How 18 Opens with a Real Chance
Finishing at Olive Branch means par-5 temptation—reachable in two if you keep your tee shot in play, making for make-or-break drama on the closing green. For many members, it's a favorite spot for friendly wagers.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Olive Branch Country Club
Olive Branch, Mississippi
Established
1963
Architect
Ed Creasey
Access
Private
Par
Par 71
Length
3,996 – 6,496 yds
The verdict
Local favorite with private-club polish
Olive Branch Country Club dishes up a classic, member-focused golf experience just southeast of Memphis. Reliable conditioning, approachable challenge, and a private-club atmosphere make it the local mainstay, not a national draw—but that's exactly its strength.
Course DNA
Difficulty
68
Scenery60
Conditioning80
Shot Variety71
Walkability73
Green Complexity65
Wow Factor59
Design Quality61
At a glance
Quick facts
Tees available
Blue (6,496), White (6,112), Gold (5,349), Red (4,967), Pink (3,996) yds
Greens
Tiff Eagle Bermuda (installed 2015)
Course rating/slope
71.2/122 (Blue tees)
Club atmosphere
Family-friendly, member-oriented
Location
Southeast Memphis metro, DeSoto County
Rec facilities
Pool, tennis, dining included
Longest hole
Par-5 5th – 583 yds (Blue)
The design
The architecture
Olive Branch Country Club channels the spirit of a classic private Southern layout—straightforward but honest, with a sequence of par 4s and 5s that demand a full arsenal without penalizing the average player. The routing uses the gentle Mississippi terrain to present a series of crisp, walkable holes, blending variety from tough, honest par 4s to scoring chances on shorter par 5s. Greens have some speed and interest thanks to the Tiff Eagle Bermuda conversion, and the overall character rewards course management over heroics.
Ed Creasey, credited with the original design, created a layout that puts everyday playability and traditional architecture at its core.
Defining features
- Well-balanced par 71 routing
- Walkable, gently rolling Mississippi ground
- Mix of reachable and demanding par 5s
- Three par 3s per nine, variety in length
- Solid, member-friendly course conditioning
- Primarily straightforward bunkering
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
First Flight
PAR
5
YARDAGE
548 yds
A long, demanding par 5 welcomes players off the first tee, quickly setting the tone for the round with its need for steady nerves and precise placement. The hole rewards the patient golfer who favors position over greed—don't gamble early.
Play it smart
Favor control off the tee and lay up to a confident yardage; long hitters should avoid bringing trouble into play early.
Where it bites
Miss the fairway, and trees or bunkers can snatch away your birdie hopes before they ever begin.
Course management
Shots to think about
Opening tee shot on 1
Stay controlled—favor the center and avoid an aggressive swing that brings the rough or trees into play.
Second shot on hole 5 (par 5, 583 yds)
Unless you absolutely rip your drive, resist the urge to lay up tight—pick a distance that avoids trouble.
Long-iron approach on hole 4 (par 3, 215 yds)
Take more club and trust your line; short is a safe miss compared to a deep bunker or runoff behind.
Approach into 9th green from the rough
Don’t force it—pitch back to safety and play to the fat side of the green.
Late-round wedge on 18
Prioritize distance control to avoid leaving your birdie chance above the hole on the quick Tiff Eagle greens.
Blustery day, exposed second shots
Club up and accept a center-green result—par is never bad when the wind is up.
Tricky four-footer on fast greens
Keep the stroke smooth and commit—speed matters more than line at Olive Branch.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Private-club standard; greens typically fast and surfaces tidy throughout the season.
Pace
Steady member pace; rarely rushed or glacial, but not speed-golf.
Vibe
Friendly, family-focused, with a true member’s club feel—not a scene for flashy tourists.
Dress code
Standard golf attire expected; collared shirt and proper shorts or pants.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Bring an extra wedge for tight lies
With Tiff Eagle Bermuda and tidy surrounds, a versatile short-game club will pay off.
02
Check wind and pin positions
Long par 3s and reachable 5s play much differently with the breeze—plan accordingly before you tee off.
03
Arrive early to stretch
First hole is a brute; a rushed start can mean double bogey before you settle in.
04
Respect member routines
Be punctual for your tee time and follow any posted club rules—members appreciate it.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1963
Course opens, designed by Ed Creasey
- 2015
Tiff Eagle Bermuda greens renovation
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Fast Greens, Southern Hospitality
Guests consistently comment on the quickness of the Tiff Eagle Bermuda putting surfaces, coupled with a welcoming vibe that makes first-timers feel at home. It's private, yet never stuffy—an inviting blend.
Hole 5: The Long Haul
The Blue-tee par-5 fifth stretches to 583 yards, demanding smart shot placement and tempting the big hitter into risk. Make your score here—if you avoid the traps.
A Club the Community Built
Since its debut in the 1960s, Olive Branch CC has been a social anchor in the region, hosting countless families and fostering junior golf for generations.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Boasts three par 3s on each nine, unusual for most courses.
2
The longest par 5, the 5th, plays a true three-shotter for almost all.
3
Tiff Eagle Bermuda greens have been received well for speed since the 2015 upgrade.
4
It’s a family-friendly club with pool and tennis for non-golfers.
5
Located right near the Tennessee border, just southeast of Memphis.
Build the trip
If you’re making a Memphis golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Cherokee Valley Golf Club
Public
Best public-play option in Olive Branch; approachable for all skill levels.
TPC Southwind
Private
Tour-tested layout—host of the PGA Tour’s FedEx St. Jude Classic; a must if you gain access.
Memphis National Golf Club
Private
Highly regarded private alternative, popular with locals.
The Links at Galloway
Municipal
Excellent daily-fee public option within Memphis proper.
Olive Branch or nearby Southaven for proximity to golf; East Memphis for nightlife and expanded dining.
Course DNA
If You Like Olive Branch Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.6
Cincinnati Country Club
Cincinnati, OhioWhy it matches: If Olive Branch Country Club is your kind of course, Cincinnati Country Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.8
Elyria Country Club
Elyria, OhioWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Elyria Country Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.5
Roanoke Country Club
Roanoke, VirginiaConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Roanoke Country Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Olive Branch Country Club.
Community Sentiment
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