Representative image Photo: Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand · CC BY 2.0
Tobacco Road Golf Club
Sanford, North Carolina, United States
18 Holes · Par 71 · Green fees vary by season and day; check the club for current rates · Links
— About
About Tobacco Road Golf Club
Tobacco Road Golf Club is a public 18-hole, par 71 course in Sanford, North Carolina, designed by Mike Strantz and opened in 1998. It plays 6,557 yards from the back tees and sits on 230 acres of reclaimed quarry in the Sandhills. Strantz used the ground to build tall mounds, deep bunkers and large, sculpted greens, and the result looks far more severe than it plays.
- Fairways are generous, and the mounds framing the opening hole make the landing area look narrower than it is.
- Blind shots are common, so it pays to study the holes before you play.
- Sand and waste areas run along the fairways in place of conventional rough, and there is no out of bounds.
- Golf Digest ranks it 49th among America's 100 greatest public courses, and GOLF puts it 35th among courses you can play.
History of Tobacco Road Golf Club
Before Mike Strantz arrived, the site was little more than a walking path through an exhausted quarry, with former farmland around it. Strantz, who worked for Tom Fazio before striking out on his own, turned it into one of the best-regarded courses of his career. The greens were converted to MiniVerde Bermuda in 2014. Strantz died in 2005 at age 50.
Signature holes at Tobacco Road Golf Club
The par-5 13th is the best-known hole, with a green that is almost hidden on the approach between large mounds. The par-3 14th plays over water. The 18th is a par 4 that finishes the round with a drive over waste area and dunes.
Playing Tobacco Road Golf Club: tips
Tee times can be booked through the club's website, and stay-and-play packages are offered with the club's travel partner. Five tee sets run from 4,296 to 6,557 yards, so choose a length that suits your game.
Visit Tobacco Road Golf Club
442 Tobacco Road, Sanford, NC 27332
Sanford, North Carolina, United States
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Tobacco Road Golf Club
Is Tobacco Road open to the public?
Yes. It is a public course, and visitors book tee times directly with the club.
Can I ground my club in the bunkers at Tobacco Road?
Yes. Players may ground their clubs in all of the bunkers, including those beside the greens, and the sand areas play as waste areas, which suits a course with so much sand.
Who was Mike Strantz?
Strantz was the architect of Tobacco Road. He worked for Tom Fazio before going out on his own, designed a small portfolio of courses mostly in the Carolinas and Virginia, and died in 2005.