So for the second year we were blessed with exceptional weather, this time only one really cold day, mid to upper 30's, and I played anyway), and no rain. There was never a need to go farther south than North Carolina, so we didn't, so less driving overall. I played 17 times, 3 courses that I had played last year (Tobacco Road, Legacy, and UNC Finley) -- TR because it is great, Legacy because I was curious to see if I could play it better than last year, and Finley because it is just a mile from where we were staying at Gail's aunt and uncle, and it's also a fine course.

 

We passed on the high-priced courses in Pinehurst and elsewhere. There seems to be a point at which it gets hard to enjoy the golf because you are thinking about how much you have paid to play. And there certainly are many, many excellent courses that can be played for a fee in the $35-50 range, including a cart, which we always took because of Gail's knees. I walked a couple times when playing on my own.

 

Though I should point out that we were playing in the absolute low season. Prices in the spring or early fall would be twice as expensive, or more. And the courses would be much more crowded. As it was, I had almost no problems getting times when I wanted, and that was with calling either that morning or the afternoon before. And places to stay were equally low-priced and available.

 

Overall my game seemed better than last year, as it has been all season long. Average score was 83.3 compared to 85.7 last year, and I played longer tees sometimes. A 78, 79, and three 80's, and only three times over 85. Certainly scored better the second half of the trip. I think my short game got a little better.

 

 

As far as the courses, I would rate them as follows --

 

1. Courses I would definitely play again when in the area: Tobacco Road

 

2. Courses I really enjoyed and would very gladly play again, just that there are a lot of other courses to try too: Augustine, Mattaponi Springs, Vista Links, Tot Hill Farm, The Pit, Mill Creek, UNC Finley, Eagle Ridge, Nags Head.

 

3. Courses I really enjoyed, but just a little less interesting to me. Still, I'd be happy to play any again: Independence, Bryan Park, Legacy, Southern Pines, Talamore, The Pointe, Eagle's Landing.

 

4. Duds: None. We stuck to courses ranked 4 or 4.5 stars by Golf Digest.

 

And a few course comments:

 

• Augustine and Eagle's Landing (the two courses furthest north) had the worst greens.

• At Tot Hill Farm and Nags Head you want to be hitting the ball straight! Playing them on a day when you're swing is off could be a long day.

• Southern Pines had very challenging green complexes.

• Tobacco Road's range was irons only. Nags Head's range used short balls. Eagle's Landing had no range but a nice practice short game area.