Unknown golfing gems

[MadAdey]

Since moving across the US to Greensboro I have slowly realised that this really is an absolute amazing place for golfing. Within 50 miles of my house I can hit over 50 courses and most of them are amazing, with prices during the week that vary from $30 to $70 including cart rental. When these courses say championship, they really do mean it. Most of the top course designers all have somewhere around here.

Anyone that is looking for somewhere for golfing trip really should look into this area, the golf is cheap, accommodation is cheap and the weather is fantastic in spring. Here are a few of the highlights and you do not have to break the bank to play them. I've actually played some of these courses for under $25 including cart at twilight rates.

Bryan Park: Championship course. Rees Jones and George Cobb. Par 72, 75.5 index, 140 slope. 7255 yards.
Bryan Park: Players course. Rees Jones and George Cobb. Par 72, 73.8 index, 133 slope. 7057 yards.
Oak Hollow: Pete Dye. Par 72, 72.1 index, 131 slope. 6564 yards.
Meadowlands: Hale Irwin. Par 72, 73 index, 137 slope. 6868 yards.
Tanglewood: Championship course. Robert Trent Jones Sr. Par 70, 74.6 index, 140 slope.
Tanglewood: Reynolds course. Robert Trent Jones Sr. Par 72, 72.8 index, 137 index.
Stoney Creek: Tom Jackson. Par 72, 74.1 index, 144 index.

I have given the tournament tee information, more of an example of what these beasts can be like. From any of the tees these courses are a fantastic test for any level of golfer. The greens always run true and you rarely find a bare lie on the fairway. Only problem is you need to learn to play from bermuda grass rough, take it from me it's a real bitch to get out of.

Then you have the famous stuff:

Forest Oaks Country Club: Ex host the Greater Greensboro Open on the USPGA Tour. Still a fantastic course and an amazing challenge, One day I'll be brave enough to tackle the tour tees......

Sedgefield Country Club: Host to the Wyndham Championship on the USPGA Tour.

9 courses at the Pinehurst: Host to many top tournaments and famous worldwide.

 

[Fish]

Why is it when I read reviews like this, anywhere, referring to courses in the USA there always seems to be a focus or a need to mention "includes cart rental"?

Is it an American thing that carts (buggies by the way :smirk: ) always have to feature when selling/promoting a course, I personally don't like buggies, whether I am carrying or using my trolley I like to interact with the course and absorb the scenery and enjoy the look of the hole and all its surroundings as it materialises itself in front of me (getting deep now ), I'm sure you know what I mean, but all those things I don't think can be done or enjoyed whilst whizzing from ball to ball in a buggy!

OK I accept some people need them, but pictures of 30, 40, 50+ buggies outside a pro shop for rental would personally put me off.

 

[Slab]

Why is it when I read reviews like this, anywhere, referring to courses in the USA there always seems to be a focus or a need to mention "includes cart rental"?

Is it an American thing that carts (buggies by the way :smirk: ) always have to feature when selling/promoting a course, I personally don't like buggies, whether I am carrying or using my trolley I like to interact with the course and absorb the scenery and enjoy the look of the hole and all its surroundings as it materialises itself in front of me (getting deep now ), I'm sure you know what I mean, but all those things I don't think can be done or enjoyed whilst whizzing from ball to ball in a buggy!

OK I accept some people need them, but pictures of 30, 40, 50+ buggies outside a pro shop for rental would personally put me off.

Sometimes the distances, (green to tee) course design and climate mean that carts are a huge benefit to pace and enjoyment

With temps over 30* and a couple hundred yards not unusual between holes you really don't want to be carrying/pulling at all let alone for an additional kilometer or two and especially if its that hot/humid

Course I played yesterday is about 7,500 from the back tees and at least a couple hundred yrds between many holes, temp was high twenties and humidity at 80%
Pace would've been painfully slow if the field was walking

 

[Smiffy]

Agreed they all look lovely courses, but "Championship?"
What championships have they hosted?????

 

[USER1999]

Some golf courses in the US are advertised as walking courses, but most require you to have a buggy.
Some of the courses I have played in Florida have a 5 minute drive between holes. If you were walking, then you would be out there all day.
You can always let your partner drive the buggy, and get out and walk the hole. That's what I do if I want the exercise.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Adey, I thought you'd moved to California? I was out your way last month, watched the Champions tour event at Prestonwood CC in Cary.

 

[MadAdey]

Agreed they all look lovely courses, but "Championship?"
What championships have they hosted?????

Most of these have hosted top amateur events. But having played them, the condition, the layout, the viewing positions for spectators, they have been designed like a championship course. For the price I have never had golf at such great value.

They say the Bryan park championship course is as good as most US Open courses, coming from people who have played a lot of the top courses, not my own personal findings. But a city owned muni golf course is never going to host it.

 

[Ethan]

Adey, so in Cali you drove to the course in your Prius, but now in NC you drive in a truck with guns along the back window?

 

[Smiffy]

Most of these have hosted top amateur events.

Ah the old "make it at least 7,200 yards and call it a "championship" course" type of championship courses....

 

[MadAdey]

Adey, so in Cali you drove to the course in your Prius, but now in NC you drive in a truck with guns along the back window?

Something like that......

 

[MadAdey]

Adey, I thought you'd moved to California? I was out your way last month, watched the Champions tour event at Prestonwood CC in Cary.

Got a good job offer building the new HONDA jet aircraft. So packed my bags and drove the 2500 miles across country. Also the golf is a hell of a lot cheaper here, so it's a win win situation 😃

 

[Duckster]

Most of these have hosted top amateur events. But having played them, the condition, the layout, the viewing positions for spectators, they have been designed like a championship course. For the price I have never had golf at such great value.

They say the Bryan park championship course is as good as most US Open courses, coming from people who have played a lot of the top courses, not my own personal findings. But a city owned muni golf course is never going to host it.

Bethpage & Torrey Pines are both (I think) city or state owned Muni's.