What are the Worst Golf Courses in Each State (North Carolina)?

Tanglewood Park

North Carolina is one of America's great golf states.

From Pinehurst and Southern Pines to the Outer Banks, Charlotte and the mountains, golfers have hundreds of public courses to choose from.

But not every course gets glowing reviews.

I looked at golfer ratings and reviews on GolfPass, Tripadvisor and other current golf-review sources to find three North Carolina courses that stand out for particularly low ratings and recurring complaints.

The goal wasn't simply to find three random courses with a bad review or two. I looked for courses with a meaningful history of golfer feedback and, importantly, made sure they are still operating and available for public play in 2026.

Here's what I found.

1. Tanglewood Park Reynolds Course — Clemmons

GolfPass rating: 2.2/5 from 373 reviews

If you're looking strictly at GolfPass's overall rating and review volume, the Reynolds Course at Tanglewood Park is one of the clearest candidates for this list.

GolfPass gives the public 18-hole course just 2.2 out of 5, with particularly low marks for conditions, value and pace of play. Only 10.4% of GolfPass reviewers recommend the course.

The biggest criticism is course conditioning.

GolfPass reviewers have complained about poor tee boxes, thin or nonexistent grass in fairways and rough, questionable greens and long rounds. One 2024 reviewer described the course as having barren areas and said a round was taking so long that his group left before finishing.

Tripadvisor tells a somewhat more nuanced story. The Reynolds Course currently carries a 3.5/5 rating from 15 reviews, but recent reviews have also raised concerns about the condition of the greens and fairways. A 2024 reviewer described the greens as rough and weedy, while another complained about dirt tee boxes and barren fairways.

It's worth emphasizing that Tanglewood is not a forgotten or abandoned golf course.

Quite the opposite.

The official Tanglewood golf site confirms that the Reynolds Course remains an 18-hole public course and continues to offer tee times. Current posted rates are $39 Monday through Friday and $45 on weekends and holidays.

That makes the Reynolds Course an interesting case: the layout and history of Tanglewood are considerably better regarded than the GolfPass rating would suggest, but golfers have repeatedly focused on conditioning and pace of play.

GolfPass rating: 2.2/5

GolfPass reviews: 373

Tripadvisor: 3.5/5, 15 reviews

Public play: Yes

Stonebridge

2. Stonebridge Golf Club — Monroe

GolfPass rating: 2.6/5 from 350 reviews

Stonebridge Golf Club in Monroe is another course where the difference between the layout and the day-to-day playing experience shows up clearly in the reviews.

GolfPass gives Stonebridge an overall rating of 2.6 out of 5 from 350 reviews. The most striking numbers are the category scores: conditions, value and pace of play each score just 1.9/5, while the layout scores a much stronger 4.8.

In other words, golfers generally don't seem to hate the golf course's basic design.

The complaints tend to focus on the experience surrounding it.

One GolfPass reviewer described the layout as nice but criticized the greens and value. Another review praised the course and staff while complaining about drainage and wet conditions.

Tripadvisor is considerably more positive. Stonebridge currently has a 4.1/5 rating from 26 reviews, although a March 2025 reviewer described the course as overpriced and said it wasn't as good as it had been several years earlier.

That difference between GolfPass and Tripadvisor is important.

Depending on the platform, golfers are seeing a very different picture of Stonebridge.

The course is unquestionably still operating. Its official website currently lists tee times, golf-shop hours and 18-hole play, and the club was still conducting leagues and other golf activities in 2026.

So while the GolfPass number puts Stonebridge near the bottom of the state's currently operating courses with substantial review histories, the Tripadvisor experience is much more favorable.

GolfPass rating: 2.6/5

GolfPass reviews: 350

Tripadvisor: 4.1/5, 26 reviews

Public play: Yes

Olde Liberty

3. Olde Liberty Golf Club — Youngsville

GolfPass rating: approximately 2.8/5 from 450 reviews

Olde Liberty Golf Club is perhaps the most interesting course on this list because recent reviews suggest that the course is in the middle of a significant improvement effort.

