We are planning our trip to NC next spring and plan on play 5 rounds while we are there. We are from the midwest so we will be pretty rusty in April/May and are looking to play the easiest (or most forgiving) courses first just to shake off some winter rust. Here are the courses that are on our short list to play:

Talamore
Legacy
Mid South
Mid Pines
Southern Pines
Pine Needles
Tobacco Rd

Which of these are the most forgiving of the bunch?

Saw NWS confirmed tornado path that ended over top of course. Anyone in area have course condition update? Was thinking of coming down there tomorrow to play.

Keep getting drawn back to The Crossings as the course is in great shape for the price. Have the day off tomorrow and want to play somewhere new. Any recommendations on courses in good shape that won't completely break the bank? Willing to drive. Bonus if they have a range/chipping area

Friendly North Carolinians! We are planning my bachelor party for late March to early May. We golfed Tot Hill in August and damn right we are going back there but need a few more courses. We really want to do Tobacco Road (and def will at some point) but are debating it for this trip just bc of the cost. Overall I've golfed Duke a long time ago (loved it), Tot (my favorite), Oak Island (was okay), and Nags Head Links (loved it).

We can drive and stay in different hotels so within a few hours is fine but we will be in the Asheboro area to do Tot at some point. What 3-4 courses would you all recommend/are can't miss? Ideal price would be like around Tot, $150 and below, but if it's worth it we could golf do a pricey one (like Tobacco). Recommend whatever you think we need to golf and well decide on price.

What suggestions would ya'll have? Thank you in advance.

I'm from OH btw but love visiting your beautiful state

I've now played every private course in the RDU area at least twice, so I thought I'd put together my rankings. Just meant to be fun and spur some debate. I think the top 3 and bottom 3 are pretty obvious, but there's a lot of gray area in between. Don't just claim a course deserves to be higher; you need to also tell us who's being moved down.

For some context, I'm a 3.4 handicap live in Apex and play out of a private club in the Sandhills. I really value great conditions and a fun layout.

1. Raleigh Country Club 
In my opinion, far and away the best club in the RDU area. Awesome restoration; golf as it should be. Truly the only course in the area that could host a high-level men’s championship. 

Cons: You may get shot driving to the club.

2. Old Chatham 
Quiet, secluded, impeccably conditioned. Feels like an escape, golf heaven. Incredible practice facilities.

Cons: From start to finish, a really solid course, but I think it lacks that memorable signature hole or tough stretch of holes.

3. Treyburn Country Club 
Great routing, really fun course. Very good pace of play, and probably the best greens I’ve played in the area. 

Cons: In the middle of nowhere (but that does result in a quick round).

4. North Ridge Country Club 
Lakes course is fantastic, a good mix of fun and reachable par 5s and long par 3s. The Oaks course is pretty average, but having 36 holes on site is a plus. Both courses are well conditioned. The clubhouse has it all.

Cons: Really busy club; seems a bit impersonal. Practice facilities are ok, but not great.

5. Governors Club 
Good variety among the Lakes, Foothills, and Mountain courses. Good views, well conditioned. All three 9’s are demanding in their own way.

Cons: Personal choice, but I think 27 holes is just weird. I hate the multiple routings. Find space for another 9, or just make an incredible 18 holes.

6. Hope Valley 
A lot like Raleigh CC, feels historic being on site. The history oozes out of this place. Devilish greens, amongst the fastest I’ve played.

Cons: Practice facilities for a club of this caliber are subpar. Downhill range and no real short game area. Tough walk, very hilly.

7. Hasentree Club 
Tough track, a good test for golfers of all skill levels. This could be a pro or con depending on personal preference, but I think it has a high-end resort type of feel. Great clubhouse, practice facilities, and dining options. Great mix of holes, a few fun drivable par 4s.

Cons: Not walkable at all; the neighborhood feels a little too close to the golf course in parts.

8. Prestonwood Country Club 
There are 18 good holes on site; it’s just too bad they are spread out amongst 54 holes. Big club, but well run and can handle the huge membership. As you would expect, great conditioning. 

Cons: Feels built for volume, and none of the courses stand out as exceptional.

