Lonnie Poole Golf Course — Local services in Raleigh

It's frustrating to go to the Lonnie Poole golf course, the university golf course for N.C. State, which is open to the public, and find that the range is not as student-friendly as it should be. As students, we pay for these facilities through our tuition fees, and it seems that locals from Raleigh are often enjoying more privileges than N.C. State's own students.

One of the most frustrating experiences I encountered was at the driving range. My friend and I went there to practice, only to find that half of the range was closed for private lessons. There was a sign indicating that we couldn't go past a certain point due to these private lessons. What added to the frustration was that at least five older individuals were casually gathering and taking advantage of open bays and me and my friend were the ones singled out and asked to move to the other side where there are no open bays. This inconsistency and favoritism in enforcing the rules felt grossly unfair.

Additionally, the lack of student discounts for using the range is another pressing concern. It's unreasonable that as students, we pay fees to the university for access to these facilities, yet there are limited discounts available. This policy needs reconsideration to make these resources more accessible to students. The range should have fair times designated for students, just as they do for kids' lessons.

It's disheartening to see students struggling with the challenges of university life, and when we want to unwind and blow off some steam, we should be able to go to the range without feeling like we're being pushed aside by older individuals casually using it for gatherings. We students deserve priority access to these facilities that are there for us. The lack of such fairness is not only disappointing but also truly exasperating for students who simply want to enjoy the benefits OUR...

It was probably only a matter of time, but I cannot express how disappointed I am in how quickly this course has fallen off. When it first opened, the conditions were amazing, just a notch below country club — which is saying something for a public course. Now, the greens are in dreadful shape — slow as molasses, ball marks not repaired. The tee boxes are overgrown and/or not level. There are several areas of the course, particularly around certain greens, that have replacement sod that isn't taking well.

Making matters worse, the service is questionable, at best. When I played there last week, upon checking in I asked warmly, "How are the conditions?" I was met with a snide response of, "Have you ever played here, conditions are amazing." That's all well and good, but the guy didn't bother to tell me THEN, when I was paying, that it was cart parts only. So basically, you misrepresent the conditions and don't inform guests that they will be walking in 98 degree heat until the starter makes that information known? Come on, guys.

Finally, at NO TIME during the entire round did we see a cart person with refreshments.

Ultimately, Lonnie Poole has a great layout and terrific views, but if it continues to be run in this manner, it will be a place...

Prior reviews about taking way too long pace of play is really accurate. Practice facilities are very small. Where the team practices though, between holes 2 and 3, the chipping and very large putting green are more then adequate. As general public though we're not going to walk all the way to that area.

Layout is a great example of Arnold Palmer risk/reward style. The visual effects are better then many PGA courses I've played. Conditions were not PGA level because of the cold conditions and the price point should reflect that but it doesn't. Simply not worth the $100+ to play especially when range balls aren't included.

Go for the course. Must play if you have the money and are in the area. Best layout I've played in a while. Bunkers are really good. Conditions weren't extremely bad, just not worth that price tag. Worth about $60 which is their twilight rate but you're only going to get 9 holes in because they cram so many golfers in and the pace of play is so slow. 5+ hours.

I want to go ahead but I'm going to have to find a better...