Raleigh Area Golf Trip

JB_007 · January 15, 2020

For our annual golf trip a few buddies and I were able to snag cheap flights (<$100) to Raleigh, NC for 3 nights in August. The group is mixed, 2 are really golf oriented, the other 2 enjoy golf, but some nightlife is key for them. Should we stay in the Raleigh area or should we make the drive to Charlotte, Pinehurst, MB or elsewhere? We will have access to a rental car (unlimited miles) so a drive isn't out of the question. We are hoping to play 36 Friday and 18 Saturday ( 2 guys will be burnt out after this).

Any suggestions both on area, courses and nightlife will be greatly appreciated.

MaxBuck · January 16, 2020

There's really not much good golf in the Raleigh area. I'd recommend the Duke University course, going to Franklin Street in Chapel Hill for the evening (dinner and night life), then driving the 1.25 hours or so to Pinehurst for the remainder of the golf.

Miker20890 · January 20, 2020

The 3 college courses are about it in that area. NC State, UNC, and Duke.

Drwoods2017 · January 21, 2020

It depends on really how old you are. That whole area is nothing but college kids so if that's your vibe then you'd wanna stay there. If you're looking for good golf then the pinehurst area is the way to go. Charlotte to me doesn't have the best public courses. Myrtle beach is great for night life and golf and will probably have the cheapest golf rates but that's peak beach season so rooms will be expensive. Keep in mind though North Carolina in August is hot especially the sand hills areas.

Malones19 · January 21, 2020

I would probably make the drive immediately down to Tobacco Road on arrival then stay in Pinehurst for the duration.

find the courses within your budget, for the no. Serious golfers your could try to break up the golf with some breweries (and do a day Pinehurst -Thistle and Cradle - probably more enjoyable for the non golfers than playing full 18).

Bogeygolfer55 · January 21, 2020

I'm in Fayetteville so I'm close to Raleigh and Pinehurst. Pinehurst have nicer courses but definitely more expensive. All 3 colleges Unc ,Duke and State have courses that can be a challenge or fun for high handicaper depending on tees you play. Also Raleigh Golf Association is an inexpensive hidden Gem.

JB_007 · January 21, 2020

I appreciate all the input guys.

After speaking with my group, we are between making the drive immediately to Tobacco Road Thursday, 36 at Pinehurts Friday and driving back to Raleigh for Friday/Saturday night or just making the ride to Myrtle ( 3hr ride was the bigger issue previously, but they are coming around to it).

Of the Pinehurst courses, I doubt they will be interest in No 2, is there any course anyone recommends more than others?

Bogeygolfer55 · January 21, 2020

3 and 5 are short and fun.

Drwoods2017 · January 22, 2020

4 and 8 are really good but tough so probably not the best idea for the other guys.

Gdane · January 22, 2020

My group went down a couple of years ago to visit one of our buddies that moved down to Raleigh. This was our itinerary:

Thursday: 18 at the NC St course, and stayed in the Raleigh area

Friday: Golf at Dormie Club and Talamore. Dinner at Pinehurst and stayed down there that night

Saturday: Tobacco Road before driving back to Raleigh and going out there at night.

NC St was pretty solid, Talamore wasn't too memorable, and all 4 of us thought Dormie was the gem of the trip. Tobacco Road is quite polarizing, and to be honest all of us ended up on unfavorable side of the spectrum. It was visually beautiful but a really funky course that did not reward good shots.

We've talked about making a return trip this summer. If we do we'll probably follow the same type of trip w/ 2 nights in Raleigh and one down in the Pinehurst area, and we'll be sure to play Dormie again.

bulls9999 · January 22, 2020

When I went to grad school at NC State, me and some lab mates would play, aside from courses in Raleigh, Duke's course, we would go to Bouie's Creek and play Keith Hills (~45 min from Raleigh), the Campbell University golf course. I think they have 2 or 3 of them now. I always enjoyed playing there because it reminded me of Augusta with all the azalea's they had planted near the tee boxes.