TL;DR: The five best public golf courses near Cashiers, NC are High Hampton Resort Golf Course, Sapphire National Golf Club, Sequoyah National Golf Club, Smoky Mountain Country Club, and Franklin Golf Course. Green fees range from $30 to $195 depending on the course and season. Each one sits inside or near the Blue Ridge Mountains, giving you scenery that stays with you long after the last putt drops.
Table of Contents
- What are the best golf courses in Cashiers, NC?
- What are the best public golf courses in Cashiers, NC?
- What are the best golf courses to play in Cashiers, NC, and what are typical membership options at each?
- What are the best public golf courses in Western North Carolina?
- What are the best public golf courses near Cherokee, NC?
- How do the Cashiers area courses compare on price and features?
- How do you plan a perfect golf day in the Cashiers area?
- Quick Recap
- Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best golf courses in Cashiers, NC?
The best golf courses in Cashiers, NC include High Hampton Resort Golf Course, Sapphire National Golf Club, Sequoyah National Golf Club, Smoky Mountain Country Club, and Franklin Golf Course, offering everything from redesigned resort layouts to friendly municipal rounds. Nestled inside the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cashiers and its surrounding valleys carry a kind of quiet magic that follows you from the first tee to the final hole. The ridgelines shift color with the hour, the air smells of hardwood and highland dew, and the courses here feel less like facilities and more like living parts of the landscape.
While many associate this corner of Western North Carolina with exclusive private clubs, a strong collection of public-access courses welcomes golfers of every skill level. Explore the full best public golf courses in Cashiers overview for a deeper look at what makes each layout worth the drive.
What are the best public golf courses in Cashiers, NC?
The best public golf courses in Cashiers, NC are High Hampton Resort Golf Course, Sapphire National Golf Club, Sequoyah National Golf Club (in nearby Cherokee), Smoky Mountain Country Club (near Whittier), and Franklin Golf Course (near Franklin), all offering public tee times with varying green fee ranges.
1. High Hampton Resort Golf Course
High Hampton stands as the crown jewel of public golf in Cashiers. After an extensive renovation by renowned architects Tom Fazio and Thomas Fazio II, this historic course became a modern masterpiece while keeping its roots deep in the surrounding landscape. Bentgrass greens and fairways stay in exceptional condition throughout the season. The layout navigates around mature hardwoods and opens up to stunning views of Rock Mountain and Hampton Lake. Green fees range from $125 to $195 depending on the season. Advance tee times are strongly recommended, especially during peak summer and fall. Ask for an early morning slot and watch the mist rise off the mountains as you play the opening holes.
2. Sapphire National Golf Club
Sapphire National delivers dramatic elevation changes and some of the most spectacular views in the Cashiers area. The Ron Garl design makes excellent use of natural topography. The signature par-3 8th hole drops from an elevated tee to a green surrounded by native plantings and boulders, the kind of hole that stays in memory for years. Generous fairways meet strategic bunkering and multi-tiered greens. The maintenance team keeps conditions exceptional despite the challenges mountain terrain and weather present. Green fees range from $85 to $145, with twilight and shoulder-season rates offering real value. The back nine plays significantly different from the front, with more elevation change, so pace yourself across the first half.
3. Sequoyah National Golf Club
Located in nearby Cherokee, about 35 minutes from Cashiers, Sequoyah National earns its place on this list through exceptional quality and accessibility. This Robert Trent Jones II design offers wider corridors and more forgiving terrain than many mountain courses, while still delivering stunning long-range views of the Great Smoky Mountains. The course is owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and incorporates subtle elements of Cherokee culture and history throughout the property. Greens are consistently smooth and true-rolling. Green fees range from $75 to $125, making it one of the strongest values in the region. Comprehensive practice facilities, a well-stocked pro shop, and casual dining complete the experience. Save your energy for holes 15 through 18, the closing stretch is particularly demanding.
