Tobacco Road Golf Club – Golf Course Review

442 Tobacco Rd Sanford, NC 273 (105 miles from Charlotte)

Tobacco Road Golf Club offers a unique golfing experience with 18 holes that require skillful execution and strategic decision-making. The opening hole sets the tone, featuring bunkers and a picturesque tee shot. The par-4 and par-5 holes offer a precise approach shot to avoid the bunkers. Tobacco Road Golf Club is a unique golf course with an exceptional design, memorable features, and a challenging layout.

Tobacco Road Golf Course Details

Architect Name  Mike Strantz 
Build Year 1998
Golf Season All Year Round
Clubs Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Driving Range  Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes
Practice Instruction
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No
Single Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Timing 10:10 am
Price $170 
Dress code Appropriate golf attire
Fairways Bermuda Grass

Tobacco Road Golf Club – Review

Tobacco Road Golf Club is located in Sanford, NC, 105 miles from Charlotte. That is a renowned Tobacco golf course that has consistently ranked in the Top 50 public courses in the U.S. Designed by Mike Strantz and established in 1998. This course offers a unique and untraditional golfing experience. Its distinctive features and a challenging layout have made comparisons to other esteemed courses like Bethpage Black.

As you approach the course, you’ll immediately notice waste bunkers dominating the landscape, creating a visually striking and unforgettable setting. The 18th hole serves as a remarkable introduction to the course, showcasing the abundant bunkers that await you. We recommend you Arrive early as the driving range is included in your round, allowing you to warm up and fine-tune your swing before teeing off. Prepare to be impressed by the practice green, which boasts several tiers and poses its challenges. Putts can roll off the green or end up on the opposite side, offering a taste of the excitement and complexity that awaits you on the course.

Throughout the entire layout, Tobacco Road delivers a remarkable golfing experience. During our round, our group encountered numerous shots from the bunkers, tallying a collective 28 bunker shots on the first 18 holes alone. Avoiding the bunkers is virtually impossible, so practicing bunker shots beforehand is crucial to ensure a more enjoyable and less strenuous round. While not an excessively long course, Tobacco Road demands precision, as even the slightest miss can result in trouble. Beware of false fronts that can send your ball rolling back 20-30 yards off the green, leaving you with challenging uphill chip shots.

During our visit, we talked with golfers from the Pinehurst area who preferred to make the short 30-minute drive to play at Tobacco Road. Reflecting on our experience, we have no regrets about the cost of playing here. Tobacco Road’s proximity to Pinehurst makes it an ideal destination for golf lovers. The quality of the course justifies the investment. A second round on the same day is an excellent option.

We watched a video posted by Fore Play, Barstool’s golf podcast hosted by the well-known Riggs and Dan. We found their experience similar to ours and highly recommend watching the video for those who have yet to see it. It adds to the anticipation and appreciation for what Tobacco Road golf club offers.

 Tobacco Road Golf Club Holes Are A Test of Skill And Strategy:

Holes:        18

Type:          Public

Par:             71

Length:    6557 yards

Slope:       145

Rating:     72.5

Tobacco Road Golf Club presents golfers with challenging holes requiring skillful execution and strategic decision-making. Each hole is meticulously designed to provide a unique and exhilarating experience, demanding reliability and adaptability from players of all levels and skills.

Hole 1:

The opening hole sets the tone for the round, featuring a strategic placement of bunkers that require careful navigation. A well-executed tee shot is essential to set up an approach to the green, guarded by undulations and tricky pin positions.

Hole 5:

This par-4 hole offers a picturesque but daunting tee shot. With a fairway narrowing as it approaches the green, accuracy off the tee is crucial. A precise approach shot is needed to avoid the strategically positioned bunkers and secure a scoring opportunity.

Hole 9:

Golfers face a challenging par-5 hole that demands distance and accuracy. A well-placed tee shot can open up the possibility of reaching the green in two, but the fairway narrows as it approaches, requiring precise shot placement to avoid the hazards and set up a birdie chance.

Hole 14:

Tobacco Road Golf Club Known for its unique split fairway design, this par-4 hole presents golfers with a strategic dilemma. Players must decide which side of the fairway to play from, as each option offers challenges and rewards. A carefully planned and executed tee shot is crucial to maximize scoring opportunities.

Hole 17: 

As players near the end of their rounds, they encounter this stunning par-3 hole. With a visually intimidating tee shot over water, precision, and club selection are vital to find the well-guarded green. The undulating putting surface adds an extra layer of complexity, requiring a deft touch to navigate successfully.

Hole 18:

The closing hole at Tobacco Road Golf Club leaves a lasting impression. This demanding par-4 requires a well-struck tee shot to avoid the multitude of bunkers lining the fairway. A precise approach shot is necessary to find the elevated green, guarded by more bunkers and set up a chance to finish the round on a high note.

Tee  Par  Length       Slope Rating 
Ripper 71 6557 yards     145 72.5
Disc   71 6317 yards     143 71.3
Plow 71 5886 yards     132 69.4
Plow (W) 71 5886 yards     145 75.7
Points 71 5302 yards     125 66.9
Points (W) 71 5302 yards     136 71.7

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Tobacco Road Golf Club is a true gem among golf courses. Its exceptional design, memorable features, and challenging layout set it apart. Familiarity with preferred landing areas, potential risks, and strategic shot selection enhanced our overall experience. Most golfers at Tobacco Road tend to be above average skill level, ensuring a steady pace of play that always remains manageable. Although we observed some walkers on the course, we opted for carts, recognizing the physical demands of the layout. Prepare yourself for a unique golfing adventure that will leave you in awe of the course’s beauty and captivated by its strategic needs.