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Best Golf Courses Near Raleigh
Are you searching for the best golf courses near Raleigh, NC? Here are the top ten golf courses near Raleigh!
Raleigh is one of the Southeast's premier golf destinations. From championship courses that have hosted PGA events to beginner-friendly layouts perfect for learning the game, the Raleigh area offers an incredible variety of golfing experiences
Living in this area comes with many things to do, and one of those is a long list of great golf courses to visit, as well as gated communities and sought-after golf course communities in the Triangle.
Whether you are an avid golfer seeking your next challenge or picking up clubs for the first time, these ten exceptional courses represent the best of what the Triangle has to offer. Each brings its own character, challenges, and charm to create an unforgettable round.
Check out these best golf courses near Raleigh.
1. Duke University Golf Club - Durham, NC
Address: 3001 Cameron Blvd, Durham, NC
The Duke University Golf Club is a public golf course that is considered to be one of the best courses in the Southeast. This club exists for you to play, enjoy, and savor the vision the designer put into it. It is considered to be a work of art that is a singular masterpiece.
This beautiful 18-hole championship course opened in 1957 and is the only Robert Trent Jones-designed course in the region. Redesigned by Jones' son, Rees, in 1994, the Course is considered one of the top ten golf courses in North Carolina.
Located just 34 minutes from downtown Raleigh on Duke's stunning campus, this semi-private course welcomes public play and delivers a truly premium experience.
What sets Duke apart is its impeccable conditioning and strategic design. The course features 7,045 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72.
The course rating is 73.9, and it has a slope rating of 137 on Bermuda grass. The layout winds through Duke Forest, offering mature tree-lined fairways and challenging approach shots to well-protected greens.
2. Pine Hollow Golf Club - Clayton, NC
Address: 3300 E Garner Rd, Clayton, NC
Pine Hollow Golf Club offers a beautiful layout that winds through the natural pine forests that give the course its name. The course features elevation changes, natural water features, and strategically placed bunkers that create both beauty and challenge.
What sets Pine Hollow apart is its commitment to maintaining natural areas while providing a championship-quality golf experience. The course layout takes advantage of the natural terrain, creating holes that feel carved from the landscape rather than imposed upon it. The greens are known for their excellent conditioning and subtle breaks.
Located in Clayton, this golf club is a favorite for many golfers in the Raleigh area because of the fantastic course and exceptional service. There are 18 holes, with a yardage of 6,583. The pay-71 course is a manageable length, along with affordable rates, which makes it an excellent choice for outdoor recreation.
There have been many different renovations over the past two decades, as well as continual daily upkeep, making this golf club one of the most desirable places to play in Eastern Carolina, and it continues to be an important asset for Clayton.
3. Lonnie Poole Golf Course - Raleigh, NC
Address: 1509 Main Campus Dr, Raleigh, NC
Located right on NC State's campus, Lonnie Poole Golf Course represents modern golf course design at its finest. Originally designed by Arnold Palmer's design company, the course underwent significant renovations that transformed it into one of the Triangle's premier public facilities.
This course is open to students as well as the public and includes a research center and clubhouse. This is the only collegiate golf course in the world designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer.
The course features rolling terrain with strategic bunkering and multiple tee boxes that accommodate every skill level. The recent renovation of the short game practice area enhances the overall experience, making it an excellent place to work on your game before or after your round. The course also serves as home to NC State's golf programs, ensuring championship-level maintenance standards.
This course offers many different membership packages and annual/monthly plans for players. The layout and the overall experience here are fantastic and have won numerous awards.
The stunning layout with the breathtaking views of the Raleigh skyline has made this course one of the favorites in the area. After a round of golf, you are centrally located in the middle of it all, with many things to do.
4. Heritage Golf Course - Wake Forest, NC
Address: 1250 Heritage Club Ave, Suite 1, Wake Forest, NC
Heritage Golf Course in Wake Forest is rated to be one of the best public golf courses in the Raleigh area. This Dan Maples-designed course offers a perfect blend of beauty and playability, featuring rolling fairways, mature trees, and strategically placed water hazards.
Heritage Golf Course is a semi-private course that offers a one-of-a-kind clubhouse restaurant open to the public, as well as a private swim and tennis club.
This course is challenging yet player-friendly, offering all driving ranges with target friends, a private teaching tee, a chipping green with a practice bunker, and 8,000 square feet of putting green.
What makes Heritage special is its attention to conditioning and player experience. The course features bent grass greens that roll true year-round, and the layout provides options for aggressive and conservative play on most holes. The par-3s are particularly noteworthy, each offering a different challenge and scenic backdrop.
5. Carolina Country Club - Raleigh, NC
Address: 2500 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC
The Carolina Country Club is old-school southern golf done right. It is staid, exclusively private, and mature. This historic private club, founded in 1912, represents the epitome of traditional Southern golf. The course has been refined over more than a century to create a timeless layout that emphasizes strategy over length.
The tree-lined fairways and small, subtle greens reward precision and course management. Members enjoy not just exceptional golf but also rich traditions and a clubhouse that exudes Southern charm. The course has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments and continues to challenge golfers with its classic design principles.
This club is known as one of the nation's best private clubs and has been recognized as a five-star Platinum Club. For over 100 years, this club has been the place to play.
