The Duke University Golf Club is situated smack dab in the middle of the beautiful Duke University campus. The golf course is a part of the Washington Duke Inn which sits adjacent to the course on the 300 acre rolling property. Opened in 1957, this is the only Robert Trent Jones designed course in the area. The course was redesigned in 1994 by Jones’ son Rees. Duke University Golf Club was site of the 2001 NCAA Men’s Golf Championships, and is considered one of the top 10 golf courses in North Carolina.
The course plays just over 7,100 yards from the back tees and is a true test of golf for any player. Large elevated greens, blind tee shots, and sharp doglegs make this a course that you will absolutely have to play a few times to figure out. The Par five, seventh hole was a standout hole for me. A 530 yard par five, over water, to an elevated green sloping severely from back to front. The course was in excellent shape when I played and the greens were some of the best I had putted all week, and that includes Pinehurst No. 2. Green fees were $100, but it was well worth the price of admission considering the condition and history of this course. The practice facility is top notch with a huge driving range and a great short game area.
I highly recommend this course the next time you are in the Raleigh-Durham area. The course is only a 20 minute drive from the airport, and could make a nice stop over if you are heading down to the Pinehurst area to play.