A Golf Fan's Guide to Charlotte
Discover why Charlotte is a destination for golf.
by Anders J. Hare
Where to Watch Live Golf
Golf fans have their calendars marked for the 2025 PGA Championship, May 12-18 at Quail Hollow Club. This annual tournament brings top-ranked golfers from around the world to compete for the prestigious Wanamaker Trophy. Tickets are quickly selling out, as about 200,000 people are expected to attend the week-long competition.
With so much green to swing on, there are more than enough places to catch a good golf tournament. Head out to the Queen City Golf Tour's golf tournament for all skill levels. Its founders, Greg Piedmont and Trey Good, began the tour as a way for anyone to compete in amateur-friendly events. The Bag Tour also provides several opportunities to see golf tournaments across the Charlotte area including the Peninsula Club Championship, Lake Norman Classic, Mooresville Classic and North Carolina Invitational.
Don’t forget to watch Charlotte’s collegiate golf teams like the Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls dominating the CIAA conference, as well as the UNC Charlotte 49ers and Queen’s University of Charlotte Royals men’s and women’s golf teams.
Grab Your Gear
Whether you’re needing to gear up for your next time on the links or just wanting to rep some cool apparel, there are several retail options in Charlotte. PGA TOUR Superstore in Ballantyne offers clubs, t-shirts, umbrellas, rangefinders and virtually anything else you can think of that relates to golf. Golf Galaxy also offers a wide range of affordable golf gear and supplies with locations in north Charlotte and Pineville.
If you want to support local golf shops, you have options like Carolina Golf Manufacturing in Plaza Midwood, a Charlotte mainstay for new and used golf clubs and repairs. You also have Greater Golf Express in Pineville that offers used and new equipment in its store and online.
Where to Watch (and Grab a Drink)
While the PGA Championship and other major golf tournaments in Charlotte offer food-and-drink ticket packages, sports bars across the Queen City have the TVs, bites and beers you need to watch any golf event.
Many golf fans flock to bars and grills like the multiple locations of Duckworth’s Bar & Taphouse for their craft beer selection and great food menu. A family-friendly option is Lucky Lou’s Tavern, known for its massive TV screens, cheap beer options, great food and a pool hall. Or check out Steamer’s Sports Pub, complete with enough TVs to catch every chip shot.
Where to Stay
In town for a golf getaway? Spend your time at one of these nearby golf courses, along with the Quail Hollow club.
The Ballantyne is a quintessential luxury hotel, complete with a spa and dining options, while the AC Hotel by Marriott Charlotte Ballantyne offers a central location with a view, and both are less than a five-minute drive from the Ballantyne Country Club, one of the area’s premier golf clubs.
If you want to play a few rounds at the lauded Myers Park Country Club or Carmel Country Club, or watch a tournament at Quail Hollow Club, then you have plenty of places to lay your head near each club, such as the AC Hotel by Marriott Charlotte SouthPark, Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark and Charlotte Marriott SouthPark.
Where to Play
Hit the green at one of Charlotte’s two dozen public and private golf courses. Some of the most popular include the Myers Park Country Club, Carmel Country Club, Rocky River Golf Club, and Highland Creek Golf Club. Read more about the must-play golf courses in Charlotte.
Charlotte is also home to two TopGolf locations where you can hit a few rounds with friends and grab drinks while you’re there. Check out Puttery, an adults-only miniature golf experience like no other complete with a bar, indoor and outdoor lounge areas, and themed golf courses. Get your put-put on at Monster Mini Golf Charlotte, featuring a glow-in-the-dark mini-golf experience.
Article originally written by Anders J. Hare. Updates by Arielle Patterson in April 2025.
