Raleigh Country Club
Raleigh Country Club
400 Donald Ross Dr
Raleigh, NC 27610-2814
United States
Overview
Debuting in 1948, Raleigh Country Club is one of the few courses that can claim to be the final work of legendary architect Donald Ross. The course is famous for Ross’ utilization of severe slopes and undulation, creating a dramatic yet challenging experience. In 2020, the club commissioned Kyle Franz, the same man tasked with renovating Ross classics like Mid Pines, Pine Needles, and even assisted with Pinehurst #2, to head a nearly $6 million renovation project focused on a new irrigation system, expanded bentgrass green complexes and pumping up the yardage to almost 7,400 yards. New native grass borders on fairways and bunkers further add not only to the aesthetics, but also to the difficult nature of Raleigh Country Club.
About
Awards
ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked 24th, 2025-'26. Ranked 27th, 2023-'24 (debut appearance).
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
“One of the most challenging Donald Ross courses you will play. Nice practice area. If you have a chance to play here don't pass it by!"
Read More2026
Review
“A very challenging Donald Ross design. Well worth playing."
Read More2026
Review
“2020 Renovation – excerpts from their website In November 2020, the golf course at Raleigh Country Club reopened after architect Kyle Franz completed a major renovation of this historic golf course, which began in February of 2020….. the focus of the project was to produce an improved course for all levels of players – retaining the integrity of the course that Ross first designed and built, but allowing more challenges for today’s long-hitting players. Among RCC’s numerous enhancements: • An entirely new irrigation system was installed. • Green complexes have been enlarged for more pin locations and improved, strategic shot making. • New tee boxes have been constructed on certain holes that have extended the course yardage to nearly 7,400 yards, while also benefiting female, junior and senior golfers. RCC’s rolling hills make the course play even longer. • New bunkers have been constructed that provide greater visuals and improved play for golfers, as well as much improved drainage with the material used in the traps. • Approximately 500 trees were removed to improve air movement and turf quality. The renovated course has numerous shot options off each tee with the landing areas important for either the second shot into the green or on the longer holes setting you up for the approach into the green. The pin placement dictates the first shot placement and definitely the second or approach shot. In some of the holes it is possible to run the shot up onto the green and others it is more difficult because so much of the green has a false front. The green complexes are spectacular in the renovation and allow numerous pin placements, which dictate the type of approach shot. The hazards around the green are visually beautiful, often intimidating, but demand good shot-making. They are deep but fair and a good recovery shot is possible. As noted in the club introduction above, the course was built in 1948 and is the last Ross course design. The Franz renovation accentuates the general strategy design of Ross and make the many false fronts of the greens even more critical for the pin placement and shot selection. It has many features of both the relatively renovated Pinehurst #2 and #4, with false fronts of the greens, and shot selection and placement of the approach on to the green critical to a good score. The course exudes the Ross character in all the good ways of his prototypical designed courses. It was truly a pleasure to walk the course."
Read More2023
Review
“The new remodel work of RCC is really good. Course looks and plays much different. They opened up the course sight lines which were lost over the years. The course has new greens, but were in great shape as was the course."
Read More2022
Review
“This is the last course that Donald Ross designed and was finished by Ellis Maples. The course is not long but the green complexes and the slick greens themselves make for a difficult test of golf."
Read More2019
