The No.2 at Pinehurst has become its calling card today although for years, North Carolina’s Crystal Coast was synonymous with its quaint fishing villages, the towering lighthouse on Cape Lookout and the omnipresent seafood restaurants. Now this unspoiled part of the country is gaining currency for something else: The superb quality of golf. North Carolina offers some of the world’s finest and most accessible courses and attracts hundreds of golf tours from all over the country every year.

From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina is home to a variety of beautiful and immaculately maintained courses that challenge players of all skill levels. With a rich culture and heritage, North Carolina golf offers golf holiday makers unparalleled tracks set in picturesque landscapes. Whether you are looking for golf on mountains or the coast, North Carolina has more than 500 courses for you to choose from. Plan your golf tour to include courses that play on diverse terrains like mountains, heartland and coast to experience everything North Carolina.

Like any other sane golf vacation enthusiast, you would start out at The Pinehurst Resort and Country Club and you would play course number 2 because you know it is going to make you shed tears of frustration and give immense satisfaction at the same time. At 7,020 yards par 72, this is a monstrosity designed by Donald Ross and is a fantastic combination of elements like water hazards, large greens and strategically placed bunkers. Playing this 18-hole championship course for a heart-breaking $375 is not even noticed by most golf holiday makers they are too busy following in the footsteps of golf legends like Jack Nicklaus.

North Carolina golf is marked by its prolific nature and excellence in quality. With this combination of quality and quantity it was only a matter of time before North Carolina produced courses that were top of the heap. Case in point: The Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers. Include this 18-hole Tom Fazio layout in your golf package to get a taste of testing mountain golf that makes you uneasy with its fast undulating greens and narrow fairways. Nine holes on the course present water hazards and getting into the club poses another you need someone to sneak you in!

Golf travel in North Carolina is bound to see some of the best courses in the country and Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club would be one of them. You have a choice of playing Pine Needles and Mid Pines two championship courses designed by Donald Ross. Pine Needles hosted the U.S. Womens Open in 2001 and was ranked second in GolfWeek Magazines Americas Best Public Access Courses. At 7,015 yards par 71, this track can be as trying as it is charming although it would cause a dent in your golf vacation budget with $235 to $200, it is worth it. Mid-Pines is a well-preserved 18-hole Donald Ross creation which opened to rave reviews in 1921. This course should hold a firm place on your golf package for its challenging but fun layout meant for a few relaxing rounds. At 6,515 yards par 72, Mid Pines is a pleasure to play and doesnt cost you too much either ($180 - $140)

Other eminently playable courses that should see a place on your golf vacation checklist are two Tom Fazio designed courses: the 18-hole Diamond Creek in Banner Elk ($125) and Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington ($110).