Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Overview
Tom Fazio did the first 18 at Pinehurst’s ultra-private Forest Creek G.C., the South Course, in 1996, carving it from a rolling pine forest, with most tee shots playing downhill and most greens amenable to low, running shots. When he returned nearly a decade later to add the North Course, he and his team decided on a different approach, a more organic, lay-of-the-land 18. So the North has more uphill holes and semi-blind tee shots. The sandy base of the pine forest is exposed on many holes, incorporated not just to frame holes but also as carry hazards on certain shots. Formal bunkers are edged with clumps of bushy wiregrass or dwarf pampas. The only water hazard is encountered late in the round, on long lake around which the 15th, 16th and 17th play. This course wasn’t inspired by sand-scarred neighboring courses like Pinehurst No. 2, Mid-Pines and Dormie Club.
About
Awards
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked from 2013-2016 & from 2019-2020. Highest Ranking: 144th, 2013-2014.
Best in State: Ranked Top 10 in North Carolina from 2007-2009 & 2015-2020; Top 15 from 2011-2014 & since 2021. Current Ranking: 11th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“The North Course at Forest Creek is a beautiful Fazio design with a mix of hard, fun, and easy holes. There is a bit of variety with some holes that beg you to challenge them resulting in low or possibly high scores. The setting is wonderful and a very fun round of golf."
Read More2024
Review
“Tucked in the pines and Sandhills of North Carolina, this gem presents a rustic feel and aesthetics while posing a stern test around the greens. Forgiving off the tee visually, but shaped with well placed fairway bunkers and undulated greens. Forest creek presents a non assuming look from the tee bit shows its teeth as you approach the green. Creativity is a must to score well on the par 4 and 5’s but the par 3’s are where you can make some big numbers."
Read More2024
Review
“NIce country club course. Good elevation change with the nicest part of the course coming hole 15 when 3 holes wrap around a large lake."
Read More2024
Review
“Beautiful Pinehurst area Tom Fazio creation that packs a punch. Big, deep bunkers around the greens combined with forced carries into the greens provides great challenge. Excellent conditions and a welcoming staff make for an enjoyable round if you happen to accept an invitation to play here. Make sure you check out the locker room. Definitely a cool place!"
Read More2024
Review
“A very good course that has many typical Fazio features that fits extremely well into the surrounding Sandhills. It is well-conditioned and has a good variety of holes and challenges. It is a very good walk at an enjoyable course and place."
Read More2024
Review
“Beautiful Fazio Golf Course with wide Fairways large greens and many elevation changes throughout the course"
Read More2023
Review
“This is a big-boned brute with options. Play up, it can be pleasant. Play back and one bad swing can quickly cost a player two strokes. It is an excellent and engaging test of golf. On the high sides, some fairways slope back to the center. Near the many waste bunkers, balls roll in. Dirt cart paths keep unfortunate bounces at bay. Plays hard and extremely fast. Peaks in mid-summer, hence the 10 for conditioning. Bump and run is a regular option, here. Natural layout looks laid down across the terrain, with native sand in those large waste bunkers. Distances appear longer than reality due to landscape contours. While some bunkers merely frame holes as Fazio tends to like to do, he placed the strategic ones in perfect locations for players selecting appropriate tees. Course is challenging and inspiring....not intimidating, and also fair, with suitable teeing grounds for almost anyone. Interesting how a couple of the back tees sit lower in elevations than those in front. Miss a green and Fazio provides opportunities for recovery, but will challenge you to do so. It may come in the form of a false front, a flop over a bunker, or a blind, uphill pitch, sometimes out of pine straw. The course is an easy walk. Forest Creek North has few level lies, but none are severe except in recovery situations. Conditioning varies with season. The Bermuda is unsightly and matted in winter. Greens may make you feel like a dyslexic and can run 12-14 in summer. Thee of the last four holes play around a lake. They're very good. The par-4, 17th is visually intimidating, almost a cape hole. Many players will be tempted to play the Long tees. Unless they are low, single digits, they le have a most challenging day. Try the Creek hybrids, instead. Really well done. The par-4, 450 yard, 7th plays blind off the tee, then plummet downhill to the right. The green has a false front and drops off on the right. The uphill, par-4, 12th is he best hole on the property. Climbing waste bunkers guard the left side of an elevated, three-tiered, left/right sloping green. Those bunkers pose mostly a visual challenge, but hide the green from below left. But, they're misleading. That green may be the most difficult of both courses on the property. Has a large false front and some of those dyslexic breaks. In September, 2023, the course debuted a new, improved driving range. rebuilt its driving range. As a member, I admit to bias."
Read More2023
Review
“One of two great courses at Forest Creek. The practice facilities are great and the men’s locker room is in an updated old barn. Staff is very accommodating. An unusual start with 2 par threes in the first 4 holes. If you have the opportunity don’t pass it up,"
Read More2023
Review
“The North Course is a beautiful layout with subtle, undulating greens that are the defense of the Course. Whether riding a cart or walking, the layout is full of rolling hills and great vistas among tree-lined fairways. Too many par 4s do have the same feel - dogleg right or left with a similar yardage for an approach shot. That is why the North Course is an excellent member- layout - not too challenging and comfortable to play from one of 6 sets of tees. The equestrian-themed Locker Room is worth a visit, as is the excellent practice range."
Read More2023
Review
“Gorgeous golf course and very well conditioned. Relatively wide fairways and large greens, but rugged bunkers galore off the tee, lining the fairway, or near the green. Use of elevation and forced carries. The final few holes finish up around a large lake. Being a private course, I would definitely accept an invite to play, but I'm not sure it's a must to work your way onto."
Read More2022
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