Played there today (9/26/04); the greens were impeccable; tee boxes not too bad but a lot of moving around of the white tees; sometimes back with the blue tees and sometimes up with the red tees. Fairways were cut short and firm so a lot of bounce for your drive. Fairway lies were a bit too tight for me to make those occasional critical shots without sweating it. Overall, I was not disappointed with the course and would play there again an a discount coupon.

I played Emerald Lake yesterday for the first time several years. I was shocked that there was no mud on the tee boxes like there used to be. The course was in the best shape that I’ve ever seen it. The change around the 9th green to keep balls from rolling into the drink is a nice change.

Played Emerald Lake yesterday, and it is in great shape. The greens are very good right now, although they are planning to aerate very soon. The course is in the best shape I’ve seen it in years, but call first (704-882-7888) to ask about aeration. They are doing it later this year for some reason.

I noticed Emerald Lakes’ rates this winter have actually gone UP to $59 for Saturday mornings. What’s the deal? I was told they would go up again in March after they aerify. Up to what…$75? I have not played there since last spring because they are so much higher than the surrounding courses like Divide and Charlotte National. In the winter the course typically drains poorly and is in very average shape compared to other courses. Are they trying to compete with Ballantyne and Olde Sycamore? Are they preparing to go all private?

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up. I played Emerald Lake today and it was it great shape. The greens are running great and smooth and the fairways are just begining to get green and fluffy. The rates for this summer are like 39 bucks during the week, 42 on friday and 59 on weekends. They are not going any higher than that, which makes them cheaper than the divide and all surrounding courses, but always in better shape. This is a course that will be a gem this summer.

Played Emerald Lake yesterday (8/9/08), and it seemed in good shape. Greens were rolling well, and the fairways were very consistent. However, one mystery still remains after all these years. Every time I bring a friend there who is not familiar with the course, I hear the same comment about #18. “Man this is a lousy finishing hole”, they say. When I point out that the two nines were switched several years ago, they are usually dumbfounded. Like me, they cannot understand the reasoning for that. Hole #9 (formerly #18) is a great finishing hole, although rumor has it that the green was constructed backwards (it slopes AWAY from to back towards the lake, making it virtually impossible to approach in two with a long iron or wood) The green will not hold anything longer than about an 8-iron, depending on where the pin is cut. This green design and the switching of the nines has always mystified me. I have asked a few guys at the pro shop, buy they don’t know the story behing it. If anyone does, please feel free to elaborate. I’m really curious, mainly since most folks feel I’m sure that #9 was a much better finishing hole.

Bman, thanks for the insight. I also remember a guy I met at the course a few years back who said that #9 (former #18) used to be a headache for the Hooters Tour. He said the Hooters Tour used to play Emerald Lake, but because the players got so tired of dealing with the green on #9, they took the course off their schedule. He said the big hitters would intentionally aim for the front bunker on their second shot because the green would not hold anything, and they usually could reach in two with no problem. They got frustrated with the hole, so they decided to play elsewhere. They asked management if they could reshape the green correctly, and obviously nothing happened. Whether this whole story is actually true or not, who knows.

Played Emerald Lake on 4/4. Fairways are starting to green nicely, but were wet. The greens are in good shape after March aeration, but were unusually slow…don’t know why. Very odd for that course, greens are normally much faster.

This course has become a laughing stock. They have jerks behind the counter, jerks running the course, and horrible course conditions as a nice little cherry on top of that sundae. Absolutely no customer service. They just promoted their assistant pro to head pro, and he was the worst one of them all! Stay away, and play somewhere that appreciates the hard earned money you are spending. With 90-some-odd courses to choose from, why go somewhere that acts like they are doing you a favor by being open?

I played Emerald Lake over the weekend and was not impressed. I have read all the negative reviews on here, but most of them referred to the poor attitude of the staff, so I was hoping that the course conditions would make up for poor service. Nope. Neither was good. Greens are shaggy, bunkers have less sand in them than most childhood sand boxes and the tee boxes are even worse. Skip this track this season.

Played last week and forgot to post my review. This is my third time playing this golf course this year and I will officially never go back. The sad thing is it has nothing to do with the course itself. The course was in decent shape, nothing bad, but not as good as some others in the area. The problem is the staff. “Rude” does not even begin to cover it. I paid in the Pro Shop and was handled by a smug, cocky pro. I was “greeted” at the first tee by a grumpy man who clearly hated his job. The day ended with the General Manager telling me that “amateur golfers” are all hacks that should all play Top Flights and knock off clubs. I just don’t get it. Beeman, I know that you said you were treated much differently, but I think that Emerald Lake might have known you were coming and rolled out the red carpet for you. It’s just a shame. Good track, horrible customer service.

I think Steve’s message about Emerald Lake was right on the mark…….I only golfed there once for a 9 hole “dog fight” and will never go back. That place is in need of some serious help. The people there are absolutely terrible!!!! Before you slam me…I have nothing to gain from this since I just moved down here from Michigan 5 months ago. In fact, I think most of the local courses are highly overrated and OVER PRICED! I would sure like to meet the people who come on this site and post “great” things about the courses on your list. I am an avid golfer who plays to a 6 handicap and have played alot of the courses you mention and I would only give 3 or 4 of them a rating “nice” rating. It is almost like the course personal down here take what they have for granted…….

I’ve played Emerald Lake more in past months than I normally would with my friends because alot of others’ greens are in trouble. The course can bite you especially 3,7,8,9,16 and 18. The more I’ve played it the better I’ve shot at it. It’s a bit of a drive for me(40)mins. I’ve come to like it ok except for hole 9 which is not really a fair hole unless the pin is in front left because the green slopes down front to back and sticking a ball with a wedge is difficult with big bunker in entire front of green. Never had an issue with staff then again I never call for t times. Don’t know about being not told about aerification.

Played today. Beyond anything else, it is just nice to get back out to this course. The staff has changed over and for the first time in years, I was greeted with a smile. Course was in good shape. Not perfect, but above average. Great mix of holes out here. Looking forward to the new clubhouse!

I played in a Bank of America outing at Emerald Lake last Friday. Yhe course was is above average shape. The greens were overall in great shape, with only a spot or 2 in repair from some crab grass removal. Firm and fast. They had the temp trailer up and running with incredible hot dogs. The overall experience was better than most other courses in the area this summer for me.

I played Emerald Lake on Saturday and really enjoyed myself. The course was in good shape, with only 2 greens on the back with some minor issues. The rest were great. The real reason to write this is all that went on other than the round of golf. On the first tee, I was handed a brand new metal divot tool and thanked for supporting the course. At the turn, the course had a grill set up and cooked burgers, hot dogs, and brats for all the golfers. They were out there cooking all day. It was just nice to see extra effort put forth and to see and feel actual gratitude for playing. I really enjoyed myself.