Elk River Club
Course at a glance
Elk River Club is an 18-hole golf course in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina (28604). The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1984. From the Gold Tees tees, Elk River Club plays to 6,778 yards at par 72. The course offers 9 sets of tees ranging from 4,460 to 6,778 yards, giving players of every ability a comfortable length. It carries a slope rating of 143 and a course rating of 73.4, well above the 113 World Handicap System baseline and among the harder courses for mid-handicap golfers. That ranks it harder than roughly 84% of rated golf courses in North Carolina. It is a public course open to daily-fee play. Walking is permitted. A full driving range is available for warm-up and practice. The course is conditioned with bent grass greens and bent grass fairways. Hazards include 41-50 bunkers and water hazards in play. Tee times at Elk River Club are booked through the course's official website or pro shop; Stymie does not show live tee-time inventory.
About Elk River Club
Elk River Club is a 18-hole golf course located in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina (28604). The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and established in 1984. From the Gold Tees tees, the course plays to 6,778 yards with a par of 72. The Gold Tees tees carry a slope rating of 143 and a course rating of 73.4.
Walking is permitted.
With a maximum slope rating of 143, Elk River Club is one of the more challenging courses in North Carolina, playing harder than 84% of rated courses in the state. Golfers should bring their best game and consider playing from a forward tee set for a more enjoyable round.
The course offers 9 tee sets ranging from 4,460 to 6,778 yards, making it accessible to golfers of all skill levels. Choosing the right tees for your handicap is the single biggest factor in how much you enjoy your round.
Par
72
Length
6,778
Slope
143
Rating
73.4
Course Difficulty Analysis
143
This Course
134
NC Average
113
US Average
Based on 332 rated courses in North Carolina
Scorecard
| Hole | Slp | CR | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gold Tees | 143 | 73.4 | 475 | 199 | 548 | 385 | 418 | 497 | 360 | 193 | 414 | 3489 | 369 | 385 | 163 | 317 | 466 | 169 | 507 | 361 | 552 | 3289 | 6,778 |
Gold/Blue Hybrid | 139 | 72.2 | 404 | 199 | 548 | 355 | 373 | 497 | 360 | 193 | 414 | 3343 | 369 | 385 | 163 | 317 | 412 | 169 | 507 | 361 | 494 | 3177 | 6,520 |
Blue Tees | 134 | 71.0 | 404 | 179 | 492 | 355 | 373 | 472 | 339 | 154 | 402 | 3170 | 353 | 358 | 153 | 299 | 412 | 156 | 490 | 342 | 494 | 3057 | 6,227 |
Nicklaus Tees | 129 | 69.5 | 379 | 159 | 452 | 343 | 362 | 464 | 329 | 144 | 369 | 3001 | 345 | 323 | 143 | 292 | 379 | 151 | 480 | 333 | 449 | 2895 | 5,896 |
White TeesWomen's | 135 | 72.6 | 373 | 134 | 446 | 304 | 336 | 413 | 300 | 129 | 339 | 2774 | 321 | 317 | 117 | 285 | 336 | 141 | 424 | 295 | 443 | 2679 | 5,453 |
White TeesMen's | 124 | 67.3 | 373 | 134 | 446 | 304 | 336 | 413 | 300 | 129 | 339 | 2774 | 321 | 317 | 117 | 285 | 336 | 141 | 424 | 295 | 443 | 2679 | 5,453 |
Red Tees | 131 | 69.6 | 335 | 111 | 429 | 279 | 313 | 374 | 273 | 113 | 318 | 2545 | 286 | 302 | 108 | 235 | 309 | 130 | 396 | 277 | 384 | 2427 | 4,972 |
Red Tees | 119 | 65.0 | 335 | 111 | 429 | 279 | 313 | 374 | 273 | 113 | 318 | 2545 | 286 | 302 | 108 | 235 | 309 | 130 | 396 | 277 | 384 | 2427 | 4,972 |
Bear Tees | 124 | 66.9 | 281 | 111 | 352 | 279 | 244 | 374 | 273 | 113 | 261 | 2288 | 286 | 235 | 108 | 235 | 235 | 130 | 353 | 230 | 360 | 2172 | 4,460 |
| Par | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 72 | ||
| HCP | 2 | 16 | 10 | 14 | 4 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 15 | 13 | 3 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 9 |
Which Tees Should I Play?
