Although they try, Carolina Lakes, at least this year, wouldn’t have met my expectations for an upper tier course. Conditions, especially fairways, when I played April/May were terrible. Red Bridge has a long way to go as well (clubhouse, driving range), although their conditions, including their greens (not bent, I believe), have been quite good, and they try very hard to please with their limited staff.

I had another experience today with one of my favorite courses (I’m not going to name, since I think many courses would fit this description). I asked them their conditions, and they said they punched 2 weeks ago, but the greens had been cut and were “just a little bumpy”. Well I went and played (fortunately only 9 holes), and the greens were VERY bumpy, and in poor overall condition (not just the punching). Granted, they did offer a reduced rate, but I just don’t think you can get a straight answer no matter how you ask – the courses are just too hard up to get any golfer to their course given the economic conditions.