Triad Area Public Courses?

BlacknGold35 · June 17, 2013

Winston Salem Native - here's my take on what I've played[list]
[*]Tanglewood (Championship) - great layout, challenging from tips (near 7000 par 70) but a little overplayed so not always in great shape. still a great option
[*]Oak Hollow - Great front 9 that wraps around the lake. Back nine is bland by comparison. Decent shape although the greens are usually on the slow side. Twilight is after 2pm for $24 w/ cart. Can walk for less.
[*]Oak Valley - Hit or miss on condition, but a great layout. Palmer design is worth added points in my book (see avatar). Can be a bit pricey compared to others.
[*]Meadowlands - Nice use of elevation changes. Good mix of easy, medium and difficult holes. Was a bit overcrowded last time I played.
[*]Salem Glen - decent, but wasn't in good condition, only played it once however.
[*]Bermuda Run - (private) usually in awesome shape. Very tough when I played it from the tips, but very fun.
[*]Pinebrook - short, flat, and not very interesting.
[*]Reynolds Park - if you're on a budget it's not bad, but not the greatest. A few decent holes.
[*]Winston Lake - in my opinion, a dump.
[*]Forsyth CC (very private) - awesome layout. 9 holes of Donald Ross, 9 holes of Tillinghast designs so the sides play very different. If you can get on, play it.
[*]Old Town Club (very, very private) - course is currently in heavy renovations and virtually out of commission. Once it's back it should (again) be the best in the city.
[/list]
Hope this helps.

thejuice · June 19, 2013

How far/long of a drive is Tot Hill Farm from Greensboro? I'm going to see family a couple of times this summer and would like to get a couple of my cousins to want to play a course other than Bryan Park (although I rather enjoy those courses).

BlacknGold35 · June 20, 2013

[quote name='thejuice' timestamp='1371696765' post='7287174']
How far/long of a drive is Tot Hill Farm from Greensboro? I'm going to see family a couple of times this summer and would like to get a couple of my cousins to want to play a course other than Bryan Park (although I rather enjoy those courses).
[/quote]

45 mins to an hour. Straight shot down Highway 220.

thejuice · June 21, 2013

[quote name='BlacknGold35' timestamp='1371782192' post='7294602']
[quote name='thejuice' timestamp='1371696765' post='7287174']
How far/long of a drive is Tot Hill Farm from Greensboro? I'm going to see family a couple of times this summer and would like to get a couple of my cousins to want to play a course other than Bryan Park (although I rather enjoy those courses).
[/quote]

45 mins to an hour. Straight shot down Highway 220.
[/quote]

Thanks! Looks like we will be giving Tot Hill Farms a try!!!

Yosef · July 23, 2013

Another High Point native here, just wanted to chime in on course conditions right now.

-Meadowlands: Saw it got some hate earlier, it is in FANTASTIC shape right now. Also, the reviews from a few years ago I believe had a different pro. The new pro there is great.
-Olde Homeplace: If you're in the area its a good one to play, inexpensive and in excellent shape this year
-Oak Hollow: Front 9 is amazing, like others have said back nine is nothing to write home about.
-Tanglewood: Playing on Friday will report back. Held PGA Championship here in 74' I think Trevino won that one so that's kind of cool. They have over 100 bunkers I believe.
-Winding Creek: If you're in the area you can't beat the deal, $15 after 3:00 and you can play until dark. Not a bad track for the price.
-Lexington: Good layout, used to be private. Shorter than most but challenging still. Also, play either at 11:00 or 2:00 they have leagues go off most days real early and around 1:00 so in my experience those times miss the crowd.
-Willow Creek (private): Best course around if you can get on in my opinion. Always in excellent shape.
-Bryan Park: Great course and excellent facilities, it is out of the way from Winston but worth the drive.

Hope that helps for anyone venturing this way.

bbslurp413 · October 20, 2013

Just moved to winston Salem. Looking to join a decent private club without spending a fortune. What would you guys recommend?

CactusGolf · January 15, 2014

Thought I'd give this one a little bump for the upcoming season.

Living in Greensboro, NC and usually play out of Bryan Park or whatever is on sale at GolfNow.

thejuice · June 29, 2014

Anyone ever play Stoney Creek? Looking to try it out when I go visit family in August.

CactusGolf · June 29, 2014

[quote name='thejuice' timestamp='1404018321' post='9600323']
Anyone ever play Stoney Creek? Looking to try it out when I go visit family in August.
[/quote]I've played it twice. Definitely isn't my favorite course in the area.

thejuice · June 29, 2014

[quote name='CactusGolf' timestamp='1404056512' post='9601713']
[quote name='thejuice' timestamp='1404018321' post='9600323']
Anyone ever play Stoney Creek? Looking to try it out when I go visit family in August.
[/quote]I've played it twice. Definitely isn't my favorite course in the area.
[/quote]

Thanks! Looks like we'll be going back to either Bryan Park or Grandover.

CactusGolf · June 30, 2014

[quote name='thejuice' timestamp='1404083789' post='9603725']
[quote name='CactusGolf' timestamp='1404056512' post='9601713']
[quote name='thejuice' timestamp='1404018321' post='9600323']
Anyone ever play Stoney Creek? Looking to try it out when I go visit family in August.
[/quote]I've played it twice. Definitely isn't my favorite course in the area.
[/quote]

Thanks! Looks like we'll be going back to either Bryan Park or Grandover.
[/quote]Bryan is always a solid choice. The greens for the Champions course firmed up nicely and putted well two weeks ago when I played.

Haven't gotten a chance to head out to Grandover this year, but I always liked the East course over the West.

Or you could check out Forest Oaks CC. They just went semi-private in May and rates are a little less than Grandover and Bryan. Condition is always good. We're playing this Friday morning.

Mags · July 8, 2014

I used to be a member at Forest Oaks before they went through all of their management troubles. Don't think the intention is to stay semi-private, just trying to get people on the course and boost membership. Last time I played it at the end of May it was in fantastic shape, as it usually was. Right now weekend rates look to be $49 morning, $29 afternoon.

I live about 5 minutes from Stoney Creek but don't like that course enough that I prefer driving 20-30 minutes to others. Apart from having greens in good shape (which I will admit Stoneys greens are pretty decent), my biggest golfing pet peeve is blind tee shots. I can't stand hitting a great shot only to have the ball end up in a crappy spot I couldn't see off the tee. Stoney has bunch of holes like that. If you play it a few times or have a GPS with overhead view, it's not as bad but I'm still not a fan. It's also very residential, almost seeming like the houses were built first and then a golf course was carved into the space that was left.

Players and Champions at Bryan Park are still, for the money, my favorite public courses I've played. Especially with the new greens on Champions. . .nothing touches it for the price range I think. Played it last month and the entire course was playing FIRM! Huge bounces in the fairways meant my drives were running out an extra 20-30 yards over normal. The greens are firm but fair. You hit a solid shot into them and the ball will hold if you give it 15-20 feet for a first bounce unless you have a very high ball flight. Only bad thing there is they keep their bunkers extra sandy (about the only courses in this area that do) so if you end up near the face be ready for a buried lie.

CactusGolf · July 8, 2014

We've been playing Forest Oaks CC almost every weekend since they opened it up for public play and have been really impressed. We have a 7:00 AM tee time this Saturday with 2 spots still open.

We were discussing joining for next year because I'd get a lot of use out of the course and I'm sure my wife would love the pool. We were planning on doing it this year, but the management issues kept us away.

I agree with the bunker issues at Bryan. They really are terrible compared to other courses.

Can't say I like Stoney Creek all that much exactly for the blind tee shot reason.