One Man’s Ambition
Founder Earl Dykema envisioned Windyke as both a familial, welcoming club and a true golf test—he built the entire property from scratch with this goal in mind, shaping a Memphis institution in the process.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Windyke Country Club
Memphis, Tennessee
Established
1962
Architect
John Frazier (East & Par 3), William Amick (West)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,245 – 7,214 yds
The verdict
Memphis' Classic Private Playground
Windyke Country Club anchors Memphis golf with 36 holes of thoughtfully routed, well-conditioned parkland challenge. While it doesn't top state or national lists, its tournament pedigree and everyday playability make it a fixture for those who love strategic golf in a comfortable, traditional setting.
Course DNA
Difficulty
76
Scenery68
Conditioning89
Shot Variety71
Walkability68
Green Complexity74
Wow Factor61
Design Quality67
Don't miss
Ask a member to show you the club’s founder’s display near the pro shop—local lore with vintage photos and stories.
At a glance
Quick facts
36 championship holes
East and West make Windyke a rare Memphis 36-holer.
Staunch private club
Access is exclusively members and their guests.
Longest tee
East Black stretches to a full 7,214 yards.
Built across 375 acres
Club history spotlights the original sprawling land acquisition.
Amateur event pedigree
Hosts nearly every major amateur and junior event in Tennessee history.
Family-friendly roots
Founded to be affordable and welcoming compared to traditional clubs.
Par 3 course
Original Frazier-designed Par 3 course for practice and juniors.
The design
The architecture
Windyke delivers a classic parkland experience shaped by John Frazier’s routing, with William Amick’s West course complementing the property. The design emphasizes strategic precision more than brute force, mixing doglegs, varied par-3s, and true risk/reward options on the longer par-5s. While not radical in contour or green shaping, the East course especially asks players to think through downtime wind and pin placements, its tree-lined fairways and mature oaks requiring accuracy and loyalty to established lines of play. Members relish the playable, welcoming vibe—yet there’s a serious test for anyone trying to score low from the tips.
John Frazier’s approach reflects the values of 1960s parkland golf: walkable, spacious, challenging if you push for pins, but very playable for all skill levels. Amick’s West routing keeps a similar philosophy with a bit more openness.
Defining features
- Tree-lined parkland corridors
- Subtle, sloping greens with strategic pin protection
- Doglegs requiring positional tee shots
- Classic risk/reward par 5s
- Mature oaks and efficient bunkering
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 6
The Crossroad Par Five
PAR
5
YARDAGE
545
A challenging par five where club selection on the second shot defines your scoring chance. The dogleg and flanking bunkers force players to weigh aggressive risk against smart, strategic layups.
Play it smart
Play for position off the tee, then decide: challenge the green in two or lay up short for a precise wedge in. Both choices can yield birdie—or stumble into trouble.
Where it bites
Trouble lurks for the greedy—bunkers guard a green sloped just enough to punish careless approaches and reward patience.
Course management
Shots to think about
Narrow landing area on 1st tee
Favor control over distance—par here sets the round’s tone.
Long approach on par-3s
Take more club and aim for the fattest part of the green; bogey's not a disaster.
Second shot on par 5s
Don't get greedy chasing home in two unless you have the right angle and lie.
Approach from below the hole
Use spin to your advantage to set up makeable putts.
Wind in the trees
Trust your clockface: tree lines can mask wind—feel it at ground level.
Late-round push for birdie
Pick aggressive targets on 17 and 18 only if you’re confident—otherwise, play for pars.
Front pin on dogleg par 4
Play for position off the tee for an easier angle in.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Superb turf and greens, maintained year-round.
Pace
Swift rounds, with members often playing in well under four hours.
Vibe
Traditional club ambience—friendly, well-run, respectful but not stuffy.
Dress code
Standard country club: collared shirts, no denim, club-appropriate attire required.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Brush up on long irons
The lengthy par 3s reward confident, accurate tee shots—practice your hybrids and long irons before you arrive.
02
Pace yourself on the greens
Windyke’s green speeds can surprise; spend ample time reading and rolling putts on the practice green.
03
Think angles not length
Doglegs and pin positions reward tee shot placement more than bombing driver at every turn.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1960
Development of Windyke property begins after sale of Cherokee Golf Course.
- 1962
Windyke Country Club officially opens with East, West, and Par 3 layouts designed from scratch.
- 2022
Hosts American Pharoah Tour event on the East course, reinforcing its competitive relevance.
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Tournament Heartbeat
From its earliest years, Windyke became the go-to venue for all major Tennessee junior, amateur, and ladies championships, cementing its role in the regional golf scene and fostering generations of competitive players.
A Tradition of Accessibility
Unlike the stuffier clubs of its day, Windyke carved out a reputation for being family-friendly and affordable—today, long-standing members will tell you that spirit persists in the club’s events and member camaraderie.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Windyke sits on 375 acres—one of Memphis' largest club footprints.
2
The club opened with all three courses—East, West, and Par 3—from day one.
3
Tennessee’s future state golf champions have come through Windyke’s events since the 1960s.
4
Memphis golf insiders rave about Windyke’s fast, true greens after overseeding each winter.
5
The club’s founding mission was making golf more accessible and family-friendly for Memphis.
Build the trip
If you're building a Memphis golf trip around Windyke
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Tunica National Golf & Tennis
Public
Destination public golf in the greater Memphis/Tunica region with resort-level amenities.
TPC Southwind
Private - Resort Guest Access
PGA Tour stop and Memphis' top championship test—playable if you have the access.
Mirimichi Golf Course
Public
Well-conditioned, fun and varied layout with regional reputation and booking access.
The Preserve Golf Club
Public
Good modern daily-fee golf with a different style than Windyke.
Big Creek Golf Course
Public
Affordable, playable 'add-on' for your Memphis itinerary if you need an extra round.
East Memphis/Germantown area for central access to top courses and amenities.
Course DNA
If You Like Windyke Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.3
Ballantyne Country Club
Charlotte, North CarolinaConditioning
Why it matches: If Windyke Country Club is your kind of course, Ballantyne Country Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match7.5
Butler Country Club
Butler, PennsylvaniaConditioning
Why it matches: If Windyke Country Club is your kind of course, Butler Country Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match7.4
Evansville Country Club
Evansville, IndianaConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Evansville Country Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Windyke Country Club.
Community Sentiment
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