Home of Pinehurst No. 2 and 500+ Championship Courses
North Carolina ranks as America's golf capital of the Southeast with 549+ golf courses spanning from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic Coast. Home to legendary Pinehurst Resort and host of multiple U.S. Opens, the Tar Heel State offers year-round golf with world-class courses, stunning scenery, and unbeatable value.
Designer: Donald Ross (1907), restored by Coore & Crenshaw (2010)
Par/Yardage: 72 / 7,588 yards
U.S. Opens: 1999, 2005, 2014, 2024
Donald Ross's masterpiece features the famous "turtleback" greens and has served as the site of more championships than any other course in America. The 2010 restoration by Coore & Crenshaw removed rough and replaced it with sandy wiregrass areas, returning it to Ross's original vision.
Green Fee: $565 (resort guests) + $250 premium
Designer: Originally Donald Ross (1919), redesigned by Gil Hanse (2018)
Par/Yardage: 72 / 7,615 yards
Gil Hanse's stunning redesign features the most interesting topography on the Pinehurst property, with a shimmering lake centerpiece and natural ridgelines defining corridors. The course blends sand, native wiregrass, and water in a brazen display of modern golf architecture.
Green Fee: $465 (resort guests)
Designer: Tom Doak (opened 2024)
Par/Yardage: 72 / 7,551 yards
Pinehurst's first brand-new course in nearly 30 years features native wiregrass, sweeping landscapes, and rolling hills. Sports Illustrated named No. 10 the best new course in the country in 2024.
Green Fee: $465 + $125 premium (resort guests)
Designer: Tom Fazio (1996, centennial celebration)
Par/Yardage: 72 / 7,092 yards
One of Tom Fazio's most versatile designs, with each hole playing differently from the previous. The front nine is mostly tree-lined, the back more open, with both touching ponds, marsh, and Pine Valley-like sandy wastelands.
Green Fee: $425 (resort guests)
Resort Website: pinehurst.com | Location: Pinehurst, NC 28374 | Booking: Minimum 2-night stay required for No. 2
North Carolina features 19 courses in the state's Top 100 rankings from the Pinehurst/Southern Pines/Aberdeen area alone. Here are the elite championship courses across the state.
Location: Sanford (Sandhills)
Designer: Mike Strantz (1998)
Par/Yardage: 71 / 6,554 yards
The late Mike Strantz's masterpiece incorporates an old abandoned sand quarry into arguably his greatest work. Consistently ranked among America's Top 100 courses. Features dramatic elevation changes and unique strategic shot values.
Green Fee: $195-275
Location: Charlotte
Designer: George Cobb (1961), Tom Fazio redesign (2003, 2014-16)
Par/Yardage: 72 / 7,600+ yards
Private club hosting PGA Tour's Truist Championship annually since 2003. Hosted 2017 and 2025 PGA Championships and 2022 Presidents Cup. Tom Fazio's redesigns created one of the toughest tests on tour.
Status: Private (members and guests only)
Location: Southern Pines (Sandhills)
Designer: Donald Ross (1927), restored 2017
Par/Yardage: 71 / 6,778 yards
Hosted three U.S. Women's Opens (1996, 2001, 2007) and selected for 2022 U.S. Open. Known for superior golf instruction and classic Ross design. Famous for its cozy lodge ambiance and immaculate conditioning.
Green Fee: $250-325 (resort guests)
Location: Southern Pines (Sandhills)
Designer: Donald Ross (1921), Kyle Franz restoration (2013)
Par/Yardage: 72 / 6,515 yards
Pine Needles' sister property featuring a rare Donald Ross creation preserved exactly as Ross constructed it. The course remains masterfully intact from 1921. Kyle Franz's 2013 restoration enhanced the original features.
Green Fee: $250-325 (resort guests)
Location: Pinehurst
Courses: Cardinal (Ellis Maples), Dogwood (Robert Trent Jones)
Both CCNC courses rank in North Carolina's top 20. The Cardinal course by Ellis Maples is considered one of the best courses in the state. Private club with two championship layouts.
