Best Golf Courses Near Raleigh

Are you a golf lover and are searching for the best courses to go golfing in Raleigh? Look no further; here are the best courses to enjoy your day golfing in the area. 

Raleigh is an excellent location for golf lovers since there are so many different courses throughout the area as well, and 3 of the top 5 public golf courses are located on the college campuses. There are about 38 courses within a 15-mile radius of Raleigh, with about 24 being public courses and 14 being private. 

Living in this area comes with many different perks and many things to do, and one of those is a long list of great golf courses to visit, as well as gated communities and sought-after golf course communities in the Triangle. Whether you are an avid golfer or a newcomer, there are many different courses near you, ranging from 9 holes to 18 holes. 

With many regulation courses open to the public, long courses and short, modest, and hazard-lined fairways, and even a spot open till midnight year-round, the Raleigh area is a great area to have a diverse selection of golf courses to experience and play if you are a golf lover and are looking for an area that will fit your lifestyle, check out homes for sale in Raleigh to find the perfect match for you. 

Here are the best golf courses near Raleigh. 

1. Duke University Golf Club - Durham, NC

Address: 3001 Cameron Blvd, Durham, NC

Phone: (919) 681-2288

The Duke University Golf Club is a public golf course that is considered to be one of the best courses in the Southeast. This club exists for you to play, enjoy, and savor the vision the designer put into it. It is considered to be a work of art that is a singular masterpiece. 

There are many upscale amenities, a historic collegiate environment, and a layout that can be perfect for starters or avid golfers. The traditional Southern gracious trees line the fairways, with greenside bunkering, streams, hardwoods, tall pines, and shrubs. With five sets of tees ranging from 5,288 to 7,154 yards, it is very walkable, and GPS-equipped carts are available. 

This golf course is typically in fantastic shape, has a great layout, and has five sets of tees, which make the game fun for any golfer to play. Duke University Golf Club may be the most expensive out of the other university courses. It is about $100 for the general public and $65 for students. You can book a tee time online on their website if you want to take a trip to this golf club. 

2. Pine Hollow Golf Club - Clayton, NC

Address: 3300 E Garner Rd, Clayton, NC

Phone: (919) 553-4554

Located in Clayton, Pine Hollow Golf Club is a favorite for many golfers in the Raleigh area because of the fantastic course and exceptional service. There are 18 holes, with a yardage of 6,583. The pay-71 course is a manageable length, along with affordable rates, which makes it an excellent choice for outdoor recreation. 

There have been many different renovations over the past two decades as well as continual daily upkeep, making this golf club one of the most desirable places to play in Eastern Carolina and continues to be an important asset for Clyaton. 

The greens fees at the course are only $44 on weekends and $32 on weekdays. Although this course may be on the shorter side, it has a great layout and is very fun for any type of golfer to play. There is a great mix of holes from long to short par 3s and par 5s. If you are looking for a popular place to play at affordable prices, visit Pine Hollow. You can check tee times here. 

3. Lonnie Poole Golf Course - Raleigh, NC

Address: 1509 Main Campus Dr, Raleigh, NC

Phone: (919) 515-6527

Lonnie Poole Golf Course is an 18-hole public golf course located on the North Carolina State University campus. This course is open to students as well as the public and includes a research center and clubhouse. This is the only collegiate golf course in the world designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer. 

The stunning layout with the breathtaking views of the Raleigh skyline has made this course one of the favorites in the area. After a round of golf, you are centrally located in the middle of it all, with many things to do. 

Greens fees for this course cost about $85 on weekends for the general public and about $55 for students. This course also offers many different membership packages and annual/monthly plans for players. The layout and the overall experience here are fantastic and have won numerous awards, so if you are looking for a gorgeous place to place in the middle of it all, check out the tee times for Lonnie Poole Golf Course. 

4. Heritage Golf Course - Wake Forest, NC

Address: 1250 Heritage Club Ave Suite 1, Wake Forest, NC

Phone: (919) 453-2020

Heritage Golf Course in Wake Forest is rated to be one of the best public golf courses in the Raleigh area. The course is conveniently North of the city. The greens fees at the course are about $78 on the weekend and $58 on the weekdays, which is about in line with other public golf courses in the area. 

Heritage Golf Course is a semi-private course that offers a one-of-a-kind clubhouse restaurant open to the public, as well as a private swim and tennis club. This course is challenging yet player-friendly, offering all driving ranges with target friends, a private teaching tee, chipping green with a practice bunker, and 8,000 square feet of putting green. 

