Sequoyah National Golf Club Review (2026): Is $240 Too Steep?

The first tee sends your ball from an elevated perch toward a fairway framed by the Smoky Mountains. It also reveals the day’s central problem. This Sequoyah National Golf Club review asks whether scenery can justify a demanding layout and peak quotes approaching $240.

My answer is yes once, then more confidently after learning the lines. Sequoyah National offers excellent zoysia fairways, bentgrass greens, huge elevation changes, and several unforgettable decisions.

However, first-time players will hit apparently good shots that slopes reject. The course is not walkable, and cart-path restrictions can become physically demanding.

That tension between beauty and punishment determines whether the premium rate feels truly fair.

This review covers current dynamic pricing, the $2,500 annual membership, Cherokee ownership, signature holes, and recent pace complaints. Compare other golf club reviews when building a North Carolina trip.

Sequoyah rewards local knowledge more than raw distance, despite its modest scorecard yardage.

Club Overview

Sequoyah National is a public mountain course owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. It opened in 2009.

What I Liked

Sequoyah National turns mountain elevation into strategic choices instead of using scenery as decoration. Several holes remain vivid afterward.

• The vistas are constant. Great Smoky Mountains views appear across the entire 18-hole journey.
• Zeon zoysia creates excellent lies. Recent players repeatedly praise the fairways, tees, and bentgrass greens.
• Hole 15 is unforgettable. Its huge downhill drop makes a 240-yard reading play dramatically shorter.
• Five tees improve access. Forward options begin at 4,572 yards, while the black tees carry a 143 slope.
• Cultural ownership adds meaning. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians owns the course and surrounding destination.

Visit Cherokee’s course guide explains how Cherokee stories and mountain geography shape the experience.

Golf Digest reviewers highlight the severe drops, quirky green contours, and playful risk-reward options.

What I Didn’t Like

Sequoyah National can punish good-looking shots because first-time golfers cannot see every slope or landing area. Knowledge matters enormously.

• Peak pricing has become aggressive. Recent community reports mention quotes near $240, well above earlier summer rates.
• The course is not walkable. Large elevation changes and long transfers make a cart essential.
• Pace can slip. Recent guests reported close tee intervals and delays approaching one hour.
• Food is functional. The Grille favors quick sandwiches, snacks, and drinks over destination dining.

Cart-path-only conditions create a hidden physical burden. A ball below the fairway can require a steep walk back uphill.

Beginners may enjoy the views more than the scorecard. The bronze or jade tees create a fairer first visit.

Sequoyah National Golf Club Membership & Fees

Sequoyah uses dynamic public rates and a $2,500 annual membership registration. The club does not publish one fixed green-fee table.

The annual plan is not unlimited free golf. Members still pay a cart fee, and that amount requires direct confirmation.

At $2,500, membership can work for frequent regional golfers. Calculate break-even using the actual cart fee and your likely rounds.

Public golfers should screenshot the checkout total. Dynamic rates can move sharply between shoulder periods and peak autumn demand.

Facilities & Amenities

Sequoyah’s facilities support a serious round, but the course remains the destination. Do not expect a full resort clubhouse.

• Practice: driving range, putting green, chipping area, and PGA instruction
• Course: Zeon zoysia fairways, bentgrass greens, and capillary concrete bunkers
• Carts: GPS yardages, scoring, and on-cart ordering support
• Golf shop: apparel, equipment, rental clubs, and Callaway fittings
• Dining: Sequoyah Grille with grab-and-go lunch, local beer, and mountain deck
• Nearby: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort about four miles away

The clubhouse deck supplies a 180-degree mountain view. It is a better post-round feature than the limited food menu suggests.

Best Time to Visit

May through June offers healthy turf and moderate temperatures, while October supplies the best color. Autumn also attracts stronger demand.

July and August protect zoysia fairways but can stress bentgrass greens. Afternoon storms also affect exposed mountain holes.

Late September through October brings spectacular foliage. Expect higher rates, fuller tee sheets, and cooler morning starts.

Heavy rain can trigger cart-path restrictions. Confirm the policy before driving from Asheville or committing to a premium rate.

Dress Code & Etiquette

Sequoyah National requires proper golf attire and soft-spike footwear. A collared shirt and tailored golf bottoms are the safest choice.

Avoid denim, gym clothing, tank tops, and cutoffs. Call ahead when uncertain because the public website provides limited detail.

Choose tees using slope, not ego. The black tees measure only 6,517 yards but play far harder than that number.

Use cart GPS and study each hole before driving. Blind landing zones make uninformed shots slow and expensive.

Who Is This Club For?

This club is a good fit if mountain strategy, elevation changes, and photography matter more than a relaxed score.

This club is a good fit if your Cherokee trip includes Harrah’s or Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Skip this one if mobility limits make steep cart-path walks unsafe or uncomfortable.

Our Hillandale Golf Course review offers a flatter and far cheaper North Carolina alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sequoyah National Golf Club open to the public?

Yes. Sequoyah National is fully open to public play and does not require a resort stay or membership. Green fees change by season, day, and demand. Book through the official tee-time portal for the current total. Annual members receive earlier booking access and discounted guest benefits.

How much does it cost to play Sequoyah National?

Sequoyah National uses dynamic pricing instead of a permanent rate sheet. Recent peak quotes have approached $240, while earlier shoulder and summer rounds cost considerably less. Check the official booking engine for your exact date. Confirm whether the displayed total includes the cart, taxes, and any booking fees.

How much is a Sequoyah National membership?

The 2026 annual membership registration costs $2,500. Members then play for a cart fee, which the club does not publish online. Benefits include seven-day tee-time access, complimentary range privileges, shop discounts, rental discounts, and lower accompanied-guest rates. Membership quantities are limited and require direct club contact.

Who owns Sequoyah National Golf Club?

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians owns Sequoyah National Golf Club. The public course sits near Cherokee within a destination shaped by Cherokee culture and mountain geography. Robert Trent Jones II and Notah Begay III designed the layout, which opened in 2009 and received Zeon zoysia fairways.

Can you walk Sequoyah National Golf Club?

Sequoyah National is not a practical walking course. Severe elevation changes, long transfers, and mountain cart paths make riding essential for nearly everyone. Even with a cart, path-only conditions may require steep walks to uneven lies. Golfers with mobility concerns should ask about daily restrictions before booking.

What is the hardest hole at Sequoyah National?

Difficulty depends on your miss, but the 15th creates the most memorable decision. Its enormous downhill drop makes the measured yardage misleading. The fourth green also has three demanding tiers. First-time players should trust cart guidance, favor conservative targets, and accept that local knowledge may save several shots.

Verdict & Score

GCR Score: 4.4 / 5 – Recommended

Sequoyah National provides excellent surfaces, constant mountain views, and a course unlike flatter regional alternatives. Its best holes are genuinely memorable.

Dynamic peak rates, blind slopes, and occasional pace issues reduce value. The course becomes better after one learning round.

If dramatic mountain golf is the goal, book Sequoyah. If easier resort play matters more, see our Maderas Golf Club review.

Our review methodology rewards distinctiveness and condition. Sequoyah earns both, while demanding realistic expectations.

Last reviewed: July 4, 2026

Author Note

I judge mountain courses by safe routing, playable tees, turf quality, and repeat-round value. Learn more on the David Luis author page.