
Brian Oar
Overview
Architects are usually only as good as their sites, or at least their budgets—Tom Fazio would certainly agree with that, which is why he only agrees to projects that give him the resources to push the land around until it’s the way he wants it. Strantz, who began his career working for Fazio, was just getting to that level of prestige when he passed away, but Tot Hill Farm, opened in 2000, was a relatively low-budget design on a central North Carolina property that was too rugged and rocky to yield a Tobacco Road-level course. Strantz used what he had to shape some of his wildest greens, working around the site’s obstacles the best he could. The course is a staggered mix of daring, often outrageous holes (the par-3 13th) dotted with moments of sublime brilliance like the par-5 eighth and the par-4 17th. Golf Digest named the third hole, a downhill par 3 with a green wrapped around a rock outcropping, the best third hole built in the U.S. since 2000. Over the last few seasons, new ownership has invested in ongoing course improvements including tree removal and new turf, and as of 2024 the course has never been better. What used to be a “lesser” Strantz design due to conditioning challenges is now one of the country’s best showcases of his eccentric, some say genius, architecture.
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Reviews
Review
“Very fun golf course on a hilly site. Most of the dififcult is around the greens. Definitely worth playing, but not near the Tobacco Road golf course, if that's what you are looking for."
Read More2024
Review
“Really enjoyed this place. Unusual, with a lot of undulations and large land forms you typically don't see. Some crazy greens, which are currently slow as they grow in from a recent renovation. If you like typical, standard, boring golf, stay away. But if you want to try something different, add this course to your list."
Read More2024
Review
“Tot Hill Farm is one of only 7 solo designs from the brilliantly quirky Mike Strantz. Located outside of Asheboro, North Carolina, Tot Hill Farm opened in 2000 with much acclaim and fanfare. Originally a 60 minute away must play staple of the I-want-to-experience-something-besides-Pinehurst Resort courses golf trip, Tot Hill Farm struggled after the 2008 financial crisis, gradually faded out of the golfing public’s consciousness and spiraled towards irrelevant obscurity with an empty pro shop, deteriorating conditions, and desperately discounted greens fee. Fortunately, native South Carolinian Pat Barber recognized the value of a Strantz design and rescued the course from the brink and injected millions of dollars into a renovation/restoration. After the project was completed in 2023, the course now plays 6,713 yards from the tips, a slight increase with the most significant the extra 40 yards on #10 that requires a visually intimidating tee shot over the adjacent road to a landing area with a blind second to an elevated, sloped green. Other improvements included new Prizm Zoysia greens, the removal of 1,500 trees to restore original playing lanes and de-gloom several greens, and the removal of arbitrarily placed bunkers. As with most Strantz courses, visual mind-fucking is a frequent event as many tee shots appear impossibly difficult (starting with #1’s concealed fairway, #2’s seeming sliver of fairway with hazards along both sides, and includes #3 to the back right pin, #10 short of the stone wall, #12 with a narrow ribbon of fairway and so much trouble left and right, #13 to the back left hidden pin, and #15 to the concealed back left pin). Approaches are often blind or obscured to potato chip greens with wild undulations or severely sloped runoffs. The erotically shaped green on the par 5 5th is guaranteed to frighten even top players with a tiny front which then rises to a wide but shallow upper plateau with it all surrounded by a rocky creek left and penal rock bunkers right. None of the greens at Tot Hill Farm are easy but the 5th, 8th, 9th, 14th, and 17th stand out as especially challenging. There is so much variety at Tot Hill Farm that sensory overload for first-time players is a real possibility. There are 5 uphill holes (4, 8, 9, 14, and 18) and 11 downhill holes (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 17) There are no dead straight holes other than the par 3s with 7 doglegs left (1, 2, 5, 7, 12, 17, and 18) and 6 doglegs right (4, 8, 9, 10, 14, and 16). There are long holes (par 4 1st and 14th), short par 3s (6, 13, and 15), short par 4s (7, 9, 10, and 12) and a plethora of mid-length tests which play dramatically different than the yardage due to significant elevation changes. Never one to follow convention, Strantz decided Tot Hill Farm should have 5 par 3s AND 5 par 5s, and it works. Tot Hill Farm is a very challenging course for any golfer, primarily through visual intimidation and devilish greens complexes. As one plays the course a second, third, or fourth time, it becomes less frightening and more playable as one learns that all but very poor shots will find a home and a manageable next attempt. Birdies are out there but they require