Country Club Johnston County
A premier Johnston County golf course celebrated for its immaculate fairways and challenging, well-designed layout.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better pace
Country Club Johnston County
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better pace
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A premier Johnston County golf course celebrated for its immaculate fairways and challenging, well-designed layout.
"Impeccable tee boxes and plush fairways make this a top choice for golfers in Johnston County."
🎯 Book Tee Times Early
Secure your spot, especially for weekends. Look for GolfNow hot deals for savings!
👟 Walk or Ride
The course layout is perfect for both walking and riding, offering beautiful scenery.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Impeccable Tee Boxes
Throughout the course
Ranked 5/5, these are among the best-kept tee boxes in the region, setting a high standard for your round.
Plush Fairways
Throughout the course
Experience exceptionally full and plush fairways that are a joy to play from, rated 5/5.
Challenging Layout
Throughout the course
A 5/5 rated layout that tempts strategic shots with well-placed doglegs and distance challenges.
Well-Maintained Bunkers
Throughout the course
Easily escape sand traps thanks to medium-weight, fluffy, and deep sand, earning a 5/5 rating.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Tee Off with Confidence
Event Planning Pointers
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Tee Times Early
Secure your spot, especially for weekends. Look for GolfNow hot deals for savings!
👟 Walk or Ride
The course layout is perfect for both walking and riding, offering beautiful scenery.
Slower courses?
⚠️ Watch Out for Doglegs
The layout is designed to challenge distance control on doglegs. Play smart!
💰 Look for Hot Deals
GolfNow often has great deals, making this course accessible and affordable.
Actual Good Restaurants in Cumberland/Lincoln/Smithfield??
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Tee Times Early
Secure your spot, especially for weekends. Look for GolfNow hot deals for savings!
👟 Walk or Ride
The course layout is perfect for both walking and riding, offering beautiful scenery.
⚠️ Watch Out for Doglegs
The layout is designed to challenge distance control on doglegs. Play smart!
💰 Look for Hot Deals
GolfNow often has great deals, making this course accessible and affordable.
🗣️ Communicate Event Needs
If hosting an event, discuss setup and potential issues with management beforehand.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
This Johnston County golf course is lauded for its exceptional tee boxes and plush fairways, consistently earning high marks. While the layout is strategically designed and bunkers are well-maintained, some visitors have encountered issues with course management and pace of play. Event planning requires careful attention to venue setup and potential disruptions.
"2025 edit - I've played in the past and decided to come play to see if anything changed. Other than some repairs to the greens, not much has changed and still gets its 5 stars from me.
Tee boxes 5/5 - These are the best kept tee boxes you will find in the area. Outside a private course and even including a couple I've played, these are top notch.
Fairways 5/5 - Again, I thought that River G&CC had great fairways, these are even better. They have the plushness that was missing and are more full as a result. (Didn't help I couldn't hit off them despite that)
Greens 3/5 - There have been efforts made to repair some of the greens. Recent visit had the greens running at an 8 on a stimp.
Bunkers 5/5 - It always feels weird scoring bunkers, but I did end up in a couple and was able to easily get out due to the sand being medium weight but fluffy and deep enough to not go through the bottom.
Amenities 4/5 - Driving range is in good shape. There is a new pitching/chipping area but no practice bunker. There is a separate putting green.
Layout 5/5 - I really like the layout here. It's not overly long from the tips, and the tee box placement is just enough to tempt the shot shapers to gamble. The doglegs are designed purposefully to challenge distance control.
Overall I really enjoyed the day out, I'm disappointed I couldn't play as well as this course deserved, but I will be back with $35 hot deals on GolfNow."
Cjxtreme66
"The course looked remarkable. I hadn't been here in years. The course was well maintained. The greenway and fairways were very green. The course Manager should be quite proud of this course."
Kurt Woods
"Poor course management. As a group of two that was there on time we got moved to hole 10 due to a bunch of members teeing off around our tee time.
Had to play the back 9 again to complete an entire round as when we made it back to 1 we had to wait for a group of 5 and two groups of 4. It gets better though, only played 17 due to other members stepping on teeboxes in front of us as we got back to hole 10 so we moved to 11.
