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The Challenge Golf Club
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About
Challenge Golf Club sprawls across a scenic stretch of rolling farmland that sits alongside the Haw River. The lush hills are accented with mature hardwood forests, providing a scenic setting for a round of golf. The hilly terrain on this golf course will test not only your shot-making abilities but also your accuracy. Lakes provide even more natural hazards. Golfers can expect a few perilous carries over water. To add to the layout's difficulty, there are numerous bunkers strategically placed along the greens. The golf course is arguably one of the area's most formidable tests. Although thoughtful strategy and creative shot making will be generously rewarded, it’s not an overly punishing layout. Challenge Golf Club's final hole is a memorable par 5 that's definitely tough, but if you play it smart it could also be a great birdie opportunity.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 72 | 6828 yards | 73.7 | 139 |
| Blue | 72 | 6401 yards | 71.3 | 135 |
| White (W) | 72 | 5755 yards | 73.4 | 133 |
| White | 72 | 5755 yards | 68.3 | 124 |
| Black | 72 | 5088 yards | 64.5 | 112 |
| Black (W) | 72 | 5088 yards | 69.0 | 122 |
| Red | 72 | 4771 yards | 63.8 | 107 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 4771 yards | 68.0 | 117 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold M: 73.0/138 | 388 | 539 | 433 | 127 | 448 | 391 | 512 | 180 | 325 | 3343 | 354 | 410 | 517 | 375 | 432 | 160 | 459 | 211 | 567 | 3485 | 6828 |
| Blue M: 71.0/133 | 379 | 522 | 409 | 115 | 419 | 352 | 473 | 175 | 317 | 3161 | 323 | 382 | 499 | 351 | 402 | 147 | 419 | 193 | 524 | 3240 | 6401 |
| Green M: 69.7/131 | 379 | 522 | 356 | 115 | 364 | 352 | 473 | 158 | 317 | 3036 | 323 | 347 | 499 | 351 | 364 | 147 | 333 | 171 | 524 | 3059 | 6095 |
| White M: 68.3/126 W: 73.6/134 | 350 | 475 | 356 | 108 | 364 | 341 | 438 | 158 | 274 | 2864 | 275 | 347 | 477 | 302 | 364 | 132 | 333 | 171 | 490 | 2891 | 5755 |
| Black M: 65.8/117 W: 70.4/127 | 296 | 408 | 349 | 102 | 358 | 305 | 430 | 114 | 250 | 2612 | 217 | 280 | 389 | 256 | 308 | 127 | 326 | 133 | 440 | 2476 | 5088 |
| Red M: 63.4/112 W: 67.5/121 | 294 | 403 | 289 | 98 | 313 | 299 | 339 | 108 | 248 | 2391 | 213 | 274 | 383 | 251 | 300 | 120 | 273 | 129 | 437 | 2380 | 4771 |
| Junior W: 65.4/112 | 288 | 399 | 287 | 95 | 311 | 299 | 344 | 106 | 244 | 2373 | 208 | 270 | 376 | 252 | 293 | 117 | 272 | 126 | 397 | 2311 | 4684 |
| Handicap | 9 | 7 | 3 | 17 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 2 | 8 | 10 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 1 | 3 | 11 | 17 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 6 | 16 | 2 |
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Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Greens are pure! Photo submitted by TheHonestReview on 04/17/2026
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Photo submitted by TheHonestReview on 04/13/2026
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Clubhouse and practice green Photo submitted by u013503216 on 11/01/2020
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Hole 1 Photo submitted by u013503216 on 11/01/2020
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Hole 4 Photo submitted by u013503216 on 11/01/2020
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Hole 18 Photo submitted by u013503216 on 11/01/2020
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Hole 5 Photo submitted by u013503216 on 11/01/2020
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Photo submitted by u314159895607 on 07/02/2020
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Photo submitted by u000005687927 on 11/06/2019
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Photo submitted by celebrte1 on 06/11/2018
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7th hole scenery Photo submitted by celebrte1 on 06/11/2018
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Par three, 16th green Birdie was made Photo submitted by Geno7176732 on 10/15/2017
Great course, staff, conditions, scenery, and value
The Challenge has become one of my favorite public courses.