9. The Club at Wakefield 
Part of the McConnell Network. Tough track, probably too tough for most. But a great challenge for the low handicap players. Love that they have a Family 9; great spot for kids to learn the game without clogging up the championship course. Great range. 

Cons: Tight and hilly, making for a tough walk. The course feels a bit forced in spots.

10. The 12 Oaks Club 
The best Tiff Eagle greens I’ve played in the area. Good golfers. Unforgiving course; it’ll make you better or make you quit. Awesome practice facilities. For the family, it has a similar resort feel to Hasentree. 

Cons: The par five 7th is one of the worst holes ever designed. Atrocious. The neighborhood encroaches on the golf course a little too much.

11. Croasdaile Country Club 
The best range on the list. Not too hard, not too easy, fun layout that’s very walkable. Membership seems to skew younger.

Cons: Bent grass greens; they are good, but in this area, why are clubs holding on?

12. Carolina Country Club 
Location, location, location. Really good instructors teach out of here. Interesting and hilly terrain.

Cons: Don’t tell the blue hairs and trust fund babies, but Carolina Country Club in South Carolina is much better. This course gets by on legacy and perceived prestige rather than being a great course.

13. Briercreek Country Club
Good risk-reward holes. Overall a fun layout with decent conditioning. The 18th is one of the better finishing holes in the area.

Cons: I really hate that part of town. The Champions Bermuda greens are great, but the rest of the course can be hit or miss with the conditioning.

14. MacGregor Downs 
Much like Carolina, a prime location. I enjoy the old-school rustic clubhouse overlooking the lake and controversial 18th hole.

Cons: Greens always sub-par. Ok layout, but nothing memorable. Even in a drought, the course can be wet.

15. Chapel Hill Country Club 
Four or five really solid and fun holes on the back 9. Good conditioning. 

Cons: Strange clubhouse. The back 9 is good, but it can be underwater a lot. Front 9 is repetitive and boring.

16. Bentwinds Country Club 
Very walkable. Conditions are on par with any course on this list. New Bermuda greens are good, albeit a little soft.

Cons: Arguably the worst course on the list. Typical late 70’s early 80’s design that squeezes a golf course into a neighborhood. Doglegs for days! Definitively the worst practice facilities on the list. Internal OB!

17. Devils Ridge Good value, good mix of holes. A lot of elevation changes. Free popcorn in the clubhouse.

Cons: Conditioning is average at best, especially the bentgrass greens that take a beating from members. Feels more like a semi-private experience than a private club.

Looking for advice and suggestions. I’ll be flying into RDU on thanksgiving around 10:30am.
Looking to play Thursday afternoon and then either 1 or 2 rounds Friday. Flying home sat morning.
I’m making this stop on the back end of a work trip, so will be playing solo.
I’m a scratch handicap, and have no issue playing solo or with anyone else. It’s all great to me.

Courses I’m looking at are some of the usuals. Tobacco, Tot hill, Mid Pines, southern pines.
Not really looking at the top pinehurst courses (would rather save that for a group booking).

How would you do it? Where should I play 2-3 rounds? Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated!

I'm going to Pinehurst in a couple weeks (end of Oct). I want to play No. 3 but am not staying at the resort. I think there should be plenty of walk up tee times available the day before but I figured this group would have better insight. I’m planning to play on a Wednesday. I don‘t want to be scrambling to find a place to play the day before.

Hello everyone! I just moved to Carrboro area. I am 34M and around a 2 handicap. I don’t technically have a handicap anymore and don’t plan on getting one. I’ve had two knee surgeries earlier this year so I am just getting back out on the course. I’ve played Chapel Ridge, Challenge, and Twin Lakes so far. I am closest to CR and TL, but definitely plan on staying loyal to CR because of the driving range.

I love sports and all kinds of music. I played golf in college but have sworn myself out of competition. TBH, I don’t like the pressure anymore and have reframed my love for golf since college. I don’t really like to gamble or even keep score. I just like to socialize, exercise, and get some sunshine. Ya feel?

I am a stay at home dad so that gives me a little more flexibility if I can plan in advance. Anyone looking to take on another friend? Practice or play, I’m game.

