What are the best golf courses in Greensboro, North Carolina?

Introduction

In this blog post we’re going to deep-dive into the best golf courses in Greensboro, looking at both the best private and public golf courses.

The city of Greensboro is located in the heart of North Carolina, and is the third largest city in the state. Over the years it has been steadily growing in popularity. 

A rich history alongside modern amenities make this incredibly desirable. Throw in a bit of Southern charm and its focus on providing ample green spaces, you can understand why.

There is a good choice for golfers, so without any further delay, let’s jump into the best golf courses in Greensboro.

See also: What are the best golf courses in North Carolina?

The best private golf courses in Greensboro, NC

Sedgefield Country Club

We kick off this list of the best Greensboro golf courses, with the iconic Sedgefield Country Club. Only a fifteen minute drive from central Greensboro, it occupies prime land to the south-west of the city.

Having originally opened for play in 1926, it was designed by the great Donald Ross. And here at Sedgefield, you’ll find a classic Ross design. Small compact greens with subtle run-offs. Narrow fairways with plenty of strategically positioned bunkers. 

To score well here it places a premium on hitting the fairway. But more importantly, finding the right angle into the green.

There are many great holes throughout the course. A personal favorite is the 6th, a par-4 that is a perfect example of the risk/reward which is constantly at play. Just over 400 yards playing downhill but with a creek running through the middle. Then back up again to an undulating green. Walk away with par and you’ll be happy. But could it have been a birdie…..! 

Many of you will recognize the Sedgefield name. And that is because it is the annual host to the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship. 

Starmount Forest Country Club

Less than a ten minute drive from central Greensboro, is the superb Starmount Forest Country Club.

This family-friendly club started life back in 1930 and was immediately selected to host various high-profile tournaments. 

In 1932 the Carolinas Open took place here, whilst in 1947 it hosted the United States Women’s Open. But even more impressive is the fact that Starmount Forest hosted at least one round of the PGA Tour on sixteen occasions between 1938 and 1960.

Great names like Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson all earned victories here.

The course was designed by the great architectural duo of Wayne Stiles and John VanKleek. These two were prominent members of golf’s golden age of architecture, although they don’t hold the same notoriety as the likes of Donald Ross or A.W. Tillinghast.  

Covering 155 acres of beautiful verdant landscape, the course meanders across mixed topography. There are numerous doglegs and a number of natural creeks which cut through the playing surfaces. 

The greens have a reputation for being some of the finest in the area and are more often than not, positioned right into the hills. This therefore requires clever approach play to ensure you’re well positioned on the putting surface. 

Greensboro Country Club (Farm Course & Irving Park Course)

For such a reputable club, Greensboro Country Club had a far more humble beginning. 

Back in 1909, this great club started as a rudimentary five-hole course. There was no membership and an oak tree players used to hang their jackets on was jokingly referred to as the clubhouse. How times have changed.

Fast forward to more recent times and Greensboro Country Club is one of the finest private clubs in North Carolina.

There is a whole variety of amenities which members get to enjoy. These include pickleball and tennis courts, an impressive fitness center and a couple of different pools.

And to add to all the above, are two championship golf courses, the Farm Course and Irving Park Course.

Irving Park is a Donald Ross designed course which is located just to the north of the city. It opened in 1911 and is a true test of golf. Narrow playing corridors require the utmost accuracy off the tee. Whilst typically small and compact Ross greens ensure your approach play must be spot on. 

In complete contrast to Irving Park, is the far more expansive Farm Course. Located up in the Laurel Park neighborhood, this is a more modern design which sweeps through the leafy suburbs. 

Originally an Ellis Maples creation, the course was completely redesigned by Donald Steel in 2008. What was previously a yardage of under 7,000 yards, now reaches just over 7,300!

The two courses couldn’t be more different and this variety is what makes Greensboro so admired.

See also: What are the best golf courses in Charlotte, North Carolina?

The best public golf courses in Greensboro, North Carolina

The Cardinal by Pete Dye

One of, if not the best public golf course in Greensboro, The Cardinal by Pete Dye is a superb layout.

It is located to the north of the city, just west of Greensboro Country Club’s Farm Course. Opening in 1974, The Cardinal is owned and run by McConnell Golf, and is one of a number of courses it owns in the region. 

It was designed by the great architect Pete Dye, who is renowned worldwide for many of his creations. TPC Sawgrass, PGA West Stadium Course in Palm Springs, Whistling Straits, Harbour Town are just some of his great tracks. 

The Cardinal may not quite be of the same caliber, but boy is it good.

It’s a modern layout which is plotted across 140-acres characterized by dense wooded areas and plenty of water. 

Brook Creek cuts right through the property and comes into play on a number of holes. Whilst two lakes are also prominently in play. 

