Finley Golf Club

$61 (cart included), played on Saturday, May 2016 at

I like to play Finley, but generally it is a little high price, and very busy. I got a discount rate and will often choose this course when I get a discount. Twilight rates start late in the day - 4pm, which is the same even in the winter! The course is in decent condition, and a better layout in my opinion than Duke (which is overpriced for the area), and NC State (Lonnie Poole is almost unplayable for normal golfers due to excessive length). No tricky shots - what you see is what you get. Greens had been aerated a week before (thus the discount). Very walkable, but unfortunately you have to pay for the cart Friday-Sunday before 1.30pm so I hardly ever play here at weekends even though it is only a couple of miles from my house. Overall I would recommend Finley course.

$66 (cart included), played on Friday, August 2014 at 10am

Finley Golf Course is the UNC Chapel Hill home course. Of the 3 university courses in the area (Washington Duke - Duke U; Lonnie Poole - NC State U; & Finley - UNC Chapel Hill) this is the best. All 3 courses are good, but Washington Duke is narrow and unforgiving if you are out of the fairway, Lonnie Poole is still maturing and has growing pains, but Finley is a great alternative. The facilities have been significantly improved in the last couple of years and the 1999 renovations to the course made positive changes and provide a challenge for golfers of all abilities. The course is in great shape and pace of play is emphasized by the staff. Although I live in the area, I would travel to play this course and consider this a great side excursion on football weekends. When you are in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area, you should try this course.

Do Not Recall (cart included), played on Wednesday, February 2014 at 10am

Played here 2-5-14 as part of a package to escape the frozen north.

Not the fault of the course, conditions were not too good: lots of rain in prior days made it cart-path only, so we did a lot of schlepping across spongy turf.

That aside, the layout is impressive, especially the "back-seven," which feature much more terrain variance than the front, which is flat. Design is imaginative, lots of contour, some water, and some very clever decision-points, such as "which side of the fairway makes more sense here?" I was especially impressed by the back, with #15 and #16 being quite memorable: then #17 has a split fairway that calls for one of those decisions noted above. Greens are generally pretty large, most are moderately contoured, but nothing unfair. Bunkers were plentiful, but not overwhelming in either number or difficulty, although some LOOKED very intimidating. Staff was very pleasant, and the clubhouse and facilities are top-notch.

This course is on the campus of UNC, and the "Carolina Blue" and white theme is everywhere, as are the UNC logos. Equally notable is that almost everything in sight bears the name of the person(s) who donated the funds to construct it: a nice touch for a course dependent on taxpayer funding.

Overall, this course is a winner, and I highly recommend.

$36 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2012 at 2pm

Their new clubhouse is almost completed so not fair to comment negatively about Food/Bar or Pro Shop. That will all change this fall. Their 'rack rate' of $58 weekday & $80 weekend (including cart) is higher than we will pay, but I bought an afternoon tee time at special rate online. It's an easy 40 mile expressway drive, so that distance wouldn't deter me if the price is right. This course was in immaculate condition. The best we've played in recent memory. The pros could play here today with no complaints. The rough would undoubtedly we lengthened for them. Bermuda fairways and Bentgrass greens. Other courses in the area, with Bentgrass greens have had terrible conditions this summer, but Finley greens are perfect.

$31 (cart not included), played on Monday, October 2010 at 4pm

Forget Pinehurst #2 and play Finley instead!!

$71 (cart included), played on Wednesday, March 2009 at 6am

Big greens, grate shape all around. Some tough holes, plays long. Stray shots can be found easily. It's UNC's course.

$76 (cart included), played on Thursday, January 2009 at noon

Course is alway in top condition year round. You get feel of play a quality PGA quality course.

$61 (cart included), played on Sunday, April 2008 at 4pm

Course is one of the best in the area. Pricy but when in peak condition worth the money. Greens were a bit bumpy but coming in fine. And because of that they did not charge us full rack rate. This is the way all golf courses should treat their playing guests.