Best Places to Play Golf in North Carolina - Grandfather Golf Ranks #3 by Golf Digest

This article is a review of the best local golf courses in the state of North Carolina and two of the best local golf courses in the central Piedmont area of North Carolina.

Best Place to Play Golf in North Carolina

1. Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, North Carolina

Nestled in the heart of North Carolina's majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Grandfather Golf and Country Club is a private club community owned exclusively by its membership. Ranked #3 by Golf Digest's list of best courses in the state, Grandfather Golf and Country Club boasts of an abundance of trees, waterways, flat fairways, and is an overall hilly course. Grandfather Golf and Country Club actually consists of two courses, the Grandfather Course and the Grandfather Mountain Course, each containing 18 holes of regulation golf and 18 holes of executive golf. Grandfather Golf and Country Club is opened from May 1 until October 31.

At an elevation of 4,298 feet, Grandfather Golf and Country Club provides a spectacular surrounding view as it towers above the lush Linville River Valley. The vistas are spectacular and the Beach Pavilion on Loch Dornie Lake provide hours of summertime fun for all your children. If you live near Linville or the Boone area this golf course is one of the best local golf courses in the state.

Jason Averill, a Head Golf Professional at Quarry Hills Country Club in Swepsonville, North Carolina said this about Grandfather Golf and Country Club, "Grandfather Golf is my favorite place to play in North Carolina. Many of the players at Augusta are members there."

Here is some additional information on Grandfather Golf and Country Club in case you are interested in further checking it out:

--Private course; guests may accompany members only.--Features and amenities: driving range, putting green, sand and chipping areas, golf instruction, practice bunker, snack bar, restaurant, beverage cart, and full service bar.

--Fees (do not include golf cart, which is extra):

--18 holes - $65; 9 holes - $37.50, members only.

--Call for membership rates.

--Website: http://www.grandfatherclubnc.com/; Contact: 828.898.4531.

2. Alamance Country Club

This private club was designed by the renowned golf course architect, Donald Ross. In 1999 ACC underwent a complete restoration. One of the reasons people are enamored by Donald Ross designed courses is that his golf courses are able to stand up to much of the newer, more modern equipment. With modern clubs, balls, and even golfers getting stronger they tend to tear up older golf courses, whereas the designs of Ross have been able to protect the greens over the ages. The course consists of 6,924 yards from the championship tees and plays to a par of 71. The club's practice facilities include a driving range, short game area and two practice putting greens. My neighbor, Head Golf Pro Jason Averill, of all the local golf courses to choose from he voted this golf course the best local golf course.

In addition, the layout of this course is one in which you don't have to be as precise in hitting the ball which means less anger management and a more enjoyable time with your friends. Most of the greens on this course are rolling or undulating and sloped. The fairways are narrow, and the water hazards come into play on four holes. The course has a rating of 72.0 and it has a slope rating of 121 on Bermuda grass.

Some additional ammenities are an elequent Saddle Club Lounge (Jazz on Friday evenings), Golf Pro Shop, Pool Pavilion, Tennis, Fitness Center, and Catering. There is a driving range at the Club.

Cost: $70 (weekends); $55 (weekdays)

Cart Fee: $16 (18 holes); $8 (9 holes)

Website: alamancecc.net

3. Bryan Park Golf Course

Located in Greensboro, North Carolina Bryan Park Golf Course is open for public play and welcomes corporate events. Selected for the 2010 US Amateur Public Links Championship July 10 - 17, 2010 (a major USGA golf event), Bryan Park offers 36 holes of championship golf, golf practice and learning facility, pro shop, grill, and a conference center. The Players Course is the newer course of the two and the Champions Course, which is more challenging, was runner-up for the Golf Digest's Best New Course in America Award in 1990. Both courses were recently awarded the prestigious 4-Star ranking in Golf Digest's Best Places to Play Guide.

A Rees Jones Masterpiece of design, the par 72 Champions Course has seven holes that border scenic Lake Townsend. In addition there are 97 sand traps and numerous grass bunkers. Bryan Park Golf Course is a superb, one of the best local courses in the Piedmont area.

Course Ratings: 74.4

Course Slope: 130

Length: 7135

Bentgrass Greens, Bermuda Fairways

Opened in 1974, the par 72 Players Course is quite a bit more challenging. Originally designed by George Cobb, the course was later modified by Rees Jones. The popularity of the course may be due to its good mix of open holes, dog legs,tree line holes, and traditional layout. Considered a "shot makers golf course" because you don't have to be an exceptional driver off the tee, you still need to be a thinker in the type of club selection off the tee.

Course Ratings: 73.7

Course Slope: 131

Length: 7076

Bentgrass Greens, Bermuda Fairways

This golf course is simply one of the best local courses to choose from. We are fortunate to have one of the best local courses in our area in Bryan Park.

Website: www.bryanpark.com

SOURCES:
http://www.grandfatherclubnc.com
http://www.ineed2know.org
http://alamancecc.memberstatements.com
http://www.golf.comhttp://www.golflink.com
http://www.bryanpark.com