Looking back from a green at Carolina Trace Country Club
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4.2
301 Reviews (301)
5 Stars
163
4 Stars
100
3 Stars
24
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
7
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.1
87.4%
Recommend this course
272 out of 301 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
25 Reviews (25)
5 Stars
15
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.6
88.0%
Recommend this course
22 out of 25 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
45 Reviews (45)
5 Stars
24
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.9
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.7
84.4%
Recommend this course
38 out of 45 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Private
Par 72
Length 7263 yards
Slope 143
Rating 76.0
Book a Tee Time at
Carolina Trace Country Club - Lake
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Course Details

Year Built 1971
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Mini Verde Bermunda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1971) David Whelchel (2015) Roger Rulewich (1971)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fee
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Appropriate golf attire.

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in North Carolina (2021 #18)

Reviews

4.2
301 Reviews (301)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 8
Water Hazards 8
Elevation Changes 7
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 6
Locals 6
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 6

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Almost Unbearable

I can handle some slow play. Especially if I am on a nice course and have no where to go.

Had a 2:03 start time and finished the round at 7:58. This is absolutely unacceptable anywhere. A 6 hour round at a place that costs $150 on the weekend. No ranger or starter in sight. Players yelling across the golf course (honestly I love players having a great time, but this is not what I expect for the price that they are charging).

This experience would have been ok at a $20 Muni. Because I simply would hav walked off the course after the 3 hour front nine.

I talked to the golf shop attendant at the turn and he just shrugged his shoulders and said that 3 hours for nine holes wasn’t too bad. Made it sound like this was common and routine at Carolina Trace.

I cannot recommend this place and would avoid it at all costs. Too many great options in the Sanford Pinehurst area and for that price, you could play Tobacco Road and have an awesome experience.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

This course is awesome but expensive because its semi-private.

My first time looking at this course and it was challenging. Not to mention we had a windy day, with gusts up to 29 MPH. Greens were very receptive and fairways were nice. Will try to play again but with their seasonal rates it may be difficult. We played the LAKE course. Want to play the CREEK side but cant afford it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

They were out of gas for carts. The little snack area in the pro shop had very little selection. Course conditions were decent for winter time. Greens were good, they seemed spungy leaving large ball marks when hit.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 320
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 25 Contributor
Previously Played

Great Layout

Lakes course is in very good condition for the winter. Greens are a bit grainy but roll true. Nice, fine sand in the bunkers. Had a great time and will be back when it greens up and the wind isn't blowing 15+!!!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course

There are actually two courses at Carolina Trace, the Creek Course and the Lake Course. I originally wanted to play the Creek Course but on Golf Now, there were ZERO tee times available for any time of any day on the calendar, so I played the Lake Course. When I checked in at the pro shop, they told me there was a “glitch” with Golf Now’s webpage. This is the second time this has happened in as many weeks. Carolina Trace, lean on Golf Now to fix their glitch. Golf Now, do better so golfers can sign up to play both of these courses.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Hidden Gem

Many people these two courses are private but they are not. I’ve played here a dozen times and the pace of play is always good. Great course layouts with plenty of challenging holes. Beautiful views throughout. Golfers are also able to dine at the club restaurant if they want to. Great value for the money.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

A Pleasure to Play!

The Lake Course surpasses its billing! The course layout and maintenance are superb. We thoroughly enjoyed our round and will be back to play again. We definitely recommend this course to golfers of any skill level.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing course even for the money

Great place and I will go here 10 times before I ever go back to Tobacco Road especially at their new rates. If you can get this for $150 or under do it. Under $100 you'd be insane not to

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Awesome course

Course was in excellent condition for this time of year

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

Nice course

Layout is fine, some challenging holes, be prepared for some tricky chips and quick putts as greens are undulating.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Above Average for Winter but Pricey

Decent course condition for winter and recent heavy rain. Greens were real quick. Downside is the conditions and layout weren’t worth $80 for late Dec.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nice course, but a bit pricy without a deal

We played this course for the first time, having gotten a hot deal on GolfNow. The pro-shop staff was extremely friendly when we checked in. We found the course to be in very good condition all around. Greens were in great shape. The course was challenging, but never unfair. There were four holes in particular that stood out as "signature" quality. The only thing that will keep us from playing with any frequency is the cost. Our Hot Deal came in at $80 per golfer and the regular price was something like $115. This was on a Friday, so not even weekend rates. With a more modest price, we'd play here a bunch.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

The greens were in impeccable shape for this time of year. Course layout was gorgeous. I’ll be back!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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Golf Packages

Talamore Golf Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $137 (USD)
SOUTHERN PINES, NC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Talamore Golf Resort and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Mid Pines Golf Course, Mid South Course, Tobacco Road Golf Course, and The New Course.

Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club Stay & Play Package

FROM $167 (USD)
SOUTHERN PINES, NC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Mid Pines Golf Course, Pine Needles Golf Course, Tobacco Road Golf Course, and The New Course.

Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club Stay & Play Package

FROM $167 (USD)
SOUTHERN PINES, NC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Mid Pines Golf Course, Pine Needles Golf Course, Tobacco Road Golf Course, and The New Course.

Richmond Golf Getaway Package

FROM $147 (USD)
RICHMOND, VA | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at Fairfield Inn & Suites – Richmond Airport and 2 rounds of golf at Royal New Kent Golf Club and The Club at Viniterra.

Kingsmill Resort Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $247 (USD)
WILLIAMSBURG, VA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Kingsmill Resort and 2 rounds of golf at Kingsmill Resort - Plantation & River Courses.
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