GolfPass's rating is reported at approximately 2.8/5 from 450 reviews, placing it well below the average for North Carolina golf courses.

The complaints are familiar: fairways, tee boxes, bunkers and overall conditioning.

But there is an important twist.

Recent 2026 reviews indicate that the course is improving.

Golfers have praised the condition of the greens and noted ongoing bunker work, while others continue to criticize the fairways and tee boxes. One recent reviewer described the fairways as being in poor condition, while another said the new ownership was making noticeable improvements.

Other recent reviews are considerably harsher. On 18Birdies, golfers in 2026 have complained about poor fairway conditions, aging carts and the overall condition of the course.

At the same time, some golfers are seeing a course that is clearly headed in a different direction.

That makes Olde Liberty less of a simple "bad golf course" story and more of a course-under-construction/improvement story.

The course remains open. Current listings show an 18-hole facility with daily-fee public access, tee times and practice facilities.

GolfPass rating: approximately 2.8/5

GolfPass reviews: approximately 450

Recent 2026 reviews: Mixed, with substantial criticism of conditions but also reports of improvement

Public play: Yes

A final warning about the ratings

Online golf ratings can be misleading.

A course can have a terrible year because of weather, aeration, drainage problems, renovation or staffing issues. A course with six reviews can also have a dramatically different rating from a course with 350 or 450 reviews.

That's why I wouldn't necessarily call these the three "worst golf courses" in North Carolina.

They're better described as three currently operating North Carolina courses with unusually low ratings and/or recurring negative feedback on major golf-review platforms.

And that's an important distinction.

For golfers looking for a tee time, it's also worth checking the most recent reviews before making the drive. Conditions can change considerably from season to season.

Bottom line: If you're searching for the lowest-rated currently operating public-access golf courses in North Carolina, Tanglewood's Reynolds Course, Stonebridge Golf Club and Olde Liberty Golf Club deserve a place on the conversation.

Sun Mountain Expands 2026 Apparel Collection

New outerwear, layers and everyday essentials combine all weather performance with style and versatility beyond the course

(MISSOULA, Montana) – Sun Mountain Sports has introduced its new 2026 apparel collection for men and women, expanding its range with new jackets, vests, layering pieces, hoodies and everyday essentials designed for the changing conditions of golf.

The collection provides comfort, protection and freedom of movement through cooler temperatures, sun, wind and rain, with colors and styling that give the pieces versatility well beyond the course.

“Sun Mountain continues to evolve as a brand, but our focus remains the same: committed golfers,” said Grant Lordan, Sun Mountain senior director of marketing and brand strategy. “One of the things that makes golf so great is that the elements are always part of the experience. We’ve spent 45 years understanding what golfers expect from the products they use, and we’re bringing that same thinking to how we evolve our apparel offerings. That means comfort and freedom of movement on the course, along with the style and versatility to wear those pieces well beyond the round.”

Among the new 2026 styles are the Torren Jacket and Vest, Motcha Q-Zip, Soltra Sun Hoodie and Payton Hoodie for men and women.

The men’s collection also adds the Kelson Full-Zip Jacket and Vest, Larevo Jacket and Vest, Peak Full-Zip Jacket and Vest, TQR Standard Hoodie and TQR Standard Pocket Crew. New women’s offerings include the All Day Vest and TQR Standard Crew.

The new collection of rain, cold, sun, and comfort pieces reflects Sun Mountain’s TQR Standard – Trust, Quality and Reliability – which has guided the company since 1981.

For more information, visit SunMountain.com.

