Top North Carolina Public Golf Courses

🏌️‍♂️ Top Public Golf Courses in North Carolina
(According to Wikipedia & Course Profiles)

1. Pinehurst No. 2
📍 Pinehurst, NC

🛠️ Designed by Donald Ross | Restored by Coore & Crenshaw
🏆 Host of U.S. Opens, Ryder Cup coming in 2029
⛳ Crown jewel of Pinehurst Resort with crowned greens
💲 Resort access required
🗒️ Wikipedia | Course site

2. Pinehurst No. 4
📍 Pinehurst, NC

🛠️ Originally Ross | Reimagined by Gil Hanse (2018)
🌾 Sandscapes, bold bunkering, wide fairways
🏌️‍♂️ Modern complement to No. 2
💲 Resort access required
🗒️ Course site

3. Tobacco Road Golf Club
📍 Sanford, NC

🛠️ Designed by Mike Strantz
🌀 Wild elevation, artistic bunkers, thrilling visuals
🎨 One of the most unique layouts in America
💲 Daily fee course
🗒️ Wikipedia | Course site

4. Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club
📍 Southern Pines, NC

🛠️ Designed by Donald Ross
🕰️ Restored to original Ross intent
🌲 Classic pine-lined fairways and Ross greens
💲 Public/resort play available
🗒️ Course site

5. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club
📍 Southern Pines, NC

🛠️ Designed by Donald Ross
🏆 Host of multiple U.S. Women’s Opens
🎯 Pure, strategic design with excellent greens
💲 Public/resort access
🗒️ Wikipedia | Course site

6. The Omni Grove Park Inn – Donald Ross Course
📍 Asheville, NC

🛠️ Designed by Donald Ross (1926)
🏞️ Mountain views and old-school architecture
🧘 Resort golf with rich history and spa experience
💲 Resort access required
🗒️ Course site

7. Linville Golf Club
📍 Linville, NC

🛠️ Designed by Donald Ross (1924)
⛰️ Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains
🛏️ Resort-only access but revered by golf traditionalists
💲 Private to Eseeola Lodge guests
🗒️ Wikipedia

8. Leopard’s Chase Golf Club
📍 Ocean Isle Beach, NC

🛠️ Designed by Tim Cate
💎 Known for dramatic elevation and finishing waterfall
🌿 One of “The Big Cats” of the Carolina coast
💲 Daily fee play
🗒️ Course site

9. Bryan Park – Champions Course
📍 Greensboro, NC

🛠️ Designed by Rees Jones
🎯 Championship layout on Lake Townsend
🏌️‍♂️ Host of USGA and collegiate events
💲 Municipal but high-end public access
🗒️ Course site

10. Tot Hill Farm Golf Club
📍 Asheboro, NC

🛠️ Designed by Mike Strantz
🌀 Unique routing through stone outcroppings and dense woods
🌲 One of the most imaginative public courses in the East
💲 Public daily fee
🗒️ Course site

🧠 Why These Courses?

• 🏆 Championship pedigree: Pinehurst No. 2 is a U.S. Open staple

• 🖼️ Design legends: Ross, Hanse, Strantz, Rees Jones

• 🏞️ Diverse settings: From Sandhills to the Blue Ridge Mountains to the coast

• 🏌️‍♂️ Public-friendly: Many top designs accessible by resort or daily fee

• 🧭 Regional balance: Pinehurst, Asheville, Greensboro, Ocean Isle, and beyond