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
351 Reviews (351)
5 Stars
199
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
4.0
86.4%
Recommend this course
315 out of 351 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
13 Reviews (13)
5 Stars
12
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.4
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.6
Amenities
3.8
StaffFriendliness
4.7
92.3%
Recommend this course
12 out of 13 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
21 Reviews (21)
5 Stars
16
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.7
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.8
85.7%
Recommend this course
18 out of 21 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
351 Reviews (351)

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 30
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Terrific Trace

I booked with Golf Now and was thrilled to get onto a country club course for $55. We were supposed to play the Creek Course but started on the Lake Course. The fairways were nice and the greens were slow but true. After a few holes, we finally figured out the speed of the greens and were able to score well on the challenging course. There were many holes up and down hills. There were spectacular holes along the water, and there were holes with ponds. The course had a lot of variety and the pace of play were spectacular (3 hours 45 minutes). I will go out of my way to play this course again in the future.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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
Windy weather
Used cart

Always a pleasure

CT Lakes is on the great courses in the Sanford / Pinehurst area. Lots of water, but the dry holes are just as interesting and nearly as challenging. Bermuda greens in near perfect shape. Fairways still brown (played in Feb.( but look like they will again be plush this year.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Definitely a must play again course

Greens excellent shape as were fairways. Of course it is winter so the landscape reflected the season. Course is challenging, but too much that hack golfers would be frustrated. Staff super friendly. There are 2 courses, we played the Lake course. Many holes on the water. Course is walkable.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course beautiful , sand traps out of this world. Could not beat the Golf Now deal...

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Quality in every way

Absolutely no complaints, course was in great condition, greens a hint slower than most courses in the area but rolled true and receptive. A little course knowledge goes a long way here.

Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun course

I enjoyed my round very much. Plenty of elevation changes to make clubbing interesting. Not the hardest driving course but accurate approach shots are required for scoring. Greens were in good shape and putted true. The range is a bit small and plays uphill so it's s bit tough dialing in your yardages. Overall worth the 45 minute drive.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

The Lake course at Carolina Trace is a Great course all around period!

The Lake course at Carolina Trace is a Great course all around period! The fairways and greens are in excellent conditions at all times and the setup is a FANTASTIC one! It's a challenge for any level golfers from the tips and not so bad for the high handicappers from the front tees but there's one thing you'll do for sure and that's: You'll enjoy playing it and will want to comeback and do it again.... Humble regards everyone.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nice Course

Course was in great shape. Greens a little slower than I am used to but overall this is a great course and I will play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Pick the right tee. They have many.

Bring your sky caddie (course is marked ok). You will need it for tee shots ( I drove it though a couple of dog legs), unless you can fade or draw on command you will need to leave the driver in the bag on some holes. There are a lot of fairway bunkers that come into play off the tee also. Water comes into play on both par 5's on the back nine off the tee. They do have many tee boxes to choose from. I also noticed a lot of "kids club" tee areas. I think I used every club in my bag except the 3 Iron ( but I'm not sure why it's in my bag, I only use it to punch out of the woods sometimes). Easy drive from Triangle area.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful championship caliber course.

What a beautiful and well maintained course! A bit far from cary but well worth the drive. The people in the clubhouse are friendly and the course was enjoyable with beautiful views. The greens are the same type you see in many pgatour tournaments. Practice on the putting green before your round to avoid overshooting the holes by 5 ft. A must play course for triangle golfers.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Central NC course

This course was a joy to play. It was in great shape and the weather was outstanding. The course was very scenic within the sandhills area. Definitely recommend playing if you're in the area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
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Talamore Golf Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $137 (USD)
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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

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