Troon Selected to Manage Los Lagos and Ebony Hills Golf Courses in Edinburg, Texas

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, is pleased to announce it has been selected to manage Los Lagos Golf Course and Ebony Hills Golf Course for the City of Edinburg, Texas. Indigo Sports, a Troon company, will oversee golf operations, agronomy, food and beverage, as well as sales and marketing for the two municipal golf facilities. The strategic partnership aims to enhance the quality of life for local residents, boost municipal tourism, and stimulate economic growth across the Rio Grande Valley.

Los Lagos Golf Course, an 18-hole championship course designed by Robert Von Hagge, opened in 2001. The par-72, 7,188-yard links-style layout features 11 acres of lakes, Bermuda grass tees and greens, and is recognized as one of the top public courses in the region. Additional amenities at Los Lagos include a lighted driving range, a short game area with a putting green, chipping area and practice bunker. The clubhouse is home to the Putter’s Grill and a golf shop.

Ebony Hills Golf Course, established in 1927, is a 9-hole course designed by John Bredemus. Spanning 3,022 yards with a par of 35, the course is named for the ebony trees lining its fairways and offers a shorter, more casual round. Crews are currently constructing a two-story building that will include a new golf operations hub on the first floor, a golf cart storage facility and a workforce resource center and conference spaces on the second floor. The building is scheduled to open in the summer of 2027.

"This partnership with Troon is a hole-in-one," said City of Edinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa. "The history of golf in Edinburg is very special, and there's a lot to it. It's more than recreation; it's family, it's community, and it's economic development. Golf in Edinburg is a pastime that's been woven through the fabric of our own history."

"We are equally as excited as the city to be involved in this partnership and to bring these golf courses to the level of quality that the residents deserve and expect," said Troon Vice President of Operations Jeff Thomasson. "Our sales and marketing mechanisms will be brought to bear. We will drive an immense amount of interest and participation at both facilities."

Troon is the largest operator of municipal golf facilities in the U.S., managing over 150 courses. The company's relationships with municipalities are structured through management agreements, lease agreements, or a combination of both, tailored to each municipality's needs. Troon is also the leading employer of PGA professionals.

For more information on Los Lagos and Ebony Hills Golf Courses, visit www.cityofedinburg.com/community/golf_course.

How This Public Golf Course Doubled Revenue With Dynamic Pricing, Cookies and Pancakes

Personal touches are key to standing out in today’s daily fee golf course market

With more people playing public golf than in previous generations, daily-fee golf courses have an opportunity to engender a unique kind of customer loyalty. While private clubs rely on familiar culture, member fees and dues to bolster revenue, public courses across the nation must employ programming and allegiance-driving techniques to keep their fair share of happy and engaged golfers.

Perched on Charleston Harbor's edge with views of Fort Sumter, Patriots Point Links might seem like a course that uses its visibility and prime waterfront location as its calling card, but growing its business requires more than a picturesque location. Managed by Bobby Jones Links, the facility has had its hurdles, and GM Brad Parker is tackling them head-on.

Parker, a Buffalo, New York native who has been at the helm for 14 years, sees the 1979 Willard Byrd design as a solid layout that a renovation could truly elevate. Currently, the strategy for driving revenue centers on aggressive pricing and unique amenities that distinguish the club from other daily-fee operations.

Since the pandemic, the club has leaned into dynamic pricing. While many courses rely on third-party algorithms like GolfNow, Parker prefers a more manual, intuitive approach to managing the tee sheet.

Everything is handled in-house. Parker, who also oversees regional operations for BJL, adjusts rates several times a week based on demand, local events, and the weather forecast. These aren't minor tweaks; he moves the needle by $15 to $20 at a time.

If play remains steady, Patriot’s Point holds steady. Post-COVID, the integrity of the rate has been remarkable. Growth over the last three years has been significant.

Retaining loyal customers, though, has never been an exact science. Parker and his team have employed some distinctive personal touches to stand out in the hearts and minds of golfers. He says the feel of the club is enhanced by offerings like warm cookies in the winter and pancakes that Parker flips himself on a Blackstone griddle outside the clubhouse. Since the facility lacks a full kitchen, they've had to use some creativity with the local menu.

