Legacy Golf Links – Played December 2011
- Rankings: None of the four lists
- Location: 12615 US Hwy 15-501, Aberdeen, North Carolina
- Year: 1991
- Architect: Jack Nicklaus, Jr
- Course Access: Public
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Black: 7,004 yards, Par 72, 73.9 Rating/133 Slope
- Blue: 6,495 yards, Par 72, 71.4 Rating/127 Slope
- White: 6,021 yards, Par 72, 68.9 Rating/123 Slope
- Green: 4,946 yards, Par 72, 68.7 Rating/120 Slope
Legacy Golf Links is another one of the courses the wife and I took in on one of our trips to the Pinehurst area. For a good while, we would just look in the brochure and pick a new one.
I don’t know much about the course’s construction other than the information above. We also didn’t spend much time in the clubhouse. As such, this post will be strictly about the golf course.
Let’s get to it. I played the blue tees.
Thanks again to Brian for the photos. Check him out @virginiagolfguy on Instagram and vagolfguy.com.
Hole 1 – 375 yards – Par 4
This hole moves gradually to the left. It isn’t particularly difficult off the tee and you can take less than a driver.
The approach plays to the green below. The putting surface is pretty flat and is guarded by a large bunker on the left.
Hole 2 – 532 yards – Par 5
Depending on your length this may be reachable in two, but the dogleg right will make you think about where to place the tee shot. The hole features plenty of sand and waste area to challenge you.
Once you get to the green most of the difficult parts of the hole are complete.
Hole 3 – 399 yards – Par 4
I only have the tee shot here, but it is a straight hole with a couple of fairway bunkers. The kidney-shaped green is guarded by a bunker on the front left.
Hole 4 – 419 yards – Par 4
This tight par 4 bends slightly right. There is nowhere to miss off the tee.
The corridors open up a bit once you get closer to the green. On this longer hole, it’s nice to be able to run the ball up onto the green.
Hole 5 – 154 yards – Par 3
A shorter hole for sure, but one that showcases plenty of trouble to the left. A large water hazard runs right up to the green and any miss left will most likely be wet.
There is plenty of room on this big green and ample room to bail out to the right. The water shouldn’t be a problem.
Hole 6 – 489 yards – Par 5
There are plenty of trees here to catch wayward shots, but not much else in the way of obstacles. A good drive will be a draw around the corner which should give you an opportunity to get on in two on this short par five.
The approach is open and the green is only fronted by a depressing with a grass bunker.
Hole 7 – 352 yards – Par 4
There is no shot of the remainder of the hole, but it is a dogleg left. You can take less than a driver for position. The downhill slope will give some extra length to your drive.
Hole 8 – 355 yards – Par 4
You have to think when you get to this tee. The hole is short but pinched off the tee box by trees. Additionally, a large waste bunker sits at the end of the fairway and is reachable.
You can see the waste area below. It is still playable, but not ideal. The wise play is to lay back and have a full shot in from the fairway.
Hole 9 – 162 yards – Par 3
You can’t really see the hazard from this photo, but it is there. A smallish bunker guards the front of the green. With this distance though hitting it close will likely be the goal.
The picture below gives a better view of the hazard. The hourglass green provides a big enough target to allow you to swing freely.
Hole 10 – 376 yards – Par 4
The starter on the back is a slicer’s nightmare. Water all along the right side lurks. The fairway angles left to right as well.
The green is flanked by a bunker on the right and has some pretty good contouring on the back half of the putting surface.
Hole 11 – 170 yards – Par 3
The same body of water we just dealt with on the previous hole factors into this one-shotter. A large bunker on the right guards the green. There is ample room to aim left, however.
Hole 12 – 385 yards – Par 4
We are back among the trees for this one. A draw over the right edge of the bunker will leave you a good angle to the green. The only trouble around the putting surface is a bunker on the left.
Hole 13 – 527 yards – Par 5
The hole starts off relatively flat, but as you go farther it starts to tumble down a hill. It will be possible for longer hitters to reach this green.
What you cannot see in the photo below is the full breadth of the water hazard. It extends around from the right side of the green to the back.
Hole 14 – 393 yards – Par 4
There isn’t much to this hole. Hit a straight drive and approach. Kind of blah for the full shots.
The green has some mild contouring, but do not miss long!
Hole 15 – 367 yards – Par 4
This tee shot can be a bit awkward with the vegetation growing up and a somewhat blind landing area. The fairway cambers right to left and favors a draw up the right side.
The approach plays downhill. With the bank on the right offline shots may bounce back. Left is the no-go zone here.
Hole 16 – 457 yards – Par 5
With a good drive, this short par five is imminently gettable. Be careful though as a hazard comes into play on the right side and will be in play for the approach as well.
The photo below shows the first hazard and a slight view of the green.
The creek runs up to and in front of the green. There is plenty of room up here to go for it though so long as you aren’t short or left.
Hole 17 – 151 yards – Par 3
This is a pretty setting. It can strike fear, however, in hookers of the ball. It’s a little payback for 10 and 11. A large bailout area is available on the right and behind the green is open as well.
Hole 18 – 432 yards – Par 4
The water isn’t really in play unless you duff one. The fairway has some interesting contours that may kick your ball somewhere, but nothing too crazy.
The final approach at Legacy Golf Links will challenge you. It has a slight similarity to the 18th at Bay Hill. The green is set at an angle to the fairway with the front left closest and back right farthest away. Make sure you have enough bat to get there.
I would say Legacy Golf Links is a solid track. For the prices listed on the website, it is a fine golf course. It fits in well to an area that is full of people on golf trips. I view it as a good starter course in the area. It isn’t overly difficult but will allow you to have some fun and get your trip started.