Status: Private club
Location: Raleigh (NC State University)
Designer: Arnold Palmer (2009)
Par/Yardage: 72 / 7,358 yards
Rating/Slope: 74.4 / 142
Public course on NC State campus, designed by Arnold Palmer. Locals claim it's one of the toughest courses in the Triangle. Home to university golf teams but open to public. Scenic views of Raleigh skyline.
Green Fee: $75-115 (public)
The Pinehurst/Southern Pines/Aberdeen area features 40+ championship courses in North Carolina's famous Sandhills. This region earned 19 spots in the state's Top 100 Golf Courses in 2025.
Golf Packages: Many Sandhills courses offer stay-and-play packages. Visit Southern Pines Golf Packages for deals.
North Carolina's "Golf Coast" features 30+ championship courses along 45 miles of pristine coastline. The Brunswick Islands stretch from the SC border to Wilmington, offering oceanside golf with coastal breezes.
Location: Sunset Beach
Designer: Tim Cate
One of NC's top 100 courses, featuring dramatic elevation changes and stunning visuals. Part of Ocean Ridge Plantation's Big Cats golf complex.
Location: Ocean Ridge Plantation, Sunset Beach
Designer: Tim Cate
Sister course to Tiger's Eye, regularly makes North Carolina's top 100 list. Known for strategic bunkering and pristine conditioning.
Location: Leland (Brunswick Forest)
Designer: Tim Cate (2010)
Named by GOLF Magazine, Links Magazine, and Golfweek as one of the best new courses of 2010. Challenging layout through natural wetlands.
Experience golf in the Blue Ridge Mountains with stunning elevation changes, scenic vistas, and cooler summer temperatures. Western North Carolina offers championship mountain golf with breathtaking views.
Location: Asheville
Designer: Donald Ross (1926), restored 2002
Par/Yardage: 70 / 6,600 yards
Rating/Slope: 71.5 / 128
Ross's mountain masterpiece plays on the side of a mountain, making it longer than the yardage suggests. Hosted PGA Tours from 1933-1951. Played by Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and President Obama. Consistently ranked as one of North Carolina's Top Resort Golf Courses.
Green Fee: $145-195 (resort guests)
Best Time to Play: April-October for mountain courses. Fall foliage (September-October) provides spectacular scenery.
North Carolina's largest city offers 50+ golf courses within the metro area, including PGA Tour venue Quail Hollow Club and numerous championship municipal and daily-fee courses.
The Triangle features 40+ courses including top-ranked university courses, daily-fee championship layouts, and historic Donald Ross designs.
University Courses: Both Lonnie Poole (NC State) and UNC Finley are open to the public and offer championship golf at excellent rates.
The Triad region features 35+ courses through rolling Piedmont hills and picturesque longleaf pine forests, including PGA Tour venues and classic municipal layouts.
Plan your North Carolina golf vacation with insider tips on packages, rates, best times to visit, and booking strategies.
Budget Packages (Under $200/night):
Mid-Range Packages ($300-500/night):
Premium Packages ($500+/night):
Note: Rates include cart fees, green fees, and taxes. Pinehurst No. 2 carries a $250 premium, No. 10 adds $125 premium.
Year-Round Golf: North Carolina courses stay open 365 days except for rare severe weather.
Peak Season (Best Weather):
Value Season (Best Deals):
Summer (Hot but Playable):
Recommended Booking: April-June or September-early November for optimal weather and course conditions.
Booking Resources: Southern Pines Golf Packages, Pinehurst Resort Packages
Pinehurst Resort Courses:
Top Public Courses:
Budget-Friendly Options:
All rates include cart fees unless noted.
Major Airports:
Driving Distances:
Rental Car: Highly recommended for golf trips. Most resorts offer limited shuttle services.
