Golf Ratings · Courses · Public courses by state · North Carolina
The 50 best public courses in North Carolina
Ranked from 6 major rankings, with what a round costs. See it on Instagram.
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1Pinehurst
Pinehurst No. 2
Donald Ross. Four men's U.S. Opens, the latest in 2024.
Photo: Carolina Pines Golf / YouTube
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2Aberdeen
Pinehurst No. 10
Tom Doak design that opened in 2024.
Photo: Grant Horvat Golf / YouTube
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3Pinehurst
Pinehurst No. 4
Gil Hanse rebuilt it in 2018. Co-hosted the 2019 U.S. Amateur.
Photo: Pinehurst Resort / YouTube
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4Sanford
Tobacco Road
Mike Strantz's wild 1998 design. Blind shots and giant sandy waste areas.
Photo: The Golfer's Journal / YouTube
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5Southern Pines
Pine Needles
Donald Ross design from 1928. Hosted four U.S. Women's Opens.
Photo: Josh Rutherford Golf / YouTube
All 50 courses
| # | Course | Town | 18 holes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pinehurst No. 2Resort guests only | Pinehurst | ~$360-$595 |
| 2 | Pinehurst No. 10Resort guests only | Aberdeen | ~$450 |
| 3 | Pinehurst No. 4Resort guests only | Pinehurst | ~$395 |
| 4 | Tobacco Road | Sanford | $170-$280 |
| 5 | Pine Needles | Southern Pines | $145-$315 |
| 6 | Mid Pines | Southern Pines | $125-$285 |
| 7 | Tot Hill Farm | Asheboro | ~$150-$180 |
| 8 | Southern Pines GC | Southern Pines | $115-$245 |
| 9 | Pinehurst No. 8Guests only | Pinehurst | ~$275 |
| 10 | Woodlake CC | Vass | $100-$180 |
| 11 | Thistle | Sunset Beach | $128-$179 |
| 12 | Mid South Club | Southern Pines | ~$100-$199 |
| 13 | Springdale | Canton | $65-$120 |
| 14 | High HamptonGuests only | Cashiers | $275-$320 |
| 15 | Mooresville GC | Mooresville | $55-$73 |
| 16 | Duke University GC | Durham | $135-$175 |
| 17 | Waynesville InnGuests only | Waynesville | Stay & play |
| 18 | UNC Finley | Chapel Hill | $110-$125 |
| 19 | Pinehurst No. 9Guests only | Pinehurst | ~$275 |
| 20 | The Cardinal | Greensboro | ~$85 |
| 21 | Cypress Landing | Chocowinity | $55-$74 |
| 22 | Pinehurst No. 7Guests only | Pinehurst | ~$275 |
| 23 | Occano | Merry Hill | ~$58-$79 |
| 24 | The Currituck Club | Corolla | ~$108-$161 |
| 25 | Bryan Park Champions | Browns Summit | $63-$74 |
| 26 | The Beaufort Club | Beaufort | $90 |
| 27 | Grandover East | Greensboro | ~$48-$102 |
| 28 | Lonnie Poole | Raleigh | $75-$100 |
| 29 | Forest Oaks CC | Greensboro | $70-$80 |
| 30 | Sound Golf Links | Hertford | $70-$80 |
| 31 | Crystal Coast CC | Pine Knoll Shores | $113-$154 |
| 32 | Lynrock | Eden | ~$20-$49 |
| 33 | Talamore | Southern Pines | $166-$202 |
| 34 | Grandover West | Greensboro | ~$48-$103 |
| 35 | River Bend | Shelby | $42-$63 |
| 36 | Crow Creek | Calabash | $81-$110 |
| 37 | River Oaks | Statesville | $53-$67 |
| 38 | Kilmarlic | Powells Point | ~$60-$80 |
| 39 | Mill Creek | Mebane | $60-$82 |
| 40 | Connestee Falls | Brevard | $65 |
| 41 | Sequoyah National | Whittier | ~$99-$225 |
| 42 | Longleaf | Southern Pines | $110-$150 |
| 43 | The Emerald | New Bern | ~$33-$49 |
| 44 | Rocky River | Concord | $66-$86 |
| 45 | Stoney Creek | Whitsett | $60-$75 |
| 46 | Tanglewood Championship | Clemmons | $59-$69 |
| 47 | Oak Valley | Advance | $39-$77 |
| 48 | Wildwood Green | Raleigh | ~$89 |
| 49 | Bayonet at Puppy Creek | Raeford | ~$55-$63 |
| 50 | Leopard's Chase | Sunset Beach | ~$63-$73 |
Prices are 18-hole rates, low to high. ~ means approximate. Guests only means you have to stay at the resort to play. Always check the course before you book.
How we rank
We took 6 rankings, gave every course points for where it placed among the state's public courses on each list, and added the points up. Private clubs are left out.
Nobody pays to be on this list, and we don't use affiliate links.
What we left out
- Cleveland CC (Shelby), Deep Springs CC (Stoneville) and Bald Head Island Club: private.
- Fort Bragg courses: military access.
Sources
- Golf Digest Best in State
- Golfweek Best Courses You Can Play
- GOLF Top 100 You Can Play
- Golf Digest 100 Greatest Public
- NC Golf Panel Top 60 You Can Play
- GolfPass Golfers' Choice
Last checked October 30, 2026.
