FOREST CREEK GOLF CLUB
RUNDOWN: If you are getting the chance to play here then you are in for a special day. Tom Fazio has designed the North and South courses here at Forest Creek. The rolling hills and tree lined fairways will force you to keep the tee ball in play and a focus on each shot throughout the round. The conditioning of both courses is top notch. The courses sit within a residential community but the housing doesn't distract from the golf itself. The homes are set off in the trees and fit very well with the surroundings.
The Pinehurst area is a melting pot for solid golf. We have only had the chance of playing a few other courses in the area but from what we have heard, Forest Creek, especially the North course, holds its own against the other big players in the area. We would find it hard to believe that there is anything that would put these courses to shame. The courses along with the practice facilities and the amenities are top notch compared to many places we have visited. The club house is massive and a wonderful place to gather after a round of golf. We had the opportunity to eat lunch here and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Spending one full day here was not enough. We really wish we would have planned on two days at the facility. Playing both courses in one day blurred things together a little and we wish we would have been able to devote two full days here. The courses each had wonderful stretches of holes to enjoy and we would have loved to spend some more time here.
COURSE INFO AND DIRECTIONS
Designed by Tom Fazio.
Private Club.
North Course has 8 sets of tees to choose from. They range from 3,752 to 7,184 yards.
South Course has 8 sets of tees to choose from. They range from 3,686 to 7,016 yards.
https://www.forestcreekgolfclub.com/
910-295-9000 200 Meyer Farm Dr. Pinehurst, NC 28374
The Pinehurst area is a melting pot for solid golf. We have only had the chance of playing a few other courses in the area but from what we have heard, Forest Creek, especially the North course, holds its own against the other big players in the area. We would find it hard to believe that there is anything that would put these courses to shame. The courses along with the practice facilities and the amenities are top notch compared to many places we have visited. The club house is massive and a wonderful place to gather after a round of golf. We had the opportunity to eat lunch here and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Spending one full day here was not enough. We really wish we would have planned on two days at the facility. Playing both courses in one day blurred things together a little and we wish we would have been able to devote two full days here. The courses each had wonderful stretches of holes to enjoy and we would have loved to spend some more time here.
COURSE INFO AND DIRECTIONS
Designed by Tom Fazio.
Private Club.
North Course has 8 sets of tees to choose from. They range from 3,752 to 7,184 yards.
South Course has 8 sets of tees to choose from. They range from 3,686 to 7,016 yards.
https://www.forestcreekgolfclub.com/
910-295-9000 200 Meyer Farm Dr. Pinehurst, NC 28374
REVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS
Hole 2 Par 3 - 190 Yards - South Course
The first par 3 on the South Course plays 190 from the tips and can be a tough play if the pin is on the right. Lucky for us the pin was on the right... The hole will test that mid iron in your bag right away. Don't try and play hero on this one and aim for the middle of the green. Hitting the middle of the green will not leave an easy putt on the right side though. You will have an uphill putt but it sits up on a little knob that can mess with you if you miss your line.
Hole 10 Par 3 - 224 Yards - South Course
The yardage of this par 3 made us Idaho boys pull out a hybrid. Playing out east always makes us feel a little weaker since we are not playing at elevation. Playing uphill on this hole doesn't help the distances either. Good thing we were able to fuel up at the halfway house right before though. The humidity had us sweating and the shot ahead didn't slow that up any. Kevin called his shot, "a little fade into the middle of the green". I tried to the do same and came up short and held up on the hill in front of the green. Kevin got to add another skin to his total and I walked away a little defeated after this long par 3. Grab the longer club here and aim for the middle!
Hole 12 Par 5 - 592 Yards - South Course
Just a beast of a par 5 here! I just talked about how the elevation hurts us from our normal game back home and these par 5's become true 3 shotters for us. The hole is right in front of you and nothing is hidden. It simply requires you to play some solid shots to score well. I made this hole a little tough on myself by flaring the tee shot out to the right and into the pine straw. There is no playing surface out on a golf course that is more difficult to get your footing on than the pine straw. You can work hard at clearing some of it out but for some reason it is always so slick. I did my best and luckily stayed standing on my punch out. However, the theme of this round was that Kevin was always one shot better than me. He took another skin and a par 5 from me. His tee game is strong and this par 5 worked well for him after his solid tee shot!