This course is not very long; it plays 6,304 yards as a par 71. After several designs, the course retains its Tillinghast roots in the bunkering, mainly how the holes flow with the land. This course is playable for golfers of any skill.
While the greens here may look intimidating, this course offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers throughout the course. With well-groomed fairways and greens, this club is an amazing, friendly, and somewhat tricky place to play year-round. Staff here will also offer tips and tricks to play your best.
6. UNC Finley Golf Course - Chapel Hill, NC
Address: 500 Finley Golf Course Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Home to the University of North Carolina's golf programs, Finley Golf Course has been a cornerstone of Triangle golf for decades. The course underwent significant renovations to modernize the layout while maintaining its character as a championship venue.
Finley features a challenging layout with water coming into play on several holes and well-bunkered greens that demand precision. The course conditioning reflects its role as home to top-level collegiate golf, and the practice facilities are among the best in the area. The proximity to UNC's campus adds to the collegiate atmosphere.
The towering pines and the highly aesthetic bunkers further define the fairways and guard the greens. Many holes provide different options to get to the greens, so once you get the hang of the layout and plains, you will have a great time playing here.
Many practice facilities include an extensive driving range, a complete short game area, and two large putting greens. The clubhouse also has a pro shop and a casual grill restaurant to enjoy.
7. Tobacco Road Golf Course - Sanford, NC
Address: 442 Tobacco Rd, Sanford, NC
Tobacco Road Golf Course stands as one of the most unique and visually striking golf experiences in North Carolina. Designed by the late, great Mike Strantz, this course is famous for its dramatic elevation changes, bold bunkering, and waste areas that create a links-style feel in the North Carolina Sandhills.
The course is carved from a former sand quarry, resulting in holes that feature elevation changes of up to 80 feet. The signature par-3 16th hole, known as "The Pit," drops dramatically into a green surrounded by towering sand walls. It's golf architecture as art, offering photo opportunities on nearly every hole.
8. Prestonwood Country Club - Cary
Address: 300 Prestonwood Pkwy, Cary, NC 27513
Prestonwood Country Club stands as one of Cary's premier private golf destinations, offering two championship-quality courses that provide variety and challenge for members. The facility is known for its immaculate conditioning, top-tier amenities, and welcoming member community.
The courses feature different characteristics, one more parkland in style with tree-lined fairways, while the other incorporates more open design with strategic bunkering and water features. Both courses offer multiple tee options to accommodate different skill levels while maintaining their championship character.
9. Knights Play Golf Center - Apex
Address: 2512 Ten-Ten Rd, Apex, NC 27539
Knights Play Golf Center serves as an excellent introduction to golf for beginners while still providing challenges for more experienced players. This facility combines a well-designed course with extensive practice facilities and instruction programs.
The course layout is forgiving enough for newcomers to enjoy while still offering strategic elements that reward good shots. The practice facilities include a large driving range, short game area, and putting greens. The golf center also offers lessons and clinics, making it an ideal place to learn or improve your game.
10. Devils Ridge Golf Club - Holly Springs
Address: 5107 Linksland Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Devils Ridge Golf Club offers a modern golf experience with excellent conditioning and thoughtful design at a tremendous value. The course features rolling terrain, strategic water features, and contemporary bunkering that creates both beauty and challenge.
The layout provides options for players of all skill levels through multiple tee boxes, while the excellent maintenance standards ensure consistent playing conditions year-round. The clubhouse and practice facilities complement the on-course experience, making it a complete golf destination.
Methodology
Data was sourced from golf clubs around the Triangle area to determine the best golf courses near Raleigh, NC. Factors such as location, size, and amenities were considered.
FAQs
How many golf courses are near Raleigh?
There are 38 golf courses within a 15-mile radius of Raleigh, with 24 that are public courses as well as 14 private courses. All of these courses offer different amenities, and 28 of them are 18-hole and 9-hole layouts.
Can you golf year-round in Raleigh?
With many regulation courses open to the public, long and short courses, ones that are modest and that are hazard-lined fairways, as well as ones open till midnight, there are many different areas where you can play golf here in Raleigh all year round. Check websites for changes.
Can you play golf in the winter in North Carolina?
The winter golf season is an amazing experience here in North Carolina. The weather here during the winter fluctuates in temperature, offering both warm and cold days and making it a good experience to golf year-round.
Best Golf Courses Near Raleigh - The Bottom Line
The Triangle's golf scene offers something for every golfer, from beginners taking their first swings to scratch players seeking their next challenge. Many of these courses offer reciprocal privileges, lesson programs, and social golf leagues that make it easy to connect with the local golf community.
When choosing where to live in the Triangle, consider proximity to your favorite courses. Areas like North Raleigh, Cary, and Wake Forest provide easy access to multiple high-quality options, while Durham offers its own excellent courses plus easy access to the greater Triangle golf scene.
The year-round playing season means you'll rarely have to put your clubs away, and the variety of courses ensures you'll never get bored. Whether you're looking for a quick nine after work or a championship test on the weekend, the Triangle's golf courses are ready to welcome you home.
Are you ready to find your perfect home near these amazing golf courses? Contact Raleigh Realty today to discover properties in a great neighborhood that puts you minutes away from your next great round.