Thanks!

Beginner golfer been playing for about a year, looking for some people to play with.

Supposed to be playing here tomorrow. Just checked online and there are hardly any times booked. Can’t seem to find much, if any info on this course. If anyone has played recently and has any insight into the current conditions that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

Just saw this in Yip’s X post:

According to an anonymous source…a 12 handicap fired a GROSS 65 at The Hasentree Club MEMBA-GUEST!

Thus proving once again, that North Carolina is the #1 State for sandbagging.

Golf Genius wasn’t used, so if any Yipamaniacs have any hard evidence, please send it my way.

https://x.com/yipstrickler/status/2106510436757819613?s=61&t=8S7mnRY9PWP1fuswZYB5OA

I live in the Morrisville area, but don’t mind driving anywhere within reason. My buddies I normally play with live in Charlotte and it’s a pain trying to get with them. I’m in my upper 20’s and mainly just like to play casually and drink some beers. I’m not the greatest, but anything beats playing by myself lol.

I have gotten to the point in my game where I’m chipping for birdie around 10-12 times a round with around 4-5 GIR on average. I really struggle with the 10-30 yard chips and don’t have a spot to practice those. Where do I do this in the area?

Does anyone know of any places in the Triangle that do grip fittings? I know the PGA Superstore does not.

Booked a walk-on tee time for tomorrow and will be driving down and back to play. Any specific things or places to check out while I'm down there? Have never been before.

Ideally any shops, restaurants / bars, or unique things to see besides the big clock and the Payne statue.

Thanks in advance

My dad and I are coming up from Florida to Pinehurst/Southern Pines in mid-October for 3 days of golf. We already have Pine Needles scheduled for the first day and Tot Hill Farm scheduled for the next. I’m having a hard time deciding on the course for the last day.

We visited Pinehurst in May and have already played Southern Pines and Tobacco Road, so we would like to play somewhere new.

Mid-pines was the no brainer decision at first, but I see they are starting to over-seed on Oct. 7, so it would probably be best to wait until our next trip.

We’re open to any of the following:
Talamore - I can get a GolfNow deal for $170/each
Mid South - Looks like $280 each (member for a day)
Pinehurst 1/3/5 - Wouldn’t be able to book until 24hrs out

We’re also open to any other course suggestions. Price isn’t a concern, as long as it’s worth it.

26, moved down this way about a year ago, and would love to try out some of the private courses around here. Any tips on how to get on or meet members who might be willing to bring me out?

I previously posted a reply in a thread mentioning this expected development. They have been clearing land for a couple months and built roads into the area where this community and golf complex will be built. Exciting stuff for the area residents.

Ideally, I would like to go to somewhere that has a variety of different wedges (brands, lofts, grinds) that I can hit out of actual grass, rough, and sand.

I used to play competitively, but that was over 20 years ago. I am so lost with all the new technology and the different shaped heads/grinds. My point being that I’m probably gonna be pretty picky about what I like, but I’m so unfamiliar with the market, I don’t really know where to begin.

I don’t want a “traditional fitting” where you hit off mats, and then they analyze data to recommend the newest model clubs… I mostly wanna try different clubs in different conditions and then see what feels good and gives me confidence…I may end up buying used or off a discount rack somewhere once I understand what I’m looking for.

I don’t want a cheap fitting to sell me expensive clubs, but I will pay a decent price for good information and a consultation that isn’t just trying to sell me something.

Preferably within an hour drive of RDU airport

Used to live in Raleigh and know the courses very well, and I'm coming back to town for a wedding soon. We're staying in Wake Forest, and my wife (who doesn't golf) and I will be sharing a car, so I'll need to play relatively close by. I'm planning to play Heritage and River Ridge, but I'm probably going to play one more round, and I need recommendations for a course based on current course conditions. Who has the best greens and fairways right now in the Raleigh area? Thanks!

Anyone know if Lake Winds GC is closed for renovations or something? Their website is wonky and the reservation system isn't allowing me to access any times for tomorrow or any time this week. TIA

Anyone have any putter recommendations for someone who is good at putting? Looking for new ones to try