442 Tobacco Rd,
Sanford, North Carolina NC 27332
Office
+1 (877) 284 3762 (toll free)Pro shop
+1 (919) 775 1940Fax
+1 (919) 775 1985Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Adam Lindley (PGA, Director of Golf); Hunter Prevatte (PGA, Head Golf Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Inland sandhills course. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland.
Designer:
Mike Strantz
35.394551
-79.213915
24 miles NE of Pinehurst Traffic Circle
From the Pinehurst traffic circle (intersection of the US-15-501, 211 and 2) follow the 2-East direction Southern Pines. After 4 miles take Hwy 1 north direction Sanford. After 19 miles turn right into Rocky Fork Church Road. After 1 mile turn left into Tobacco Road. Follow road for o.2 miles to golf clubhouse.
Tobacco Road
Tobacco Road Golf Club: All golf courses are different, though some are more different than others. And just occasionally, you find a course that is sensationally different. Welcome to Tobacco Road.
The first hole alone is enough to put the fear of god into most golfers. Its towering sand dunes and sliver of fairway mark the start of a round you'll not forget. Mike Stranz's larger than life architecture incorporates all manner of challenging features, whether they be visually intimidating roller-coaster fairways, extravagantly undulating greens, vast sandy waste areas, hidden greens, very elevated greens or completely blind drives (the last of which you'll need to hit over a small quarry at the 18th).
To a lover of Scottish or Irish links golf, none of Stranz's features will come as a surprise, but when all rolled into one course, in the middle of the Carolina sandhills, then the shock factor is understandable. Bear one thing in mind however. The maximum yardage here is just over 6500 yards.
Clearly one winning strategy is to note what's in the yardage guide and choose your club accordingly. Distance control is the key to scoring well at Tobacco Road, and that doesn't necessarily mean getting the driver out at every opportunity. Wide not deep is the hallmark of many greens.
The par-3s are not overly long, but are mischievously created to get the knees trembling; one of them is played over a disused mine entrance. Love it or hate it, Tobacco Road is worth making a large detour to visit. We made the detour, and loved the course!
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2024].
Non-metal spike facility. Walking permitted.
Good
The Tobacco Road logos were hand-drawn by course designer Mike Stranz, and reflect on the history of the Tobacco Road property. Located in the heart of what has been deemed tobacco country, the grounds at Tobacco Road were previously used for hunting and farming. The cabin behind the 14th green is where the hunters would spend their evenings swapping yarns and stories.
North Carolina's 12th best course (Golf Digest, 2023/24).
USA's 45th best public access course (Golf Digest, 2023).
World's 98th best public access course (Golf World, 2025).
2110 Dalrymple St, Sanford, NC 27330
+1 (919) 776 6600
Visit websiteThe Holiday Inn Express is located in the heart of Sanford, adjacent to the Sagebrush Steakhouse and Saloon.
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Tobacco Road
1904 S. Horner Blvd, Sanford, NC 27330
+1 (919) 775 2000
Visit websiteThe Hampton Inn Sanford is located on Highway 421 (Horner Boulevard) just southeast of Highway 1, 15 and 501 and 2 miles south of downtown Sanford. The hotel sits on the west side of the road just behind the Cookout Restaurant and Taco Bell.
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Tobacco Road
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