Forest Creek South Course
Tom Fazio opened the South Course at Forest Creek in 1996, the first of two courses he would build at this private Pinehurst club. A par 72 of about 7,067 yards, it draws on a rolling, refined parkland style and earned national recognition the moment it opened, anchoring one of the most respected private addresses in the Sandhills.
Photo via Google, contributed by Forest Creek Golf Club.
The verdict
Forest Creek is the quiet private counterpoint to Pinehurst's famous resort fairways, a members club a few minutes away that gave Tom Fazio room to build two courses on rolling Sandhills land. The South opened first, in 1996, in a polished parkland idiom of broad fairways, tall pines and deep, sculpted bunkering. It was named one of the country's best new courses on debut and has held its standing since.
Our verdict: this is classic modern Fazio, generous from the tee and exacting at the green, a course that flatters a good drive and asks real questions of the approach. It is private and unhurried, the sort of club where a member's invitation turns a Sandhills trip into something memorable. For the wider area, see our guide to golf in North Carolina.
Forest Creek South Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1996
- Designer
- Tom Fazio
- Type
- Private sandhills
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,067 yds
- Access
- Members and guests
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Forest Creek Golf Club and leading course databases: Tom Fazio, South Course opened 1996, par 72, about 7,067 yards from the back tees. Forest Creek is a private members club with no public green fee, so access comes through a member. Where a course or package figure appears, treat it as indicative for the 2026 season and always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The South Course flows across gently rolling ground that Fazio shaped into a sequence of handsome, well balanced holes. The fairways are wide enough to swing freely, but the architecture rewards the player who works the ball to the favored side, opening the angle into greens defended by tall, flashed bunkers and subtle internal movement. Pine and water frame the corridors, giving the round a calm, private grandeur.
The par 3s are a strong, varied set, the par 5s give the bigger hitter a tempting decision, and the long par 4s ask for both length and precision off the tee. Conditioning is a Forest Creek hallmark, the firm fairways and true greens that members prize, and the closing holes gather just enough water and sand to keep a card honest. It is refined, repeatable, big course golf.
On a Sandhills trip the South pairs naturally with the resort centerpiece Pinehurst No. 2 and the restored Donald Ross golf of nearby Southern Pines at Mid Pines and Pine Needles.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; play is reserved for members and their accompanied guests, with no public tee sheet or open green fee |
| Guest play | Generally as the guest of a member, who books and hosts the round; unaccompanied visitor access is not offered |
| Handicap and dress | Members club etiquette and a smart, traditional dress code; soft spikes and collared shirts expected |
| On the day | Caddies and carts are available; the club has two Fazio courses, so confirm which course your round is set on |
| Getting there | A few minutes from the village of Pinehurst, about 75 minutes from Raleigh Durham International |
| Best months | Spring and fall are prime in the Sandhills, with mild winter play and warmer, busier summers |
Access details verified June 2026 from Forest Creek Golf Club and leading databases. The club is private, so confirm any visit arrangements directly; we do not quote or imply public access where none exists.
Where to stay nearby
The village of Pinehurst and neighboring Southern Pines hold the densest cluster of golf lodging in America, from the historic Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst Resort to boutique inns and rental cottages a short drive from the first tee. Any of them puts the Sandhills within reach of breakfast.
The Sandhills reward an unhurried golf week, so anchor several nights in the Pinehurst area and build the days around the courses you can arrange. Pair Forest Creek, when a member can host you, with Pinehurst No. 2 and the restored Ross golf at Pine Needles.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Pinehurst and Southern Pines.
Build a North Carolina golf trip
Forest Creek is private, but we plan the round when access allows and build the rest of the trip around the best of the Sandhills, with the lodging booked to match. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Forest Creek South Course questions
Who designed the South Course at Forest Creek Golf Club?
The South Course at Forest Creek was designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1996 in Pinehurst. It was one of his earlier projects in the Sandhills and earned national recognition on opening.
What is the par and length of the Forest Creek South Course?
The South Course plays as a par 72 of about 7,067 yards from the back tees, routed across gently rolling, pine framed Sandhills terrain.
Can the public play the Forest Creek South Course?
No. Forest Creek is a private members club with two Tom Fazio courses. Play is reserved for members and their accompanied guests rather than a public tee sheet.
How does the South Course compare with the North Course at Forest Creek?
Both Forest Creek courses are by Tom Fazio. The South Course opened first in 1996 in a rolling parkland style, while the later North Course offers a distinct second test at the same private club.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026. Forest Creek is a private members club; access details verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.