Golfing at Country Club of Asheville: My Experience Playing One of Asheville’s Classic Courses

When people think about golf in Asheville, they usually think about mountain views, elevation changes, and cooler weather. After playing at the Country Club of Asheville, I can tell you firsthand this course absolutely delivers all of that.

My cousin Collin, who is a member there and runs a successful real estate team in Asheville, invited me out for a round. They’re actually having their best year ever in real estate, so apparently good golf and good business go together.

The course itself was outstanding. It’s one of those places where every hole feels a little different. You’re constantly dealing with elevation changes, shots downhill into greens, approach shots uphill what felt like 50 feet, and uneven lies that make club selection a challenge all day long.

The golf course was originally designed by Donald Ross in 1928 and later restored, and you can definitely feel that classic design style throughout the round.

One thing that stood out immediately was how much strategy matters here. This is not a course where you can just bomb driver everywhere and expect easy pars. The greens were extremely fast, and if you landed on the wrong section of the green, you were almost guaranteed a difficult two-putt… or worse.

A few holes also brought the wind into play more than I expected. Because of the elevation and open views around parts of the course, the wind can completely change how a hole plays. There were several shots where the yardage looked simple on paper, but the combination of elevation and wind made club selection tricky.

One underrated thing I appreciated? The club had ice chests on multiple holes around the course. Small detail, but when you’re walking or riding through the mountains during a warm afternoon round, being able to reload your drink with ice makes a huge difference.

Speaking of drinks, my cousin Collin may have introduced me to the golf drink of the summer. He grabbed a Poppi soda and mixed it with sparkling water from the cart girl. Honestly… surprisingly good. Light, refreshing, and perfect for a long round in the mountains.

Then came holes 16 and 17.

Those two holes gave us incredible views of downtown Asheville sitting against the mountains in the background. It’s one of those moments where you kind of stop worrying about your scorecard and just take in where you are. Asheville has a unique feel to it already, but seeing the skyline from up there on the course was pretty special.

The Country Club of Asheville is a private club, so access is generally limited to members and their guests. The club is part of the McConnell Golf network and includes amenities beyond golf, including tennis, fitness, swimming, and dining. While the club does not publicly list standard green fees because it’s private, comparable Asheville-area resort golf can run well over $100-$200 per round during peak season.

Overall, this was one of the more memorable golf experiences I’ve had in North Carolina. Between the elevation changes, fast greens, mountain views, and classic Donald Ross layout, it’s a course that forces you to think your way around instead of just swinging hard.

And honestly, anytime you can mix good golf, mountain air, family, and a Poppi-sparkling water combo… that’s a pretty good day.

Walt O'Berry

REAL BROKER 

252-646-7163