Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Wayne Freedman
Forest Creek Golf Club: North Course
Forest Creek Golf Club: North Course
200 Meyer Farm Dr
Pinehurst, NC 28374-8872
United States
Overview
Tom Fazio did the first 18 at Pinehurst’s ultra-private Forest Creek Golf Club, 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 in 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—a long lake around which the 15th, 16th and 17th play. This course wasn’t inspired by sand-scarred neighboring courses like Pinehurst #2, Mid Pines and Dormie Club.
About
Awards
ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked from 2013-'16 & from 2019-'20.
Highest Ranking: 144th, 2013-'14.
Best in State: Ranked Top 10 in North Carolina from 2007-2009 & 2015-2020; Top 15 from 2011-2014 & from 2021-'24; Top 20, 2025-'26.
Previous ranking: 14th.
2025-'26 ranking: 17th.
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
“Forest Creek North is an excellent golf course that was also in excellent condition on the day that I played it. It may have one of the finest locker rooms in the Carolinas, or even in the USA, with the look and feel of a stable, reflecting the owner's passion for horses. It is also clear that the owner has a passion for golf, as the condition of the golf course on this August day was very good. It is a Tom Fazio design that admittedly didn't feel like a Tom Fazio design. I usually get a sense that Fazio likes interesting green complexes on shorter par 4s and less challenging green complexes on longer par 4s, but that wasn't my experience at Forest Creek North. Only a few of the holes seemed to challenge you with playing necessary angles off the tee or second shot."
Read More2026
Review
“Forest Creek North is an excellent golf course that was also in excellent condition on the day that I played it. It may have one of the finest locker rooms in the Carolinas, or even in the USA, with the look and feel of a stable, reflecting the owner's passion for horses. It is also clear that the owner has a passion for golf, as the condition of the golf course on this August day was very good. It is a Tom Fazio design that admittedly didn't feel like a Tom Fazio design. I usually get a sense that Fazio likes interesting green complexes on shorter par 4s and less challenging green complexes on longer par 4s, but that wasn't my experience at Forest Creek North. Only a few of the holes seemed to challenge you with playing necessary angles off the tee or second shot."
Read More2026
Review
“Tom Fazio took a very different approach from not only the sister course at Forest Creek (south) but also from his normal design philosophy. While he is known for moving a lot of dirt and shaping the land to fit his vision, he showed restraint on the North Course and let the land speak for itself, fitting the holes as nature provided. It ended up being a marvelous course, very enjoyable to play."
Read More2025
Review
“Tom Fazio took a very different approach from not only the sister course at Forest Creek (south) but also from his normal design philosophy. While he is known for moving a lot of dirt and shaping the land to fit his vision, he showed restraint on the North Course and let the land speak for itself, fitting the holes as nature provided. It ended up being a marvelous course, very enjoyable to play."
Read More2025
Review
“Forest Creek Golf Club is located in Pinehurst, North Carolina and consists of two distinctly different Tom Fazio designed 18-hole layouts, the minimalist, Pine Valley on a budget North Course and the more typical Pinehursty South Course. The North is the more difficult of the two with well-positioned bunkers, penal waste areas, and well-countered, fast greens. Built on gently rolling terrain with a few moderate elevation changes, the North Course offers a good mix of flat, uphill (6, 12) and downhill (1, 5, 7, 13) par 4 holes, but the pars 3s and 5s and generally quite flat. Very few holes allow a player to charge straight ahead as the par 4 1st, 12th, and 13th are dogleg lefts while the par 4 7th, 8th, 11th and 17th all favor a power fade to cut the corners. All 4 par 5s, to varying degrees, are dogleg rights but distinctly different holes. Playing at 7,184 yards from the back tees, the North Course is long with very few short holes beyond the par 3 4th, and par 4 1st, 6th, and 13th. Most holes range from medium to long with a nice mix across the par3s, 4s, and 5s. Although fairways are generous, there are waste areas in play on most holes which will punish wayward shots. Most greens on the North Course are well defended with either false fronts or strategically positioned bunkers, adding to the difficulty. Depending upon the pin position and the angle of attack, greens can usually be accessed with either lofted or running approaches, but significant slopes combined with speeds typically approaching 12 or more add to the challenge of the course. Forest Creek is a prestigious private club with a reputation for excellence in the Pinehurst area. While the North Course presents a very enjoyable, varied and challenging but fair test of golf, the conditions did not match the rest of the experience. Greens were spotty, bumpy, and inconsistent speeds. Fairways were firm but often had patches with bare lies. Bunkers were good but several did contain loose pebbles. Carved through the sandy forests of Pinehurst, the North Course at Forest Creek is an attractive and pleasing round of golf. The 15 through 17 holes, wrapping around a small lake are the highlight of the round, allowing a player to finish on a high note. Many stunning homes are sprinkled throughout the layout but are far enough removed as not to be intrusive. The beautiful stable-themed men’s locker room is a perfect place to enjoy a pre, and post, round libation. The North Course at Forest Creek is a private sanctuary in the bustle of Pinehurst oozing class and tranquility. The layout is very good with plenty of challenge and variety for even top golfers. While conditions were disappointing based on my expectations, the round was very enjoyable and well worth experiencing."
Read More2025
Review
“Forest Creek Golf Club is located in Pinehurst, North Carolina and consists of two distinctly different Tom Fazio designed 18-hole layouts, the minimalist, Pine Valley on a budget North Course and the more typical Pinehursty South Course. The North is the more difficult of the two with well-positioned bunkers, penal waste areas, and well-countered, fast greens. Built on gently rolling terrain with a few moderate elevation changes, the North Course offers a good mix of flat, uphill (6, 12) and downhill (1, 5, 7, 13) par 4 holes, but the pars 3s and 5s and generally quite flat. Very few holes allow a player to charge straight ahead as the par 4 1st, 12th, and 13th are dogleg lefts while the par 4 7th, 8th, 11th and 17th all favor a power fade to cut the corners. All 4 par 5s, to varying degrees, are dogleg rights but distinctly different holes. Playing at 7,184 yards from the back tees, the North Course is long with very few short holes beyond the par 3 4th, and par 4 1st, 6th, and 13th. Most holes range from medium to long with a nice mix across the par3s, 4s, and 5s. Although fairways are generous, there are waste areas in play on most holes which will punish wayward shots. Most greens on the North Course are well defended with either false fronts or strategically positioned bunkers, adding to the difficulty. Depending upon the pin position and the angle of attack, greens can usually be accessed with either lofted or running approaches, but significant slopes combined with speeds typically approaching 12 or more add to the challenge of the course. Forest Creek is a prestigious private club with a reputation for excellence in the Pinehurst area. While the North Course presents a very enjoyable, varied and challenging but fair test of golf, the conditions did not match the rest of the experience. Greens were spotty, bumpy, and inconsistent speeds. Fairways were firm but often had patches with bare lies. Bunkers were good but several did contain loose pebbles. Carved through the sandy forests of Pinehurst, the North Course at Forest Creek is an attractive and pleasing round of golf. The 15 through 17 holes, wrapping around a small lake are the highlight of the round, allowing a player to finish on a high note. Many stunning homes are sprinkled throughout the layout but are far enough removed as not to be intrusive. The beautiful stable-themed men’s locker room is a perfect place to enjoy a pre, and post, round libation. The North Course at Forest Creek is a private sanctuary in the bustle of Pinehurst oozing class and tranquility. The layout is very good with plenty of challenge and variety for even top golfers. While conditions were disappointing based on my expectations, the round was very enjoyable and well worth experiencing."
Read More2025
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
