Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Southern Pines, NC is a family favorite for me because they have an amazing military rate and the U.S. Kids Academy there ensures that our children always have a quality place to play and practice.
The layout is not the strongest in the area, but the conditions make up for that and their greens are quick and they roll true unless some uncharacteristic event has occurred (which is not often).
From the time we enter the clubhouse we are taken care of and they always make sure we have what we need before we tee off. The golf shop is not large and does not have a wide variety of merchandise in it, but it has everything you need plus a few items you can take with you to remember your round there.
Before your round make sure to get a bucket of range balls and take advantage of their large practice facility. They have two large chipping areas including a bunker which has a shallow and a deep option so you can work on different types of sand shots. The practice putting green is quite big and has some numbered holes on it (1-9) so you can challenge yourself or your mates to a little “game before the game”. The practice range features mats and turf , depending on the maintenance schedule and what’s going on at the course at that time.
My favorite part about Longleaf is that they promote a teeing system that guides you on which tees to play the course from depending on how far you drive the ball (that is how tees are intended to be chosen per the R&A, USGA, and PGA of America).
The front and back nines are very different, but I don’t find one any harder than the other. Lots of rolling fairways, a few uphill approach shots, a blind shot or two depending on where you land it, and EVERY green has breaks that will confuse you until you have played the course a few times (play with a local if you can). Overall great experience each and every time, but it’s not a Pinehurst or MidPines so be sure to manage your expectations. However, a great value and a massively enjoyable and fair golf course. Cheers!
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