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 12
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great Course!

Very tough but great course. Bermuda rough seemed to cost me a stroke any time I ended up in it. Greens were not quite as smooth as I would like.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Way too pricey for a hot deal

Nice course but $40.00 hot deal come on!
it's okay but not a for the price ,

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Beautiful course, easy ride from RTP area

The Lakes course includes some of the most beautiful and intimidating golf shots you will find. Another terrific Sandhills value (we paid $35 for a Friday afternoon). Greens were fast and smooth, still just a bit hard. Fairways were plush. Challenge of the course will depend on the tees you choose. We played the blue tees and found it very true to the 129 slope rating.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good Track for the $

I played the Lake Course and got a $12 hot deal tee time at 2pm. The course was in good condition, has a good layout with a variety of holes, and the greens rolled true and quick. Definitely worth ~$35-$45 that many other courses in the Pinehurst area would charge for that tee time, and a steal at $12. I played the tips, with a rating of 74.3, and it was fairly challenging, especially around the greens. The greens were not always receptive, which seems to be a common problem with bermuda green installs these days. There were some approach shots that barely broke the green's skin, and others that left a small ball mark, but nothing came close to stopping in it's tracks. They also need to install more water jugs. There was a fountain at the 7th, but in 92 degree heat, there should be water every 3-4 holes.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Private club = Private Greens...

The course was in fantastic shape, and the greens were fantastic...they rolled very true and had a gloss on them they were so slick...I did not putt great, but it was no fault to the course..I can't wait to play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fantastic Deal!!!

The members and staff were very friendly. Played the Lakes Course, Pro shop told me Golfnow shouldn't have let me book at tee time because of a tournament that morning, but they let us go out anyway... (My thanks to the staff). Course was in great condition, greens were very smooth and very very fast (although a little hard), tees boxes were in fine shape. Paid $16 to ride (Great Deal!) easy drive from Cary, NC, hope to play again soon.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course, great layout!

The course is beautiful, lost a few balls (lol), great job to the greens crew, the course is very well taken care of. Would love to play this coure again! Put this course on your list to play!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Ok

Greens left alot to be desired, not even close to smooth. Weeds growing in the fairways and more than one dead spot tee to green. Staff was ok, but didn't add anything to the experience. Was ok overall but better courses for same money in the area.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Excellent Track

Carolina Trace is a member owned private facility that has recently allowed outside play for golf groups. This was my group's 2nd time on the Creek course. Unfortunately we played the first 5 holes in a downpour which created a backup in play when two groups in front of us just paused for the rain. The course marshals quickly identified the groups and normal play was resumed. The members and staff were very friendly, usually not something you see from a private club. This course is TIGHT. Do not be deceived by the yardage on the card as it plays considerably longer. Since this is in a gated community with homes on the course there is a considerable amount of OB. Bent greens roll very true. Put this on your play list.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
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