Memphis Country Club logo
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report

Memphis Country Club

82

Memphis, Tennessee

TN #6Ross #57
Forgotten ClassicHistoric architecture that deserves another look.
Established
1905
Architect
James Foulis (original), Donald Ross (reconstruction), Kris Spence (restoration)
Access
Private
Par
Par 70
Length
5,348 – 6,700 yds
The verdict

A regional architect’s gem

Memphis Country Club pairs a traditional Donald Ross test with walkable elegance and pure strategy. Its legacy of championship set-ups, crowned greens, and compact routing puts it atop the Memphis golf scene and makes it a must for architecture buffs passing through the area.

Course DNA
Difficulty
85
Scenery
68
Conditioning
78
Shot Variety
82
Walkability
85
Green Complexity
89
Wow Factor
74
Design Quality
88
At a glance

Quick facts

Signature Hole
4th—volcano green par 3
Bunker Count
Over 60 sand bunkers
Grass Type
Zoysia fairways
Hosted USGA Events
U.S. Women’s Amateur (1937, 1979), U.S. Amateur (1948), U.S. Senior Men’s Amateur (1959)
Clubhouse Style
Spanish-style, built 1911
No Water Hazards
Strategy relies on trees and sand
Key Architect
Donald Ross
The design

The architecture

Memphis Country Club epitomizes Donald Ross’s genius for squeezing world-class golf out of small, tree-lined city acreage. The Ross routing wraps the perimeter with its front nine and creates a back-nine chess match in the interior—demanding angular drives and approach shots into perfectly crowned, bunker-guarded greens. Ross’s famed volcano green on the fourth, a brutal late 'triangle of terror,' and Spence’s careful restoration of lost green contours keep the golf as lively and challenging as ever for architecture devotees.

Ross’s clever routing and green shaping, faithfully restored by Kris Spence, set the tone for an uncompromising championship test.

Defining features
  • Classic Ross routing: perimeter front, interior back
  • No water hazards—penalty comes from sand, trees, elevation
  • Renowned 'volcano green' at the par-3 4th
  • Triangle of terror: holes 15–17
  • Crowned putting surfaces throughout
  • Restored green area and bunkers by Kris Spence
Hole by hole

Signature holes

Hole 4

Volcano Green

PAR
3
YARDAGE
154 yds

The fourth hole’s elevated volcano green is encircled by sheer drop-offs and deep bunkers, demanding total precision from tee to green. A signature Ross par 3, it divides good rounds from spectacular collapses.

Play it smart

Choose enough club and carry the trouble—center of the green is always safe. Precision and spin control are essential.

Where it bites

Anything short or right falls into bunkers or severe runoffs, making up-and-down a near-impossible task.

Course management

Shots to think about

Into volcano green (4th)
Do not miss short—choose extra club for the elevated tier.
Approaching triangle of terror stretch
Focus on smart position off the tee, don’t force drives to risky corners.
Chipping to a crowned green
Land the ball short and let it release, always leave an uphill putt if possible.
Firm, fast summer setup
Use knockdowns and bump-and-run shots to hold sloping greens.
Pins tucked behind bunkers
Aim for the center; short-siding rarely pays off here.
Final approach at 18
Stay below the hole for a stress-free two-putt—aggression above the flag spells disaster.
On the day

What to expect

Conditions

Consistently well-groomed fairways and firm, slick greens. Zoysia grass ensures lies are pristine.

Pace

Orderly member pace; expect 4 to 4.5 hours for a round.

Vibe

Understated, traditional, classic Southern country club—hospitality for guests, but a focus on golf’s traditions.

Dress code

Collared shirts required; standard country club attire enforced.

Before you tee off

Your game plan

01

Practice Your Mid-Irons

The course tests approach play far more than brute driving; dial in your 7–9 irons before your round.

02

Walk or Take a Caddie

Take advantage of the compact routing by walking—terrain is gentle and pace is relaxed.

03

Study Ross Greens

Spend time on the practice green getting used to crowned surfaces and subtle breaks that defy the eye.

04

Check Pin Positions

Flag locations dictate your lines—plan conservatively, especially with tucked pins framed by deep bunkers.

The lore

How it came to be

  1. 1905

    Club founded, original 9-hole layout by James Foulis

  2. 1910

    Historic clubhouse destroyed by fire

  3. 1911

    Spanish-style clubhouse opens, course rebuilt by Donald Ross

  4. 1937

    Hosts the U.S. Women’s Amateur

  5. 1948

    Hosts the U.S. Amateur

  6. 1979

    Second U.S. Women’s Amateur played at the club

  7. 2011

    Restoration by Kris Spence begins

Stories & legends

What makes it special

challenge

Triangle of Terror

Holes 15 through 17 are feared and revered by members for their relentless defenses and require clutch shotmaking late in the round. This stretch—Ross’s 'triangle of terror'—is where matches are won and lost.

history

The Rebirth After Flames

When the original clubhouse burned down in 1910, it was an opportunity for renewal: the new Spanish-style clubhouse rose from the ashes alongside a full Donald Ross overhaul of the golf course. Both anchor the club’s classic feel today.

signature

Volcano Green Legend

The fourth hole’s volcano green doesn’t just define one of Tennessee’s most famous par 3s—it punishes even the slightest miss. Players who get up-and-down from the deep, flash-faced bunkers earn instant bragging rights.

tournaments

Historic USGA Championships

Memphis Country Club’s links to golf’s elite amateur scene run deep, having hosted the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Amateur multiple times—turning the club into a proving ground for champions.

For the group chat

Fun facts

1

Donald Ross cleverly routed 18 holes on just 105 acres.

2

No water hazards—strategy is dictated purely by ground contour and bunkering.

3

Hosted both the U.S. Women’s Amateur and U.S. Amateur—a rare double.

4

Clubhouse was rebuilt in Spanish style after a 1910 fire.

5

The infamous 4th green is called 'the volcano' by members.

Build the trip

If you’re making a Memphis golf trip out of it

CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
TPC Southwind
Private / PGA Tour

Host of the FedEx St. Jude Championship—a must-play modern tour test.

Mirimichi Golf Course
Public

The best public option in the area; bookable by anyone.

Colonial Country Club
Private

Historic Memphis classic and former tour stop.

Memphis National Golf Club
Private

Two 18s with a big local membership—great for variety.

Germantown Country Club
Private

Strong suburban option with local prestige.

East Memphis or Midtown—close to the club, highways, and dining.

Course DNA

If You Like Memphis Country Club

Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.

Strong DNA Match7.8

Agawam Hunt

Rumford, Rhode Island
Green Complexity

Why it matches: Agawam Hunt is a natural next stop after Memphis Country Club: it makes the greens a central strategic puzzle.

Strong DNA Match8.7

Wannamoisett Country Club

Rumford, Rhode Island
Green Complexity

Why it matches: If Memphis Country Club is your kind of course, Wannamoisett Country Club is worth a look because it demands the same precision once you reach the putting surface.

Strong DNA Match9.3

Pinehurst Resort (No. 2 Course)

Pinehurst, North Carolina

Why it matches: If Memphis Country Club is your kind of course, Pinehurst Resort (No. 2 Course) is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.

From the community

Community Sentiment

See something inaccurate in this listing?