Salem Glen Country Club, Clemmons, NC

Salem Glen Country Club is one of Central North Carolina’s premier golf destinations and home to the only Jack Nicklaus Design in the Triad area. Over the years Salem Glen has garnered national acclaim by earning a prestigious 4-star ranking as one of Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play. Year after year local golfers and visitors alike rate it as one of the best golf courses in the area.

Nicklaus had a beautiful piece of property to work with and took full advantage of the natural terrain, including over 150 feet of elevation changes, four and a half miles of creeks, and nine lakes. The front nine is more of a links-style layout with five holes set in the Yadkin River basin. As you make your way around the outward nine, you’ll find generous fairways and strategically placed water hazards.

The first hole plays 395 yards and begins with a blind tee shot followed by an approach that plays significantly downhill into a green that is a lot wider than it is deep. If you hit it long, you may get lucky and get a kick back down the hill onto the putting surface.

The 4th hole is Salem Glen’s signature hole and features the most significant elevation change of any hole on the course. It’s a 529-yard par 5 that starts from an elevated tee box and requires you to avoid a creek that meanders down the left side as well as trees on the left. Play your tee shot out towards the fairway bunkers on the right. Your next shot requires a decision to try and carry the lake or layup short of it. The wise play for most is to layup and leave yourself around a 100-yard approach shot.

The back nine is more of what you’d expect from a golf course in this part of the country. Holes are tree-lined and mountainous with dramatic elevation changes including a tee shot that must carry a 70-foot-deep ravine.

Number 11 is a very picturesque hole, especially from the elevated back tees. It’s a short, 328-yard par 4 with hills and trees on the left and a pond, sand, and lone pine tree on the right to frame the fairway. The hills on the left side can be carried by long-ball hitters. Shorter hitters will find that these hills can also push your tee shot back into the fairway. You want to keep your tee shot left to take the water and fairway bunker on the right out of play and give yourself a clear approach shot to the green. The green slopes right to left.

The 13th hole is a breathtaking 355-yard par 4 that starts from an extremely elevated tee box and plays downhill. Your approach shot plays uphill and at least one extra club. A bunker guards the left side of the green which slopes right to left and is one of the smallest putting surfaces on the course.

What goes up must come down and after an uphill climb on the 13th hole, Number 14 is a 550-yard par 5 that plays downhill, over a ravine. Since it does play downhill, a good drive will leave a decision whether to go for the green on your 2nd shot. Should you decide to gamble, you’ll need to carry the wetlands that front this shallow green cut into the hillside.

The 17th hole is a scenic and difficult par 3 that plays 172 yards from the Blue tees. The hole plays slightly downhill and is flanked by creeks in front and behind the large green. It seems to be the Member’s favorite.

Salem Glen is a course designed for players who love the game and offers fun and excitement for players of all skill levels.

There are five sets of tees ranging from the Gold Tees which play 6,714 yards with a course rating of 73.1 and a slope of 138 to the Red Tees (4,606/68/118). The Blue Tees (6,297/71.2/134) provided a good test of golf and still let me leave with a little dignity.

Salem Glen is just a short drive from several North Carolina metropolitan areas including Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Lexington.

Salem Glen is becoming a popular place to host events because it can accommodate events from 8 to 200 people regardless of the time of year. Indoor and outdoor event space is available year-round and is the perfect venue for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, golf outings, or family gatherings. The golf facility is quickly becoming the area’s number one choice for golf outings large and small. Each year they host hundreds of corporate outings, charitable and non-profit fund-raisers, and get-togethers for small businesses or groups of friends. Whether you're looking to put together a golf event for you and your buddies or you are wanting to construct a charity event, Salem Glen's professional and dedicated staff will help ensure that your day is enjoyable and fondly remembered by all who attend.

The Golf Shop carries a wide selection of all the latest and greatest golf apparel, shoes, equipment, and accessories. Choose from top brands and models from Callaway, TaylorMade, and Titleist. If you time it just right, you may just catch a Demo Day and hit one of these fine companies’ new gear. And Salem Glen’s Director of Instruction, Jimmy McMullen can help you fine-tune every aspect of your game. He has been helping golfers from across the Carolinas play better golf and have more fun.

If you live in the area and want to take full advantage of everything Salem Glen has to offer, consider becoming a member. And, since Salem Glen Golf and Country Club is privately owned, members are never assessed any operating or capital assessments expenses.

Jack's Grille and The Grille at the Glen are perfect venues for everything food and drink-related; from a romantic dinner with that special person to hanging out with friends. Both offer a bright and inviting atmosphere, delicious cuisine, full bar service, and an extensive wine list. For golfers on the go, the Quick Turn Menu offers hot dogs, wraps, and sandwiches including an all-time family favorite, the Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich. After your round come in and fuel up on a full lunch menu that includes appetizers such as Loaded Potato Chips and entrees that include salads, pizzas, and burgers. Dinner is served Wednesday – Sunday and includes dishes such as Pan Seared Grouper and Grilled Angus Filet Mignon. No matter what you order you won’t leave hungry.

Salem Glen offers a variety of memberships including Full Golf, Junior Golf, Senior Golf, Pool, and Social Memberships. As a Member, you’ll be entitled to unlimited access to the practice facility and golf course with green fees, discounts on food and beverages and in the pro shop, complete access to the swimming pool, access to member-only events, and the Member’s Only Locker Room, and much more. Monthly dues are extremely affordable for both individuals and families.

The course has made a remarkable turn-a-round. A must play!!

All of these reviews from 2008 are old and inaccurate. I have played several times over the past few months (as well as other courses in the area) and Salem Glen is by far the best. You can choose your level of difficulty from multiple tees and the greens are like glass, true and fast.