{"id":4545,"date":"2023-11-10T16:22:29","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T21:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golfday.us\/blog\/?p=4545"},"modified":"2024-07-08T13:53:23","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T17:53:23","slug":"top-40-public-courses-north-carolina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golfday.us\/blog\/top-40-public-courses-north-carolina\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 40 Public Courses-North Carolina"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Rock Barn Golf & Spa, Conover NC<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With Pinehurst<\/span><\/a>, Pine Needles<\/span><\/a> and Talamore<\/span><\/a>, North Carolina golf resorts are among the finest in the country\u2014but the Carolinas are the heartland of American golf, and there are a ton of fantastic public courses throughout N.C. that are not part of a resort property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for great golf without breaking the bank at a high-end resort, take a look at the Top 40 courses below–keeping in mind there are plenty of nice hotels and restaurants to choose from throughout North Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While each of the Top 40 has a GolfDay Rating above 90, North Carolina offers 91 independent public courses with a rating of 85 or higher (premium) and 141 with a rating of 80 or more (well above average).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dan Maples<\/span><\/a> leads the list for premier public course design in North Carolina with original work or updating at 6 of the Top 40 public courses, including The Pearl Golf links in Calabash (No. 11), Keith Hills at Cambell University (with father Ellis\u2014No. 23) and Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines (No. 28).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rees Jones<\/span><\/a> is close behind with design at 4 of the leading public courses in N.C., including original work at Bryan Park (Champions) in Browns Summit (No. 13) and The Currituck Club in Carolla (No. 18). Rees also updated the wonderful Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design at Duke University (No. 4)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Mike Strantz: Tot Hill Farms<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Although Mike Strantz<\/span><\/a> passed away tragically at only fifty years of age, he left us with some of the greatest courses in the world, including two among the N.C. Top 40–Tobacco Road in Sanford (No.2), and Tot Hill Farm in Asheboro (No. 14). In 2000 Mike was named one of the \u201cTop 10 Greatest Architects of All Time<\/span><\/a>\u201d by Golfweek Magazine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The King<\/span><\/a> made his presence felt in N.C with Palmer designs at Occano in Merry Hill (No. 9), Oak Valley (No. 22), and Lonnie Poole at N.C. State University (No. 24). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GolfDay rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect(s) who did the original design(s), updates that have been done on the course(s), USGA<\/span><\/a> Course and Slope Ratings, the quality and diversity of practice facilities, general course conditioning and current reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Select Top 40 North Carolina Public<\/span><\/a> Courses for a map view of locations (click a flag for course name and details).   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still thinking a resort is the best bet? Check Top N.C. Resorts<\/span><\/a> for a listing by GolfDay Rating.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Forest Oaks Country Club<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Forest Oaks Country Club<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\/<\/strong>Greensboro<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n