11 Best Public Golf Courses in Charlotte NC

Looking for the best public golf courses in Charlotte? Read on to learn which ones are with a shot and what each of them has to offer.

Live in or near Charlotte, North Carolina? The area is blessed with almost constant sunshine, a lovely atmosphere, and a prestigious “number 8” in the U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best places in the US to live in 2023/24.

And if you’re a fan of golf, you’re even luckier. The city is home to an abundance of golf courses, beautifully manicured and expertly maintained for the golfing pleasure of the community. And you don’t have to be a member to play at some of the best ones.

Here’s our list of the best public golf courses in Charlotte, including some semi-private ones, that are well worth a play if you get a chance.

If you’re flying out of town, you may want to check how to get from Charlotte Airport to Downtown, to make your transfer smooth. This 3-day Charlotte itinerary will also help you make the most of your time in town while not on the golf course.

The Best Public Golf Courses in Charlotte

Verdict Ridge Golf & Country Club 

One of the best things about the Verdict Ridge Golf Course is that it features 7 sets of tees, so everyone from beginner golfers to experienced players can enjoy their round here.

That’s only one of the reasons it’s considered one of the best public golf courses in Charlotte.

Known as the best public course in Charlotte, this one is a must if you’re short on time and need to pick just one.

The first thing you should know is that you can only play from Monday to Thursday as a visitor.

Weekend play is reserved for members and their guests, so plan ahead to avoid disappointment.

With super fast greens, a mean slope on many holes, and hidden undulations that can trip you up in an instant, the course is more difficult than it looks if you’re not familiar with it.

Grab some advice from the golf pro before you tee off, and expect a challenging round. 

Rock Barn Country Club & Spa – Jackson Course 

Rock Barn ranks high among Charlotte golf courses. It’s home to two amazing golf courses, one public and one private.

If you know a member, take the chance to play the Jones Course, as it’s well worth a play, even if it’s just once! If not, though, the Jackson Course is open to the public and is still a very good play.

It’s a touch shorter than many others and plays to par-71, but it makes up for it with some elevation changes, tricky blind shots, and some very tight fairways. It’s not for the faint of heart, so bring your A-game with you!

Several holes are lined with houses, so you need to have an accurate drive on you or risk damaging someone’s property.

It’s also a great idea to practice some drives in the practice area beforehand because hole 1 throws you right in the deep end!

See Also: Best Lake Tahoe Golf Courses

The Tradition Golf Club

According to local golfers, the Tradition has some of the best greens in the area, so it’s worth checking it out if you’re looking for a round.

It’s a rather private course, making you feel like you’re away from the city and can easily immerse yourself in the game.

Elevations change features throughout the course, the layout has a great array of holes, and hazards are placed in such a way as to be challenging but not unfair.

With plenty of trees lining the holes, errant drives will be punished. Hit straight and true off the tee, but don’t get complacent when it comes to the greens.

They’re known to be curvy and have a bit of speed, so take your time when it comes to putting. You’ll do your best on this course with some strategic thinking and patience.

Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation 

Olde Sycamore isn’t technically a public course, but it’s semi-private, so visitors can book a round.

This championship course is nestled in the midst of a Carolina pine forest, giving it an intimate feeling.

Recognized as the “Best New Course” back in the day when it opened, the course has been maintained to that standard until today.

Be prepared to use every club in your bag, with a great range of holes, some of which might work best with a club other than the driver off the tee.

To be clear, it’s not going to be the best course you’ve ever played on. But it’s got enough challenge, enough excitement, and is well-maintained enough for a great round of golf.

Plus, the company is extremely responsive to reviews and feedback, which is a welcome change and is enough to make many golfers appreciate the course even more.

See Also: Getting From Raleigh Airport to Downtown

Charlotte National Golf Club 

If you’re worried about playing golf on a course surrounded by homes, you’ll be pleased to know that Charlotte National Golf Club is located in the farmlands, and there’s virtually no chance of a wayward ball causing damage.

This means it also has a great private feeling to it, so you can enjoy your round stress-free.

This is great because you’ll need to have your wits about you if you want a good score on this course!

With 7 sets of tees, every golfer has a chance for a good round here. But once your ball flies off the tee, you’ll need to have your strategic brain on.

That’s because the course is rife with challenges: water hazards, speedy greens, elevation changes, and the very real possibility of wind keep things interesting at all times.

Plus, the green fees are very reasonable on this course, so golfers on a budget will appreciate everything about this course. 

