The Triad has some excellent public golf courses in general, but Bryan Park in Greensboro has consistently been one of the best for decades. Featuring two courses, one a Champions course for more seasoned golfers, and the "Players course" for intermediate skill levels, everything about this places is a well oiled machine.
On arrival, there is plenty of parking and it is all completely safe from any errant golf shots. The clubhouse is getting a little old, but still very clean inside and out and attractive looking with lots of stonework. Pro shop staff couldn't be more courteous, and if you live in Greensboro, you get a discount for being a resident. From there you'll get your cart, load up your clubs, and proceed to the starter where if you've arrived sufficiently early, you'll get a complimentary bag of balls to warm up with (irons only, the range is only about 200 yards long). There you'll get a scorecard depending on which course you are playing, my review is for the Players course because I am a bogey golfer on most occasions. The Champions course is truly quite difficult from what I understand, and I simply am not ready for that.
The Players course has tee boxes for any skill level, but I would say this is still not a course to take a beginner to learn. The course features lots of sharp doglegs guarded by either trees or large fairway bunkers. There is also plenty of water in play, with a lot of 2nd shots needing to carry water with a mid-iron. Finally, greenside, you can count on several sand traps, some of which a beginner would simply need to pick up out of because they are deep. If you're not at the point where you reliably get the ball into the air and have a decent idea of your various club yardages, it could be a long and expensive day.
The course is beautiful. Even in early spring when I played before the fairways can green up and theres a true separation between rough and fair, or green and fringe, it was still picturesque. Lots of manicured features, good landscaping, traps were in fluffy condition with the exception of one fairway bunker which was just clay that I dropped out of. Wind is definitely a factor, as you are lakeside for much of the day. Stop and enjoy the views when it isn't your turn to hit.
At the end of the day, I had some difficulties putting. Early season golf is what it is, but some of it was surely my own fault. 93 is a good score here for me, this was a worthy adversary. I only had a light snack at the turn, so can't comment too much on the grill, but my buddy said his hot dogs were fantastic!
I enthusiastically recommend Bryan Park for any golfers that have some seasoning under their belt. Best in the area, especially for the price! read more