Without a hood for cooking, the snack bar now uses air fryers and hot boxes to serve fried chicken sandwiches. They've also found a winner in a frozen Transfusion machine that serves up a local rarity that moves quickly during sunny rounds.

The results are tangible and well worth noting: roughly $450,000 in annual snack bar revenue against 38,000 rounds. That averages out to about $12 to $14 per golfer at the turn.

Instruction and the lighted range, open until 9 p.m., are also key contributors to success. On the digital front, new social media director Lillian Stackhouse, who has a Disney background, uses drone footage among other strategies to grow the club's online presence. Parker trusts her creative mindset to help keep the brand fresh.

In 2019, revenue sat at $2.5 million. Today, projections are on pace for $4.8 million. Doubling the top line in six years is a significant milestone for the property.

The future could hold even more for this venerable Lowcountry mainstay. Patriot’s Point’s owners have explored the viability of a future golf course renovation with a vision to push the course into the Top 100 rankings. That plan would also call for taking strategic advantage of the prime, scenic locale and incorporating a premium stay-and-play component – an alluring notion in a coastal market already known for legendary golf travel opportunities.

Throughout his 17-year tenure at Bobby Jones Links, Parker has valued the autonomy and support provided by BJL. Having worked with other management firms, he notes that this partnership has been a “really good ride.”

He likes that he can call for help and get challenged or backed up when needed. It's a culture of direct access rather than corporate layers.

Resources are just a phone call or email away. At BJL, you can reach anyone in any department immediately -- a level of transparency Parker hasn't found elsewhere. And, for the long term, this daily-fee property has found a formula to keep its team and its clientele coming back for more.

Stonetree Golf Club Completes Multi-million-dollar Renovation in Novato, California

(Novato, California) – StoneTree Golf Club in Novato, California, has completed a comprehensive multi-million-dollar renovation, improving playability and accessibility for golfers of every skill level. The project ran from November 2025 to April 2026 with minimal disruption to the daily member experience.

A new set of “green” tees, positioned ahead of the existing “white” tees, was introduced to better accommodate new golfers, juniors, and seniors. The broader renovation also included a full bunker overhaul (roughly 10 bunkers removed, 10 relocated, and 10 rebuilt in place), tee box work on 75 percent of holes, and a full irrigation system upgrade.

The renovation was designed to improve course conditions overall: the new bunkers make maintenance more efficient, and the upgraded irrigation system improves turf firmness and speed while reducing water use. The changes aim to make the course more accessible, ensuring that while low-handicap players will still be challenged, high-handicap players will have more forgiving shot options since bunkers that were primarily in play for high-handicap golfers have been removed to improve pace of play.

“Our goal was to create a more enjoyable and accessible experience for all golfers. So far, average pace of play has decreased by about 10 minutes to 4 hours, and the lower handicap is still seeing the course as the challenge it was before while the higher handicap is seeing an easier and more enjoyable round of golf” said Bay Club Chief Customer Officer Ryan Burke. “These enhancements reflect our commitment to providing top-tier facilities and a welcoming environment for all members and their guests, regardless of their golf abilities.”

StoneTree Golf Club, established in 2000, is an 18-hole championship course designed by Johnny Miller, Sandy Tatum, Jim Summers, and Fred Bliss. The course spans 132 acres of pristine greens, shaded oak groves, and rolling hills in Marin County. Operated as part of the Bay Club’s Marin campus, it offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. In 2014, Bay Club acquired StoneTree, which had previously operated as a public golf facility. Throughout its ownership, Bay Club has invested capital including building a 27 acre, state-of-the-art driving range and practice facility from land acquired through the County of Marin. As part of membership at StoneTree, members receive access to the greater Bay Club community including top athletic, fitness, and sport facilities.

The renovation underscores Bay Club’s dedication to maintaining high-quality facilities and enhancing the golf experience for its members and guests.

