is the perfect way to cap off a round at the Highlands course.
Resort - The Keep
“The blending of natural beauty with a mental and physical challenge makes golf the greatest game. The Keep is the epitome of that union.” These words spoken by course architect Bill Bergin sum up the experience at the Keep perfectly.
Resting atop lookout mountain, the Keep can be described as a mountain flatlands. The course plays through gently rolling holes and offers golfers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making it one of the most dramatic natural spectator courses in the world. It is described by Bergin as a “479-acre amphitheatre, with the course as the stage and the view as the backdrop.”
Rock features are abundant throughout the golf course. They define and shape some of the holes, without interfering with play. The best example of this comes on the 17th hole, where rock outcroppings provide a natural surround for the green complex, forming a citadel around the sides and back of the green.
Anytime you are atop a mountain, wind is going to be a major aspect of playing the golf course. To counter this, the Keep offers generous fairways that are more than 60 yards wide in many areas. Large greens features a variety of ridges and tiers that can be used to guide well placed shots closer to the hole.
At the Keep you get dramatic golf shots from the start as your approach shot to the first green has to carry a deep gorge that sits at the end of the fairway. As you are walking down the first fairway towards your tee shot, you get a sense of the giant scale of the land at the Keep.
Hole after hole, the size and scale of the Keep is awe inspiring. If you were to close your eyes and picture the most scenic golf course on a mountain you could think of, it would basically be the Keep. While it is incredibly walkable and the views are breathtaking, don’t let this natural beauty fool you, the Keep will challenge even the best golfers.
The course can be stretched out to 7,800 yards and strong winds can do even the best ball striker in. Rees Jones, who collaborated with Bergin on the project said about the Keep, “Be sure to bring two things - your A-game and a camera.”
The Keep offers five holes that play along the cliffs edge, where errant shots will make their way to the valley below. An incredible feature of the Keep is that due to the amphitheatre shape of the property, you can see the majority of the golf course from almost all locations while playing, making it one of the most memorable courses you will play.
While playing, you will be immersed in nature as the Keep has natural streams running through it, which also provide irrigation to the golf course. A key focus at the property is preserving nature, with mountain wetlands and natural areas being preserved. The Keep truly is a beautiful mix of golf and nature, in a majestic setting.
McLemore Resort - The Cairn
Looking for a quick and fun round with the family? McLemore has that for you as well with the Cairn, a six-hole short course that sits just north of the clubhouse and overlooks the dramatic 18th hole of the Highlands course.
The Cairn can be used as a way to practice your short game or settle bets that may have not been finished on one of McLemore’s championship courses. Either way, the dramatic views of this little course are worth your time and won’t want to be missed.
McLemore Resort - Cloudland
There is more than just golf at McLemore Resort, perched atop Lookout Mountain in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, Cloudland at McLemore Resort offers a variety of ways to relax and unwind in one of the most serene settings in the country.
Whether there for a family vacation, romantic getaway or business meetings, McLemore has something for everyone. Besides golf, there are a variety of outdoor activities to meet your sense of adventure. Take a hike through Cloudland Canyon State Park, rock climb or zip-line, and for the very adventurous type, hang-gliding and skydiving are options to get your heart rate going.
If it is relaxation you seek, McLemore offers one of the most scenic infinity pools you will find, at the cliffs edge of Lookout Mountain. There you can literally relax in the clouds with a beverage and take it all in.
The Skyside lounge offers handcrafted cocktails with stunning scenery and a panoramic view of the valley below. Here you can socialize with family and friends in one of the most stunning open-air lounges in the world.
Spa services are also offered at McLemore. The Selah spa is open seven days a week and offers a variety of forms of relaxation to meet your needs. From facials, massages or restorative body treatments, the spa at McLemore allows you to forget about life for a while and let your mind, body and soul get the rejuvenation they may need.
McLemore Resort - Dining
A variety of dining options are available at the resort to meet the needs of almost anyone’s palate.
Croft features breakfast, lunch and dinner in a simple, yet refined setting. Like its setting, the food is also simple, yet refined and can be enjoyed with a wide variety of hand crafted cocktails for your enjoyment. Croft focuses on simple foods with fresh ingredients, just like the the farms of Scotland it is named after.
Auld Alliance is an upscale dining experience that features a team of culinary artists that bring French cuisine to guests while enjoying stunning views at the cliffs edge. Here you can enjoy a gourmet dinner and your favorite bottle of wine or cocktail, the perfect way to end a day at McLemore.
The Creag is a short walk away from the Highlands clubhouse and draws its inspiration, as does much of the resort, from the rugged Scottish highlands. Here you get a seasonal dining menu as well as craft cocktails, beer or wine from around the world, to go along with exceptional dining.
The Pocket Cafe is the coffee shop on property, where you can enjoy a variety beverages and pastries to start your day at the resort. The smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning while overlooking the scenic valley below invigorates the senses and makes a great start to a day filled with golf or other activities at the resort.
McLemore Resort - Lodging
Whether golfing all day or enjoying the many amenities that McLemore Resort has to offer, nothing beats coming back to a beautiful room for a good night’s sleep to reinvigorate the body and mind for the next day.
McLemore offers a great mix of traditional rooms with thoughtful designs and breathtaking views to larger suites with expansive layouts and private bedrooms. With multiple offerings, you are sure to find a room to meet your needs at McLemore Resort.
Slice of heaven. Definitely a stay and play for a future visit⛳️