Sweetens Cove: Golf’s Coolest Gathering Place

From the moment you pull into Sweetens Cove, you realize this isn’t just another round of golf. The gravel crunches under your tires, “the Shed” comes into view, and suddenly it feels like you’ve arrived somewhere that’s part golf course, part pilgrimage.

Nestled in a quiet valley outside South Pittsburg, Sweetens Cove is more than just nine holes—it’s a celebration of what golf can be. Designed by Rob Collins and Tad King, this compact property has grown into a bucket-list destination for golfers across the country. It’s less a traditional golf club and more a living, breathing community where everyone is welcome and the guiding principles are simple: respect the course, respect your fellow golfers, and have as much fun as possible.

The All-Day Experience

Sweetens Cove operates on an all-day pass system. Once you’re in, the course is yours. Play nine holes, eighteen, thirty-six, or more—whatever you can manage before the sun disappears behind the surrounding hills. For some, it becomes a personal endurance test, chasing as many loops as daylight allows.

Playing solo is never a concern. Sweetens Cove is famously welcoming, with singles regularly invited to join groups—sometimes well beyond a standard foursome. Groups of eight or ten aren’t unusual, and faster players can easily loop around without friction. The flow feels organic, more like a gathering of friends than a structured tee sheet.

The Course

As strong as the atmosphere is, it’s the golf course that keeps players coming back. Sweetens Cove is a nine-hole masterwork—bold, quirky, endlessly strategic, and above all, fun.

The routing opens with two par 5s surrounding a beautifully framed par 4, immediately offering risk-reward decisions. Each hole has its own personality, from the daring blind par-3 known as “King” to wide, sculpted fairways and massive greens that invite creativity. Bunkers are both artistic and punishing, carefully placed to challenge decision-making on every shot.

One defining feature is versatility. Each green has two hole locations, paired with four sets of tees, ensuring that no two rounds ever feel the same. Whether you’re chasing a personal best, experimenting with angles, or simply soaking in the valley setting, the course remains engaging from the first loop to the last.

Sweetens Cove also excels as a match-play venue, where strategy, nerve, and head-to-head competition bring every hole to life.

Beyond the Golf

When it’s time to take a break, Sweetens Cove delivers off the course as well. The Shed—serving as the pro shop—is stocked with some of the most distinctive merchandise in golf, including limited-edition hats and apparel. Nearby, a covered pavilion offers the perfect place to regroup, share stories, and enjoy a pour of bourbon before heading back out.

A food truck serves a popular smash burger, while the putting green doubles as a social hub. Music drifts through the valley, laughter carries across the property, and the aroma of a post-round cigar often hangs in the air. On any given day, you might even be offered a celebratory—or consolatory—shot of Sweetens Cove bourbon by a fellow golfer.

What’s Next for Sweetens Cove

The future is just as compelling. Planned additions include a lighted par-3 short course, stay-and-play cabins, a restaurant and distillery, a winding putting course, a fishing dock, and even a skeet shooting range. Each addition is designed to enhance the experience while preserving the relaxed, communal spirit that defines Sweetens Cove.

A Place That Stays With You

A few years ago, Peyton Manning, Andy Roddick, and a group of investors purchased Sweetens Cove—but the magic hasn’t changed. It remains a gravel parking lot, a humble clubhouse, and nine holes that inspire everyone who walks them.

For those who’ve been, Sweetens Cove isn’t just a golf course. It’s a memory machine—a place where strangers become friends, laughter outweighs the scorecard, and you play until blistered hands and fading light say it’s time to stop.

And once you’ve experienced it, you’ll probably start planning your return before you even leave the lot.

To learn more or book your visit, go to sweetenscovegolfclub.com.