Carolina Lakes Golf Club — Local services in Spring Lake

Our family absolutely loves this golf course, and a huge reason why is the golf professional here. He is fun, kind, and truly gifted at teaching the game of golf. He makes the course a place where the whole family wants to spend time—whether it’s my husband, our kids, or even just the two of us enjoying a date night event together. He goes above and beyond to make golf welcoming and enjoyable for everyone. The kids love taking Operation 36 with him, where he facilitates a learning environment that encourages a true love for the game of golf. He’s approachable, remembers your name (and even little details about you), and is always willing to stop by with helpful advice on a swing or putt when we’re out practicing.

We’ve been impressed with how he listens to suggestions and actually puts them into action—whether it’s offering a homeschool hour for families like ours or something as small as stocking candy bars in the fridge for date night golf. The events he organizes are fun, affordable, and family-friendly, while also offering great options for couples’ nights out.

On top of that, the greens are always in great condition and the overall course is well-kept and beautiful, making it a joy to play on every time we visit.

If you’re looking for a golf course that feels welcoming, with a professional who makes golf exciting and approachable for all ages, I can’t recommend this place...

As per my usual reviews, I start with the reminder I am not a professional golfer lol. Shot 93 today, but I think I can blame some of it on the course conditions this time.

Tee Boxes 4/5 - No glaring issues other than some lopsided tee placing.

Fairways 2/5 - It looks like they recently punched the fairways, but that didn't help that there were plenty of bare spots on top of the squiggle lines of dead grass from being pushed by rain (you know what I'm talking about). Even when in the fairway, it's difficult to have a good lie.

Bunkers 2/5 - These need to be redone. Especially the fairway bunkers. Even taking into account them being wet after rain, there isn't much sand in them.

Greens 5/5 - The only saving grace of the course. If I could transplant these greens to another course I'm thinking of, it'd be an $80 course easy.

Layout 3/5 - This course has a ton of elevation changes, undulating fairways and greens. These are not cons, the problem is that the fairways are in such poor shape that it becomes one.

Amenities 2/5 - Driving range borders holes 1 and 2 which is scary, and I've never not hit off mats there. No pitching/chipping green. Sizable putting green.

I spent $40 to play, $37 being the green fee. I wouldn't do so again for...

We had a 5pm tee time for 18 holes on a Thursday afternoon. The first three holes took over an hour to play. We called the clubhouse to see what we should do. Todd answered. He told us we had played a par 3, 4 and 5 (we had actually played a par 4, par 4, par 5) and pace of play normally is 45-50 minutes, which ours is was not. The pace was well on way to 6 hours. We asked if it was normal to him to take over an hour on three holes and Todd asked us very rudely what we wanted him to do about it. We stayed on each tee box for 20 minutes with other groups stacked behind. Never saw a ranger or anyone associated with the course. With the two groups in front of us (twosome and foursome) even skipping a hole it still took us 2:45 and clearly had to stop after 9 holes. No rain check offered. Absolute joke of customer service and a below average course. Will not be playing...