For more information about StoneTree Golf Club, visit www.bayclubs.com/clubs/stonetree. 

Zinkand Golf Design Completes The Scurry at Chechessee Creek Club

New 12-Hole Course Opens for Member Play With a Bold Ground Game, Strategic Options and One Very Unusual Golf Course Feature

(CHARLOTTE, N.C.) – Zinkand Golf Design (ZGD) – led by golf course architect David Zinkand and his more than 25 years of experience designing, managing and shaping projects in the field – has completed The Scurry, a new 12-hole course at Okatie, South Carolina’s Chechessee Creek Club. The course opened for member play on September 1.

Rather than using length to create difficulty, The Scurry relies on angles, contours, hazards and choices. Short par 4s and par 3s unfold through a Lowcountry landscape of live oaks, wetlands and native vegetation, while expansive areas of low-mown turf surrounding the greens create a ground game that can reward creativity just as readily as precision.

“The course is really about options,” said Zinkand. “You can challenge a hazard and create a better angle, play away from trouble and accept a more difficult approach or use the contours around the greens to your advantage. We wanted those decisions to be fun for every player, regardless of ability.”

For Chechessee, bringing the concept to life was as much about the collaborative process as the finished product.

“Working with Dave and the entire Zinkand Golf Design team has been a terrific experience from the beginning,” said Bill Kennedy, general manager of Chechessee Creek Club. “They understood what we wanted The Scurry to become and brought a tremendous amount of creativity and thoughtfulness to the project. Our members’ feedback to the course has been incredibly positive; they’re having fun with the variety of shots and options.”

Construction on The Scurry began in Spring 2025. The finished course provides Chechessee Creek members with a compact alternative to the club’s existing 18-hole Coore & Crenshaw-designed course, creating opportunities to expand on a day’s golf with another dozen holes or play a meaningful round when time is limited.

The opening five holes form a par-3 loop that moves through a continuous expanse of turf. Its generous playing corridors make the loop approachable for beginners, higher-handicap players and younger golfers, while changes in length, orientation and green design continue to test accomplished players.

The remaining seven holes turn up the strategic pressure without abandoning The Scurry’s emphasis on playability. The sixth is a short par 4 where players decide how much of the live oaks along the inside of the fairway they want to challenge. The seventh requires a carry over wetland to a high green, with an aggressive line rewarded.

At the eighth, the golf course crosses another wetland before arriving at a punchbowl green framed by a large front bunker. The ninth follows with a tightly bunkered, domed green, while the 10th presents a gracefully contoured target with a pronounced false front. The 11th offers plenty of room from the tee but uses the bunkering configuration to create multiple strategic choices. The final hole is a par 3 played over native vegetation to a green tucked into a towering pine grove.

Throughout The Scurry, ZGD used the ground surrounding the greens as an extension of the putting surface. Bumps, ridges and spines can feed balls toward pins, repel them from targets or provide recovery routes.

“The low-mown areas allow the ground to become part of the strategy,” said Zinkand. “Sometimes the contours help you and sometimes they don’t. They create opportunities to use imagination rather than simply hitting another conventional pitch or chip.”

The course also places an unusual emphasis on the landscape beyond the playing surfaces. ZGD, guided by one of its three stated strategic principles (genius loci, or sense of place), preserved and incorporated native Lowcountry vegetation while creating varied habitats and ground formations intended to increase ecological diversity and reinforce the site’s natural character.

That approach culminates in one of The Scurry’s most distinctive features: a carnivorous plant bog beside the eighth tee. ZGD excavated a cavity, installed an impermeable liner and an outlet to regulate moisture, then planted the bog with pitcher plants, Venus flytraps and other moisture-dependent species.

“It is definitely something golfers don’t expect to see on a golf course,” said Zinkand. “But it fits the character of the site and the experience we wanted to create. There are a lot of moments where the natural landscape is doing something interesting, and the bog is probably the most memorable.”

