Ryan Montgomery
Ryan Montgomery
Ryan Montgomery
Ryan Montgomery
UNC Finley Golf Course: UNC Finley
UNC Finley Golf Course: UNC Finley
500 Finley Golf Course Rd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
United States
Telephone
Overview
Originally built in 1949, UNC Finley was redesigned by Tom Fazio in the late 80s and shortly after became home to the Tar Heels golf program. Host to numerous collegiate tournaments, including the 2015 NCAA Men’s Regional Championships, this challenging course has no shortage of bunkers or water. In 2023, Mark and Davis Love III, along with architect Scot Sherman, revamped the entire course, adding a new practice range and putting course for the UNC golf teams, adding five new holes, shifting bunkers and tees and giving the greens and hazards more of an old time, "Tillinghast with a twist" look.
About
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
“Nice layout usually in good condition and fun to play.."
Read More2025
Review
“The director of golf was a gracious host. Much of the project upgraded the team’s facility but course was very nice complementary of UNC facilities."
Read More2024
Review
“Definitely bring your A game off the tee. Course offers a lot of challenges and really keeps the golfer engaged and intrigued throughout the round."
Read More2024
Review
“Shot Options - the course requires a wide range of shots, and the risks and rewards are present more so now Fun - a vary enjoyable course to walk on a regular basis, the green to tee space is not long which rewards walking Challenge - the back tees are often 75-100 yards behind the next set of tees, so the challenge especially for the college golfers who play here as their home course is outstanding Layout Variety - a very nice variety of par 5's, par 4's and par 3's with both shorter and longer holes of each par Aesthetics - this is what changed so much, the tree removal has led to many, many beautiful scenes throughout the course. It has very different sight lines and a feel from the old course. Conditioning - the fairways were hard and fast and the redone green complexes (that were changed significantly from the old greens) roll true and fast Character - when leaving the course after walking 18 holes there are many memorable holes, very different than the previous iteration. It is fair but challenging, fun; all creating a newly redesigned course that is really good to play."
Read More2024
Review
“The tall Carolina pines and native grasses meandered throughout the property making you feel at home at Finley Golf Club for a Carolina guy like myself. I really enjoyed the layout, while the green complexes were difficult good shots were rewarded if you hit it to the proper spot on your approaches. No doubt an upgrade for the Carolina Golf Teams and those living in the area for everyday play."
Read More2023
Review
“Redesign by Davis Love so much better than the previous redesign. Challenging yet fun to play."
Read More2023
Review
“Don't let the overall yardage fool you. DL3 has taken the old course and made it as difficult a course you will find at 7084 yards -- par 70. Fast and firm and fun -- but not if you choose the wrong tees like I did. 7 par 4's over 450 yards - if you aren't hitting the driver well it can be a real beast - especially if any wind comes up. Very good layout variety with par 3's ranging from short 159 3rd to 224 yard 14th. Par 4's ranged from nearly drivable 4th and 11th @ 331/329 to gargantuan 508 yard 5th and uphill 467 7th which plays just as long. Par 5s range from 519 to 567. Some of the green complexes are pretty severe (4, 5, 11, 16) with kickboards that will funnel your ball away from the hole on slight misses although this may be the biggest defense of the course against the young bombers who will play here daily. The bunkers were well built and with current sand consistency playable but tough pars and easy bogeys. Getting around this course every day for mid and high handicappers will be difficult even from a forward set of tees but there are run-up areas available on many holes so straighter short hitters have a chance. Currently only has set of tees at 7084 and 6529 - hope they set up a combo between these for the guys who really want a challenge but don't want to be severely bloodied from the tips."
Read More2023
Review
“Don't let the overall yardage fool you. DL3 has taken the old course and made it as difficult a course you will find at 7084 yards -- par 70. Fast and firm and fun -- but not if you choose the wrong tees like I did. 7 par 4's over 450 yards - if you aren't hitting the driver well it can be a real beast - especially if any wind comes up. An interesting par 34-36 is pretty distinctive in its own right - with 3 par 3's and only 1 par 5 on the front 9 followed by a back 9 with more standard 2 (par 3) - 2 (par 5) - 5 (par 4) hole setup. Very good layout variety with par 3's ranging from short 159 3rd to 224 yard 14th. Par 4's ranged from nearly drivable 4th and 11th @ 331/329 to gargantuan 508 yard 5th and uphill 467 7th which plays just as long. Par 5s range from 519 to 567. Some of the green complexes are pretty severe (4, 5, 11, 16) with kickboards that will funnel your ball away from the hole on slight misses although this may be the biggest defense of the course against the young bombers who will play here daily. The bunkers were well built and with current sand consistency playable but tough pars and easy bogeys. Getting around this course every day for mid and high handicappers will be difficult even from a forward set of tees but there are run-up areas available on many holes so straighter short hitters have a chance. Favorite holes included long par 4 5th over the water to protected green and slight dogleg left par 4 16th which is surrounded by native areas. Currently only has set of tees at 7084 and 6529 - hope they set up a combo between these for the guys who really want a challenge but don't want to be severely bloodied from the tips."
Read More2023
Review
“Restoration Oct 2023: Exceptional improvements to the green contours and putting surfaces, except No. 17 with a slight, sharp ridge. Shortened to a Par 70, losing two Par 4s (previous No, 10 & 11) and adding two Par 3s. Nice improvements to open the green fronts and provide firm conditions allowing short shots to bound onto the greens. Front and back each now have reachable Par 4s."
Read More2023
Review
“Interesting course that may be too difficult for the average player until the greens are either softer or slower. There were multiple pins that were borderline unfair at the current green speeds."
Read More2023
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