What to Know About Golf in North Carolina
North Carolina’s blend of picturesque settings, including stunning beaches and Blue Ridge Mountain scenery, has contributed to North Carolina’s rise as one of the premier destinations for golf enthusiasts. North Carolina’s scenic landscape hosts nearly 600 golf courses, some of which are world-famous courses designed by some of the top golf architects to have ever lived, with immaculate landscaping, panoramic views, and distinct challenges.
North Carolina has a great mix of public and private courses with plenty of quality options for everyone. We broke down some of the state’s most renowned golf courses so you know where to hit the links in North Carolina.
The Top Golf Courses in North Carolina
Pinehurst Resort: Pinehurst Resort is a world-famous golf resort that has been the site of major golf tournaments, including the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and Ryders Cup. It includes a whopping nine golf courses, each with beautiful designs and a distinct feel. Course No. 2, designed by Donald Ross, is the most famous and the site of Pinehurst’s tournaments. It is a par-72 course with 111 sand bunkers and perfectly-maintained greens.
Wade Hampton Golf Club: The Wade Hampton Golf Club opened in 1987 and is an exclusive, members-only club with a world-class golf course designed by Tom Fazio. The Blue Ridge Mountains form the backdrop for the course, with stunning sights throughout, including a natural cascading waterfall and green mountainous backgrounds. The tight fairways and water hazards pose difficulty for golfers but make for a ton of fun.
Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club: The Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club has been the site of three LPGA U.S. Open events, and this gorgeous course is a favorite of amateurs and professionals alike. Designed by legendary golf architect Donald Ross, the Pine Needles Golf Course stretches for more than 7,000 yards and has rolling hills, a fairway bunker, and plenty of sand traps.
Old Town Club: Old Town Club is a country club in Winston-Salem that began construction in 1938. This historic course is an 18-hole, par-70 challenge with intensely-sloping fairways and green undulations. The Wake Forest University golf team practices on this course, and it is considered one of the state’s premier destinations for young golfers.
Linville Golf Club: Golf has been played at Linville since 1895, and Donald Ross created the current course in 1924. This 18-hole course in the mountains has a creek that runs throughout and small, difficult greens. It is historic, picturesque, and one of North Carolina’s gems.
Diamond Creek Golf Club: Diamond Creek is a members-only golf club in the Banner Elk area, located among the mountains. Diamond Creek features a Tom Fazio-designed course that consistently ranks among the best in the state. The course is known for its views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and immaculate conditioning, and at the end of an exciting round of golf, the clubhouse is world-class.