The result is a course designed to feel distinctly of its place while offering a different kind of challenge from the club’s existing 18 holes.

For more information about ZGD, visit zinkandgolfdesign.com or @zinkandgolfdesign on Instagram.

Scotty Cameron Introduces Limited-Edition Phantom OC Spec III Putters

(CARLSBAD, Calif.) — Scotty Cameron introduces the new limited-edition Phantom OC Spec III putters, pairing all-black configurations and high-contrast sightlines with the low-torque Phantom 5 and 11R OC designs.

Scotty Cameron OC (Onset Center) putters combine low-torque performance with exceptional feel and feedback, promoting a square-to-the-path delivery while keeping golfers connected to the putting stroke. “Onset Center” refers to the putter’s shaft position, which is set back of the putter head’s leading edge (Onset) and in line with its center of gravity (Center) to help minimize torque and simplify the putting stroke.

The new Scotty Cameron Phantom OC Spec III mallets are named after the highly optimized Spec III performance builds in the automotive world, where all components and modifications operate harmoniously to produce ultimate performance. Both models are equipped with a glare-free, durable PVD black finish as well as three high-contrast sightlines to help lock in alignment and frame the golf ball at address. A custom black mid-size Matador grip and a black steel shaft round out the limited-edition all-black setup.

New Scotty Cameron Spec III OC putters will be in golf shops beginning October 1.

MODEL OVERVIEW

Phantom 5 OC Spec III

A longstanding favorite of Scotty Cameron’s mallet head shapes across the worldwide professional tours, the Phantom 5 is a modern wingback design with a compact profile. The Phantom 5 OC Spec III model delivers low-torque performance with a black PVD finish and three high-contrast sightlines to frame the golf ball and lock in start lines. This model benefits from Scotty Cameron’s full-face Studio Carbon Steel (SCS) insert with chain-link face milling for a softer sound and feel off the face.

Phantom 11R OC Spec III

Scotty Cameron's Phantom 11R is a stable, high-MOI mallet with a tour-inspired rounded shape. The new Phantom 11R OC Spec III delivers low-torque performance with a black PVD finish and three high-contrast sightlines to frame the golf ball and lock in start lines. This model leverages Scotty’s chain-link face milling for a responsive, soft feel at impact.

The Phantom 11R OC Spec III is available as a left-handed option as well.

SPECS

Available lengths: 33, 34, 35 inches

Loft: 3.5 degrees

Lie angle: 70 degrees

Shaft lean: 1 degree

Dexterity: RH (Phantom 5 OC Spec III, Phantom 11R OC Spec III), LH (Phantom 11R OC Spec III)

FAQs

Are OC models zero-torque putters?

OC putters are low torque, as the act of putting introduces some amount of torque, no matter the design. Compared to other Scotty Cameron offerings, OC putters deliver the lowest torque design for a square-to-the-path delivery.

What kind of golfers would benefit most from OC?

OC putters will best fit players looking to minimize face rotation and feel a straight-back-and-through stroke. Design elements like minimal shaft lean (one degree), familiar head shapes from the Phantom family, and a conventional grip style (tapered mid-size Matador) help facilitate a smooth transition from more traditional putter setups.

How do OC putters maintain feel and feedback?

A priority throughout the OC design process was to mitigate loss of feel and feedback. OC putters feature a slightly stiffer shaft that complements the 15-gram heavier head weights and maintains flex properties that preserve the feel of the clubhead. The Phantom 5 OC Spec III’s SCS insert and Phantom 11R OC Spec III’s full-face chain-link milling pattern provide a familiar soft feel off the face at impact, and a tapered mid-size Matador grip offers a comfortable connection to the stroke through the hands.

AVAILABILITY

Scotty Cameron Phantom OC Spec III putters are now available for pre-sale on Titleist.com and will be landing in golf shops in limited quantities on October 1. MAP: $800