Emerald Lake Golf Club 

This beautiful public golf course in Charlotte is impeccably maintained, and you can count on having a great experience on these fairways and greens.

They’re old-school and place a lot of emphasis on pristine golfing conditions and superb service.

It’s trickier than it first appears, with sloped greens and hazards, including water and tree lines down the fairways. You don’t need your driver from every tee, so pay attention and think smartly.

Take note that this club uses a flexible pricing model, so prices may vary from round to round. Be aware of this before booking.

If you’re looking for a club to join as a member, Emerald Lake is an excellent choice. They offer men’s and ladies’ leagues, couples’ leagues, an Interclub team, weekly clinics, junior camps, and private lessons.

They surely have something for every kind of golfer. Plus, they have their own mobile app to help you navigate your way around the club and more.

Highland Creek Golf Club 

One of the few public courses in Charlotte with bentgrass greens, Highland Creek is fairly flat and quite open, meandering through forests and creeks in a natural way.

The greens can suffer a little in the summer heat, but it’s worth a play if you’re around the area.

Four sets of tees guarantee that all golfers start with a fighting chance. But keep your mind sharp—you’ll have over 60 bunkers and water hazards on 11 holes to contend with.

If your putting game is a little shaky, it’s worth spending some time on the putting green before you hit the course.

You’ll get a very good taste of how the greens will run on the course, and you’ll be able to adapt more easily on the go. 

Mooresville Golf Course

If links-style golf is your thing, Mooresville is where you should be. It’s a fun layout, but expect challenges, especially with the almost ever-present wind. Club selection will be particularly important in this course!

There’s a great practice area where you can warm up your drives as well as your short game before getting out onto the course.

Once you’re on the course, stay focused… There are chances to score well, but it requires concentration and strategy.

Pay particular attention to the front nine, which features three par 5s and 3 par 3s, great chances to get ahead.

You’ll also find some drivable par 4s, so don’t be afraid to ditch the driver where necessary. 

Public Golf Courses Near Charlotte Worth a Visit

We know, we know. These golf courses might not be in Charlotte itself, but if you’re in North Carolina and have a bit of time to spare, we highly recommend taking a drive to play a round at one (or all) of these courses. They’re close enough to be worthwhile additions to this list!

Tobacco Road Golf Course

Tobacco Road is a bucket list course if there ever was one! Be warned—it’s unconventional and generally known as a rollercoaster of a course, so expect an adrenaline rush from start to finish.

It’s hard to explain the quirkiness and the WOW factor you experience at Tobacco Road.

You’ll encounter almost every hazard and element you can think of—elevated tees, forced carries, blind shots, doglegs, a pinched fairway, gigantic bunkers, elevation changes, and more… But only one water hazard throughout the entire course.

Wildly curved greens of all sizes and shapes await you once you’ve navigated each unique hole.

But don’t let that put you off—despite being a wild ride, the course is more forgiving than you might assume, so golfers of all levels should enjoy the rollercoaster. 

Edgewater Golf Club 

If you’re up for a bit of a drive, this is one of the public golf courses near Charlotte worth visiting. It’s a secluded course that’s more challenging than you might initially assume.

There’s a good bit of water on this course, so you’ll have to stay focused and play true to avoid losing a golf ball.

You’ll also have to contend with interesting elevation changes, strategically-placed bunkers, and possibly the occasional bit of wildlife wandering around the course! 

Pinehurst Resort & Country Club 

Pinehurst Resort & Country Club is another golf course near Charlotte worth the drive. With more than a century of history and an impressive list of championships hosted, Pinehurst should be on every golfer’s bucket list.

It’s important to note that A) it’s a bit of a drive from Charlotte, and B) of the many courses here, only a select few are open to the public.

If you aren’t a member or a guest at the resort, you can book a tee time on courses 1, 3, 5, or The Cradle, a 9-hole course affectionately named “the most fun 10 acres in all of golf” by the Golf Channel.

And if you’re desperate to play the famous No. 2 course, it’s as simple as checking in at the resort for a night or two.

You may have to wander outside of Charlotte for this one, but if you’re in the area for a bit of time, it’s too close to miss!

For golf fans, this course is too good to miss, especially if you’re planning on overnighting at the resort and playing the bucket list-worthy course No. 2.

About the Author: Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer and businessman. When he’s not on the course working on his own game or mentoring young golfers, he writes in-depth articles for his website, Golf Influence.