Umstead Pines Golf & Swim Club at Willowhaven

Been playing here for years and was always shocked that it was rarely packed during weekends during golf season. Mike in the pro shop is a super friendly, first class guy. Course is fun and well maintained, hopefully it wont be too busy now that it's on golfnow ! Greens were rolling pretty fast last weekend.

The course was in great shape. The greens were fast and running true. The fairways were in great shape and high traffic/hard scrabble areas were marked as GUR. These areas were never in play but were visible. Mostly next to cart paths and were really not in play. Pace of play was standard, I got behind a foursome, that seemed to go a little slower than a regular foursome; but I was a single so I was able to lay back and practice. There was nobody behind me...so did lots of practice. If I was in a foursome this wouldn't have been a problem. Still finished in 4 hours. Great conditions, some tees boxes were a little worn or soggy.

very nice.
Green and tee box well maintained
Fairway was wide and good.

Greens were in great shape, however they needed to cut the fairways as they were too high on the front nine. I played on a Tuesday morning and all the players there were senior citizens which made the pace of play a little slow. The group ahead of us took their time and would not let us play through. The course did not have any marshalls monitoring the pace.

Had a great rate from GolfNow so we took a late Sat afternoon tee time. Groups on most holes but pace was okay. Tee-boxes were somewhat rough, wide and nicely-kept fairways and smooth greens. Houses on most holes yet they are off in the distance and it does not seem you are hitting shots out of someone's back deck. Nice variety of holes with some elevation changes. Will play again for sure.

Thoroughly enjoyed the course. First time playing.

Fairview could need some attention, but the most impressive were the greens, well maintained. The course was built around an old neighborhood, you can get lost easily since signs for some holes were hard to spot. Overall, it's worth every penny I spent, highly recommended and we will be back.

Play course regularly. Fairways are in good shape. Greens are rolling true with medium speed. Only area that needs attention is greenside sand traps. Back nine is on of the best 9 holes in this area. Pace of play is usually 4 to 4.5.

Great track for the money ($15 fire hot deal!). Good mix of dog legs and elevation changes. Course is well maintained for the most part. Greens are big and roll smooth but were slow when I played due to a lot of rain. The only thing I would recommend would be for a little better organization and direction. There were no signs for the 1st or 10th tee and they were kind of hidden. Also, the yardages were all over the place. The scorecard didn't match the tee boxes yardage or signs (off by 30-40 yards at times), and some of the sprinkler heads seemed off as well. Not a big deal and something that can be pretty easily fixed. The pace of play was also amazing as there were only about 4 groups on the course. I played 2 balls most of the time and still finished in less than 3 hours.

I think this course is the Triangle's best kept secret. This used to be a private course then changed to "semi-private" designation within the last couple years. Its a very well maintained neighborhood course that is a great value for those looking for good course that won't break the bank. The front 9 is a relative easy confidence builder but the back 9 is quite a challenges with the last 5 holes being murderer's row as me and my buddies affectionately call it. Hole 18 is the signature hole being a picturesque par 3 usually playing 165-175 yards over a lake with wind usually a factor. Overall, this is my favorite value course in the Triangle and is always easy to get a tee time and never really crowded, FOR NOW!

This course is a great deal for anyone who loves to golf. The fairways and greens are in excellent shape. The staff was very helpful and engaging. The carts are in top shape and very clean.

I recommend Willowhaven for a great inexpensive round of golf.

A beautiful, well maintained hidden gem of a course. Much harder than it looks. Greens are treacherous when they are rolling fast

not crowded so pace was acceptable
greens were slow and difficult to putt

This course was in great shape! Great bang for the buck on Golfnow! Challenging greens and mostly open fairways.

The course allows for all levels of golf to enjoy the course. It's easy enough for beginners to enjoy, but, also challenging enough for skilled golfers. The pace of play for the day and time we we played was EXCELLENT - finished the round in 3.25 hrs. Staff was friendly, and the track is beautifully maintained - greens were slick!

I am enamored by courses from the days where tees are in near proximity of the previous green. Old courses where people walked and talked while playing. Then again, I do like the challenges of the modern courses which encourage thinking over 'grip and rip' technique. Carts are a must on these travels from green to tee.
Willowhaven, now renamed Umstead Park at Willowhaven, is a George Cobb masterpiece completed in 1958 which incorporates both the old and the new in course design.
The front nine is of "OLD" school design reminiscent of Ross or Tillinghast, while the back is of the "Modern" school of design, much as Arnie or Jack might have imagined. Every green has character in undulation, probably due to Cobb learning his trade from Fred Findley. You should look at each putt from every angle.
Add to this a well maintained, manicured country in the city setting, well, it is just a pleasure to be there playing golf.
The staff were quite cordial, although I cannot say the same for all the members. The daily greens fess are fair enough and Golf Now occasionally provides some real deals.
The range, practice bunker, putting green and chipping green were as nice and well kept as the course itself.
Love Golf; you will fall in love with Umstead Park at Willowhaven.

The maintenance is great. One thing I want to suggest to this course is that while playing, the workers should stop working.

too wet after little rain,too many cart path only.
food is too expensive for the course quality.

Great traditional layout, not overly long from back tees...6,400 yds.
Smallish greens roll true with subtle breaks. Fairways in very good condition. Challenging par 3s. Best kept secret in the Triangle area.