4. Smoky Mountain Country Club
Just outside Whittier, about 30 minutes from Cashiers, this semi-private club opens its gates to public players and rewards them with a scenic, thoughtful layout. Mountain streams come into play on several holes, adding both strategic challenge and a kind of serene soundtrack to the round. The design favors smart shot-making over raw distance, making it enjoyable for a wide range of skill levels. While not as polished as the higher-priced options, Smoky Mountain delivers solid conditions and an unpretentious warmth. Green fees range from $59 to $95, with weekday and off-peak times offering the best value. The par-5 seventh hole offers a risk-reward moment that can shape your entire scorecard. Play it honestly.
5. Franklin Golf Course
About 40 minutes from Cashiers, this municipal course rounds out the list as its most budget-friendly and family-welcoming option. Mature trees, gentle elevation changes, and well-maintained greens make for a pleasant, walkable round that punches above its price point. What it trades in dramatic scenery it gains in ease of access and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere for golfers of all abilities. Green fees range from $30 to $55. Walking is permitted all day. The simple clubhouse grill surprises most visitors with food that is far better than expected. This course is ideal for families or for a relaxed afternoon round after a more demanding morning at one of the higher-rated layouts.
What are the best golf courses to play in Cashiers, NC, and what are typical membership options at each?
The best courses to play in Cashiers, NC offer a range of access models: High Hampton and Sapphire National operate primarily as resort and daily-fee courses with seasonal green fees, Sequoyah National is open daily to the public, Smoky Mountain Country Club is semi-private with public access, and Franklin Golf Course is a fully public municipal course. Membership structures vary by course and season, so contacting each property directly gives you the most current options and any available annual or repeat-play packages.
If you are drawn to the idea of something deeper than a tee time, a community where the course is part of a larger story of family, land, and legacy, you may want to explore membership at a private mountain club as well. That is a different kind of belonging altogether, one built around multi-generational connection rather than a scorecard.
What are the best public golf courses in Western North Carolina?
The best public golf courses in Western North Carolina include High Hampton Resort Golf Course and Sapphire National Golf Club in the Cashiers and Sapphire Valley area, along with Sequoyah National Golf Club near Cherokee and Franklin Golf Course near Franklin, together representing the strongest mix of scenery, conditioning, and public access in the region. Western North Carolina carries an outdoor soul that shapes every course built here. The mountains do not just frame the game, they become part of it, from the ridge views stretching toward the Smokies to the highland breezes that make club selection a small act of faith.
What are the best public golf courses near Cherokee, NC?
The best public golf course near Cherokee, NC is Sequoyah National Golf Club, a Robert Trent Jones II design owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, offering green fees from $75 to $125 with panoramic Great Smoky Mountain views and consistently strong turf conditions. From Cherokee, the Cashiers corridor is roughly 35 minutes east, opening access to High Hampton, Sapphire National, Smoky Mountain Country Club, and Franklin Golf Course as well, giving you a full week of mountain golf without repeating a layout.
How do the Cashiers area courses compare on price and features?
The five courses near Cashiers vary widely in green fees, design pedigree, and amenities, making it easy to match a course to your budget, skill level, and the kind of day you want to have on the mountain.
| Course | Distance from Cashiers | Green Fee Range | Designer | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Hampton Resort Golf Course | In Cashiers | $125 to $195 | Tom Fazio and Thomas Fazio II | Premium resort experience, scenic views |
| Sapphire National Golf Club | In Sapphire Valley | $85 to $145 | Ron Garl | Dramatic elevation, memorable par-3s |
| Sequoyah National Golf Club | About 35 minutes (Cherokee) | $75 to $125 | Robert Trent Jones II | Best value, Smoky Mountain views |
| Smoky Mountain Country Club | About 30 minutes (Whittier) | $59 to $95 | Not specified | Semi-private feel, mountain streams |
| Franklin Golf Course | About 40 minutes (Franklin) | $30 to $55 | Municipal design | Families, walkers, budget rounds |
How do you plan a perfect golf day in the Cashiers area?
