Old Town Club

Winston Salem, NC • Private

4.7

Panelists

190 Reviews

1 / 8

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

2 / 8

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Laurence Lambrecht

3 / 8

Laurence Lambrecht

4 / 8

Laurence Lambrecht

5 / 8

Eric Kiel

6 / 8

Laurence Lambrecht

7 / 8

Laurence Lambrecht

8 / 8

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

Holes 18

Length 7037

Slope 138

Facility Type Private

Year Opened 1939

Designer Perry Maxwell, ASGCA/Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw and Dave Axland (R-2023)

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

4.7

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot Options

7.7852

Character

7.8611

Challenge

7.5639

Layout Variety

7.9073

Fun

7.7898

Aesthetics

7.7165

Conditioning

7.7298

Reviews

1 / 10

Review

“Each hole is distinct from the rest, and the property is used in a unique and interesting way. There are shot options galore, with closely mown areas around the greens, and width to find the right angles in the fairways. The course is also aesthetically pleasing in part due to the tree removal that the club has undertaken. This is especially evident as the golfer crests the hill on hole number four, and is able to see several holes and green complexes. Subtle contours in the greens generate a tremendous amount of interest from the approach shot through watching the last putt drop, which adds to the experience. Overall, Old Town Club is a wonderful experience to be prioritized if in the Winston Salem area."

2023

2 / 10

Review

“Old Town is often talked about among the hidden gems category, but I'm here to tell you, as many are finding out after this careful restoration, this is among the dozen or so best classic designs in America. Brilliant routing over just 165 acres, strategically utilizing all the property had to offer, creek and hilly topography. His courses remain a product of the land, bunkers brilliantly integrated into land rolls, edge of greens along with fun and broad yet difficult green complexes. This is his trademark. "

2022

3 / 10

Review

“The terrain of this golf course and how Perry Maxwell and ultimately Bill Coore used this land is just fabulous. The course has many different variety of holes from down hill tee shots, blind approach shots, a very challenging yet drivable par 4, longer and shorter par 3s. All of these holes use the same creek feature as it winds from one corner of the property. It's masterfully uses this feature on tee shots on the decision on how much you are going to cut off, as well, as crossing back on the double green approach shots on 8 and 17."

2022

4 / 10

Review

“Great design. Many challenging shots out on this course and great finishing holes. When the bent greens are in good shape, this is a super course."

2022

5 / 10

Review

“ The vast sight lines you get throughout the golf course with varying textures and colours of the fescue and bunkering at Old Town are arguably unmatched. Also unique to see a set of par 3’s that all go in different directions and the Wake Forest team on site most days."

2021

6 / 10

Review

“Old Town is just a special place and my favorite in North Carolina. All the recent restoration work has really improved the strategic nature of the course, vistas, and turf conditions. I've felt very welcome both times I've visited and can't wait to get back."

2021

7 / 10

Review

“Old Town is probably the best routing I have ever seen. The acreage is not Wannamoisett small but the course uses every hill and valley in the best possible way. Good mixture of green complexes and signature Maxwell contours are featured. Certainly, Old Town is worthy of being one of the best golf clubs in the USA."

2021

8 / 10