The layout, combined with great staff, scenery, and value, combines to make a memorable golf experience.
The staff has done an excellent job of keeping our safety and health concerns during the Covid-19 outbreak a top priority.
Also, I shot one of my best rounds, including a birdie on #15, a great par three!
Come play the Challenge. You will enjoy everything!
Great course, conditions, staff, and value
The Challenge offers a great course layout, playing conditions, staff, and value.
Everyone on the staff is helpful, friendly, and professional.
They have gone the extra mile during the Corona Virus outbreak to ensure that the golfer's safety and health are top priority.
Playing conditions are outstanding, with some of the best greens in the area.
Value on Golf Now is terrific, better than courses that charge much more for green fees.
Come play the Challenge. It is on my must play list!
Recommend Course
A couple weeks and course will be better definitely good for this time of year
Essential day out
Enjoyed the course but the group in front of us was slow. They were two holes behind the group in front of them and we still had to wait after each shot.
Great course coming into its own
It's been 15 years or more since I played the Challenge, and I'm glad I made the drive to get there. The course is beautiful and challenging (as the name suggests). They recently aerated the fairways/tees, so it was bumpy, but it was needed since they were pretty firm. The greens rolled beautifully, and the bunkers (other than one currently being filled) were perfect, even without rakes. My only complaint is the lack of a driving range. They only have a hitting net where you hit off mats into a large rectangular net. It's free, though, but only good for loosening up the swing. It's hard to tell if you're hitting shots well.
Fun Time
The name of the course is accurate, it is a challenge. Place your shoes smartly, you can do well. Errant shots are punished as there’s lots of thick brush/grass on either side, as well as heavily canted fairways.
The staff are friendly and helpful, the course is is good shape, and it is a beautiful course. Will play again when I have a chance.
Respite from the house
Enjoyed the layout, Course has a bit of everything. Greens were excellent but fairways and tees were very firm with plenty of bare spots. I know it’s still early spring but way too many spots with just bare dirt. Will try again I when some of the grass has filled in.
Great conditions during COVID-19
Best course we have played in terms of conditions during this environment. Traps have been kept up, fairways have grass, greens are in great shape
Keep it in Play
They’re are some tight driving holes at the Challenge.. Greens were smooth but a little slow.. Can’t wait for the fairways to come in. Nice staff. Love the Golfnow rates !
Nice course!
Glad I decided to try this even though it's a 45-60 minute drive. It's an interesting but not impossible layout...went as a single hooked up with another player on the first tee. Another group let us play through and we made it around in 3 1/2 hours!
Great Course
Have played this course many times. The only reason there’s a four star rating is the time of year and the course is in the process of making improvements. In the Summer
months this course is in great shape. The course is fair but can be a “Challenge “. Hence possibly the name. At this time the staff is taking every precaution necessary to insure adherence to health regulations regarding the covid 19 virus. Very impressive! Every time I have played this course the staff has been exceptional.
Shaping up nicely for spring
Challenge has been vastly improved in last few years. If you haven't played it recently suggest you give it a try.
greens are lookin nice!
greens in great shape!
sand is in hood condition also
Significantly improved
I had not played the challenge in several years due to poor course maintenance.
Today I was very pleasantly surprised by the improvement and will be back very soon.
Winter golf
I never played this course in the winter. All the grass was dormant but seemed very well-maintained and fun to play. We played on a Saturday and was able to play as slow or fast as we wanted as it was not very busy
Still early in the season but amazed at how great greens were
Great value, nice staff and the greens were super considering it was March 2nd and grass hasn’t really started to grow yet
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