Durham, NC - Recommend a Course

[MDP]

The wife and I are going to be visiting grad schools in a couple of weeks so we'll be flying to Durham to visit Duke. I think we'll be able to rent a car, which means we'll be able to play some during one afternoon. Hoping some of the NC folks can help.

I'm looking for a course recommendation that fits:
1) Multiple skill levels - My wife has only recently started playing, and while she enjoys it is still a beginner. Better to err on the easier side of things, as I enjoy most courses. Multiple tees is an obvious plus.
2) Low likelihood of loosing a disc - This one is actually for me (I don't think my wife's ever actually lost a disc). I struggle with release lines a lot...
3) Fairly easy to navigate - only have a short amount of time, would rather not spend it looking for the next hole...
4) Definitely under an hour from Durham - closer would be better...

[keltik]

Durham is a shithole of a city. Duke is like a shining star in the middle of hell. I'm from Raleigh originally. I avoid going to Durham if at all possible. one time I was looking to buy a guitar at Guitar Center. they didn't have what I was looking for at the Raleigh store but they said they had one in Durham and one in Charlotte. I drove to Charlotte (3 hours away).

UNC DGC is probably the best course in the area but you can lose discs and it is BIG course. if you are willing to fight traffic there are tons of courses in Raleigh. most are easy to navigate and beginner friendly. I'm not sure about what is west of Durham. PM Frank D. He's more up to date on the Triangle area courses.

[Trey133]

If you can drive a little way you should check out Chapel Hill's course. Other than that, I kinda pass over Durham courses... they're poop.

Again, if you don't mind driving just a little bit, you should check out Cedar Rock park in Burlington NC, Zebulon in Zebulon NC, and Cedar Hills in Raleigh, NC.

[keltik]

Zebulon used to be my home course. Cedar Hills is a good one too. I miss both of them.

[Frank Delicious]

Valley Springs isn't bad plus it had multiple tees ranging from beginner/women to super ridiculous (which are dumb). Cornwallis is short and not that fun unless you just want to get a quick round in. Leigh Farms is technically in Durham but is so close to the UNC course, I would just shoot over to UNC if you are going to Leigh Farms.

So what I'm saying is play Valley Springs, it's not the best course ever but it is good for a round of NC DG and your wife can play the shorts quite easily.

[Trey133]

What Matt really said was, "go play UNC"

[Frank Delicious]

Don't play UNC if it has rained within 5-7 days of whatever day you are playing, that course sucks at drainage.

[Trey133]

What Matt really said was, "Reschedule your visit to NC because its going to rain all week and you don't want to play Durham courses as a substitute for UNC"

[MDP]

Thanks for helpful, if conflicting input everyone.

Trip is actually next week. Looking at the courses, we'll probably default to Valley Springs, unless we end up with some more time then we'll check out UNC.

[Frank Delicious]

UNC is the best course in the area but it is not super noob friendly and not really that close to where you are.

[Trey133]

What Matt really said was "UNC is the best course in the area".

Make note.

[Frank Delicious]

What Trey said was "I understand the constraints you are under and while UNC is a great course, Valley Springs is acceptable and your wife would enjoy it more than UNC".

[Trey133]

What Matt really said was "My wife beats me if I don't take her to Valley Springs, so you should too".

[MDP]

I feel like I'm at dinner with a couple who is obviously in a fight, but pretending not to be.

[keltik]

If you do play in Durham make sure your CWP is current.