Episode 17: Tobacco Road Golf Club

Tobacco Road Golf Club may be the most interesting golf course on the planet.

 

A few weeks ago, three friends from Charlotte, NC, Brittany and I experienced the unique Mike Strantz layout, located about 30 minutes north of Pinehurst, NC.  And what we discovered was arguably the most fun golf course we’ve ever played.

One of them described the experience as “Disney World for the golfer,” while another instantly declared it was his favorite course he’d ever played. So what makes this course so good?

We’ll, simply put, it’s different. But in a good way. Designer Mike Strantz utilized hundred-foot fescue covered sand dunes to guard fairway entrances while ridiculously deep bunkers flank undulating greens. You’re continuously faced with blind shots over said hazards, which works to distract you from the task at hand.

There aren’t any boring or weak holes. None. Each hole is as interesting as the next, capturing your attention, challenging your trust, and demanding your abilities as a golfer.

The course is actually quite playable and offers large landing areas. However, the penalty for sprayed tee shots and misfired approaches can be steep.

One of my favorite holes is the sharp dogleg left par 5 13th, which begins with an elevated tee shot and ends with an elevated approach to a punchbowl-style green. If you’re a long hitter, you can roll the dice and cut the corner, leaving a mere mid-iron to the green. Be wary though, there’s little room for error on the approach into this heavily guarded green.  What a golf hole though!

It’s not necessarily the type of course you’d want to play day-in and day-out, but if you’re looking for a unique golf course unlike any other, Tobacco Road is the course for you.

Rest assured, it will be one of the most fun rounds of golf you’ll ever play.