Local Resources

Membership Costs

Formerly, I kept a spreadsheet of membership numbers/costs at most local clubs, but things change too rapidly for it to be a reliable document.

The best advice:
The clubs you may be interested in, reach out and get membership information directly from their membership director.
Prices have been changing almost monthly/weekly, so numbers from randoms online can likely be outdated.
There should be a spot on every clubs website to request info. This is the ONLY way to get current information on prices.
This will also put you on the clubs radar if/when they have membership deals/discounts.

Simulator Bays/Rentals

This is asked so much that we’ve created a map!

https://rdugolftour.com/triangle-golf-simulators/

A few Mobile Simulator options have popped up for Rental:

Dogwood Country Club – Mobile Sim
Brookfields Indoor – Mobile Sim
WeGo Golf Raleigh
Mobile Mulligans

Lessons/Teachers

Almost every course has options for lessons or Pros to teach, so first check with your local club.
There are too many options to list fully, but options that are highly regarded and trusted:

Bird of Prey Golf – Martin Lucas is a top 10 teacher in NC. Operating out of TriGolf.
Andrew Kiger Golf – A top 10 teacher in NC. Operating out of 12 Oaks and MacGregor Downs.
Leslie Cloots – Former Epson Tour Pro operating out of Finley and Inside Golf.
Sullys Golf & Gather – One of the biggest growers of the game in the Triangle, Mike Sullivan coaches all levels.
PinPoint Golf – Zac Burill is a wealth of knowledge.
Dave Nastalski – Out of Dogwood Country Club; Highly regarded pro and the OG to sim golf in the Triangle!
The Club Guy – In Apex and beloved by many, with affordable pricing.
Own Your Golf Game – Produces highly competitive golfers.
GolfTec – Multiple locations. Large

Club Fittings

This is one of the most asked questions:

TrueSpec – Pine Needles – Consistently regarded as the best experience.
TrueSpec – Raleigh – Operating out of Dogwood Country Club
Bird of Prey Golf – Martin Lucas is a certified fitter. Operating out of TriGolf.
PinPoint Golf – Zac Burill is a wealth of knowledge.
The Club Guy – In Apex and beloved by many, with affordable pricing.
Continental Golf – One of the staples of Triangle Golf
PGA Tour Superstore – Big box store with every club possible
Club Champion – Multiple locations. Large

Club Repair/Work

From grips to re-shafting and everything else. A lot of courses have some option, so check your local spot, but here are some suggestions:

PinPoint Golf – Zac Burill has years of experience.
The Club Guy – In Apex and beloved by many, with affordable pricing.
Continental Golf – One of the staples of Triangle Golf
PGA Tour Superstore – Big box store with every club possible

Beginner Friendly Courses

If you’re new to the game or just getting back in, it can be intimidating with tough courses or packed tee sheet. The best advice it to target off-peak hours to play to avoid extra stress, but here are some courses that are a bit more fun for the less experienced:

Brevofield Golf Links – In Wake Forest, inexpensive, wide fairways, minimal trouble and good fun.
Paschal Golf Club – In Wake Forest, a 9-hole course that’s inexpensive, wide fairways and minimal trouble.
Knights Play – In Apex, 27 holes, all par-3’s. Inexpensive, perfect for working on your irons and learning your swing. It is usually very busy.
Raleigh Golf Association (RGA) – In Raleigh, 27 holes, currently being renovated to 18 holes, this course is wide open with minimal danger and great to beginners.
Occoneechee Golf Club – In Hillsborough, relaxed, good for beginners but also requires a few good shots.
Hillandale Golf Course – In Durham, inexpensive, playable, fun, and beloved by many! This course is often very busy.
Wendell Country Club – In Wendell, open and playable.
Lochmere Golf Club – In Cary, a pretty straight forward course with some tests, but pretty receptive to a lot a iffy shots.

Good Walking Courses

More people should walk courses while playing! Here are a few that the walk is particularly comfortable (this does not denote if a course excludes walking during certain hours):

Knights Play – It’s a par-3 course, just walk!
Pine Hollow
Raleigh Golf Association (RGA) 
Occoneechee Golf Club
Hillandale Golf Course
Lochmere Golf Club
Umstead Pines
Sanford Muni
Finley Golf Club
Duke – The hill from 7-8 is a killer though..

