North Carolina

North Carolina’s 602 golf courses give the state a legitimate claim to being America’s best all-around golf destination. The sandhills region around Pinehurst — the “Golf Capital of the World” — is home to the world’s largest concentration of top-ranked public golf courses, including Donald Ross’s masterpiece Pinehurst No. 2. Add Myrtle Beach’s 100-course Grand Strand, western North Carolina’s mountain resort layouts, and Charlotte’s busy suburban market, and no state offers more variety at more accessible prices.

Pinehurst Resort has hosted more golf championships than anywhere else in the US — eight US Opens, a US Women’s Open, a PGA Championship, a Ryder Cup, and a US Senior Open among them. The complex’s 9+ courses across Donald Ross and other great architects provides a weeks-long destination golf itinerary for even the most demanding player. But North Carolina’s golf bounty extends well beyond Pinehurst: the Myrtle Beach area (just across the South Carolina border, but with many NC courses nearby) adds a completely different coastal resort experience.

North Carolina Golf by Region

Pinehurst / Southern Pines Sandhills

The Sandhills region is North Carolina’s golf crown — and by extension, one of the world’s greatest golf concentrations. Pinehurst Resort operates nine courses, with No. 2 (Donald Ross, 1907, redesigned by Coore & Crenshaw 2011) as the flagship, consistently ranked #1 in NC and in the global top 10. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club and Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club in Southern Pines add two more Donald Ross designs to a region where 20 courses now rank in the NC Golf Panel’s Top 100 for 2026. Green fees at Pinehurst No. 2 run approximately $175–$450 depending on season; many Sandhills courses are accessible at $50–$100.

Charlotte Metro

Charlotte has a dense public golf market driven by a fast-growing population. Quail Hollow Club (private) is the area’s most celebrated club and permanent host of the PGA Tour’s Wells Fargo Championship. Public options like Larkhaven Golf Club and Charlotte Golf Links serve the everyday market. The metro’s rapid growth has attracted significant golf investment in recent years.

Western NC / Asheville / Blue Ridge

The mountain region around Asheville offers elevated golf (2,000–4,000 feet) through hardwood forest with fall color that rivals New England. The Grove Park Inn’s (now Omni) historic course provides a resort experience with Blue Ridge views. Courses in this region typically run $45–$85 and offer summer temperatures 10–15°F cooler than Charlotte or the coast. The season runs roughly May through October.

Top Courses in North Carolina

• Pinehurst Resort — No. 2 (Pinehurst) — Donald Ross design (1907), Coore & Crenshaw restoration (2011); #1 in NC and global top 10. Host of nine US Opens. Resort public access; green fees ~$175–$450.
• Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club (Southern Pines) — Donald Ross design; host of multiple US Women’s Opens. Resort public access; green fees ~$100–$200.
• Pinehurst No. 4 (Pinehurst) — Tom Fazio redesign; frequently cited as the second-best resort course in the complex. Resort access; green fees ~$100–$200.
• Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club (Southern Pines) — Donald Ross design (1921); consistently in NC’s top 10. Resort public access; green fees ~$85–$150.
• Pinehurst No. 8 (Pinehurst) — Tom Fazio design; challenging modern addition to the resort complex. Resort access; green fees ~$100–$175.
• Tobacco Road Golf Club (Sanford) — Mike Strantz design through mining terrain; the most unusual and visually dramatic layout in the Sandhills. Public; green fees ~$55–$85.
• Quail Hollow Club (Charlotte) — Private; permanent PGA Tour host (Wells Fargo Championship). Charlotte’s top private club and a national top-50 course overall.
• Sound Golf Links at Albemarle Plantation (Hertford) — Waterfront course on Albemarle Sound; one of the state’s top public-value courses outside Pinehurst. Green fees ~$35–$55.

When to Play Golf in North Carolina

North Carolina is a near-year-round golf state. The Pinehurst Sandhills region is at its finest in March–May (fescue courses firm up beautifully in spring conditions) and September–November (cooler temperatures, uncrowded). Summer (June–August) in Pinehurst is hot and humid (85–92°F) — playable, but the spring and fall windows are superior for conditions and comfort. Mountain courses (Asheville area) run May through October with July and August being the most comfortable (70–78°F). The eastern coastal plain has a very long season, effectively year-round at lower elevations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many golf courses are in North Carolina?

North Carolina has 602 golf courses in our database — one of the highest totals in the South. The state’s count is driven by the Pinehurst/Sandhills concentration, the Myrtle Beach border area, the Charlotte metro, and courses throughout the Piedmont and mountain regions.

What is the best golf course in North Carolina?

Pinehurst No. 2 is North Carolina’s #1 course by every major ranking — a Donald Ross masterpiece that has hosted nine US Opens and consistently appears in global top-10 lists. Pine Needles and Mid Pines add two more Donald Ross landmarks to the Sandhills for a Pinehurst golf trip of exceptional depth.

When is the best time to golf in North Carolina?

March through May and September through November for Pinehurst. The fescue courses of the Sandhills are best when temperatures are mild and humidity low. Mountain courses peak in July–August (coolest); coastal courses play well year-round. Avoid Sandhills in July–August heat if possible.

How much does golf cost in North Carolina?

North Carolina offers exceptional range. Budget Sandhills courses run $40–$75; Pinehurst resort courses run $100–$450; mountain resort courses run $45–$90. The state’s breadth means a North Carolina golf trip can be tailored to almost any budget while still accessing some of America’s finest courses.

All Golf Courses in North Carolina

Browse all 602 North Carolina golf courses in our database below, including green fees, location, and course details.