North Carolina has 600 golf courses to whet the appetite of any golfer who aspires to seek new challenges away from their home course or state.
Selection of the 10 best golf courses in North Carolina is thus an extremely difficult task.
This task has been eased with a collaboration with TheGrint, our favorite mobile app that helps golfers track their handicap and stats. They have collected golf course reviews from millions of real golf rounds from real golfers.
Ranking in order 1 to 10
- Carmel Country Club | North
- Pinehurst Resort | #2
- The Peninsula Club | Peninsula
- Carolina Golf Club | Carolina
- Cutter Creek Golf Club
- Sedgefield Country Club
- Carmel Country Club | South
- Pinehurst Resort | #8
- Cramer Mountain Country Club
- Northstone Country Club
1. Carmel Country Club | North
- Site Link
- Location: Charlot, North Carolina.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,410 meters off the Tips and 5,107 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tees options available.
Signature Hole – The 451-meter dogleg left par 4 is my choice of signature hole.
Accuracy off the tee to avoid trees on the left and right of the fairway, set up the 2nd approach shot over water to the bunker protected green.
This facility has 2 18-hole courses and provides a unique experience in that the North course has Bermuda greens, whilst the South course has Bent.
The North course was renovated a few years ago and now plays through mature tree-lined holes and the natural rolling terrain.
It is a classic traditional design.
2. Pinehurst Resort | #2
- Site Link
- Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina.
- Par: 70
- Length: 6,936 meters off the Tips and 5,275 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – To me, all the holes are signature holes and are simply terrific.
The 414-meter par 4 18th is deemed to be the signature hole that plays to a green protected by a tough bunker short right.
Avoid the long, deep bunker down the right side fairway at all cost.
Pinehurst No 2 has had more single major golf championships than any other course in the USA.
It is the masterpiece of Donald Ross designs and throws the “kitchen sink” at the player.
Cluster bunkers, doglegs, dramatically sloped tiered greens, and its famous hardpan sand lurking throughout the course, make this a tough layout.
A must-play course if given the opportunity.
3. The Peninsula Club | Peninsula
- Site Link
- Location: Cornelius, North Carolina.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,446 meters off the Tips and 4,986 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 224-meter par 3 16th hole is my choice of signature hole.
The fairway is a horse-shoe shape around water and the direct route is all carry over the water to a bulkhead green.
For the not-so-brave, the fairway allows a layup area on the right.
The Peninsula Golf Club is nestled along the shores of Lake Norman, which is used extensively throughout the course.
The tree-lined fairways are fairly generous and the layout is suited to all skill levels to enjoy.
The diverse holes during play will keep the attention and concentration levels up.
4. Carolina Golf Club | Carolina
- Site Link
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,409 meters off the Tips and 4,802 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The signature hole is the par 3 island green that will test the nerves on the tee.
Get the club selection right.
The Carolina Golf course is a classic design with undulating fairways and greens.
The course winds through the natural terrain with tall trees strategically positioned on some fairways to test the tee shot accuracy.
Water and streams are ever-present.
5. Cutter Creek Golf Club
- Site Link
- Location: Snow Hill, North Carolina.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,645 meters off the Tips and 5,544meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – Reviews award the signature hole to the 376-meter par 4 13th hole which requires accuracy through the hole.
My choice would go to the 9th or 18th where water features prominently.
A links-style layout where water is a feature of the course.
Rolling fairways that play into pine forest areas, with huge elevation changes, make this a challenging and fun course for all skill levels.
The moundings and water create some awkward shots, but another feature of the course is the bailout areas on offer for the not-so-brave player.
6. Sedgefield Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Greensboro, North Carolina.
- Par: 71
- Length: 6,517 meters off the Tips and 4,983 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
5 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 388-meter par 4 6th is my choice of signature hole and is the no 1 index hole.
It plays downhill to a creek and requires a layup off the tee.
The uphill 2nd shot requires distance control to a large and difficult green.
Home to the Wyndham Championship and a regular PGA tournament venue.
The rolling, undulating fairways are framed by tall trees and require accuracy to score well.
Water and creeks flow through the course and a few risk and reward holes are exciting.
The Green complexes require good judgment and some putting skill.
7. Carmel Country Club | South
- Site Link
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,410 meters off the Tips and 5,107meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 366-meter par 4 15th is my choice of signature hole and requires a precision approach shot over water, to the green.
The Lake lurks all the way down the left fairway.
A neoclassical design, after major renovations, has changed this layout which now plays in reverse from the original 1 to 18.
Contoured fairways now play to open entrance greens and shot options are available on every hole.
Trees have been removed to open up the course, but don’t get too complacent.
8. Pinehurst Resort | #8
- Site Link
- Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,483 meters off the Tips and 5,306 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 217-meter par 3 8th is the signature hole and plays over a valley to a large deep green.
Avoid the hazard and the deep bunker on the right.
Pull the right club!
The 2nd most popular course on the complex, this course is cut through the forest and natural wetlands.
The rolling terrain offers wastelands, water hazards, and Lakes, 58 bunkers, and challenging holes for all skill levels.
Swales and dips surround the green complexes which will test chipping skills.
9. Cramer Mountain Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Cramerton, North Carolina.
- Par: 70
- Length: 5,929 meters off the Tips and 4,706 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 188-meter par 3 15th is a beautiful signature hole and plays slightly downhill.
The rock-surrounded green is a relatively big target, but don’t hit it long!
A tremendous variety of challenging holes, that rewards shot-making and strategy.
The tree-lined fairways and strategically placed sand-traps, require accuracy off the tee.
Risk and reward opportunities can either make or break the scorecard.
10. Northstone Country Club
- Site Link
- Location: Huntersville, North Carolina.
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,307 meters off the Tips and 5,097 meters off the Front.
PLAYER RATING
4 tee options available.
Signature Hole – The 133-meter par 3 13th is the signature hole.
It plays to a semi-island green, with the water and deep bunkers its protection.
Check the pin placement before pulling a club!
Wow-what a selection of quality golf holes.
Multi-tiered fairways and greens, with uphill and downhill holes, require precision and accurate distance control to score well on this track.
Doglegs with strategically placed bunkers and water make this a shot-makers dream.
Other Courses Outside the Top 10
1. Bald Head Island Club
- Site Link
- Location: Southport, North Carolina.
PLAYER RATING
A unique experience awaits as access to the course is limited to a ferry or private boat.
A magnificent layout, with water featured on plenty of the holes, and a recent revamp has improved the natural setting and challenge.
2. Bermuda Run Country Club | East
- Site Link
- Location: Advance, North Carolina.
PLAYER RATING
The facility has 2 18-hole courses that are challenging but enjoyable.
The East course is more difficult and has conquered many of the locals and visitors alike.
Stay on the fairway.
3. Pinehurst Resort | #4
- Site Link
- Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina.
PLAYER RATING
Any Pinehurst course is worthy of making the effort to play and the golfer will not be disappointed.
Each track has its own distinct characteristics, that are both pleasing and challenging.
No 4 features exposed sandscape and the wiregrass is tough.
Final Thoughts
An incredible choice of top and fun courses to play in North Carolina should satisfy golfers of all skill levels.
Many stay and play packages should be checked out too!
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
