Holes: 18
Par: 72
Designer: Jack Nicklaus

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Turtle Point Golf Course

After a comprehensive nine-month renovation led by Jack Nicklaus and members of his architectural team, Turtle Point reopened in late 2016 to rave player reviews. Sweeping improvements included regrassing with Paspalum, rebuilding of all bunkers, laser-leveling all tee boxes and reestablishing irrigation throughout the course.

Turtle Point exemplifies Jack Nicklaus’ firm design philosophy to “make the player use his mind ahead of his muscles—to control his emotions sufficiently to really think through his options before drawing a club from the bag.”

1
Par 4
  • Yardage: 403
    Handicap: 9
  • Yardage: 372
    Handicap: 9
  • Yardage: 341
    Handicap: 9
  • Yardage: 327
    Handicap: 11
  • Yardage: 277
    Handicap: 11

The opening hole at any course should not necessarily be easy, but it should be extremely playable to get the round off to a good start. This hole provides that opportunity. Players want to place their tee shot alongside the right fairway bunker to give them the best angle into the green. Players who end up on the left side of the fairway will have a difficult approach shot over a large tree to the green, which is protected by a bunker along the left side.

Map of Hole 1 of Turtle Point Golf Course
2
Par 5
  • Yardage: 523
    Handicap: 5
  • Yardage: 501
    Handicap: 5
  • Yardage: 489
    Handicap: 5
  • Yardage: 469
    Handicap: 1
  • Yardage: 398
    Handicap: 1

Both the high-handicapper and the scratch player have to hit over water to a landing area guarded by what is now one large fairway bunker on the left. It used to be a much tougher driving hole before the right side of the landing area was cleared out. The hole is reachable in two by the big hitters with oaks guarding the right fairway leading to a shallow green. It is a large risk/reward shot with the right side of the green surrounded by water. This is a good opportunity to pick up a stroke. It is also one of the most aesthetically pleasing of the holes on the outward nine.

Map of Hole 2 of Turtle Point Golf Course
3
Par 4
  • Yardage: 395
    Handicap: 15
  • Yardage: 369
    Handicap: 15
  • Yardage: 349
    Handicap: 15
  • Yardage: 325
    Handicap: 9
  • Yardage: 295
    Handicap: 9

Hole 3 is a little more difficult than the previous holes, even though the handicap implies it’s not. It is the only hole on the golf course without a bunker. There is a lagoon along the left side of the fairway that is about 220 yards from the blue tee markers. The right side is best here. Many players will forgo use of their driver to gain position for a dangerous second shot to a tiered green. There is plenty of room to bail out right of the green, but long of the green will leave a very difficult pitch.

Map of Hole 3 of Turtle Point Golf Course
4
Par 3
  • Yardage: 206
    Handicap: 13
  • Yardage: 189
    Handicap: 13
  • Yardage: 180
    Handicap: 13
  • Yardage: 174
    Handicap: 17
  • Yardage: 129
    Handicap: 17

This hole is a long par 3 that prefers a left-to-right shot off the tee. Subtle undulations in the green separate the pin areas while bunkers protect the putting surface on the back-left and front-right.

Map of Hole 4 of Turtle Point Golf Course
5
Par 5
  • Yardage: 533
    Handicap: 7
  • Yardage: 510
    Handicap: 7
  • Yardage: 504
    Handicap: 7
  • Yardage: 450
    Handicap: 3
  • Yardage: 413
    Handicap: 3

Hole 5 is a scoring hole for both the scratch and average player. A simple, straightaway hole with water coming into play for the average player, but really doesn’t for the longer hitter unless playing from the gold tees. The better player can reach it in two. There is not much trouble around the green except for a bunker on the left as well as a bunker in front. On the right is a “shelf” that collects balls missed to that side.

Map of Hole 5 of Turtle Point Golf Course
6
Par 4
  • Yardage: 387
    Handicap: 11
  • Yardage: 375
    Handicap: 11
  • Yardage: 361
    Handicap: 11
  • Yardage: 322
    Handicap: 13
  • Yardage: 264
    Handicap: 13

The better player will not necessarily hit a driver here, opting instead for position on this relatively short hole. If they do hit a driver, they need to be on the right side of the fairway, especially if the pin is in the middle or left side of the green. The silver tees are substantially in front of the gold and black tees, giving the average player an advantage off the tee. However, the second shot is a difficult one over water to a bulk headed green with one small bunker in the back. Accuracy is a premium.

