North Carolina is famous amongst golfers for the world-renowned Pinehurst Village. However, those aren’t the only courses worth visiting in NC, in fact, far from it. In a state so rich with golf history, sticking to just one region is a crying shame, and an insult to all the other wonderful locations here. We’ve compiled a short list of some the best golf courses in North Carolina, hidden gems tucked away outside of the Village of Pinehurst area.
5. Tanglewood Park
The best bang for your buck, Tanglewood Park host two classic tournament courses- the Championship Course and the Reynolds Course. The Championship course will try and test your ability to play in the sand, while the Reynolds course has a well-balanced variety of features to challenge their players. While the courses are not immaculate, they are well maintained, and more than worth the value deal of playing on either one.
4. Leopard’s Chase
Boasting the finest water features in North Carolina, Leopard’s Chase is a fairly new development designed by Tim Cate. The caretakers of this course do a stellar job in caring for and manicuring their notorious bentgrass greens, and the result of their hard work is an absolute pleasure to tee on. Leopard’s chase offers surprisingly competitive rates, making it an excellent stop for all golfers. The clubhouse is a temporary one, but it offers everything that the minimalist golfer needs for a round or two.
3. Linville Golf Club
An original design by Donald Ross, Linville is a high end, peaceful, and tranquil get-away for the world-weary golfer. Linville is a classic course, built on the backs of mules, every inch carefully levelled and carved with stunning attention to detail. To play at this private club, one must be a guest at the Eseeola lodge- a treat unto itself to stay at this rustic retreat. Linville offers a mild challenge perfect for the beginner or intermediate golfer. But make no mistake, even seasoned veterans rain lavish praise on Linville’s charming course.
2. Cape Fear National
A course to test your mettle, the award winning Cape Fear National can be found nestled in the picturesque heart of Wilmington NC. Cape Fear demands accuracy- and instills a candid fear of losing your ball in the wild terrain outside the fairways. The course is exceedingly well maintained by a professionally trained staff that does a fine job attending guest needs. Be sure to call in and ask about the conditions before making the trip to Brunswick Forest, as the region is known to be wet. While accommodations can be made for beginners, Cape Fear is designed for seasoned golfers seeking the best golf course in North Carolina for a challenge.
1. Olde Beau Golf and Country Club
A course that embodies the majestic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Olde Beau is a monument to mountain golfing. Challenging even for the seasoned pro, Beau provides 18 holes of changing altitudes up to 1,500 feet, spanning across flat rolled greens that cover the lavish property of the club. The spectacular view overlooking the Blue Ridge mountains is highly praised as one of the finest sceneries to be found on any course in North Carolina. The course is located just 3 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway, a perfect stop for anyone taking the scenic route through the mountains. After a long hard day of golfing, guests can treat themselves to the excellent dining selection available at the Clubhouse, before retiring to the luxuriant lodging accommodations for the weary traveler. The weather conditions are impeccable, the altitude dropping 10 degrees off even the hottest of summers.
