This is more critical than normal directly as a consequence of the article that claims this is the #7 course in the world.
It IS the exact course this area needs and could be 5 stars, but i be trying to manage potential visitors' expectations here.
Tee signs seem to be already out of date in terms of angles and trees? i don't know. (i will work on a good course guide this summer, but the "x"es on the signs aren't exactly spot on).
ppl intimate with the course are going to have a serious advantage over tourists because of the number of blind tees where you really need to hit an exact spot to have a line at the pin
"Diavolo" implies temptation, but the challenge here is almost entirely distance and skill. The lake (only water challenge and only on 2 holes) is a non issue for pros who can clear 200 ft
(albeit purty), maybe psychological?. Almost every hole (exception is 4) has an ideal approach location that offers multiple avenues if you can throw (350). but i don't feel any possible shot was easier or harder than any other if that makes sense. in other words i don't see the risk/reward choices, but maybe i just haven't seen them yet, there is one hammer throw that would be risky, but there are branches overhanging tee which eliminate it.
Some tee signs show creeks which would be AWESOME if they existed, but they don't (are dry?). i guess you could paint OB markers around the ditches to add some risk of "going long".
"Raised" baskets been overdone imo, and no need for 4-5 holes with it. 22 is a few inches short which is kinda cool. but the elevated concrete "greens" are dumb imo. If anything they eliminate risk because they have spikes that knock disc down 10 feet past pin? Putting a moat around them like castles would be cool and definitely add risk/reward, (amateurs could choose to count penalty or not). hole 14 could have water behind it instead of yet another raised tee, (although the quartz is sexy AF)
For Am tees there is nothing making this course special enough to stand out from like zebulon or unc or pretty much any of thousands 4 star courses
RE: other reviews, not "exactly" "well-maintained"...Was superbly built, but doesn't look like a lot has been done since. most holes have tons of stumps and "mulch"/giant sticks from its creation, which make rolling on a couple of the 900ft holes impossible and just walking without tripping a chore.
Plays way better than UNC after hard rain, but i don't see some of the holes' grass holding up to increased foot traffic long term. Cary does seem to have budgeted money tho, as i see tons of expensive rubber mats and hints of tiling
Rough is moderately forgiving. i guess if your drive is bad, there is some risk to try an ill-advised long, second-shot through a less than optimal line, but for the most part you can still advance reasonably even if you hit the rough.
No:
huge elevation holes,
creeks,
waterfalls,
Some tight arrow shots, but the only "tunnel" holes aren't true tunnels (this could be a pro, and as course matures, the foliage will change probably for the better)