To plan a great golf day near Cashiers, NC, book tee times in advance for High Hampton and Sapphire National, check mountain weather forecasts before you leave, and consider pairing a morning round at a premium course with an afternoon round at Franklin Golf Course for contrast and value. Mountain weather shifts quickly, especially in spring and fall. A clear dawn can give way to afternoon storms with little warning. Call ahead for course conditions, and most properties offer online booking, though some still prefer phone reservations for public tee times.
As you walk these fairways, notice how each course has been shaped to work with the land rather than against it. Many incorporate sustainable maintenance practices that protect the water quality and natural resources woven through this community. The mountains that make every round beautiful here are worth caring for, on and off the course.
Quick Recap
- High Hampton Resort Golf Course is the top public option in Cashiers, redesigned by Tom Fazio and Thomas Fazio II, with green fees from $125 to $195.
- Sapphire National Golf Club offers dramatic elevation and strong value at $85 to $145, with a signature elevated par-3 eighth hole.
- Sequoyah National Golf Club near Cherokee is the best value in the wider region at $75 to $125, with exceptional turf and Smoky Mountain views.
- Smoky Mountain Country Club near Whittier is semi-private with public access and green fees from $59 to $95, ideal for thoughtful shot-makers.
- Franklin Golf Course is the most family-friendly and budget-accessible at $30 to $55, walkable all day with a welcoming grill.
- Book tee times early for High Hampton and Sapphire National, especially in summer and fall peak season.
- Mountain weather changes fast, always check forecasts and call ahead in spring and fall.
- Explore the full best public golf courses in Cashiers guide for additional detail on each layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best public golf course in Cashiers, NC?
High Hampton Resort Golf Course is the best public golf course in Cashiers, NC. It was recently redesigned by Tom Fazio and Thomas Fazio II and features bentgrass greens, Rock Mountain views, and green fees from $125 to $195 per round.
Are there affordable public golf courses near Cashiers, NC?
Yes. Franklin Golf Course near Franklin, about 40 minutes from Cashiers, offers green fees from $30 to $55 and is fully walkable. Smoky Mountain Country Club near Whittier offers public access from $59 to $95.
What are typical membership options at golf courses near Cashiers, NC?
Most courses near Cashiers operate as daily-fee or resort courses rather than traditional membership clubs. Smoky Mountain Country Club is semi-private with public access. For annual or repeat-play packages, contact each course directly, as options change by season.
How far is Sequoyah National Golf Club from Cashiers, NC?
Sequoyah National Golf Club is about 35 minutes from Cashiers, located near Cherokee, NC. It is owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and designed by Robert Trent Jones II, with green fees from $75 to $125.
What is the best time of year to play golf in Cashiers, NC?
Summer and fall are the most popular seasons for golf near Cashiers, with peak demand from June through October. Spring offers good value but requires watching the weather closely. Mountain conditions can change quickly in any shoulder season.
Is golf in Cashiers, NC good for families?
Yes. Franklin Golf Course is specifically well-suited for families, with its walkable layout, welcoming atmosphere, and low green fees. Smoky Mountain Country Club also provides a friendly, unpretentious setting for players of mixed skill levels.
Where can I find a full directory of golf courses near Cashiers, NC?
You can find a comprehensive list of courses and additional local golf information through the Cashiers golf directory maintained by Burlingame Country Club.
Ready to Find Your Mountain Course?
The fairways around Cashiers are only part of what makes this corner of Western North Carolina so worth knowing. If you feel something stir when you stand on a ridge and look out across the Blue Ridge, if you find yourself thinking about a place your family could come back to year after year, a place where the generations actually want to be together, there may be more waiting for you here than a great round of golf.
Please contact Jennifer Webb, Membership Director, for more information. Please use the form below or call 828.966.9200.