Pinehurst No. 2 is unequivocally North Carolina's best golf course and has been ranked #1 in Golf Digest's "Top 100 Courses You Can Play" since 1995. Donald Ross designed this masterpiece in 1907, and the 2010 restoration by Coore & Crenshaw returned it to Ross's original vision with turtleback greens and sandy wiregrass waste areas.
Pinehurst No. 2 has hosted 4 U.S. Opens (1999, 2005, 2014, 2024) and more single golf championships than any other course in America. The course is restricted to Pinehurst Resort guests with a 2-night minimum stay. Green fee is $565 plus a $250 premium ($815 total).
Other elite courses: Tobacco Road (Mike Strantz masterpiece), Pinehurst No. 4 (Gil Hanse), Pine Needles (U.S. Open venue), and Quail Hollow Club (PGA Championship venue, private) all rank among America's finest.
Pinehurst No. 2 Green Fee: $815 total (base rate $565 + $250 premium for resort guests)
Requirements: You must be a Pinehurst Resort guest with a minimum 2-night stay. The course is not available for daily-fee play. Some weekends require 3-night minimums.
Package Options:
Best Value Strategy: Book a multi-day package and play No. 2 once, then fill other rounds with No. 4, No. 8, No. 10, or other Pinehurst courses at lower rates ($425-590).
Yes! North Carolina offers 365-day golf, with courses staying open year-round except for rare severe weather events. This is a major advantage over northern states where courses close for 4-6 months.
Winter Golf (December-February): Temperatures can dip below freezing, especially in January-February. Morning frost delays are common. However, afternoon temps often reach 50-60°F, making golf comfortable. Winter offers the best value with significantly lower rates and resort packages.
Best Weather Months:
Summer (June-August): Hot and humid (90-100°F), but playable with morning/evening tee times. Coastal courses benefit from ocean breezes.
Recommended Booking Windows: April-June or September-early November for optimal weather and firm, fast course conditions.
The Sandhills region (Pinehurst/Southern Pines/Aberdeen) is North Carolina's premier golf destination, known as the "Home of American Golf."
Why the Sandhills is #1:
Other Outstanding Golf Regions:
North Carolina has 549+ golf courses, ranking 8th in the nation for total number of courses. The state features incredible diversity from mountains to coast.
Regional Breakdown:
Course Types: Mix of resort courses, daily-fee public tracks, semi-private clubs, private country clubs, and excellent municipal options. North Carolina offers golf for every budget from $40 municipal courses to $815 Pinehurst No. 2.
Best Value Golf Packages by Budget:
Budget-Friendly (Under $150/night):
Mid-Range Value ($200-400/night):
Premium Splurge ($500+/night):
Money-Saving Tips:
U.S. Open Championships:
PGA Championships:
Presidents Cup:
PGA Tour Events (Annual):
USGA Championships:
Historic PGA Tour Stops:
The Sandhills region is called the "Home of American Golf" for compelling reasons beyond just the concentration of courses.
Unique Geology & Playing Conditions:
Golf History & Architecture:
Year-Round Golf Climate:
Concentration & Convenience:
Championship Pedigree:
Yes! North Carolina offers exceptional public daily-fee courses where anyone can book tee times without resort stays.
Elite Public Courses (Top 100 Quality):
Great Value Public Courses ($50-100):
Budget-Friendly Municipal Courses ($40-75):
Booking Tips:
Pinehurst No. 10 is North Carolina's newest championship course, opening in 2024 as Pinehurst Resort's first brand-new layout in nearly 30 years.
Pinehurst No. 10 Details:
Coming Soon:
Other Recent Notable Openings:
Major Renovations/Restorations:
Roger Dunn Golf Shops, Van's Golf Shops, Golfers' Warehouse, PGA Tour Superstore, Dick's Sporting Goods, Local Pro Shops at major courses
USA Golf: USA Golf Sites. Associations, Education, Juniors, News (Golf), Pro Players, Professional Golf, Seniors, Women's Golf
North Carolina Guide: Complete guide to North Carolina attractions, activities, and destinations
Last updated on November 24, 2025