Map of Hole 6 of Turtle Point Golf Course
7
Par 3
  • Yardage: 178
    Handicap: 17
  • Yardage: 158
    Handicap: 17
  • Yardage: 129
    Handicap: 17
  • Yardage: 111
    Handicap: 15
  • Yardage: 93
    Handicap: 15

Hole 7 is a short and picturesque par 3 that plays over the pond. The only true bail-out is left of the green while a bunker frames the back of the green. Subtle ridges and contours set up the various small pin areas in this green.

Map of Hole 7 of Turtle Point Golf Course
8
Par 4
  • Yardage: 474
    Handicap: 1
  • Yardage: 444
    Handicap: 1
  • Yardage: 415
    Handicap: 1
  • Yardage: 365
    Handicap: 7
  • Yardage: 308
    Handicap: 7

Nicklaus lengthened this long par-4 by about 30 yards, making it extremely difficult to reach. The first thing a player sees is an imposing tree on the right. This tree guards a lagoon and serves as the crux of its dogleg right. But, the further left a player goes, the longer the second shot. Expect a mid-iron from near the tree and a long iron or wood from the left side of the fairway into a small green guarded by a bunker on the right. If the wind is blowing, even long hitters may need everything in their bags to reach it.

Map of Hole 8 of Turtle Point Golf Course
9
Par 4
  • Yardage: 417
    Handicap: 3
  • Yardage: 376
    Handicap: 3
  • Yardage: 342
    Handicap: 3
  • Yardage: 320
    Handicap: 5
  • Yardage: 299
    Handicap: 5

This is a hole where a phantom wind can really affect a shot. Hitting the second shot into the green, the player won’t feel the breeze, but near the green a gap in the houses and trees funnels the wind that will push most balls to the right. Local knowledge has the better players aiming to the left side of the green (even over the water) and allowing this phantom wind to carry their ball to the pin. From the tee, players will see a directional fairway bunker that turns the hole to the left. A well-placed tee shot on the left side of the fairway will greatly reduce the length of the second shot. Too far left and players will need to shape their shot around a large oak.

Map of Hole 9 of Turtle Point Golf Course
10
Par 5
  • Yardage: 530
    Handicap: 12
  • Yardage: 515
    Handicap: 12
  • Yardage: 501
    Handicap: 12
  • Yardage: 467
    Handicap: 8
  • Yardage: 434
    Handicap: 8

A long tee shot avoiding the two left fairway bunkers might allow this green to be reached in two long shots. Players laying up will need to favor the right side of the second landing area and avoid the fairway bunker to set up the best angle to approach the green protected by three bunkers.

Map of Hole 10 of Turtle Point Golf Course
11
Par 4
  • Yardage: 392
    Handicap: 6
  • Yardage: 362
    Handicap: 6
  • Yardage: 343
    Handicap: 6
  • Yardage: 319
    Handicap: 4
  • Yardage: 263
    Handicap: 4

A great golf hole, both aesthetically and in playability. Water lines the right side of the fairway while trees guard approaches to the green. The hole has a big premium on a tee shot down the middle or to the left side of the fairway. The farther left, however, the longer the second shot to the bulk headed and very shallow green. An intimidating shot for the average player. The green has a lot more break than it appears. Collection areas have replaced the bunkers behind and to the right of the green.

Map of Hole 11 of Turtle Point Golf Course
12
Par 4
  • Yardage: 440
    Handicap: 4
  • Yardage: 422
    Handicap: 4
  • Yardage: 410
    Handicap: 4
  • Yardage: 390
    Handicap: 10
  • Yardage: 345
    Handicap: 10

This oft-photographed hole features a generous landing area a player must take advantage of due to the hole’s length. Even with a good drive, players are looking at a mid- to long-iron into a fairly large, elevated green set back into the woods. If the pin is back, add at least one club. This hole was the least altered by Nicklaus during his course refurbishment. He added a fairway bunker and the greenside bunker became smaller.

Map of Hole 12 of Turtle Point Golf Course
13
Par 5
  • Yardage: 520
    Handicap: 10
  • Yardage: 503
    Handicap: 10
  • Yardage: 477
    Handicap: 10
  • Yardage: 462
    Handicap: 2
  • Yardage: 405
    Handicap: 2

A tight driving hole with an intimidating second shot. This last par-5 on the course can be reached in two shots by carrying the large fairway bunker along the lake’s edge. Those bailing out short and left will face a difficult pitch over the knob in front of the large, gently contoured green.

Map of Hole 13 of Turtle Point Golf Course
14
Par 3
  • Yardage: 171
    Handicap: 16
  • Yardage: 160
    Handicap: 16
  • Yardage: 148
    Handicap: 16
  • Yardage: 133
    Handicap: 16
  • Yardage: 118
    Handicap: 16

The first of the ocean holes, it is a very difficult green to hit. Shots are generally played downwind to a very small, tough putting green. The green has a small bowl in the center, which can be difficult to deal with while putting. There are two bunkers to the left of the green and the ocean on the right.

Map of Hole 14 of Turtle Point Golf Course
15
Par 4
  • Yardage: 375
    Handicap: 8
  • Yardage: 342
    Handicap: 8
  • Yardage: 328
    Handicap: 8
  • Yardage: 313
    Handicap: 12
  • Yardage: 306
    Handicap: 12

Many consider 15 the “signature” hole of the course. This is a short par-4 that features two distinct options off the tee. Those playing along the dunes on the left will get a full view of this punch-bowl green that slopes away from the player. Those bailing out right will be partially blinded by the dune. A bunker protects the right of the green. The best miss on this green may be long, as players are only faced with a straightforward pitch back up the green.

Map of Hole 15 of Turtle Point Golf Course
16
Par 3
  • Yardage: 177
    Handicap: 14
  • Yardage: 164
    Handicap: 14
  • Yardage: 143
    Handicap: 14
  • Yardage: 125
    Handicap: 18
  • Yardage: 107
    Handicap: 18

Better players will hit everything from an 8-iron to 3-iron, depending on tee location and wind strength. If the pin is on the left side of the green, players may have the intimidating task of aiming their ball out over the dunes to have the wind carry the ball back to the hole. The back right pin placement makes it almost impossible to get the ball close. The hole now only has one front right greenside bunker that Nicklaus “softened,” feeling the hole was already difficult enough!

Map of Hole 16 of Turtle Point Golf Course
17
Par 4
  • Yardage: 364
    Handicap: 18
  • Yardage: 348
    Handicap: 18
  • Yardage: 316
    Handicap: 18
  • Yardage: 302
    Handicap: 14
  • Yardage: 278
    Handicap: 14

This relatively easy hole rewards players for surviving the ocean holes. There is a big distance advantage teeing off from the silver tees. Players want to hit their tee shot to the left side of the fairway because trees can block second shots if too far right. Bunkers front-right and left guard the small green. Nicklaus moved the green a bit to the right and raised it over four feet, so it now demands a precise short iron second shot.

Map of Hole 17 of Turtle Point Golf Course
18
Par 4
  • Yardage: 426
    Handicap: 2
  • Yardage: 403
    Handicap: 2
  • Yardage: 386
    Handicap: 2
  • Yardage: 372
    Handicap: 6
  • Yardage: 332
    Handicap: 6

Hole 18 is a strong par-4 guarded by fairway bunkers on the right and water down the entire left side and in front of the green. The fairway is very wide short of these bunkers, but narrows significantly the further the shot is played. The wide and shallow green is strongly contoured and protected by bunkers front and back.

Map of Hole 18 of Turtle Point Golf Course
Turtle_Point_Golf
Championship Golf at Turtle Point
So many tournaments were contested on this Jack Nicklaus-designed course, including PGA Cup Matches, the Carolina's Amateur, Carolina's PGA and more. Isn't it time you played Turtle Point?
Turtle Point Patio
Tour The Clubhouse
Whether you want to hit the Pro Shop before your round on Turtle Point or relax and unwind in Tomasso, an Italian gathering place, afterward—the clubhouse is your headquarters for it all.

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