1. University Club4200 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh (919)833-0308
Good to know: The club can have unpredictable hours due to weather and maintenance, so call (919)513-0587 to receive a recorded update on the facility schedule for the day. Student perks and deals: Membership to the University Club extends only to N.C. State University faculty and staff, alumni and Centennial Campus employees.
Student opinion: “We were required to play a round at University Club as part of my golf PE class,” Jamie Justus, a freshman in criminology, said. “How much closer to campus could you ask for?”
2. Raleigh Golf Association1527 Tryon Road in Raleigh(919)772-9987
Green fees: Monday through Thursday student discount applies; Friday before 2 p.m. fees are $40 (riding) or $25 (walking) and after 2 p.m. are $33 or $21, respectively; Saturday, Sunday and Holidays before 2 p.m. are $46 or $31, respectively and after 2 p.m. are $40 or $28, respectively.
Student perks and deals: With a college ID, Monday through Thursday green fees are $28 (riding) or $18 (walking).
Good to know: RGA is the second oldest golf course in Raleigh, founded in 1929.
Student opinion: “RGA has a pretty nice course for a reasonable price,” Jamie Justus, a freshman in criminology and enrolled in the golf PE class, said. “It’s right near most of the apartments on Trailwood Road, near the Delta Sig fraternity house.”
3. Raleigh Country Club 400 S Peartree Lane in Raleigh(919)255-3037
Green fees: It’s all about connections: golf membership to RCC is by invitation only.
Good to know: Gabe Maughan, one of the club’s golf professionals, is a graduate of N.C. State.
Student opinion: “I love Raleigh Country Club,” Daniel Gaeckle, a junior in professional golf management, said. “The layout is old-fashioned. It seems easy, but it’s actually really challenging. What you see is what you get.”
4. MacGregor Downs Country Club430 Saint Andrews Lane in Cary (919)467-0146
Green fees: Accompanied guest fees (not including cart fee) are $40 weekdays and $50 on weekends and holidays. Unaccompanied guests, only allowed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, must be sponsored by a member and pay $87 plus a cart.
Good to know: Leave your metal spikes at home. MacGregor Downs has a spikeless policy.
Student Opinion: “There’s a complete renovation of the green going on right now, and as soon as that is over it should be one of the nicest greens around,” Nick Raby, a senior in turfgrass management, said. “It has a really unique 18th hole that forces you to hit a 200-yard shot in the air to carry the lake … probably one of the most difficult closing holes around here.”
5. Eagle Ridge565 Competition Road in Raleigh(919)661-6300
Good to know: Skip the hassle and book your tee time online at the course’s Web site, http://www.ergc.biz/.
Student perks and deals: With a student ID, green fees (including a cart and GPS) are $30 Monday – Thursday, $35 before 11 a.m. on Friday, and $35 after 1 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
6. Knight’s Play2512 Ten Ten Road in Apex (919)303-4653
Green fees: Prime-time fees, after 5 p.m. weekdays and all day on weekends, for nine holes are $10, while 18 holes are $15. Before 5 p.m. during the week, fees are $8 for nine holes or $12 for 18 holes.
Good to know: As a fully illuminated course, Knight’s Play is open 8 a.m. to midnight, weather permitting.
Student perks and deals: On Manic Mondays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., all golfers enjoy half-price green fees. For the ladies, every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. women can take advantage of half-price green fees.
Student Opinion: “Knight’s Play is good for the casual player who can’t get out to a course during the day,” Ben Marlowe, a sophomore in agricultural business management, said. “It’s lit at night so you can go anytime.”
7. Wildwood Green3000 Ballybunion Way in Raleigh(919)846-8376
Green fees: Green fees, excluding a cart, during the week are $26 for nonmembers and $33 on Friday. On weekends and holidays unaccompanied guests are $40. Wildwood Green also offers discounted twilight rates.
Good to know: Wildwood Green hosts The Wolfpack Golf School, now in its 19th year, in an effort to promote junior golf and give young golfers the chance to work with members and coaches of the N.C. State Golf Team.
Student Opinion: “You can hit some difficult shots here, including some nice long drives on the par 4 where you can get close to the hole,” Daniel Gaeckle, a junior in professional golf management, said.
8. Crooked Creek4621 Shady Greens Drive in Fuquay Varina (919)557-7529
Student perks and deals: With a college ID, Monday – Thursday and after 3 p.m. Friday – Sunday green fees, including a cart, are $30.
Good to know: Don’t wait until you sit down in the club’s grill to order that hamburger. Golfers can order from the ninth tee and have their meals waiting after the game is over.
Student Opinion: “This is a challenging course because the back nine has elevation and flow,” Justin Buck, a senior in sport management and business management, said. “They’re aren’t a lot of straight lines — that, along with a lot of blind spots, makes you have to hit pretty good. It really tests your ability as a golfer.”
7. Wil-Mar Golf Club2300 Old Milburnie Road in Raleigh (919)266-1800
Good to know: Wil-Mar was rated one of the top 100 golf courses in the U.S. for women golfers, according to Golf for Women magazine.
Student perks and deals: With a student ID, green fees (excluding a cart) are $15 for 18 holes and $10 for nine holes Monday – Friday. After noon on the weekends and holidays fees are $20 for 18 holes and $12 for nine holes.
