Tobacco Road Golf Club
Sanford, NC • Public
Brian Oar
Billy Richards
Billy Richards
Kevin Patrick Murray
Brian Oar
Brian Oar
Brian Oar
Overview
Tobacco Road took every idea that Strantz had been developing to that point in time (1999) and put it all in one place, specifically an old mining site of sand and pine 25 miles north of Pinehurst. The property is the secret star—yes, there are Strantzian trademarks like boomerang-shaped par 5s, greens and fairways notched blindly behind dunes, dramatic risk/reward shots played over deep chasms and putting surfaces stretched into stringy silly putty shapes. But without the elevation changes, depressions and contrasting textures of the rugged sand barrens, this would be True Blue 2.0. It’s much more than that: a master class in decision-making and composition that sits among the top 50 on the Golf Digest America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses ranking, a placement that’s at least 20 spots too low, at least in the mind of this editor.
About
Awards
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since 2009.
Highest Ranking: 45th, 2023-'24.
Current Ranking: 45th.
Best in State: Ranked Top 15 in North Carolina since 2019; Top 20 from 2017-2018; Top 25 from 2011-2016.
Current Ranking: 13th since 2019.
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
“I was warned about this course - most were haters. I went into the experience openminded, knowing it was going to be a rollercoaster ride. Would I want to play it everyday? No. But is it a blast with a ton of options and memorable holes? YES!"
Read More2024
Review
“Tobacco Road - what a course. Designer Mike Strantz gave golfers a gift. Tobacco Road provided some of the best shot options I have experienced. Just when you think one risk-reward hole cannot be topped, Strantz delivers. For instance, the risk-reward off tee at the par 4, 5th only to topped by the 2nd shot at the par 5 11th or the option of getting home in two at the par 5, 13th. Strantz asks big questions and wants you to show him the answer. While most of the course is wide open, you have to be precise in your placement as the wild undulations can put you out of place for your approach. Case in point, my 2nd at the 7th. The fairway is 80 some yards wide. But, I was on the downslope with a sidehill lie to an elevated green. Not ideal. Had I been a few yards closer to center, it would've been a different story. I particularly enjoyed that each par 5 was reachable, if you dared to try and that the par 4s came in all lengths - short, medium, and long. Nit picking - all the par 3s play slightly to extremely downhill. Conditions were stellar with tee shots running out and the greens accepting well-placed approaches. Despite the visually impression that the greens would be overly rude, they were actually quite welcoming. Combine the condition of the course with the diversity in layout and the accessibility to scoring and you cannot help but have fun at Tobacco Road. I cannot wait to return."
Read More2024
Review
“Tobacco Road - what a course. Mike Strantz gave golfers a gift. Tobacco Road provided some of the best shot options I have experienced. Just when you think one risk-reward hole cannot be topped, Strantz delivers. For instance, the risk-reward off tee at the par 4, 5th only to topped by the 2nd shot at the par 5 11th or the option of getting home in two at the par 5, 13th. Strantz asks big questions and wants you to show him the answer. In the same way, you can enjoy Tobacco Road just aiming for the center of the greens and watch Strantz's design funnel the ball closer to the hole. For me, that happened on the 3rd, the 4th, the 6th, 9th, 15th, 16th, and 17th. In comparison to what many expect in this section of North Carolina with greens that Donald Ross uses to repel shots, Strantz leveraged his design to welcome them in. While most of the course is wide open, you have to be precise in your placement as the wild undulations can put you out of place for your approach. Case in point, my 2nd at the 7th. The fairway is 80 some yards wide. But, I was on the downslope with a sidehill lie to an elevated green. Not ideal. Had I been a few yards closer to center, it would've been a different story. Strantz used the landscape marvelously with 8 holes featuring tee shots that moved one way and the opposite on approach. There was a nice mix directionally with 8 running to the left, 5 to the right, and 5 straight. I particularly enjoyed that each par 5 was reachable, if you dared to try and that the par 4s came in all lengths - short, medium, and long. Nit picking - all the par 3s play slightly to extremely downhill. Deep in the country of North Carolina, the aesthetics throughout the round were round, tumble, and stunning. Conditions were stellar with tee shots running out and the greens accepting well-placed approaches. Despite the visually impression that the greens would be overly rude, they were actually quite welcoming. Though Tobacco Road gives off a country, down home, hunting vibe - even selling some camo and deer-hunting orange colored gear in the pro shop - it's all about golf. The site is 100% dedicated to our great game. Combine the condition of the course with the diversity in layout and the accessibility to scoring and you cannot help but have fun at Tobacco Road. I cannot wait to return."
Read More2024
Review
“Everyone should play this course at least once. Definitely different than traditional golf. If you accept going in that you will have blind shots, impossible chips, and crazy putts, you can have a good time here. Stunningly different, in a good way."
Read More2024
Review
“Every hole throws a new twist at you! Visually the course is amazing. The more you play it the more you like it. It will be polarizing the first time you play it. Every hole has many shot options and with immense greens with tons of contour your putter will be put to the test."
Read More2024
Review
“One of the more interesting courses that you will ever play. Mike Strantz was really a genius."
Read More2024
Review
“If you are a high handicapper bring balls. A lot of them. Blind shots abound. Tricky greens. You had better know how to play out of waste areas."
Read More2024
Review
“Visually and strategically interesting golf course with many blind shots. This course would be very difficult to play and enjoy without a playing partner(s) who had played it before. The course is a splendid combination of target golf and risk-reward, though some of the risks create virtually 1 in 1000 shots. While many quibble with all the blind shots, the course still requires precision and control and, importantly, will invariably present even the best players with shots they will likely have rarely seen. It is certainly an entertaining course but would likely frustrate most average golfers with all the sand and waste areas (in particular). The undulating greens add to the challenge (of blind/awkward/unusual approaches) but some were over the top. The course was in great condition: fast firm fairways; greens that were firm but receptive to good shots with speed that, for the most part, was appropriate for the undulations, and also rolled very true. I would welcome the opportunity to play it again."
Read More2023
Review
“Unique and fun experience!"
Read More2023
Review
“A unique public course in which some curse while others rave. Great design and lots of sand. A must play. Has been called the public Pine Valley of the South."
Read More2023
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