Hole 14 Par 5 - 521 Yards - South Course
This par 5 proved to be a little tough for Kevin. Normally sure off the tee he pushed his tee shot a little right. The right side is not a bad play as it will give you a better angle into the green. However, missing in the bunker on the right is not the prime position. Pushing the second shot right is where things really made this hole go south for him. The large trees gobbled up his shot and pushed him into the pine straw where he got to enjoy the stance I talked about earlier. This hole still played as a 3 shotter for myself but I was able to steal this one from Kevin as he struggled in the pines. The large green was inviting to the wedge I had and walking away with par was not too bad for me with how I had been playing.
Hole 17 Par 3 - 195 Yards - South Course
In our opinion this is the best par 3 on the South Course. Visually it is the best looking par 3 as well. It is also the most intimidating one on the course and really makes you think about the club you are going to pull. Too little and you either don't cover the water or you end up in the bunker short. Long puts you in the green side bunker and I imagine that would be a nervy shot from there with everything sloping away. Left gives you the most room to miss it though and Kevin found that out for sure. Hitting this green felt good for me and I was able to walk away with a skin. Although, at this point Kevin had put that out of my reach. All in all this mid range par 3 will test your abilities and nerves!
The Hog Hole - Par 3 - 195 Yards Tips - South Course
The perfect place to settle up your bets! Kevin had already dominated me out on the course, so we didn't have any bets to settle up. It's a good thing too because we actually both hit good shots to the left side of the green and tied with pars. No one would have taken advantage of the chance to win some money here. Later we played it from shorter distance and I am happy to report I did take $5 from Kev on that one. The look of this hole is intimidating as well. It is all carry across the water to get to this green. Coming into the left side it can kick you right and closer to the pin though. I can only imagine this hole can provide some drama for those watching as well. The amphitheater provides a great view for anyone that wants to watch people finish up on the South Course.
Hole 15 - Par 4 - 428 Yards - North Course
This stretch of holes from 15 to 17 are some of the most enjoyable we have played. Coming out of the large pines the views open up a little bit for you. Leaving the trees is going to bring in some water for you though. The large pond in the middle here will test your mental focus. Most golfers struggle with trouble to the right and these holes bring trouble in on the right the entire way! The tee shot needs to carry water and stay left in order to avoid a penalty stroke. The approach shot can be a shorter iron for you if you're a big hitter. Once again, avoid going to the right. There is a large bunker in the front middle of the green that will make you overthink your approach. If you are worried then left is the play as you will avoid the water over there. The pin was on the left when we played but I can only imagine how tough a right pin can play.
Hole 16 - Par 3 - 210 Yards - North Course
This is the best looking par 3 on the entire property, North and South courses both included. Long iron into the hole with bunkers on both side, water if you miss badly and going long will not always provide an easy chip. The green is larger than it looks from the tee but visually this hole is forcing you to overthink things. This stretch around the water is so good. With the impressive course conditioning here it just brings this track to another level.
Hole 17 - Par 4 - 430 Yards - North Course
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The look of 17 here on the North Course was one of my favorites. Kevin may not agree with me on that...check out the video here. It just seemed to set up well with my eye. I was hitting the driver well after we took a break to film some of the sunset. I set up and played a little fade over the bunker and into the middle of the fairway. Kev did that as well...on his 5th shot. But, better late than never! It was really one of his only mistakes off the tee too so I have to make sure to point it out. The approach into this hole is a tough one as well. A left miss in the bunker can not set up well for an easy bunker shot. Anything right brings the water into play as well. I love how this hole makes you perform. A good drive is needed to have any shot at playing this hole well. The approach gives you no time to relax either. Just grip it and rip it and play aggressive. What a hole!
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