I am going to be in Chrarlotte for almost two weeks at the end of February and the first week of March, staying with family. My wife and I would like to take a three day trip to the Sandhills / Pinehurst Area to play some golf. I am looking for suggestions on which courses to play. But, keep these things in mind...

-price... need to keep it affordable
-I am relocating to the area, so eventually I will get to play ALL the GOOD / EXPENSIVE ones
-want to play at least one Donald Ross
-my wife... not a ton of forced carries, etc. (so not Tobacco Road)
-I like more traditional courses
-probably 3-4 18 hole rounds

courses I'm thinking about...
-Hyland Hills
-The Carolina
-Little River
-The Pit
-Seven Lakes
-Southern Pines
-Whispering Pines
-Beacon Ridge
-Longleaf
-Foxfire

any opinions much appreciated!

At that time of year the weather can be very iffy in NC. I would suggest going farther south - Hilton Head is only about 4 hours from Charlotte, and the temperatuer there is always about 10 degrees warmer than Charlotte. Sea Pines in Hilton Head offers some decent deals that time of year, and the 3 courses there are among the best on the island. Since the season officially changes the first week of March, you might want to consider the weekend of March 1-2, as you will get much better rates that weekend than the next.

actually I'm going midweek, not sure if it'll be Feb 27-29 or March 5-7. I really want to play the Sandhills area courses... as long as it hits 50 degrees I'm fine. The whole beach area courses seem less appealing to me for some reason.

Do not play Little River or the Carolina. For a more reasonable Ross layout play Southern Pines Elks CC. Nice layout. I haven't played in years so can't comment on current condition.
Both courses at Foxfire are fun and they were in the best shape imaginable last summer.
Whispering Pines has two courses-play the original Ellis Maples course. Nice people at WPCC.
If you have the money play MidSouth. Wonderful golf course. MidPines is a fine Ross course, too.
Legacy is always a good choice.
The weather can be awesome. It can be terrible. No matter, go to the bar at the PineCrest Inn and forget about it.

Play out at Rock Barn...I live out here and they hold the Greater Hickory Classic (Champions Tour Event) out here and the course is usually in great shape, considering it just snowed here last saturday the course conditions may be iffy, but the price ranges at about 80$ so? MidPines is a great course,Southern pines and Whispering pines are also great courses but Rock Barn is only about 45 min to an hour depending on where youre staying.

Look at Ballentyne too.

I will be living in Charlotte by May or July, so I'm not too concerned with playing Charlotte courses (Rockbarn). I'm staying in Concord (just NE of Charlotte), but plan on taking a 3 day trip to the Sandhills area, so my wife and I can get away from the family a little bit. I was mostly curious if anyone from the area thought any of the courses on the above list were much better than the others or not so good.

Ross routing with LaFoy greens. Southen Pines. Make the effort to play. Whispering Pines would be a good choice. Richmond County has a nine hole Donal Ross, but I can't say if it is worth it. Southern Pines is worth it. I play there once a month. I drive 3 hours to play it. In good shape.

Play either Mid Pines or Southern Pines for Ross, for some more dough try Pineneedles.

Also, be sure and play Tobacco Road, it is awesome.

Mid South Club is another nice course, but you must get it in a package as it is private.

I live 80 minutes from these courses. The Country Club at Whispering Pines ( 5 minutes from The Carolina ) is my favorite. (This is not Whispering Pines Golf Course - which is awful and 1 single course.)They have 2 courses and renamed them. The course I recommend used to be called the Pines. After you pay your green fees, the course that is straight ahead, near the range. It's traditional, playable yet challenging. I would go with Hyland Hills, too. Excellent value - and playable - traditional etc. You can find coupons in the Triad Golfer Today. At HH, if you play after 1pm. It's dirt cheap and now it's 39 riding with a coupon.

My managers favorite is Tot Hill Farm in Asheboro, NC. Pretty wild Mike Stranz design.

Have fun!

First off, welcome to Charlotte. My family and I have lived here over 3 years now, and we thank God every day we're here. I hope you and your family will enjoy living in this great city.

As for your question, I recommend highly checking out Pine Needles and Mid Pines. Both courses are Donald Ross designs, but neither are as punishing as #2 down the road. They're also not nearly expensive. I can't recommend those courses enough.

Another great course is Tobacco Road.

Hope you have a great trip.

I am glad to read that Southern Pines Elks CC is in good shape. I would go there. Not real long but fun. Greens being redone should make it a gas.
You will enjoy the area. I came to NC in 1975 and have never seriously considered leaving. Golf, golf everywhere.

I would not recommend The Pit or Little River. Consider Mid-South. It's awesome and pretty reasonably priced.

I would use last minute tee times for decent rates. I survived a week at Hilton Head and pay more for the ones not on Last minute golf but we averaged 30 holes a day and played 12 different courses.

Another vote for T-Road. Welcome to NC, I live about 70-80 miles NW of Charlotte. You are right, there are plenty of good tracks you can play in and around Charlotte once your move is complete.

just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has replied so far... seems like Whispering Pines and Southern Pines would be decent choices... and maybe if I can get a good rate Pine Needles, otherwise I'll have to hit it up sometime after the move along with #2.

I think T-road would be a little too tough for my wife? Plus I have heard the whole some love it some hate it thing...
And I know that I myself prefer a more traditional course, but I'm sure eventually I'll try it.

Alright, these three golf courses are a most w/ affordable price.

The best way to do the sandhill is to book thru sandhills golf (http://www.tobaccoroadtravel.com)
Best is to call them, but I go there once in couple months. They have great deals.

1. Tobacco road GC (most unique GC in the region), but due to your wife, not a choice.
2. Legacy Golf Links (most beautiful w/ nice setup GC in the region), very traditional course.
3. Talamore GC (best condition and and nice setup GC in the region), very traditional course.

It's a 100% satisfactory or your money back, haha.

Enjoy and let us know which one you ended up playing.

I, too, live in the area and play Highland Hills often with my wife. It's a fun course, cheap after 1:00, and you should play it.

Also, one that hasn't been mentioned is Sanford Municipal Golf Course. It's a 1930's Donald Ross design that was changed on a few holes about 3 years ago. That time of year you can ride for $28. It's short, tight, with small greens. It's a true Ross design that's really enjoyable. Of course I'm partial to it since I've been playing it for 31 years!

I also vote for Southern Pines Elks CC...great value and a great course!

I hate T-Road. My first shot on # 1 seemed to be right down the middle. But, the ball was lost. So, there's lots of blind shots there. i don't think she will have fun. She wd enjoy Hyland Hills.

cool, have been here since 92. Was searching for a muni drivable from the Triangle.

Talamore just got toasted in one of the golf periodicals - poor customer service was one of the issues.

How do you lose one on #1 Tobacco Road right down the middle? You are hitting from an elevated tee....????

I would say Tobacco Road is a must if you are in the area...it is just a different layout that is fun and not traditional. Legacy I would also agree with. It is a Jack Nicklaus design and is a fun and tough track. Mid Pines is the last course I would recommend...short and tight, but if Pines are what you like to see, you will see plenty of them there.

If you get the chance to play in or around Charlotte, Rock Barn (Jones Course Only!) is definitely a good track. Also, there is a good track just north of Charlotte in Denver, NC called Verdict Ridge which is a pretty layout. Just south of Charlotte is a hidden gem called Springfield. It is one of the best courses I've played down there...I love seeing deer run across the fairway when I'm playing...I haven't had a round where that hasn't happened there.

Hope you have a great trip. I live in Hickory, NC which is about 45 minutes NW of Charlotte.