Best courses within 30 min. from RTP, NC?

[boo radley]

It's been a while since I've played regularly, and looking for a couple challenging courses in good shape within 30 minutes from RTP, NC, that are reasonable (say $30 or so for a weekday).

 

I'm very familiar with The Crossings and Falls Village.

Finley at UNC is out because of cost and crowds.

 

Thx!

[Blakester]

Hey boo,
I live in Raleigh and play all over the area. Within 30 minutes gets you some good courses at ok rates. Most are between $30-$50 weekday. Also, if you sign up for clickitgolf.com you can get some pretty sweet discounts at local courses.

Check out The Preserve at Jordan Lake and Chapel Ridge. They are out towards Chapel Hill/Carrboro. I think The Preserve is $35 weekday and is a great course (Davis Love design). You can also check out Eagle Ridge in Garner. Another great course at a fair price on weekdays. Wild Wood Green is a course off of Strickland Rd. in north Raleigh. It is shorter and good for walking. However, I think they think a lot of themselves and charge too much. Not bad prices after 3pm though.

Also, Lochmere in Cary is usually in good shape and I think is only $25 on weekdays. It is a more traditional, narrow layout and is fun.

It is a little bit of a haul, but I have some friends that really like Mill Creek in Mebane. Good layout at a reasonable price.

[caboom42]

I used to play a lot at Eagle Ridge when I was in college or worked with a guy who worked there, great track, can play tough from the tips

I used to work at Lochmere a while back, its a decent run if they have fixed up their greens, just be careful after a rain, it gets a lil swampy, but a nice public course...

I'd also check out River Ridge in Raleigh, prices were reasonable there when I played a few years back, another fun course IMO

If you can spare a few more bucks, try Duke's golf course, I've walked a few 18 during twilight for 35 or something like that, another great course

hope this helps, let us know what you decide and how it goes

-chris

[boo radley]

[quote name='caboom42' date='26 May 2010 - 03:21 PM' timestamp='1274901690' post='2468843']
I used to play a lot at Eagle Ridge when I was in college or worked with a guy who worked there, great track, can play tough from the tips

I used to work at Lochmere a while back, its a decent run if they have fixed up their greens, just be careful after a rain, it gets a lil swampy, but a nice public course...

I'd also check out River Ridge in Raleigh, prices were reasonable there when I played a few years back, another fun course IMO

If you can spare a few more bucks, try Duke's golf course, I've walked a few 18 during twilight for 35 or something like that, another great course

hope this helps, let us know what you decide and how it goes

-chris
[/quote]

Thx all -- yup, Duke is a great course. One of my favorite in the state, in fact. But it's too much course for the folks I'm playing with, and probably me, too, at the moment, until my driver is solid.

Lochmere is nice, and very near my house. It can be kinda crowed, and it's a little short, but an option and the price is good.

I'll check out both Eagle Ridge and River Ridge. Never played them before. I'd forgotten about The Preserve. Played there once -- it's kinda...'gimmicky hard', IMO, but I definitely want to seek revenge.

Thx! And I'll check out clickitgolf.com

[NCJaguar5]

UNC's Finley Course is a very good layout, slightly expensive during prime hours but a lot cheaper for twilight. Condition is usually quite good, but it's been awhile since I've played. Much better than dook's course

[mayboy09]

The Heritage, River Ridge, Chapel Ridge, The Neuse, and Lonnie Poole is the new NC State Course.

[avgjoe]

agree w/ The Preserve, Lonnie Poole/NCState. you can find discounts online or in trianglegolf.com. IMO Duke is relatively expensive and overpriced for the condition

[agadawg17171]

Preserve at Jordan Lake and Duke university course for twilight if you want to stay cheap.

[Bucken77]

Golfnow usually has Finley for $35 or so after I think 3:30.

[portland]

I am a member at Prestonwood in Cary, but prior to that I used to play a lot all over the Triangle

I would check out

- Chapel Ridge in Pittsboro (one of my favorites in the area)

- The Challenge in Mebane

- The Neuse in Clayton

- River Ridge in Clayton

- Riverwood in Clayton

- Devils Ridge in Holly Springs (great course, not sure if they are fully private)

[Bucken77]

So how much kissing up has to go on before you give out invites to play Prestonwood?

[Poser]

If you can find a coupon I second lonnie poole. Eveytime I have played there the course is awesome and the greens are hard and fast!

[mrlogsdon29]

[quote name='portland' date='14 June 2010 - 05:57 PM' timestamp='1276556227' post='2509104']
I am a member at Prestonwood in Cary, but prior to that I used to play a lot all over the Triangle

I would check out

- Chapel Ridge in Pittsboro (one of my favorites in the area)

- The Challenge in Mebane

- The Neuse in Clayton

- River Ridge in Clayton

- Riverwood in Clayton

- Devils Ridge in Holly Springs (great course, not sure if they are fully private)
[/quote]



Do you like Prestonwood? I am going to visit my Dad who just moved to Raleigh and he has a connection there. The other two he mentioned we could easily get on is TPC Wakefield and Hasentree. Any other suggestions for private clubs? We have played Duke, UNC, Tobacco Road etc.

[avgjoe]

Prestonwood has 54 holes... play it if you can. IIRC the Highlands and Meadows 18s are more popular than Fairways, but could be mistaken

[mrlogsdon29]

Any of these courses have caddies?

[BMC]

Pine Hollow in Clayton is all kinds of fun for $29 to walk. Old school with lots of pine trees and nice greens.

[Blakester]

+1 for Pine Hollow. They are holding the Wake County Amateur there.

[OReilly]

Well, 45 minutes south and you could play Tobacco Road. I was there last Saturday and had an absolute blast. (also shot my low round of the year there)

[DixieDog11]

I would avoid Lochmere at all costs. I played there about a month ago and the greens were in horrible shape.

My two favorites in the area are Chapel Ridge and Lonnie Poole