patience and trust along with execution. Through the experience of several visits, Tot Hill becomes a course where it is almost as likely to shoot a stellar score as it is to shoot one that doesn’t factor in the handicap with good results possible but by no means guaranteed. If there is a weakness at Tot Hill Farms, it is the current lack of speed on the greens. The new Zoysia greens are not yet fully matured, so they are sloooow. They roll well and true, but the speed is not there. Expectations are that they will eventually run at a 10-10.5 so not Augusta but given the slopes, undulations and tiers, plenty fast enough. The fairways are firm and drain well. The bunkers were part of the restoration, so they are all consistent and well-sanded. Tot Hill Farm does not sit on the coast, boast scenic mountain vistas, or meander through pristine woodlands yet it is an attractive layout. Strantz used the natural topography and simply overlaid a golf course onto the rocky, rolling, stream crossed landscape. If a large rock was in the way, it stayed, and the hole was named The Rock (#3). The lack of artificial and contrived molding is Tot Hill Farm’s greatest aesthetic strength. Love or hate his courses, all Strantz designs inspire visceral reactions and vigorous post-round debate. Tot Hill Farm firmly fits into the Strantz pantheon along with the neighboring Tobacco Road. Some may complain about too many blind shots or gimmicky greens, but I am a fan of non-boring golf. Tot Hill Farm is a very fun golf course that garners more admiration with repetition and that is a hallmark of Mike Strantz. Thank you, Jim Barber, for saving Tot Hill Farm."
Read More2024
Review
“Absolutely worth getting off the highway to go play! There isn't much around, which is why I wouldn't rate it higher, like planning a vacation around. However, you need to check out this Mike Stranz gem that was recently restored to original plans and with much better grassing and cleaner landscape. Such a visually stimulating golf course. Even holes with minimal bunkers or penalty areas like #8, have such mounding to the fairway and elevation on the tee, that it is really engaging. Rock outcroppings are beautiful. Native areas, uneven lies, elevation changes, lots of lines crossing fairways carrying your eye, and a waterfall restored. Beautiful palette."
Read More2024
Review
“This is a really special course with outstanding features and beauty. They have taken out many trees to create wider playing corridors which make the course more playable and enjoyable. I would recommend moving up a set of tees in order to really enjoy the course."
Read More2024
Review
“Another Strantz Course in NC, As expected a lot interesting holes and fun course to play."
Read More2024
Review
“Tot Hill Farm is a polarizing golf course. Players will likely love it or hate it. Only a golfing zombie would leave without a strong opinion. Its unique layout leaves the strong an impression. This i a non-traditional, utterly engaging, one-of-a-kind classic. The late architect Mike Strantz crafted eighteen works of art on what used to be a rustic farm in the Uwharrie Mountains near Asheboro, North Carolina, fifty minutes from Pinehurst. Playing it is an adventure across a mesmerizing landscape of rolling, rocky, tumbling terrain. Every hole is memorable. They move, sometimes severely uphill, downhill, right and left to greens often tucked into cozy nooks and crannies. I used the literal every club in the bag. Tot Hill Farm isn't a course for beginners or for those questioning their swings. Intimidating visuals are Tot Hill’s first line of defense, but often, they're illusory. Decent shots find adequate landing areas. They are challenging-but-fair. Walking Tot Hill Farm would be near-impossible, especially in humid summer months. Transitions from some greens to tees require long, twisty, rides, sometimes up or down slopes or along a tree-covered stream. Look closely. You will see the fish. The course had just re-opened when we played in September, 2023. We found good conditions though the rare zoysia grass greens had yet to mature. They rolled consistently but slow, thank goodness. New fairway grass needed time to grow in. First-timers should play Tot Hill Farm with someone who knows the routing. Otherwise, the blind holes will be confusing. The more one plays, the better the experience."
Read More2024
Review
“Worth the trip there, a fun layout with rock out croppings, lots of elevation changes. Undulating contours and each hole is an adventure"
Read More2024
Review
“If you haven't been to Tot Hill Farm since the renovation, I'd recommend giving it another chance. That's especially if you like Mike Strantz' both design style. Course conditions are dramatically improved and some of the original features have been restored. Much better than what was there previously!"
Read More2024
Review
“A truly amazing and interesting golf experience. Mike Strantz created a masterpiece for the world to see. Its a rugged up and down course through the woods with many creeks, ponds and rocks abound. A fun day of golf."
Read More2024
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