Exciting Mountain Golf in the High Country
Outside West Jefferson, North Carolina, nestled on a mountain top sits Mountain Aire Golf Club. A public course that offers exciting and demanding mountain golf in the North Carolina High Country. Having played Mountain Aire several years ago, we are anxious to play it again. After a few days of fog and rain, today under beautiful “Carolina blue” skies, we are ready to tackle the Mountain Aire Golf Club.
An Exciting Course with Spectacular Views
Arriving at the No. 1 Tee, this par-5 uphill fairway to an elevated undulating green, begins our exciting afternoon of golf at Mountain Aire. The course definitely exceeds our expectations for challenging golf and fantastic views. Situated in the top of a mountain, Mountain Aire features spectacular scenery as it winds around the mountain. The course has well-maintained fairways and greens that are huge with plenty of undulation. Challenges are unique holes of uphill or downhill fairways, then narrow fairways wedged on hillsides, doglegs to greens a bit hidden, and a few water hazards. Mountain Aire is a challenging and exciting course for golfers of any level. On each hole we quickly learn to carefully check out the score card for the diagram or the granite markers with the hole-layout to determine the best way to play the hole. Even with a Range Finder for determining distance from tee to fairway, as well as, fairway to green with the impact of elevation changes we carefully consider the proper club selection. Each hole brings its own personality and best ways to play it.
A Few Favorite Holes on the Front Nine
Pulling up to the tees on No. 3 a par-4 is breathtaking from the elevation of the tee and looking down to the fairway below. Wow! The tee shot requires confidence and faith in the desired direction to land on what appears to be a small landing area. Errant shots to the left end up on a steep downhill slop – hard to find and difficult to hit. Awesome, Richard’s shots are perfect and he gets a well-deserved par.
As we arrive at the fifth hole, this par-5 hole is initially a bit downhill then a sloping uphill fairway to a huge green. The four of us are pleased with our drives but with the uphill slope the hole plays longer than expected. For me it takes four good shots to reach the green and even then I’m still a long way from the pin. Unbelievable! My putt is on line and drops in the cup at the last minute. I am thrilled with my par.
A finale for the front nine is the par-4 ninth hole. From the elevated tees, it is all downhill with a lake at the bottom and the green not visible from the tee. A stand of trees on the left block any view of the green by the lake. Long hitters must be careful with the lake being in play. The perfect shot for each of us is to play toward the lake, hoping the drive will keep the trees on the left out of play on the second shot. Ugh, two of us are in the trees and the other two are in great shape short of the lake and with clear shots to the green. No one leaves this hole with any bragging rights.
Favorite Holes on the Back Nine
The back nine continues to keep us alert on our golf game as we enjoy the unique holes and scenic views. Waiting for the group ahead to clear, we have a beautiful view of Hole No. 12 a par-4 downhill hole with its view of the lush forests of the Appalachian Mountains. We also like the scene with the church and its steeple. The green is a bit to the left so staying on the right of the fairway is a definite advantage.
Winding up and down with a few valley holes the course still has surprises. Valley holes that we think will be easier feature a creek to cross or greens that are again huge with lots of undulation. Then we arrive at No. 16 a par-3 that is slight uphill with the fairway parallel the road. While this hole is not as scenic it is challenging to play and determine proper club selection. I listen to my playing partners with their range finders giving the distance and choosing their club. I don’t trust it, to me this hole will play longer and I watch each of them miss the green. Going with a longer club it easily reaches the green. Arriving at the green, my shot is just three feet from the pin. Awesome – Birdie!
The grand finale is No. 18 a par-4 downhill to fairways with sloping hillsides on the left. Just looking at the hole with its spectacular views, it brings an unusual layout. Missing the fairway is torture as the grass along the side and on the hillside is difficult to extract a ball. An exciting hole to play but difficult to score well. Only one par in the group on this demanding finishing hole.
An absolutely terrific day of golf from beautiful weather of clear skies and cool temperature on an exciting and scenic golf course. Mountain Aire Golf Club continues to be an amazing course with its many challenges and has us wanting to return again soon to take on this demanding and fun golf course. A special congratulations to Mountain Aire Golf Club for winning the Ashe County 2020 Small Business of the Year Award. The management and staff of Mountain Aire Golf Club work hard to consistently provide an exciting and challenging golf experience in the mountains.
If you go a few other facts and suggestions:
COVID 19 Safety Precautions
Each golfer is either in an individual carts or cart with a plastic screen divider.
There are no rakes and no ball washers.
Masks are required in Pro Shop and only 2 people at a time in the Pro Shop.
Increased sanitation standards are followed to comply with state of North Carolina regulations.
Playing the Course:
Select the best tees for your golf level/handicap. To me this course plays much longer so don’t just look at distance.
There is a Snack Shack to pick up a sandwich before, during and after the round. It has nice picnic tables both covered and open with scenic views of the lake and mountains.
Pace of Play:
We pair up with another twosome, which really helps our pace of play. Being a public course and one of few in the area, Mountain Aire Country Club stays busy during season with tee times filling up quickly. The expected playing time is 4 hours and 20 minutes.
Course Facts:
Public Course
18-Hole golf course
Tees: 7 sets of tees to match golfers of all levels
Blue: Length 6415, Rating/Slope 70.8/130
Blue/White: Length 6104, Rating/Slope 69.5/118
White: Length 5861, Rating/Slope 66.4/110
White/Gold: Length 5400, Rating/Slope 66.4, 110
Gold: Length 4835, Rating/Slope 63.3/107
Gold/Red: Length 4495, Rating/Slope Men -61.9/105, Women – 66.5/115
Red: Length 4139, Rating/Slope Women – 64.5/107