A school teacher was taking her first golfing lesson.

"Is the word spelled p-u-t or p-u-t-t?'' she asked the instructor.

"P-u-t-t is correct,'' the instructor replied.

"Put means to place a thing where you want it. Putt means merely a vain attempt to do the same thing.” Which is exactly what Brooks Koepka did to win the United States Golf Open on Sunday – for the second year in a row.

The 118th U.S. Open, which was held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York, is the second of four major championships in golf, and part of both the PGA Tour + the European Tour. While the tournament’s annual tradition dates back to 1898, the history of golf in the United States dates all the way back to 1743 – and it all started just a few hours southeast in Charleston, S.C.

Evidence of the first known shipment of golf equipment to the U.S. arrived from the Scottish port Leith to the Holy City in 1743, delivering 432 balls + 96 clubs. Shortly thereafter, in 1786, South Carolina Golf Club was founded in Charleston – citing our neighboring S.C. as the “birthplace” of American Golf.

Almost 100 years later, the Country Club of Asheville was established in 1894 as Swannanoa Country Club, which was the first golf club in WNC. After a few location + name changes, famous course architect Donald Ross came to Asheville in 1928 to design the 6,638 yard par 71 professional track that it’s known for today (after a small facelift in 2016, that is). Fun fact: He also designed the historic Pinehurst Resort which will host the U.S. Open in 2024 near the N.C. coast.⛳

Whether you’re a club professional, looking to improve your game, or just want an excuse to get outside, we’ve researched some of the best greens in the mountain region.

Courses in Asheville

⛳The Omni Grove Park Inn |📍290 Macon Ave. | 828-252-2711 |💰$70+ |🏌 Built in 1899 and designed by Donald Ross in 1926, this year round resort course is a perfect vacationing spot.

⛳The Country Club of Asheville |📍170 Windsor Rd. | 828-258-9183 |💰Included in membership |🏌This private course was built in 1894 then designed by Donald Ross in 1928 and is year round.

⛳Asheville Municipal Golf Course |📍226 Fairway Dr. | 828-298-1867 |💰$10+ |🏌Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this public golf course was built and designed by Donald Ross in 1927.

Courses right outside of Asheville

⛳The Cliffs at Walnut Cove |📍158 Walnut Valley Pkwy., Arden | 888-247-3466 |💰Included in membership |🏌Built in 2005 and designed by Jack Nicklaus, this premier private course has some of the most amazing mountain views.

⛳Reems Creek Golf Course |📍36 Pink Fox Cove Rd., Weaverville | 828-645-4393 |💰$45+ |🏌 This semi-private course was built in 1989 with the help of Fred + Martin Hawtree and is open year round.

⛳High Vista Country Club |📍88 Country Club Rd., Mills River | 828-891-1986 |💰$29+ |🏌With its high season being April through November, this semi-private and year round course was built in 1976 and designed by Tom Jackson + Lester George.

⛳Cummings Cove Golf & Country Club |📍20 Cummings Cove Pkwy., Hendersonville | 828-891-9412 |💰$25+ |🏌This semi-private course was built in 1985 and designed by Bob Cupp + Gus Grantham making it a great place for year round fun.

⛳Broadmoor Golf Links |📍101 French Broad Ln., Fletcher | 800-238-5795 |💰$24+ |🏌Built in 1993 and designed by Karl Litten, this semi-private course is provides great views of the French Broad River Valley.

⛳Black Mountain Golf Course |📍17 Ross Dr., Black Mountain | 828-669-2710 |💰$10+ |🏌Open to the public, this year round course was built in 1929 and designed by Donald Ross.

⛳Springdale Country Club |📍200 Golfwatch Rd., Canton | 800-553-3027 |💰Included in membership |🏌With lovely views of Cold Mountain, Sugar Top + Rocky Face, this course was built in 1968 and provides a very scenic golfing experience.

As of now, my golfing experience consists of learning how to tee up with my grandmother during elementary school. But, I will say I sure play a mean game of putt-putt. 😏

On the flipside, I have been wanting to learn how to golf for quite some time now. Maybe I can convince the AVLtoday team to have our next meeting on the greens?

Have a favorite course which isn’t on this list?

Reply to this email or comment on the article below. And hey, if you want to help a girl out and share a few pointers in the world of golf, let me know that too. 🙌

Happy Hump Day, AVL.

–Audra