Grandfather - North Carolina - USA

Superb design nestled in the Appalachian mountains. Pay careful attention to the topography as a drive "right down the middle" may very well end up in the rough or worse. The club also has a robust croquet program, whites only! I also recommend relaxing at the Grandfather winery.

A hidden gem (literally) in the mountains of North Carolina crafted by Ellis Maples. This is a perfect example of 18 really enjoyable holes, each of which is unique and you can’t see any other hole from the fairway you’re standing on. Right from the first hole, you are battling against the wonderful changes in elevation. Many holes challenge your ability to land tee shots on the correct side of a fairway as the land pitches strongly from one side to the other. This course doesn’t get a lot of attention; however, the members take advantage of one of the best courses in the State despite the short season (May to October) due to the snowfall in the winter months. I really enjoyed every hole at Grandfather!

It’s a beautiful day in the Allegheny Mountains of North Carolina. We’re in Linville, home of Grandfather Mountain Golf & Country Club at the base of Grandfather Mountain. It took us a few hours to drive from Charlotte over the twisting mountain roads, but the drive was worth it. Grandfather Mountain, designed in 1968 by Ellis Maples, is the third Maples course I’ve played. He’s a brilliant designer who’s never gotten enough acclaim.

It’s peak leaf weekend here in the Allegheny Mountains, the temperature is a sunny 65 degrees, and the colors surrounding this special golf course are brilliant. The course meanders up and down foothills at the base of Grandfather Mountain, with many streams winding through the trees. There are wonderful elevation changes on this course and the greens are very challenging – sometimes too challenging. It’s hard to really pick out the most beautiful hole, but Number 7 really got our attention. After a slightly downhill tee shot that puts you at the bottom of the valley, you look up to see the fall splendor of Grandfather Mountain topped by a swinging bridge at its peak. What a view!

The club is private, but I got on simply by calling the head pro. If you are ever in North Carolina, make a call and see if you can get on. It’s well worth it. Larry Berle.

Grandfather is a wonderfully secluded course in the mountains of western NC. It has many features which are strikingly similar to the courses in the Pinehurst area. The greens are shellbacked (for the most part) just like Pinehurst #2. The feeling in many of the fairways and the clubhouse is very much like Mid-Pines. It is kind of odd, but I am sure that is due to Ellis Maples' relationship and linkage to Donald Ross. Nevertheless, in its own right Grandfather is a very nice golf course. Challenging, beautfiul, and secluded. Great course for challenging your game and a great club for your family.