The Best of the Best at Carolina Shores

Carolina Shores is a classic design, utilizing tree-lined fairways and dramatic bunkering to provide a stern yet exceedingly fair challenge.

The course, which opened in 1974, has long been a favorite among skilled golfers, because it allows them to test all facets of their game.

Which holes offer the most memorable challenges at Carolina Shores?

We consulted with the course’s general manager, Philippe Bureau, for his three favorite tests on the venerable layout.

— The first par 3 at Carolina Shores is also its best. The 173-yard third hole requires a tee shot through a shoot of trees to a green fronted by a deep-faced bunker on the right side. Throw in a false front and the chance for trouble lurks, especially for players that come up short.

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“The key to that hole is to make sure the club you pick is to the middle of the green,” Bureau said. “Always make sure you aim for the middle, no matter where the flag is. When you try to get tricky, problems come in.”

— The par 4 sixth hole is the toughest on the course and one of Bureau’s favorites. Playing 424 yards from the tips, it’s the longest two-shotter at Carolina Shores and a pond fronts the green.

“From edge of pond there is a 120-yard carry, but there is room to miss the green,” Bureau said. “If you are a high handicapper, you can go to the right and bailout from the water.”

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— Bureau’s three favorite holes are all on the front side, concluding with the 571-yard ninth hole. A true three-shot hole, players must navigate a blind tee shot and traps that narrow the landing area on the second shot. But with a little local knowledge, the difficulty of the ninth hole can be greatly reduced.

“Always play it down the right hand side,” Bureau said. “It doesn’t matter how far you hit it, you just have to hit it down the right hand side and then it becomes accessible.  The green runs from from left to right and its skinny but long. The further right you have it the more width you have to hit your shot into the green.”

What is your favorite hole at Carolina Shores?