On hole 12 same group of members who thought it was okay to just step onto teeboxes in front of us decided to come up and make some pretty misogynistic comments because my wife who played in college on a full ride out drove me.
Wouldn’t of posted such a low rated review if someone at the course would actually talk toe about it but here we are."
Nathan St Cyr
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Country Club of Johnston County is located in Smithfield, NC. While specific public transport options are limited, it's easily accessible by car. GPS navigation is recommended for the most direct route.
Yes, ample parking is available for members and guests. You'll find designated parking areas upon arrival.
Major routes like I-95 and US-70 provide access to Johnston County. The specific country club is typically well-signposted from these main arteries.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While it's a country club, rounds can often be played by non-members, especially through booking platforms like GolfNow which offer 'hot deals'. It's best to check their specific policies or booking site.
Green fees can vary, but reviews suggest that booking through GolfNow can offer rates around $35 for hot deals. Standard rates might be higher.
Yes, platforms like GolfNow frequently offer 'hot deals' for Johnston County golf courses, making them more affordable.
Golf courses typically open early in the morning and close around dusk. It's advisable to check the specific hours for the Country Club of Johnston County on their official website or by calling ahead.
🎫 ⛳ Onsite Experience
Recent reviews indicate efforts have been made to repair greens, with them running at an 8 on the stimp meter. While improved, they might not be as fast as some private courses.
The layout is highly praised, rated 5/5. It's not overly long from the tips and features doglegs designed to challenge shot shapers and distance control.
Yes, there is a driving range in good shape, a new pitching/chipping area, and a separate putting green. However, there is no practice bunker.
Pace of play can sometimes be an issue, with reports of members cutting in front of others or slow play due to larger groups. Booking during less busy times can help.
Yes, the country club can host events. However, be aware of potential setup limitations, such as crowded food areas or door access issues, and discuss these with management.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
While the focus is golf, country clubs often have dining facilities. For events, the food setup area might be crowded, so it's worth inquiring about their catering services and layout.
For dining outside the club, Smithfield offers various local eateries. Some Reddit users have expressed difficulty finding consistently 'good' restaurants in the broader Johnston County area, so research is advised.
📸 📸 Photography
The well-maintained fairways and lush green landscapes offer beautiful backdrops. The rolling hills and tree-lined fairways provide scenic opportunities throughout the course.
Yes, photography is generally permitted during events. However, be mindful of the venue setup, especially around food service areas, to avoid obstructing staff.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
If golf is the focus, the well-maintained fairways and varied layout offer a good experience. However, the emphasis is on a traditional golf setting, so it may not have specific child-focused amenities beyond the general appeal of outdoor activity. It's best suited for families with older children or teens who can appreciate the sport or for attending a well-organized event.
💰 Budget Travelers
While it's a country club, these deals make it a viable option for those looking for a quality Johnston County golf experience without the typical high cost of private clubs. Planning your visit around these promotional offers is the best strategy for a budget-friendly round.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Golfing Experience at Country Club Johnston County
The greens have seen recent improvements, with efforts made to repair them, and they now run at a respectable 8 on the stimp meter. While they might not be lightning-fast, they are well-maintained. The bunkers are also a highlight, featuring medium-weight, fluffy sand that makes escaping them manageable. For those looking to practice, the club offers a driving range, a pitching/chipping area, and a putting green, though a practice bunker is notably absent.
While the course itself receives high marks, some visitors have noted issues with course management and pace of play, particularly when members seem to get preferential treatment or when larger groups slow down the game. Communication with the course management is key to ensuring a smooth experience, especially if you encounter any issues. Despite these occasional drawbacks, the overall consensus is that the Johnston County golf club offers a superior golfing experience in the area.
Event Hosting at the Country Club
Past events have also experienced unexpected disruptions, such as lights going out mid-reception. While this might be an isolated incident, it underscores the importance of confirming backup plans and the venue's reliability for critical services. For those considering the club for a special occasion, it's advisable to conduct a thorough walkthrough of the event space and discuss any concerns about the setup and amenities with the management to ensure a seamless celebration.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit