The five best golf courses near Winston-Salem are Tanglewood Park Championship Course (the area's crown jewel that hosted the 1974 PGA Championship), Oak Valley Golf Club (the only Arnold Palmer design nearby), Salem Glen Country Club (featuring Jack Nicklaus's signature layout), Meadowlands Golf Club (Golf Digest's top-rated public course designed by Hale Irwin), and Winston Lake Golf Course (unbeatable value at just $15-20 with cart).
Each course sits within 15 minutes of downtown and offers something different, whether you're chasing championship-level challenges or looking for an affordable round.
Keep reading to discover what makes each course special, how to choose the right one for your skill level, and insider tips for planning your visit.
Why Winston-Salem Stands Out as a Premier Golf Destination
Winston-Salem punches well above its weight in the golf world.
This North Carolina city offers something most destinations can't match—five exceptional courses designed by legends like Robert Trent Jones Sr., Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Hale Irwin, and Ellis Maples, all within a 15-20 minute drive of downtown.
The convenience factor alone sets this area apart.
You won't spend half your day in traffic between courses, which means you can easily play 36 holes or explore multiple layouts during a weekend trip.
The Piedmont Triad location makes it equally accessible whether you're coming from Greensboro, High Point, or anywhere in the region.
What you'll find here:
- Price flexibility – Rounds range from $15 at the city-owned Winston Lake to $59 at premium facilities, so your budget won't dictate whether you can play quality golf
- Year-round access – Golf Digest notes approximately 262 playable days per year thanks to mild winters
- Championship pedigree – These aren't just neighborhood courses; Tanglewood hosted the 1974 PGA Championship where Lee Trevino edged Jack Nicklaus, plus fifteen Champions Tour events
The area's golf heritage runs deeper than most realize.
Wake Forest University's presence here connects to Arnold Palmer, who attended the school before designing Oak Valley.
That kind of local connection often translates to courses that reflect authentic design philosophies rather than cookie-cutter layouts.
Each course offers distinct challenges suited to different skill levels.
A beginner can enjoy Winston Lake's forgiving 118 slope rating, while a low-handicapper can test themselves against Oak Valley's demanding 144 slope.
You don't need to search across multiple cities to find your ideal match—it's all here within one compact geographic area.
Tanglewood Park Championship Course – The Crown Jewel
When Lee Trevino beat Jack Nicklaus by a single stroke here in the 1974 PGA Championship, Tanglewood Park Championship Course proved it could test the world's best.
That tournament remains the biggest moment in Winston-Salem golf history, but it's hardly the only credential.
The course also hosted the 1986 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship and fifteen editions of the Vantage Championship on the Champions Tour.
Located in Clemmons, just 15 minutes from downtown Winston-Salem, this Robert Trent Jones Sr. original from 1958 received a thoughtful update in 2018 from his son, Robert Trent Jones II.
The renovation modernized bunker design and created new play angles while respecting the original layout's integrity.
Business North Carolina Magazine currently ranks it 24th among the state's Top 50 Courses You Can Play and fourth for Best Bang for the Buck among Triad courses.
The challenge: This Par 74 stretches to 7,101 yards from the back tees with a slope of 140, but the yardage deceives you.
Elevated greens make the course play 300-400 yards longer than the scorecard suggests, so don't let that number fool you into thinking it's manageable.
The 98 strategically placed bunkers heavily guard the greens, and the rolling hills add another layer of complexity to club selection.
Champion Bermudagrass greens hold their speed well throughout the season.
The 2018 renovation specifically addressed bunker aesthetics and playability, giving you clearer sight lines and more defined strategic options off the tee.
Here's what makes it accessible despite the championship pedigree: five tee box options mean everyone from Tour-level players to families can enjoy the layout.
The Family Tees measure just 3,404 yards, transforming the course into something entirely different without losing the design's essential character.
Practical details:
- Pricing runs $29-59 depending on when you play (add a $2 park entrance fee)
- Book tee times at golf.tanglewoodpark.org
- New expanded clubhouse opening Fall 2025
Tanglewood also offers the Reynolds Course, a second Robert Trent Jones Sr. layout at the same facility.
This Par 72 plays 6,567 yards with a slope of 137—still challenging but more forgiving than the Championship track.
Golf Digest ranked it among the top 75 public courses nationally, making it a legitimate option if you want two distinctly different rounds at one location.
Designer Masterpieces: Oak Valley and Salem Glen
Winston-Salem offers something rare—the chance to play courses by two of golf's greatest names.
Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus each left their mark here, and both layouts reflect the playing philosophies that defined their careers.
Oak Valley Golf Club: Palmer's “Go For Broke” Philosophy
Arnold Palmer designed only one course in the Winston-Salem area, and it captures everything that made him “The King.”
Oak Valley embodies his aggressive, risk-reward style—the same approach that earned him seven major championships and legions of fans who loved watching him attack flags.
Built in 1995 on former dairy farmland in Advance (15 minutes west off I-40), the course sits on rolling, wooded North Carolina foothills terrain.
Water comes into play on 14 holes, creating constant decisions about whether to play safe or go for it.
The 44 bunkers received a recent overhaul with 1,000 tons of white sand, giving them sharp visual definition and modern playing characteristics.
This Par 72 measures 7,058 yards with a slope of 144 and rating of 74.0—numbers that tell you it's built for skilled players but manageable for anyone who can keep it in play.
Here's the deal with Oak Valley: hit good drives and you'll get generous rewards with scoring opportunities.
Miss fairways and the course punishes you severely.
The undulating greens add another challenge to approach shots, requiring precise distance control.
The course maintains a 95% recommendation rate across 532 reviews, which speaks to consistent conditioning and playability.
Though technically semi-private, Oak Valley opens to the public daily.
What you need to know:
- Estimated $55 for 18 holes with cart
- Full-service clubhouse includes grill, pro shop, and event space
- Top-notch practice range lets you warm up properly
- Call (336) 940-2000 or visit oakvalleygolfclub.com
Salem Glen Country Club: Nicklaus's Terrain Mastery
Jack Nicklaus built his reputation on strategic thinking and course management.
His design team created the Triad's only Nicklaus Design course here in 1997, and it earned Golf Digest's prestigious four-star rating for Best Places to Play.
What makes Salem Glen special is how Nicklaus used the dramatic natural features.
The course takes advantage of 150 feet of elevation changes, 4.5 miles of creeks, and nine lakes spread across the property.
Located just west of Winston-Salem in Clemmons, this Par 71 plays 7,012 yards with a slope of 136 and rating of 74.2.
The real genius shows in how Nicklaus created two completely different nine-hole experiences.
The front nine plays links-style with generous fairways and strategic water hazards.
Five holes sit in the Yadkin River basin, giving you a flat, open feel that rewards long drives and demands smart positioning.
The signature fourth hole—a 566-yard par 5 with an elevated tee shot—exemplifies this style.
Turn to the back nine and everything changes.
You're suddenly playing traditional Carolina mountain golf with dramatic elevation shifts, tree-lined fairways, and more demanding terrain.
The contrast keeps you engaged and forces you to adjust your strategy completely.
Five tee box options mean you can match the course to your skill level, though even from the forward tees, the elevation changes and water features keep you honest.
Salem Glen operates as a semi-private club but welcomes public play.
The 23,000-square-foot clubhouse offers multiple dining options and a premier practice facility.
Members get swimming pool access, and the venue hosts high-end banquets and weddings, so you'll find the grounds impeccably maintained.
Contact (336) 766-3000 or check salemglen.com for current rates and availability.
Meadowlands Golf Club – Golf Digest's Top Public Course
Hale Irwin won three U.S. Opens by playing patient, strategic golf that rewarded precision over power.
His 1995 design at Meadowlands reflects exactly that approach—a course that demands you use every club in your bag and think through every shot.
Golf Digest recognized the quality here, naming it Winston-Salem's top-rated public course.
Located in south Winston-Salem, Meadowlands sits centrally in the Piedmont Triad, making it equally convenient whether you're driving from Greensboro, High Point, or anywhere in the region.
This Par 72 plays 6,868 yards with a slope of 137 and rating of 73.0—serious numbers that reflect a serious test of golf.
PGA Tour winner Bubba Watson calls this his home course, which tells you something about the playing conditions and challenge level.
The layout tests both distance and accuracy equally.
You can't overpower it, and you can't finesse your way around it—you need both skills working together.
What sets Meadowlands apart: Bentgrass greens.
Most courses in this area use Bermuda, but Irwin went with bentgrass, giving you truer roll and more consistent speed.
If you've played up north, these greens will feel familiar.
If you're used to southern Bermuda, expect a different putting experience—faster, smoother, less grain to read.
The course winds through forested hills dotted with sparkling blue lakes and streams.
Long, rolling fairways give you room to work the ball, but mature trees narrow the landing zones enough that wild drives find trouble quickly.
Strategically placed bunkers and water hazards create genuine strategic decisions—you can't just aim down the middle and hope for the best.
The variety keeps you engaged throughout the round.
Some holes favor length off the tee, others demand accuracy with long irons, and several require touch around the greens.
You'll genuinely need your full arsenal here, which is exactly what makes it one of the finest courses in the Triad area.
Before you go:
- Pricing runs approximately $59 for 18 holes with cart
- Dress code enforced: collared shirts required, no denim
- Practice facilities include a short game area and putting green
- Clubhouse has a grill for post-round meals
- Contact (336) 769-1011 or visit meadowlandsgolfclub.com
The collared shirt requirement and overall atmosphere position this as a more traditional club experience—expect well-maintained conditions and players who take their golf seriously.
Winston Lake Golf Course – Unbeatable Value
Here's something you don't often find: a city-owned course with a pedigree designer that actually gets better over time.
Winston Lake costs $15 on weekdays ($11 late afternoon) and $20 on weekends—cart included—yet it was designed by renowned architect Ellis Maples in 1957 and just received significant upgrades that would make many premium courses jealous.
The city of Winston-Salem owns and operates this Par 71, and recent investments prove they're committed to quality, not just maintenance.
The greens were reshaped and enlarged with Diamond Zoysia, giving superintendents better pin placement options and you more predictable surfaces.
Selective tree removal around tee boxes and greens opened up sight lines and created new strategic shot options without losing the course's woodland character.
Carved from 480 acres of rolling woodland in Winston-Salem proper, the course features tree-lined fairways and genuine natural beauty.
Don't let the 6,213 yards fool you—this hilly layout plays significantly longer than the scorecard suggests.
Elevation changes affect club selection throughout the round, and the slope rating of 118 with a 69.0 rating means it challenges mid-handicappers while staying accessible to beginners.
The atmosphere here differs from the semi-private clubs and championship layouts.
You'll find seasoned golfers who've played here for decades alongside beginners learning the game.
That welcoming vibe makes it perfect if you're introducing someone to golf or just want a relaxed round without the pressure of premium pricing.
What you get for $15-20:
- Cart included in the price (this alone makes it remarkable value)
- E. Jerry Jones Clubhouse with Papa Lee's Grill
- Driving range with 5 practice tees
- Event venue available for outings
- Open 7:30 AM to dusk daily
The driving range means you can warm up properly without paying extra range fees—another small detail that adds to the overall value.
Call (336) 727-2703 or check winstonlakegolf.com for tee times.
If you're planning a golf trip to Winston-Salem and want to play multiple rounds without breaking the bank, Winston Lake lets you experience Ellis Maples design work for less than the cost of lunch at the premium courses.
The recent Diamond Zoysia greens roll true, the conditions stay solid throughout the season, and you can play twice here for what you'd pay for one round elsewhere.
Planning Your Winston-Salem Golf Experience
Spring and fall deliver ideal weather for golf in Winston-Salem, but the mild winters mean you're looking at approximately 262 playable days per year.
You can realistically plan a golf trip here almost any time outside of the occasional winter cold snap.
Book tee times in advance, especially for weekends.
Spring and fall weekends fill up fastest since everyone wants those perfect 70-degree days.
Early weekday rounds give you the best combination of availability and rates—plus you'll often have the course to yourself.
Most courses let you book through their websites or GolfNow, making it easy to secure times before you arrive.
Match the course to your game: Slope ratings tell you everything you need to know.
Winston Lake at 118 welcomes beginners and high-handicappers. Tanglewood (140) and Salem Glen (136) sit in the middle range for solid players.
Oak Valley at 144 challenges low-handicappers and anyone looking to test themselves against a demanding layout.
The 15-20 minute distances between courses make multiple-round trips incredibly practical.
Stay at any Winston-Salem hotel, and you can hit a different course each day without spending half your vacation in the car.
If you're planning 36-hole days, start at one of the premium courses in the morning when you're fresh, then hit Winston Lake in the afternoon when the rate drops to $11.
Price planning:
- Budget: Winston Lake ($15-20 with cart)
- Mid-range: Tanglewood ($29-59)
- Premium: Oak Valley and Meadowlands (~$59)
- Semi-private: Salem Glen (contact for rates)
Check dress codes before you pack.
Meadowlands requires collared shirts and prohibits denim, while Winston Lake takes a more relaxed approach.
Small details like this prevent surprises when you show up ready to play.
Quick contact reference:
- Tanglewood: golf.tanglewoodpark.org
- Oak Valley: (336) 940-2000, oakvalleygolfclub.com
- Salem Glen: (336) 766-3000, salemglen.com
- Meadowlands: (336) 769-1011, meadowlandsgolfclub.com
- Winston Lake: (336) 727-2703, winstonlakegolf.com
Conclusion
Winston-Salem delivers five distinctly different golf experiences within a 20-minute radius, from championship courses that tested the world's best to affordable daily-fee options that won't drain your wallet.
The combination of legendary designers, year-round playability, and genuine variety makes this area worth the trip whether you're chasing your personal best or just looking for a solid weekend getaway.
Pick your course based on your skill level and budget, book your tee time, and discover why this North Carolina city quietly ranks among the region's best golf destinations.
