Raleigh course rec please.

[OrangeCrush]

I am going to be there for one day mid June after the US Open and I have 7hrs to kill as my daughter is at a mandatory college orientation at Meredith.  Is there is a 7.5/10 or better course under $100 near by that I can kill some time while she is there?

 

Thanks.

[Mike_C]

Maybe NC State's course, Loonie Poole?  10 minutes from Meredith. 

 

https://lonniepoolegolfcourse.com/daily-rates/

[spineshank]

Lonnie Poole would be the top choice. Finley is good too (might be over 100 though). Neuse is another one id recommend. 

[caniac6]

Lonnie Poole. Pretty close to Meredith. If you have any private connections, I would highly recommend Raleigh Country Club. 

[OrangeCrush]

13 minutes ago, caniac6 said:

Lonnie Poole. Pretty close to Meredith. If you have any private connections, I would highly recommend Raleigh Country Club. 

I live in the greater Boston area,  I have zero ties to NC unfortunately.

[bluedot]

Lonnie Poole is your best bet; close, good course, good condition. Finley at UNC and Duke are both good as well.  Beyond those three, you’ll be adding a lot of driving if you want to play a quality golf course.

[Mike_C]

Duke GC, while a very good layout,  with a cart is more expensive than Lonnie Poole, and while not that far away (1/2 hour), will be more of a drive:  

 

https://golf.duke.edu/golf/course-rates/

 

 

2024 In season daily greens fees (effective: March 1, 2024)

Patron / Guest	Monday-Tuesday	Wednesday-Thursday	Friday-Sunday
DAILY PLAY:	$90.00	$95.00	$115.00
with Golf Car	$125.00	$130.00	$150.00

 

 

 

Lonnie Poole:

 

https://lonniepoolegolfcourse.com/daily-rates/

 

 

Mon-Thur	Mon-Thurs Twilight (1:00 PM)	Fri-Sun + Holidays	Fri-Sun Twilight (1:00 PM)
General Public	$75 | $60 Walking	$60 | $35 Walking	$100 | $75 Walking	$75 | $50 Walking
NCSU Faculty/Staff	$65 | $55 Walking	$55 | $35 Walking	$79 | $69 Walking	$69 | $50 Walking
NCSU Students	$42 Walking/Riding	$42 | $35 Walking	$55 | $42 Walking	$42 Walking/Riding
Replays	$25		$35

 

 

UNC Finely is a little cheaper than Duke, more than LP:

 

https://www.finleygolfclub.com/play

 

[bluedot]

22 hours ago, Mike_C said:

Duke GC, while a very good layout,  with a cart is more expensive than Lonnie Poole, and while not that far away (1/2 hour), will be more of a drive:  

 

https://golf.duke.edu/golf/course-rates/

 

 

2024 In season daily greens fees (effective: March 1, 2024)

Patron / Guest	Monday-Tuesday	Wednesday-Thursday	Friday-Sunday
DAILY PLAY:	$90.00	$95.00	$115.00
with Golf Car	$125.00	$130.00	$150.00

 

 

 

Lonnie Poole:

 

https://lonniepoolegolfcourse.com/daily-rates/

 

 

Mon-Thur	Mon-Thurs Twilight (1:00 PM)	Fri-Sun + Holidays	Fri-Sun Twilight (1:00 PM)
General Public	$75 | $60 Walking	$60 | $35 Walking	$100 | $75 Walking	$75 | $50 Walking
NCSU Faculty/Staff	$65 | $55 Walking	$55 | $35 Walking	$79 | $69 Walking	$69 | $50 Walking
NCSU Students	$42 Walking/Riding	$42 | $35 Walking	$55 | $42 Walking	$42 Walking/Riding
Replays	$25		$35

 

 

UNC Finely is a little cheaper than Duke, more than LP:

 

https://www.finleygolfclub.com/play

 

Three additional notes on this comparison.

 

1. Duke is a good walking course, Lonnie Poole is not.  
 

2. It is much easier to get on at Duke than at Lonnie Poole.

 

3. Duke has Bermuda greens, so it’s possible that aeration is in play in June, though probably not until late in the month or into July.  But it would be worth calling about.  (LP has bent grass greens.)
 

 

[shellback]

In addition to the 3 previously mentioned spots the Preserve at Jordan Lake is a nice course. Might be easier to get on than the others. I have not played there for a while and don’t know the current cost. Of the 3 university courses I always liked Duke. I wouldn’t want to walk any of them. 

[bluedot]

21 hours ago, shellback said:

In addition to the 3 previously mentioned spots the Preserve at Jordan Lake is a nice course. Might be easier to get on than the others. I have not played there for a while and don’t know the current cost. Of the 3 university courses I always liked Duke. I wouldn’t want to walk any of them. 

Finley is a great walking course, Duke is a good walking course.  Lonnie Poole is the only university course I know of that is almost unwalkable.

 

The Preserve is owned by a company that also has Chapel Ridge and Falls Village.  They put very little money into the courses, and conditions at The Preserve are mediocre.  Not as bad as the other two, but spotty at best.  From Raleigh, I’d opt for either The Neuse or Devil’s Ridge rather than heading west.

[03trdblack]

If you're driving say to the Neuse, I'd look at Eagle Ridge, River Ridge or Pine Hollow. I'm a member at Pine Hollow and we have some of the best greens in the area (if not the best). 

[OrangeCrush]

Awesome,  thanks everyone!!   Yeah I am riding,  not in walking shape especially not NC warm humid shape!

[caniac6]

Go to Player’s Retreat for a good casual meal. It’s an old bar, not far from the NC State Bell Tower, that’s been there a long time. They have expanded the menu, and have gotten a bit fancier since I was at State, but it’s filled with a lot of old NCSU memorabilia. Parts of the ESPN 60 for 60 “ Survive and Advance” , about the 1983 National Championship team , were filmed there.

[alex26291]

Don’t forget to go to the original Char-grill on Hillsborough Street.