If you're interested in playing at this unique and beautiful golf course, please check the tee times to plan your visit to Heritage Golf Club.

5. Carolina Country Club - Raleigh, NC

Address: 2500 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC

Phone: (919) 787-3621

Carolina Country Club is a high-end private golf course with a Southern-style clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, and many other luxurious amenities. This club is known as one of the nation's best private clubs and has been recognized as a five-star Platinum Club. For over 100 years, this club has been the place to play. 

This course is not very long; it plays 6,304 yards as a par 71. After several designs, the course retains its Tillinghast roots in the bunkering, mainly how the holes flow with the land. This course is playable for golfers of any skill. 

While the greens here may look intimidating, this course offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers throughout the course. With well-groomed fairways and greens, this club is an amazing, friendly, and somewhat tricky place to play year-round. Staff here will also offer tips and tricks to play your best. 

6. UNC Finley Golf Course - Chapel Hill, NC

Address: 500 Finley Golf Course Rd, Chapel Hill, NC

Phone: (919) 962-2349

UNC Finley Golf Course is the home of the North Carolina Tar Heels men's and women's golf teams. With five sets of tee boxes plus two hybrid distance options, the course can play as long as 7,223 yards and as short as 4,942 yards. This course has a reputation for being fun and highly playable and has a very fair layout that rewards good shots and penalizes poor ones. 

The towering pines and the highly aesthetic bunkers further define the fairways and guard the greens. Many holes provide different options to get to the greens, so once you get the hang of the layout and plains, you will have a great time playing here. 

Many practice facilities include an extensive driving range, a complete short game area, and two large putting greens. The clubhouse also has a pro shop and a casual grill restaurant to enjoy. Make your tee time today to play at one of the finest college courses in the nation. Check their website for rates. 

7. Tobacco Road Golf Course - Sanford, NC

Address: 442 Tobacco Rd, Sanford, NC

Phone: (919) 775-1940

Tobacco Road Golf Course is a masterpiece crafted from a tobacco farm to a sand quarry. This location is ranked among the best in the world and boasts some of the finest conditions. Stunning vistas and panoramic views set this course apart from others. This much-praised track is in Sanford, which is about a 45 drive south of Raleigh. 

The seamless incorporation of Golden Age "conventional features," like the elegant art of a fairway set against the sandy area, this design truly showed Architect Mike Strantz's true artistic talent. This course tests all the player's faculties. Five sets of tees allow a player to play this court at a level of their skill. 

If you are looking for a unique experience and enjoy this court's proper art form, come play at Tobacco Road and book a tee time here. All rates are reflected in real-time and include all 18 holes with the golf cart or push cart. 

Methodology

We used information and data from different sources and our own data to create this guide about the best golf courses near Raleigh. There were various data to use, so we put them together to help you find some great locations to play golf near Raleigh. 

• Visit Raleigh NC
• Course Details - Pine Hollow Club
• Visit NC State - Golf Course
• GolfNow

Above are a few sources that we used to gather most of our information about the best golf courses near Raleigh.

FAQS

How many golf courses are near Raleigh?

There are 38 golf courses within a 15-mile radius of Raleigh, with 24 that are public courses as well as 14 private courses. All of these courses offer different amenities, and 28 of them are 18-hole and 9-hole layouts. 

Can you golf year-round in Raleigh?

With many regulation courses open to the public, long and short courses, ones that are modest and that are hazard-lined fairways, as well as ones open till midnight, there are many different areas where you can play golf here in Raleigh all year round. Check websites for changes. 

Can you play golf in the winter in North Carolina?

The winter golf season is an amazing experience here in North Carolina. The weather here during the winter fluctuates in temperate weather, offering both warm and cold days and making it a good experience to golf year-round. 

Best Golf Courses Near Raleigh - The Bottom Line

Whether you are an avid golfer, a newcomer, or a new resident, Raleigh has many beautiful courses to choose from. Ranging from many different amenities, there is something for everyone here. Living in Raleigh, you get to experience many different things, which is why this is such a highly sought-after area. 

Raleigh is an ideal location for golf enthusiasts as there are numerous courses in the surrounding areas. Three of the top five public golf courses are located on the college campuses. Within a 15-mile radius of Raleigh, there are approximately 38 courses, with 24 being public and 14 being private. 

With an extensive variety of regulation courses that are open to the public, including long and short courses, modest and hazard-lined fairways, and even a place that stays open till midnight year-round, the Raleigh area offers a great selection of golf courses to explore and play. 

If you are considering moving or selling, contact us or visit our website. Our team at Raleigh Realty is here to help you with any home buying or selling needs.