If you want privacy, resort-style amenities, and a true club community near Franklin, The Grove in College Grove deserves a close look. You may be weighing the golf lifestyle, family programming, or the appeal of custom estate homes. In this guide, you’ll learn how membership works, what amenities you actually get, what to check in your contract, and how to decide between building or buying a resale. Let’s dive in.
What The Grove Offers
Gated club life near Franklin
The Grove is a private, master-planned community in College Grove, Williamson County, set on roughly 1,100 acres with a focus on privacy and open space. About half the land is preserved as commons, pastures, and parks, which keeps the rural character intact while delivering a resort feel. It centers on an 18-hole Greg Norman Signature course, a manor-style clubhouse, and a comprehensive amenity set presented as family-first and service-forward. You can see the full community overview in the Grove’s official brochure.
Tournament-level golf
The course is a Greg Norman par-72 design maintained at championship standards, and it regularly hosts high-profile events. The Simmons Bank Open on the Korn Ferry Tour was recognized as the Tour’s 2022 Tournament of the Year, and LIV Golf Nashville came to The Grove in 2024. These events elevate the club’s profile and can bring intermittent schedule changes for residents. Learn more about the course and programming on The Grove’s golf page and see independent course details at Tennessee Golf Courses.
Full-service amenities
Beyond golf, members enjoy the Manor House clubhouse with fine and casual dining, a members’ lounge, and social spaces. The Rosemary Spa, staffed fitness center and movement classes, tennis and pickleball courts, and multiple resort-style pools support day-to-day wellness. Family life is a priority, with Discovery Kids programming and community events. Trails, parks, and equestrian access through a partnership with the Jaeckle Centre round out the outdoors. You’ll find the complete amenity list in the community brochure.
Membership Basics You Must Know
Resident and non-resident options
At The Grove, property owners are typically issued Resident Memberships, and the club also offers non-resident categories. When you join as a Resident Member, you typically select a Golf dues option or a Sports (non-golf) dues option. Golf Members receive golf privileges in addition to full access to other facilities. Sports Members receive access to non-golf amenities and may have limited golf access on club-determined terms. These distinctions are defined in the club’s Membership Plan and Agreement. Review the club’s membership FAQs for how categories work.
Initiation, transfer, and approvals
Membership is a separate contractual product tied to your property purchase. The club requires a signed Membership Agreement and payment of the required initiation or transfer amount when you apply. In many resale transactions, a seller pays a transfer fee so the club can reissue a Resident Membership to you at closing. The exact fee amounts are set by the club and in the seller’s Membership Agreement, and they are not always public. Always request the current Membership Agreement, dues schedule, and the seller’s Membership Agreement if you are buying a resale. Also review guest policies, privacy and photography rules, and any approval requirements in the club’s membership FAQs.
Mandatory membership on many lots
Grove covenants on some phases indicate that club membership is required at closing. You should confirm the specific covenant language for the home or lot you are purchasing. Verified builder lot pages often state mandatory membership and Design Review Board rules, like this Grove lot listing that outlines membership requirements and DRB approval: Mountaintop Drive Lot 16043. Always verify covenant applicability by phase and plat.
Homes, Lots, and Pricing Context
Architecture and Signature Builders
The Grove showcases artisan custom estates with styles that include Tennessee farmhouse, Craftsman, modern farmhouse, traditional, and select English-Tudor influences. The community works with a curated roster of Signature Builders such as Trace Construction, Legend Homes, Ford Classic Homes, Stonegate, and Davis Properties. Many developer lots require use of approved builders, and your plans go through the Design Review Board for architectural consistency. For builder and move guidance, see The Grove’s relocation page.
Lot sizes and remaining inventory
You will find a mix of half-acre to larger estate sites. Recently marketed custom lots have appeared from the high $400,000s to more than $1 million depending on size, view, and phase, and many new sections have utilities stubbed to the road. Plan on DRB review and confirm timeline expectations before you submit designs. Some lots and new builds require club membership issuance at closing, so verify the membership obligation in your lot purchase agreement. Example developer lot pages, like the one on Mountaintop Drive, detail DRB and membership mechanics: Lot 16043.
Market price ranges
Resale activity in The Grove sits across a broad luxury band, with recent years seeing closings from the high $1.6 million range to large estate properties exceeding $7–8 million. Many transactions cluster in the $2–$3 million tier. Because sample sizes can be small and product is diverse, you should rely on a fresh MLS comp set and listing broker data at the time you write an offer. Ask your agent for multiple comps with sold dates and clear adjustments.
HOA, club dues, and soft costs
Local market summaries report HOA assessments commonly in the low hundreds per month by phase, which cover community maintenance items. Club dues and food and beverage minimums are separate and set by the club’s current schedule. Your final cost of ownership often includes the membership initiation or transfer at closing, annual dues, cart and guest fees, and any special assessments. Always request the club’s latest dues schedule, confirm whether a seller transfer fee applies, and ask how F&B minimums work for your membership category.
