Located in the North Carolina’s sandhills region, Tobacco Road Golf Club is a truly unforgettable golf experience. Just 25 miles from the legendary Pinehurst Resort, it is a bold and unconventional layout designed by the late Mike Strantz, which has earned a bit of a cult following among golf enthusiasts.
Designed by The Maverick: Mike Strantz’s Legacy
It is said that Tobacco Road is the best example of Mike Strantz’s incredible vision. Widley regarded as one of golf’s most artistic and audacious golf course designers, Strantz was known for his dramatic shaping and cinematic layouts. Here, Strantz took a former sand quarry and transformed it into a visual and strategic rollercoaster, which has since become his most iconic work.
For those making their first trip to Tobacco Road, prepare for blind shots, massive waste bunkers, elevated tees, wild greens, and thrilling risk-reward decisions on nearly every hole. Visually, Tobacco Road can be very intimidating and seem extremely difficult, but at just over 6500 yards from the back tees, the course wasn’t designed to punish, instead it was made to ignite the senses and challenge your creativity.
Course Highlights: What to Expect on the Ground
- Par 71 | 6,557 yards (Back Tees)
- Slope: 150 | Rating: 72.8
- Terrain: Sandhills, native grasses, towering dunes, bold bunkering
Tobacco Road is not your typical North Carolina golf course. Instead of a traditional parkland layout, it feels more like Pine Valley meets the desert, with every hole offering a visual spectacle and strategic puzzle. The course consistently ranks among the top public golf courses in North Carolina, and often lands on national top 100 lists.
Planning Your Visit
Location:
📍 Tobacco Road Golf Club
442 Tobacco Road
Sanford, NC 27332
Tips for Playing Tobacco Road
- Play it more than once. The first round is about discovery; the second is where the real strategy unfolds.
- Tee it forward. With a 150 slope rating, even single-digit handicaps may find the tips punishing.
- Bring your camera. Every hole is worthy of a photo..
Final Thoughts: A Wild, Wonderful Ride
Tobacco Road Golf Club is not for the faint of heart—but that’s what makes it special. For golfers who appreciate truly unique golf course architecture, boldness, and courses with character, it’s an essential stop in the Carolinas. If Pinehurst is the classic suit, Tobacco Road is the untamed rebel in denim and boots.