Completely renovated by Dye in 2006, it is renowned for its great condition year round. 

However, be warned, this is a challenging layout with plenty of challenging holes. Narrow fairways, many water hazards and tricky elevations will all need to be overcome.

Golf at Grandover Greensboro (East & West)

The Grandover Resort & Spa is one of the most popular places to stay in Greensboro, especially for golfers. 

The newly renovated AAA Four Diamond resort, is in a fantastic location to the south west of the city. Just outside the ring-road, it would take about fifteen minutes to drive into the center. 

Owned and run by the Koury Corporation, which is a Greensboro based development company, it is a member of the wider and nationally respected Wyndham Group. This is a resort renowned for quality accommodation and service. And this same quality and service permeates across to the two superb championship golf courses onsite. 

Each of the two courses were designed by David Graham, Gary Panks and Gary Stephenson, with the East opening in 1996, and the West 1997.

Both are top class and some of the best public golf courses you will find in Greensboro. Testament to this is the consistently high rankings they get on many tee time websites.

The East Course has a very challenging layout which measures some 7,100 yards from the back tees. Very hilly with large undulating greens, this is a course which rewards accurate ball striking.

As for the West Course, this is an out and back layout which is consistently ranked as one of the best public golf courses in the state. Fairways are generous whilst large greens aren’t too penal. 

Even though the West is some 300 yards shorter than the East, it has so much going for it. It is a stunning layout and well worth the price.

See also: What are the best public golf courses in North Carolina?

Forest Oaks Country Club

Yet another fantastic option for a public golf course in Greensboro, is the semi-private Forest Oaks Country Club.

Opening to the public in 1962, the course was designed by someone who’d made his reputation designing courses in the Carolinas, Ellis Maples. 

In fact, some of the courses Maples designed are still today considered some of the best in North Carolina. Pinehurst #5, Grandfather and Bermuda Run are just some of those on his C.V. 

Forest Oaks opened to wide acclaim and just over a decade later, it was hosting the PGA Tour’s Greater Greensboro Open. This event was hosted here from 1977 to 2007. 

As one of the most aesthetically pleasing golf courses in Greensboro, it also has some of the best greens. Always in fantastic condition, they are also very tricky with many featuring false fronts. 

In 2002, after forty years of maturing, the course was in serious need of a major renovation. And this came in the form of David Love III’s Design Group. 

Today, Forest Oaks is one of the most in-demand courses in Greensboro. Not only is it a high quality championship course. But it is also incredibly good value for money.

Greensboro National Golf Club

Up in Summerfield, a good half an hour’s drive from central Greensboro, is the fantastic Greensboro National Golf Club. Constantly voted as one of the finest public golf courses in the state, there is a lot going for Greensboro National. 

First things first is the stunning location. You’re miles from anywhere with a blissful feeling of remoteness. The noises associated with city life are nowhere to be heard.

Next up comes the design. Opening in 1995, it was the creation of Don and Mark Charles, the father / son combo. Although Don Charles was responsible for around 60-70 courses in the Southeast, as a duo that number is far less.

But those that they did work on are superb. Olde Homestead, Bermuda Run West and a couple in Kentucky. Greensboro National is yet another strong design which does all the basic things right.

The course is literally split in two, with a large lake the epicenter of it all. This provided ample opportunity to create holes with monumental water hazards. 

For example, the 8th hole, a 173 yard par-3 over water. Likewise, the 9th and 18th holes which require a precise tee shot over the lake to the fairway on the opposite side. 

The closing stretch of holes from 15 through to 18 are superb, and without doubt one of the best closing stretches in Greensboro.

See also: What are the best golf courses in Raleigh, North Carolina?

Oak Hollow Golf Course

And what a stunner to finish our list of best golf courses in Greensboro. Oak Hollow Golf Course is a fantastic Pete Dye design which is a half hour’s drive out of the city on the road to Winston-Salem. 

When it comes to location, very few can beat Oak Hollow. Positioned on a peninsula which reaches out into Oak Hollow Lake, there is nothing but water and mature woodland. This is as serene as it comes.

The course opened in 1972, and has been open to the public ever since then. This is despite its A-list designer in Pete Dye.  

Many traditional Dye features are on display at Oak Hollow. These include pot bunkers, railroad ties and even an island tee box on the sixth hole. 

In fact, the sixth is the courses’ signature hole. To complement the island tee, is a severe right to left dog leg which features water all down the left hand side. Bite off as much of the dog leg as you dare!

It’s not the longest from the back markers, measuring just over 6,500 yards. But playing here requires you to pull out every shot in the bag. I’m wary of using this word, but it has a links-style feel to it. There are valleys, hills, undulating fairways, crosswinds coming off the lake…and boy is it fun!