Elk River Club offers 9 tee sets. Choose the tees that match your handicap for the most enjoyable round. Not sure? Use the tee recommendation calculator with your driver distance.
| Tee | Yards | Slope | Rating | Hcp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Gold Tees | 6,778 | 143 | 73.4 | 0-5 |
Gold/Blue Hybrid | 6,520 | 139 | 72.2 | 5-15 |
Blue Tees | 6,227 | 134 | 71.0 | 5-15 |
Nicklaus Tees | 5,896 | 129 | 69.5 | 12-22 |
White Tees | 5,453 | 135 | 72.6 | 20-30 |
White Tees | 5,453 | 124 | 67.3 | 20-30 |
Red Tees | 4,972 | 131 | 69.6 | 25+ |
Red Tees | 4,972 | 119 | 65.0 | 25+ |
Bear Tees | 4,460 | 124 | 66.9 | 25+ |
Amenities at Elk River Club
Elk River Club features a full driving range, a pro shop. The driving range is available for warmup or practice.
How to Book a Tee Time
Stymie does not currently show live tee-time inventory for Elk River Club. Use the official course website or phone number below to confirm availability and book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elk River Club a public or private golf course?
Elk River Club is a public golf course located in Sugar Mountain, NC. The course is open to the public for daily fee play.
How many holes does Elk River Club have?
Elk River Club is a 18-hole golf course. It was established in 1984. The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus.
What is the yardage at Elk River Club?
From the White Tees tees, Elk River Club plays to 5,453 yards (par 72). The course offers 9 tee sets ranging from 4,460 to 6,778 yards.
What is the slope rating at Elk River Club?
The Gold Tees tees at Elk River Club have a slope rating of 143 and a course rating of 73.4. A slope of 113 is average difficulty; this course is significantly above average difficulty.
Can you walk Elk River Club?
Yes, walking is allowed at Elk River Club. Golf carts are also available.
How do I book a tee time at Elk River Club?
Contact the course directly or call 828-898-9773 to confirm current availability and book. Stymie does not currently show live tee-time inventory; alerts are in development.
What amenities does Elk River Club offer?
Elk River Club offers a driving range, a pro shop.
Where is Elk River Club located?
Elk River Club is located at Hwy 194 in Sugar Mountain, NC 28604. You can reach them at 828-898-9773.
What is the difficulty level at Elk River Club?
Elk River Club is classified as very high difficulty with a maximum slope rating of 143. It plays harder than 84% of golf courses in North Carolina. The average slope rating in North Carolina is 134. A slope rating of 113 represents average difficulty nationally.
Which tees should I play at Elk River Club?
Elk River Club offers 9 tee sets. Gold Tees tees (6,778 yards, slope 143) are recommended for scratch and low-handicap golfers. Bear Tees tees (4,460 yards, slope 124) are recommended for beginners and casual golfers. Choose the tee set where the slope rating is closest to your handicap comfort level.
What is the best tee for beginners at Elk River Club?
Beginners at Elk River Club should play the Bear Tees tees, which play 4,460 yards with a slope of 124. This is the most forgiving tee option and provides an enjoyable round for newer golfers.
What is the course handicap for a 15 Handicap Index at Elk River Club?
A golfer with a 15.0 Handicap Index playing the White Tees tees (slope 135, rating 72.6) at Elk River Club has a course handicap of 19, using the World Handicap System formula: Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope / 113) + (Course Rating − Par). Course handicap is the number of handicap strokes received from that tee — it is not a prediction of what a golfer will score. Enter your handicap index on Stymie to see your course handicap for every tee.
How long does a round take at Elk River Club?
A typical round at Elk River Club takes approximately 4 hours. Expect 3.5 to 4.5 hours depending on pace of play, group size, and course conditions. Weekday rounds tend to be faster than weekend morning tee times.