SPRINGBOARD Old Town Club in Winston-Salem, N.C., makes the biggest move in the ranking, surging from No. 92 to No. 54.
Jon Cavalier
Laurence Lambrecht
Laurence Lambrecht
Laurence Lambrecht
Eric Kiel
Laurence Lambrecht
Laurence Lambrecht
Laurence Lambrecht
Overview
Created by architect Perry Maxwell on the heels of his work at No. 23 Prairie Dunes and No. 28 Southern Hills, Old Town Club was surprisingly unique, and included perhaps Maxwell’s only surviving double green. When Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw were hired to address the bunkering at Old Town, they opted not to reproduce the original bunkers (some of which were enormous) but rather emulate their gnarly shapes, edges and vegetation in places where bunkers naturally fit. Lots of trees had already been removed, but the architects convinced the club to get rid of even more. Now, a single swath of fairway connects the seventh, eighth, ninth, 17th and 18th holes. Very unique. The course has jumped 45 places in the rankings since it debuted in 2019.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 2019.
2023-'24 ranking: 54th (highest).
Previous Ranking: 92nd.
Best in State: Ranked Top 5 in North Carolina since 2019; Top 10 in 2007 & since 2011; Top 15 in 2009.
Current Ranking: 3rd since 2023.
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
“Put this one at the top of your bucket list... in NC or across the US! Here are just a couple of great highlights from OTC's routing study: "Golf architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw don’t often mince words when speaking of the brilliance of Old Town Club in Winston-Salem (NC). Crenshaw, for one, always touts Old Town for its extraordinary topography. “It’s the best land I’ve ever seen for golf,” says the two- time Masters champion repeatably, who has played and studied many of the world’s most venerated designs." "Originally a Perry Maxwell design, OTC is routing thru some of the most undulating terrain. Coore claims that Old Town’s true mastery emanates from its routing. Coore interjects, "it’s actually how Mr. Maxwell utilized the land here—maximizing every inch—that’s so fascinating." Coore always marvels at how each hole leans against the pitch of the land, showcases the natural features of the landscape and how flawlessly they all fit together on such a small, undulating canvas." There are 18 great holes at OTC, but talking about the holes themselves seems small... if you get a chance... visit OTC and enjoy one of the best routings and more importantly... one of the best walks in all of golf!"
Read More2024
Review
“What a track! This is my first Perry Maxwell course and OTC has done an amazing job with the help of Coore and Crenshaw to put this up with the best layouts in the country... certainly one of the best in a state rich with great golf! Let me say I have played some great courses in NC over the past 20 years, and OTC blew me away. But don't take my word, Ben Crenshaw says, “It’s the best land I’ve ever seen for golf." On this land OTC has found an amazing balance between trees and no trees to show off this undulating terrain and wonderfully creative routing. From the The Loop (holes 1-3) you cross the road and hit uphill to the 4th fairway... once atop you see OTC in all its glory! "Undulation is the soul of golf" as written by John Low, and OTC ranks right near the top in this category... it's everywhere once you leave a tee box... thru the fairways to the green complexes... it's masterful... and Maxwell's routing takes full advantage. Talking about the individual holes seems small when discussing Old Town Club... for those of us lucky enough to get there... make sure you cherish one of the best walks in Golf!"
Read More2024
Review
“Golden Age Perry Maxwell design that was recently updated by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw that is beginning to get the recognition it deserves. The course plays firm and fast, has great variety and has wonderfully ingenious putting surfaces. On top on the great design features, it is really a beautiful piece of property. Warm and welcoming staff and membership make for a great day of golf. Do not pass on any opportunity to enjoy this classic."
Read More2024
Review
“This Perry Maxwell gem does not disappoint, has a timeless feel with one hole effortlessly leading into the next. The bunker renovation work is a standout and gives the course a naturalistic look and feel. Not to be missed."
Read More2024
Review
“I visited Old Town Club expecting to find a very good golf course. I encountered a great one. This very exclusive Perry Maxwell design is as fine and refined a parkland course as you can hope to find. It begins with an intimately exquisite driving range experience and never lets up. Old Town Club is a trip back in time. Members have restored Old Town to historical accuracy. They cleared out the tree-lined fairways, hired Crenshaw and Coore to rework the bunkers, and now they have a family friendly, tough-as-nails masterpiece. This is a difficult and strategic-but-fair par-70 for a first-time visitor. It takes some learning. That said, my fellow panelist broke par the first time around. He remained enthralled. With trees removed, the fairways are wide and more generous than most other courses. Players will use all of that real estate. They follow the natural, rolling terrain, wind around and along two creeks, and playto irregular greens that roll fast, subtly, and routinely confound. Some fairways require extreme shots to one side knowing that your ball may likely roll to the other. The golf course follows the natural landscape of what use to be a farm. Aside from the tees, you will find nary a level lie. That is the most noticeable defense defense of this course. Uphill, downhill, sidehill...take no shot for granted. All are tests. All are fair. Here, you will use the proverbial 'every club in your bag' and maybe wish for more of them, Old Town Club is quirky, with a double green for 8 and 17, and criss-crossing teeing grounds for 9 and 18 that can move within several hundred square yards. The average player is unlikely to notice that the four par-3's play sequentially longer, and that Maxwell faced then to the north, south, east, and west. Old Town Club will reveal how good a golfer you are, or not. That said, it has tees to accommodate player of any level. I 'only' rated it 9.5 for conditions because of some new sod adjacent to fairways that should not affect playing areas. It's also the home course of Wake Forest University. Suffice it to say they have a substantial home field advantage."
Read More2023
Review
“A Perry Maxwell design that has been updated by C/C. Several good par 4's and a double green."
Read More2023
Review
“Great course for anyone truly interested in golf architecture to learn from and play. It’s an underrated gem that is starting to gain its status as one of the best."
Read More2022
Review
“Perry Maxwell, 1939 Located in Winston-Salem this private course is hilly with big fairways and very tricky green complexes. Many of the greens tilt back to front and have false fronts that can run 20-30 yds off the gree"
Read More2022
Review
“There is no better place to play golf in North Carolina than Old Town."
Read More2022
Review
“An amazing experience of golf that should not be passed up if offered the opportunity. Unique and exhilarating throughout."
Read More2022
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