Birkdale Golf Club
Built in 1997 and designed by Arnold Palmer, this track is a winner. Voted one of the Top 5 “Public Courses in North Carolina” and 74^th Best Course in the State.   It features the Palmer trademark of stone stacked bulkheads and beautiful water carries.  Two of my favorites are #5 and #18.  The fifth hole is a 569-yard par 5 that features a water carry to a small green with a large bunker behind it and the closing hole is a 436-yard par 4 that requires an approach shot over water that is protected with sand bunkers and water on the left side.  The entire complex is great.  Nice clubhouse, Arnie’s tavern, an eighteen-hole natural-turf putting course and great pavilion for outings.  Even if you finish late and want to work on your game, the place even has a lighted practice facility.  You can consider yourself very dedicated to the game if you use it.

Verdict Ridge Golf Club
Only a former Charlotte Mayor and attorney would name a course with verdict in the title and tell you to judge for yourself.  This new track was named the “#2 Best New Course in North Carolina for 1999” by North Carolina Magazine and it is truly a treat.  The course winds through hills and valleys and features dramatic elevation changes.  Some of the holes are well wooded, some are surrounded by low-lying wetlands and others have a mountain feel.  The front nine finishes with a 351-yard par 4, highlighted by a waterfall hazard to the left of the green.  Number 15 is another great hole that has woods on the left and a wetland carry to an elevated undulating green with a bunker on the left.  Beware of the spin on the ball.  Many shots have backed up into the marsh.  Now that they have finished a great looking clubhouse court is in session.

Rocky River Golf Club 
Here is a Dan Maples design that will thrill you and challenge you.  The front nine is wide open and the back nine tree-lined, but all the fairways have some difficult rough areas.  The course is carved from rolling hills and the huge wetlands create some very distinctive features.  Maples gets you going with the 3^rd hole, a 555-yard par 5.  This signature hole offers a threatening, large pre-existing boulder in the middle of the fairway.  Large bunkers line the right of the green and water guards the left side.  And you don’t want to be long … you will have to come back up a sizeable slope.  The track is 4 stars from Golf Digest!

Highland Creek Golf Club   
Designed in 1993 by the Clifton Design Group, this track has grown into a beauty.  It was built on rolling terrain and has water hazards that come into play on eleven holes.  This creative layout features greens that are large and fast.  The finishing holes of both nines will make you go directly to the refreshment stand.  #9 may be one of the most challenging holes in the area.  It is important to hit this narrow fairway.  If you hit it left, you will find the creek.  The 18^th is a high risk/high reward par 5.  A good tee shot across the pond that runs down the right side of the hole will allow you to go for it in two.  If your shot leaks right you will hear a splash.  Misery or pleasure … it’s your choice.

Skybrook Golf Club
This John LaFoy design features incredible scenic views and hilly terrain.  In fact the course is marketed as “Discover Mountain Golf in Charlotte.”  You can tell what’s ahead for you on the first tee … elevated tee box, great view and a huge green.  Throughout the course, you will be able to hit a huge tee shot and the holes are forgiving, since LaFoy sculpted the holes to slope back towards the fairways.  But because of the large greens, the test is on your approaches.  The new clubhouse has just been completed and overlooks the 9^th green.  After your round, you can relax on the veranda and sips a few and soak up the scenery.  North Carolina Magazine rated Skybrook in their “Top 10 Best New Course of 2000.”

Crescent Golf Club 
Just up the road from Charlotte is another John LaFoy design.  Located in Salisbury, the designer created a wide array of imaginative holes.  The par 3’s may be the best in the area, the par 4’s range from 363 yards to 453 yards and the par 5’s will give you opportunities for birdies and eagles.  The 8^th hole is a pretty par 3 with a carry over the lake.  Depending on the pin location and the wind, you could range from a pitching wedge to a 7-iron.  If you’re short, hope you hit the bunker in front.  The signature hole is #16, a 410-yard, par 4, which is elevated from the back tees.  The steep, sloping fairway has considerable rough on the right and wetlands on the left.  The green on this hole is elevated and has a false front and short shots will roll back down the frontal grade. Deep bunkers protect both the left and right side of the green.  If you survive, then the last two holes will be a piece of cake.