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Raleigh and the Research Triangle area have numerous quality golf courses to choose from. The Neuse Golf Club is one of the best deals in Raleigh and frequently receives national honors and recognitions. Depending on the tee time, green fees can be less than $30. The Pinehurst Resort and Country Club is 70 miles outside of Raleigh, but it hosted the 2005 U.S. open and is one of the top clubs in the country. For something a little closer to the Triangle, try the Devil’s Ridge Golf Club. This four-star course is just 10 miles outside of Raleigh. Beginners should check out Hedingham Golf Club, a municipal Raleigh course just 12 miles outside downtown. Green fees are just $20-$30. Whether you consider yourself an expert on the greens or just a beginner, Raleigh has something to fit every skill level.
Crooked Creek Golf Club
4621 Shady Greens Dr., Fuquay-Varina NC 27526; Tel. 919.557.7529
This ten-year-old Chuck Smith design is about 12 miles outside Raleigh, and is one of the more popular Raleigh golf courses in the area. A three-and-a-half star facility, Crooked Creek features plenty of water, a flat front nine, and a tough, hilly back nine intersected by the creek. The course measures only 6,271 yards, but tight doglegs make this irrelevant. Green fees are in the $25-$40 range.
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Devil's Ridge Golf Club
5107 Linksland Dr., Holly Springs NC 27540; Tel. 919.557.6100
Considered representative of the regions rich golf atmosphere, Devil's Ridge is a four-star, well-lauded course just ten miles from Raleigh. Designed by John LaFoy, and opened in 1991, Devil's Ridge has since impressed local and visiting golfers with its abundant tree life and rolling, mounded fairways. This Raleigh golf course is in top condition and is another area bargain at $30-$50.
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Hedingham Golf Club
4801 Harbour Towne Dr., Raleigh NC 27604; Tel. 919.250.3030
Central to the Hedingham housing development, this municipal Raleigh golf course is a simple, 6,604-yard track designed by David Postlethwait that opened in 1992. The Raliegh golf course is well maintained, despite the heavy play it receives. Green fees are typical of the area, cheap, at $20-$30.
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Pinehurst Resort and Country Club
Carolina Vista Dr., Pinehurst NC 28374; Tel. 910.235.8141
This golf facility is a hefty 70 miles from Raleigh, but well-worth mention. Quite possibly the most outstanding public golf experience in North America, Pinehurst is home to eight, yes eight, four to five star golf courses. The number two course, perhaps the most famous of the Pinehurst legendary courses, will play host to the 2005 U.S. Open. To relay the history and sheer quality of these courses would take days; just go and play there once in your able-bodied golfing years. Green fees are anywhere from $100-$300.
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River Ridge Golf Club
3224 Auburn-Knightdale Rd., Raleigh NC 27610; Tel. 919.661.8374
This four-and-a-half star Raleigh golf course just opened in 1997, River Ridge Golf Club is a Chuck Smith project. The course features water, sand, tree-lined fairways and a shape carved out of the natural landscape. It measures 6,651 yards and plays longer than the yardage would indicate. Green fees are a bargain at $25-$55.
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The Neuse Golf Club - Raleigh.com Editor's Pick
918 Birkdale Dr., Clayton NC 27520; Tel. 919.550.0550
Bordered by the landscape of the Neuse River, this four-and-a-half star Raleigh golf course has received national top 50 honors for course conditions, pace of play, service and value. Golf just doesn't get much better than this place. This John LaFoy masterpiece, only about 20 minutes from Raleigh, opened in 1993. According to one reviewer, it's worth traveling to North Carolina from anywhere in the country just to play this course. The green fees are a staggering $27-$40.
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