This course opened over the 4th of July weekend back in 2009. It is a very scenic layout that seems to be well-sculpted from the natural terrain out in Locust, NC. For now, there are very few homes built and I'm sure that eventually they will change the nature and aesthetics of this quaint course. In the meantime, it's a quiet but adventuresome round of golf. Over the course of 18 holes, you face many different challenges, from long, forced carries to shorter, target golf approaches. There are plenty of water hazards in play with ponds and creeks. The greens feature "velvety MiniVerde" grass, which is well-suited to the warmer climate to stay in top shape year-round.
The temporary clubhouse has a nice large deck for enjoying a drink on the 19th hole. Not sure when the permanent one will be built. The parking lot and many of the cart paths are gravel still and haven't been paved yet. Within a year of opening, they re-routed the front 9 and it was a welcome change. Your round used to start with a short par 3 (now the 5th hole) requiring only a wedge shot.
This course is one of the most unique in the area and most people will either love it or hate it. It is a fun layout with 5 par 5's and 5 par 3's. Several greens have multiple tiers or challenging slopes, making for some occasionally diabolical pin placements. Many holes also feature significant elevation changes and rolling hills, almost like a mountain course. The 18th hole is notorious for being one of the longest and toughest holes in town. It is 619 yds from the men's tees (650 from the tips!) and requires an uphill, hazard-crossing final swing of at least 120 yards. The 17th hole made me say "wow" -- a short, downhill, dogleg right 326 yd par 4 that has small green protected by a water hazard. You have to play target golf on some holes, but most have generous landing areas for your tee shots and approaches. Overall, my rounds here tend to be memorable and the course is definitely a must play. The weekday rack rates are fairly low and Red Bridge is one of the best values in town for price/conditions.
Tee | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Championship (Blue) | 72 | 6735 | 72.5 | 138 |
Mens (White) | 72 | 6402 | 70.2 | 128 |
Senior (Gold) | 72 | 5768 | 67.3 | 115 |
Ladies (Red) | 72 | 4913 | 68.1 | 123 |
Several of the tee boxes are under construction. Fairways are in good shape but they are starting to get hard with the dry hot weather. Greens are in very good shape. Bunkers have real sand. Staff is friendly. Course has a nice layout. 3 or 4 holes have a severe right doglegs. One is a 90 degree on #17. I always enjoy playing here.
Read The ReviewOnly my 2nd round at this course, but both times I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the condition the course is in. Fairways in great shape and the greens rolled true. Tee boxes are the only thing that need some love as they look to have had a lot of play. Fun/attackable layout that is pretty forgiving from the tee box. Staff was friendly and helpful, but would love to see a better clubhouse and food options.
Read The ReviewI LOVE this golf course! For the price you will not find much better conditions elsewhere. Fairways are nice and full, rough is certainly healthy, greens look great (hardly any blemishes aside from some bare spots on the outer edge of the green which rarely affect you.) The layout is hands down my favorite in the area! So many scoring opportunities with the par 5's! In my opinion you will not find a better maintained, more enjoyable round of golf anywhere else in this area at that price.
Read The ReviewPassing along this update from a friend who played Red Bridge this week... "For those that were disappointed with the conditions at Red Bridge so far this year. The course has made major gains. Played it today the fairways and rough are all good. A few tee boxes for the whites are still a little rough but the other tees are all good. It's the same ones that normally struggle there. The greens are being top dressed every 2 weeks and the Bermuda is coming back in well. No other grasses to be found on any of them. Green collars also look good. Still a bit bumpy but no major bare spots and most greens roll fairly true. Give it another 2 weeks to a month and the greens should be really good again."
Read The ReviewI've played at Red Bridge three times. I enjoy the layout - it's a nice mix of target golf and some holes where you can really rip it. It's out in the middle of nowhere, but the staff is friendly and it's very reasonably priced. Fairways and rough were in fine condition. The tee boxes were a little shaky. The greens on the other hand had some serious problems. I've never seen them like that. There was very little grass. Mostly sand and incredibly bumpy. They must be having some issues. Still think it's a fun course and worth going out there if you haven't played it. Might wait a couple months.
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