Practice Facilities

I often get asked what ranges are hitting off grass; the only answer: “Call the course and ask”.
Hitting off grass changes every day at each course and often times, the courses that are only grass, don’t have good quality. So here are some of my suggested ranges:

Finely Golf Club – Requires a half-day pass, but consistently has well conditioned balls, mats, and grass. This is where to go to have a long grind session.
TriGolf – Lighted range, shot-tracer on each station, an expansive putting green and putting course and soon to have a par-3 course.
Duke Golf Course – Incredibly spatious with good quality mats and a lot of grass. A large putting green, but an underwhelming wedge green.
River Ridge Golf Club – Both mats and grass options, while the conditions usually are not the best, there is ample space and the wedge area is very useful.
Lochmere Golf Club – Sizable and better than average quality mats. Large putting green and a dedicated wedge green/bunker.
Knights Play – The largest facility in the Triangle; quality of the grass, balls, and mats are not great, but the lighted range is useful.

Practice Facilities – Shortgame

A full range is one thing, but wedges and putting are its own thing! Here’s a few places that are good for grinding that aspect:

Finely Golf Club – A large putting green and large wedge green with multiple lies.
River Ridge Golf Club – A large putting green with flat and undulating areas and a large wedge green which allows for long distances.
Heritage Golf Course – A large putting green and a very nice wedge area.
Lochmere Golf Club – Large putting green and a smaller dedicated wedge green/bunker.
Pine Hollow Golf Club – A larger putting green and dedicated wedge area which allows longer shots.
Riverwood Golf Club– A larger putting green and dedicated wedge area which allows longer shots.
Raleigh Golf Association (RGA) – Not for putting, but wedges. A wedge green along the road allowing for very long shots.

Local Communities:

There’s a lot of golf to be had in central NC. Here are some of my favorite communities to get involded with:

RDUgolf Tour – For obvious reasons, this is my favorite. Website, Instagram, Facebook, Discord
RDUgolf – The subreddit which RDUgolf Tour originaged.
NC Triad Golfers – Greensboro-based group which has groups every Tuesday and Thursday.
Sandhill Bombers – Pinehurst-based group which plays regularly.
First Flight – a No Laying Up local Roost in the Triangle.
Twilight Golf Club – Chapters in Raleigh, Winston Sale, and Charlotte.

Local Leagues/Events:

A number of courses host recurring events/leagues, but here’s a list of external competitive options:

RDUgolf Tour – For 2025 running a Match Play series, and more to come shortly.
Carolina Golf Association – A full schedule of events through the year, across the state, in different formats.
Sandhill Bombers – Pinehurst-based group which with an annual event series.
Spark Golf – Weekly 9-hole post work leagues at multiple courses.
Twilight Golf Association – Weekly league and multiple courses.
Amateur Players Tour – Flighted Gross events with series’ in Charlotte, Triad, and NC-East
Golf Week Am Tour – Flighted Gross events.
US Am Tour – Flighted Gross events.
Triangle Senior Tour – A league for the Seniors.
Senior Amateur Tour – The Amateur players Tour but for Seniors.
Double Eagle Tour – Recurring golf league based in the Triad.
Peak City Golf Association – Looking similar to things we have seen before with net weekend events.
Tarheel Youth Golf Association – A golf league for youth competitors.
Hurrican Junior Golf Tour – A golf league for youth competitors.
The Junior Tour – A golf league for youth competitors.
PGA Family Golf – A local and National event series which allows family members to compete.

Local Golf Businesses:

The golf industry, but close to home: 

Lie + Loft – Course maps, prints, and other goods.
Dimple & Divot – Hickory club brushes. 
Peter Millar – Everyone knows them; and they are headquartered in Raleigh.
Stitch Golf – Headquartered in Apex, we all know Stitch golf!
Golf Pride – Headquartered just outside the entrance of Pinehurst #8.
Global Golf – One of the biggest resellers of clubs has their 2nd headquarters in Brier Creek.
Jonnie-O – Establishing Raleigh as its second headquarters.

Other Golf Related:

Par Tee Shack Garner – Indoor mini golf that’s a lot of fun.
Par Tee Shack North Raleigh – Indoor mini golf that’s a lot of fun.
Hop Shots – Mini golf setup located behind Raleigh Beer Garden on Glenwood South in Raleigh.
Adventure Landing – Mini golf and other family fun.
Frankies Fun Park – Mini golf and other family fun.
Top Golf – We all know what Top Golf is.
Drive Shack – A similar situation to Top Golf.
Putt Shack – Mini golf at Drive Shack.