thegolfinguy@gmail.com - 7/23/17
Foxfire Golf & Resort just outside Pinehurst, NC exemplifies what Sandhills golf is all about. Tree-lined fairways, large elevation changes and lots of sand is what you’ll find on either of the Gene Hamm designed 18-hole championship courses. Golf Digest has awarded Foxfire Golf and Resort 3.5 stars in their Places to Play Guide.

The fairways on both the Grey Fox and the Red Fox courses follow the natural contours of the land and play through natural rolling hills, sandy soil and multiple lakes. Players must avoid numerous strategically placed bunkers and natural hazards as they make their way up – or many times down -  to large, elevated greens.

Grey Fox Course

The Grey Fox Course plays 6,781 yards from the back tees with a course rating of 72.9 and a slope of 130. Most golfers will have all they can handle from the White Tees (6,294/70.6/128). Grey Fox is considered the tougher of the two Foxfire courses, although the slope says otherwise. It emphasizes the need for shot placement rather than length although from time to time, a long drive doesn’t hurt. It is certainly the hillier of the two courses, as can be seen standing on the first tee, a long sweeping dogleg right around a lake with pine trees waiting to hinder anything errant.

The first hole plays 511 yards from the White Tees and is the #1 handicap. It’s a 3-shot hole for just about anyone. Your tee shot plays downhill to a very small landing area unless you hit it short of the water. The next two shots play uphill; get used to it. Your layup is of the risk/reward variety; choose the right club and distance to leave it in the narrow fairway, short of the strategically placed fairway bunkers. Then it’s a short pitch shot to an oddly triangular green. A front pin placement can be tricky as it will be closely guarded by bunkers on either side. Par is a good way to get started.

Number 6 is the only hole that requires a long carry over water – you’ll need to hit to about 200 yards; don’t get cute and try to cut off too much or you’re likely to find the water. At only 345 yards (White Tees), a good drive and good pitch can result in a good score.

Number 11 is a very narrow hole that plays 389 yards (White tees) with trees framing either side of the fairway and a lake that comes into play on the right about 110 yards from the green. It will take a well-controlled drive and approach shot to reach this triangular green, well protected on the left and back with bunkers.

Sixteen, seventeen and eighteen are a challenging trio of finishing holes. Sixteen (483 yards/White Tees) is a narrow par 5, that, with a good drive is reachable in two. Just be careful of the three traps that surround the green. The par 3, 17th plays 153 yards (White Tees) and has bunkers guarding the front left and back of the green as well as a large oak tree if you push it too far right. The green is 31 yards deep so picking the right club is important. The finishing hole is a dogleg left par 4 that plays 394 yards - and all of it. Play down the right side to leave the best approach angle into a small green that is well protected by sand. It’s a great hole to end a fun and exhilarating round.

The Red Fox Course

While the Grey Fox Course may be the tougher, the Red Fox Course is clearly the member’s favorite.  From the back tees, Red plays 6,735 yards with a course rating of 72.9 and a slope of 134. A good time can be had by most from the White Tees (6,339/70.7/128). Ladies will find the Red Tees (5,201/70.2/124) to be quite a challenge. In all, the Red Fox course offers five sets of tees with a distance to suit any player.

Wide open, well-manicured fairways and large, elevated greens that roll fast and true await golfers of all ages and abilities. Fairway bunkers abound throughout the course and lie in wait in many landing area as well as around the greens. You’ll find water on about 6 holes, but only one forced carry off the tee of any significant length is required.

Although it doesn’t require you to carry a pond or creek off the tee, water plays an important part in Number 2 being handicapped the toughest hole on the course. You’ll really need to favor the right side of the fairway to avoid the water that comes into the middle of the fairway from the lake on the left. From there, you’re looking at a long, uphill approach shot to a large green with a false front that is well guarded by bunkers. It plays much longer than the stated yardage on the card – (390 yards/White Tees).

The par 5, number 9 is a 490-yard par 5 that can be reached in two if you can keep it on the right side of the fairway, past the dogleg. A small pond guards the layup landing area on the left side and you’ll need to fly your approach shot onto the green as it is surrounded by sand on all four sides. The green is relatively flat and good scores can be made here.

Number 17 is a fairly long par 4 at 175 yards from the White Tees and the triangular green is totally surrounded by sand. It’s probably the most challenging of the par 3s as it requires you to fly it onto the putting surface from a pretty good distance away.

Last Word

In designing Red Fox, Hamm put in plenty of “bail out” areas so you’re not constantly facing severe drop offs or deep bunkers if you don’t hit the green. Once upon a time, the Hamm courses at Foxfire were considered two of the best in the area. Now, Brown Golf Management is working to restore these courses to their former glory. Both courses offer a challenging but fair opportunity for you to experience Sandhills golf at an affordable price.

Brown Golf Management is offering some incredible membership opportunities that give members access to both of their 36-hole Pinehurst facilities – Foxfire and The Country Club of Whispering Pines. As a member, you’ll receive unlimited golf, full access to the practice facilities including unlimited range balls and full access to other Brown Golf-managed facilities in NC, SC, FL and PA. All for one low, monthly rate.

Foxfire and Whispering Pines also offer stay and play packages that include accommodations, golf and meals. For more information, visit their website at www.foxfireresortandgolf.com.

  mightyquinn82 - 7/25/13
A great place to go and play 36 since they have two courses. Since the new owners took over it has come a long way and the fairways and greens are in great shape. Extremely friendly staff!!!

  hjoriol - 10/5/12
Nice course to play

  Jeff Baird - 3/12/12
Very nice course, and has beautiful scenery. This course can be very challenging, and could make for a long day if you are not hitting the ball.

  klausgolf - 2/6/12
Greens are perfect, bunkers have all been upgraded and the carts make it all the way around.

  futraljr - 11/30/13

  ajrousak@earthlink.net - 9/11/13

  ScottAyers - 5/20/13

  Tiger Gordon - 3/17/13

  hvanpelt - 12/8/12