Carolina Trace CC
Looking back from a green at Carolina Trace Country Club
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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
349 Reviews (349)
5 Stars
197
4 Stars
109
3 Stars
26
2 Stars
9
1 Stars
8
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.7
Amenities
4.1
86.7%
Recommend this course
313 out of 349 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
12 Reviews (12)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.5
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.6
91.7%
Recommend this course
11 out of 12 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
24 Reviews (24)
5 Stars
18
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.7
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.8
87.5%
Recommend this course
21 out of 24 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
The Lakes stands out for its creative layout featuring doglegs, elevation changes, and demanding par threes that require every club in your bag. Friendly staff, excellent pace of play, and well-maintained conditions make this one of the premier courses in the area.

About

Holes 18
Type Private
Par 72
Length 7263 yards
Slope 143
Rating 76.0
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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 25 Courses for Pace of Play in the U.S. (2025 #2)
  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in North Carolina (2021 #18)
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Reviews

4.5
349 Reviews (349)

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.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Very good course

Very nice layout on most holes. Fairways have some dead spots but overall the course was in very good shape. My only complaint is there is little to no signage for yardage anywhere on the course. A couple sprinklers here and there had distance marked but that's it.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Coming back

Spring golf. Recent rain. First real nice day of year. Full house. All things considered with courteous staff, friendly members, fair set up = great experience with great friends! I will play here again soon...

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Advanced
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Better value for the money than Southern Pines or Pinehurst

Course is challenging for any type of golfer. Course could be better suited with more amenities. I felt the layout was enjoyable definitely need to ride in the cart. It’s worth the drive from the Raleigh or Pinehurst area if you’re looking to save some money.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 348
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing all around experience

When we arrived at Carolina Trace Country Club, we were greeted with smiles and hellos even though we were complete strangers. The pro shop has everything a golfer could ask for. The lake course at CTCC is by far one of the most beautiful courses i have ever played and the difficulty is perfect for someone like myself. A hole In one on 8 topped off my trip with an amazing experience that only CTCC could make. The food in the club house at Jone’s pub is accompanied by their amazing waitstaff, shoutout to Jenna. If you’re looking for an amazing experience this is the place for that.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great all around

Carolina Trace was one of the best courses that I have ever played. The staff was great and everyone was very friendly. It was definitely worth the drive from Michigan.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great atmosphere and beautiful layout

Great country club atmosphere and layout of the overall course was very excellent. Beautiful views of the lake and off the tee box.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Off the radar gem

This track checks everything off the list... outstanding layout, very challenging, pristine greens, well maintained, scenic, great service/friendly staff, just a great experience! Even happened to rub elbows w the head pro out on the course, gave me a tip on getting out of the rough (which is penal) when it’s sitting down vs fluffy lie sitting up, pretty cool. Very impressed across the board, worth every penny and then some!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 61
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Outstanding course in great shape! A awesome experience all around! Keep up the good work!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Wow

I’ve lived in Sanford for 3 years now. Ashamed I have never played this course! I was impressed. Normally I balk at the $100+ price tag. I got a “bushwood”feeling looking from the outside in, when I arrived today I was floored. The young lady at check in was very friendly. The range is great, I loved the short game area. Greens were recently sanded but rolled so true and such as snot. I’ll definitely go back, when the deals can be had. The only negative was the group inferring if me who were incredibly slow. I found myself hitting 2-3 balls per hole so I wasn’t wasting time. Other than that, sublime. Now to ply creek!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 31
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A True Challenge

The Lake Course is probably the most challenging I’ve ever played. Course in excellent condition. Greens definitely fastest I’ve ever played! Unforgiving rough! Staff very friendly. Eric in the pro shop was very kind and welcoming. Also, spoke with another super friendly grounds crew member while I was warming up on the range.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens were almost too fast....almost

Great layout and the course is in perfect shape. Stay below the hole or you will have a few 3 putts

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Sweet track

Great layout and greens running a 12 easily. My only complaint is there is no drinking water available on the course. Course is in perfect shape and the pace of play was fast.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice track

First time playing, did not get to play the 18th hole due to lightning, but this is a great course and in great shape. If you play the correct tee you will have a great time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great layout

Beautiful golf course. Challenging but fair. One of my favorites.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great layout

Always love CT Lakes. My only issue today is that the greens were hard and extremely fast. Did not hold well struck irons and downhill putts were impossible. But beautiful and well designed layout.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very good conditions

Lake course is a beautiful layout and in great condition . Most enjoyable to play

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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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.

Charleston Golf Experience Stay & Play Package

FROM $239 (USD)
CHARLESTON, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Francis Marion Hotel and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of RiverTowne Golf Course, Charleston National Golf Course, Wild Dunes – Harbor Course, Wild Dunes – Links Course, and Stono Ferry Golf Course.

Wild Dunes Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $369 (USD)
CHARLESTON, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Wild Dunes Resort and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Wild Dunes – Harbor Course, Wild Dunes – Links Course, RiverTowne Golf Course, and Charleston National Golf Course.
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