Build vs Resale: Which Fits You
Why build in The Grove
Building gives you full personalization, including selecting a lot orientation that backs to golf, pasture, or woods. You can plan for hobbies such as equestrian or recreation facilities. Expect a 12–24 month window for a comparable custom estate, depending on scope and market conditions. You should budget for sitework, grading, and landscaping, and confirm DRB timelines and utility readiness before you finalize a builder contract. For DRB and lot details, reference active Grove lot pages such as Lot 16043.
Why buy a resale
A resale offers immediate move-in, established landscaping, and often a mature streetscape. Many resales include upgraded systems and curated finishes you can enjoy from day one. In some cases, sellers may offer concessions like contributions toward membership transfer or initiation amounts, or pre-paid dues. Ask for the seller’s Membership Agreement and any related transfer documents to confirm obligations.
Lifestyle Notes and Comparisons
Family programming and privacy
The Grove markets a family-centric lifestyle with year-round youth programming, pools for all ages, and social events in the Manor House. Trails, parks, and preserved pastures create a low-density feel that supports privacy as well as outdoor recreation. The spa, dining, and fitness options add convenience that can reduce day-to-day trips into town.
How it compares nearby
If you’re comparing private club communities, Troubadour is often positioned above The Grove in price, with a boutique profile and highly curated programming. The Grove typically offers a broader amenity set for families and a larger master-planned footprint. Traditional city clubs closer to Nashville provide proximity to urban amenities but usually do not include gated master-planned neighborhoods, equestrian access, or estate-scale lots. Your choice comes down to preferred lifestyle, privacy needs, programming, and commute patterns.
Smart Buyer Checklist
- Confirm mandatory membership. Verify whether your specific lot or home requires a Resident Membership at closing and get the exact covenant language. Example language appears on Grove lot pages like Lot 16043.
- Request membership documents. Ask for the seller’s Membership Agreement and the club’s current initiation or transfer amounts and dues. Numbers can change and are not always public. Start with the club’s membership FAQs.
- Separate HOA and club costs. List monthly HOA plus projected annual club dues, cart fees, food and beverage minimums, and any special assessments. Use the club’s current schedule to budget accurately.
- Pull current MLS comps. The Grove’s estate-level product can skew medians. Review multiple comps with sold dates, features, and adjustments before you write.
- For lot buyers, confirm DRB and builder rules. Many lots require Signature Builders and DRB approval. Budget for site prep, grading, and landscaping. Refer to Grove lot pages for examples, like Lot 16043.
- Clarify member approval and guest rules. Ask about approvals, guest access, privacy and photography policies, and any reciprocity. See the club’s membership FAQs.
- Talk to your lender early. Ask whether initiation or transfer fees must be paid outside of closing or can be financed. Practices vary by lender and club. For general perspective, see this overview of how club initiation fees are handled.
How CHORD Real Estate Helps
You deserve clarity and a streamlined path to ownership. As a Nashville-based boutique brokerage with concierge-level representation, we help you compare build versus resale, verify membership obligations and costs, and source both on-market and discreet opportunities in The Grove and across Williamson County. Our team coordinates your due diligence with the club, builder, and lender so you can move with confidence.
If you are exploring The Grove, let us curate your next steps, from private showings to document review. Connect with CHORD Real Estate to Request your personal Real Estate Concierge.
FAQs
How does membership at The Grove work for homeowners?
- Property owners typically receive Resident Memberships with a choice of Golf or Sports dues options; privileges, rules, and any approvals are defined in the club’s Membership Agreement and detailed in the membership FAQs.
Are golf privileges included with all memberships at The Grove?
- Golf privileges come with Golf Memberships; Sports Members have access to non-golf amenities and may receive limited golf access on club terms as defined by the club’s membership documents.
What should I expect for HOA and club costs at The Grove?
- HOA assessments are commonly in the low hundreds per month by phase, while club dues and any food and beverage minimums are separate; always request the current dues schedule and the seller’s Membership Agreement if purchasing a resale.
How do tournaments at The Grove affect residents?
- Major events like Korn Ferry or LIV Golf can bring large spectator days and temporary schedule changes, balanced by the benefit of a championship-caliber course maintained at tournament standards; the club communicates adjustments to members.
Can I choose any builder for a custom home in The Grove?
- Many lots require use of approved Signature Builders and DRB plan approval; confirm builder requirements, timelines, and specifications with the community before you design.
How long does a custom build take in The Grove?
- Comparable estate builds often take 12–24 months depending on scope, sitework, and approvals; verify DRB timelines and utility readiness for your specific lot.
What should I budget beyond purchase price when buying in The Grove?
- Expect a membership initiation or transfer at closing, annual club dues, cart and guest fees, food and beverage minimums, HOA assessments, and for lot buyers, site prep, grading, landscaping, and architectural review fees as applicable.
