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.

The short answer after our October 2026 update: Sequoyah National earns 4.4 out of 5 and stays recommended for confident golfers who can absorb a rate near $240 on a peak weekend. It is a public course, it is not walkable, and the first round is a learning round. The pricing picture is murkier than it looked in July, and the section below on fees explains why.

This review covers rate history since 2024, the annual membership question, Cherokee ownership, KemperSports management, signature holes, and how Sequoyah compares with other Smoky Mountain options. 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

Image: Sequoyah National Golf Club

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 an annual membership whose registration amount the club does not print online. There is no fixed green-fee table. Membership pricing is not publicly disclosed on the official site as of October 2026.

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

Here is the problem we could not solve in October. The official site describes the plan, “a registration fee and a cart fee year-round,” but the amount no longer appears in the text we could read. Our July review recorded $2,500. One older third-party listing shows a $300 annual pass plus a $25 handicap fee. Those two numbers cannot both describe the same product, so call (828) 497-3000 and get the current schedule in writing before you plan around either one.

If the registration fee is near $2,500, membership only pays for a golfer who plays often. Use the how a joining fee changes the break-even with the real cart fee and a realistic round count, not an optimistic one.

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

How Sequoyah National Rates Have Moved Since 2024

Published and reported rates point upward, though no two sources measure the same tee time. Treat this table as a direction, not a rate card.

A peak weekend in leaf season now costs roughly $40 more than the 2024 ceiling, if the reports hold. Midweek play in winter and spring remains the cheapest way in.

Prices that move this much reward flexibility. A Tuesday in May and a Saturday in October are different products, and the course is almost the same.

For context on how little of this market publishes a fixed number, see what 99 American golf clubs actually disclose. Sequoyah is one of the public courses on that list that charges no initiation fee.

For the wider picture, see our guide to what to bring to your first round.

Facilities & Amenities

Image: Sequoyah National Golf Club

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.

Who Runs Sequoyah National and What the Rankings Say

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians owns the course, and KemperSports manages it. That split explains why the course feels professionally run while still carrying a clear Cherokee identity.

• Operator: KemperSports lists Sequoyah National among its managed properties.
• Golfers Choice: the club’s website cites a number 15 ranking among public courses in North Carolina for 2024.
• Golfweek: KemperSports notes the course appeared on Golfweek’s Best Casino Courses list every year from 2018 to 2023.
• GolfPass: it reached number 15 on the Top 25 Public Golf Courses in North Carolina in 2023.

A number 15 placement is respectable in a state with deep public golf. It matches a course whose turf and views outscore its pace and price.

Dress Code & Etiquette

Image: Sequoyah National Golf Club

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.

Triad Golf’s guide to the area names Waynesville Golf and Inn and Laurel Ridge Country Club, both about 30 minutes away, as nearby options. Sequoyah itself is roughly 45 minutes west of Asheville and next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Staying at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort can lower the green fee, so compare the room-and-golf total before booking a round alone.

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 sells dynamic rates, so there is no single price. A 2025 summer rack rate was $150 and peak 2026 quotes have been reported near $240, with winter weekdays far lower. Check the booking engine for your date and confirm the total includes the cart, taxes, and fees.

How much is a Sequoyah National membership?

Not publicly disclosed online. The official site describes an annual membership with a registration fee and a cart fee on every round, but does not print the amount. Our July review recorded $2,500, and an older third-party listing shows $300. Call the club for the current written schedule. Benefits include seven-day booking, free range use, and shop discounts.

Who owns Sequoyah National Golf Club?

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians owns Sequoyah National Golf Club, and KemperSports manages it. 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.

How far is Sequoyah National from Asheville?

About 45 minutes west of Asheville by road, near Cherokee and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort sits roughly four miles away, which is why many golfers combine the round with a casino stay.

Is Sequoyah National worth it in 2026?

Yes for confident golfers who book a shoulder-season or midweek time, and only conditionally at peak weekend rates near $240. The views, zoysia fairways, and memorable elevation changes are worth one round. Value drops if pace stalls or blind slopes ruin a first visit.

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. Sequoyah earns both, while demanding realistic expectations.

Last reviewed: October 4, 2026

Author Note

I judge mountain courses by safe routing, playable tees, turf quality, and repeat-round value.