If you're playing multiple rounds at Hermitage over a weekend or week-long trip, recovery matters. You can't go hard for three straight days without paying attention to your body. Here's how to structure a proper recovery day between rounds so you stay fresh and play your best golf.
Morning: Sleep In (Actually)
You don't need to wake up at dawn. Let your body rest. Sleep until you naturally wake up, and don't set an alarm. Your muscles recover when you sleep, and cutting that short just to get an early tee time defeats the purpose of a recovery day.
If you're staying in one of our lodges, take advantage of the space. Make coffee, have a slow breakfast, and ease into the day without rushing.
Mid-Morning: Light Movement and Say Hi to Chris
Recovery doesn't mean doing nothing. Take a walk around the property, stretch, or hit a few putts on your lodge's private putting green. Light movement helps loosen up tight muscles without overworking your body.
Swing by the pro shop and say hi to Chris Pierce, our Director of Golf and the viral "Golf shop, this is Chris" guy. He's been with Hermitage since 2012, and if you follow golf TikTok or Instagram, you already know him. He's genuinely friendly in person, and it's a fun way to break up your morning. You might even end up in one of his videos.
Avoid the range. You don't need to hit 100 balls on a recovery day. Save your swings for the course.
Lunch: Fuel Properly
Head to Hickory Sticks Grill and get a solid meal. Protein, carbs, hydration—your body needs fuel to recover. Skip the heavy, greasy stuff and focus on food that'll actually help you feel better.
Grab a seat, relax, and don't rush. This is your recovery day. Act like it.
Afternoon: Book a Massage
This is where recovery gets serious. Schedule a massage with our on-site therapist (healingmassage.us) for the afternoon. An hour of professional massage therapy will do more for your body than anything else you could do on a recovery day.
Focus on your lower back, shoulders, and hips—the areas that take the most punishment during a round. You'll walk out feeling loose, refreshed, and ready to play again tomorrow.
Late Afternoon: Stay Off Your Feet
After your massage, head back to your lodge and relax. Read, watch TV, sit by the fire pit, or take a nap. Your body is recovering. Let it.
If you're tempted to hit downtown Nashville, save it for after your final round. Recovery days are about giving your body what it needs, not pushing through because you're on vacation.
Evening: Light Dinner, Early to Bed
Keep dinner light. Hickory Sticks Grill has plenty of options that won't weigh you down. Eat well, hydrate, and avoid overindulging in alcohol. You've got another round tomorrow—treat your body accordingly.
Get to bed early. The goal is to wake up tomorrow feeling better than you did this morning. That only happens if you prioritize sleep.
Why Recovery Days Matter
Golf trips are marathons, not sprints. If you're playing 36, 54, or even 72 holes over a long weekend, you need at least one recovery day built in. Skipping recovery leads to fatigue, poor performance, and potential injury.
The best players know when to rest. If you want to finish your trip strong and avoid limping through the final round, take recovery seriously.
The Hermitage Advantage
Most golf trips require you to leave the course to find massage therapists, good food, and a comfortable place to rest. At Hermitage, everything you need for proper recovery is on-site. You don't waste time driving around Nashville looking for services—you stay put and let your body recover.
Plus, you get the bonus of meeting Chris Pierce and experiencing the little details that make Hermitage different from every other course.
If you're planning a multi-day trip, build in a recovery day. Your body (and your scorecard) will thank you.
Book your tee times with recovery in mind. Play. Rest. Repeat. That's how you get the most out of your time at Hermitage.