Quick Take
Cardinal Country Club in Selma is a classic, no-frills Carolina layout that offers solid value and improving conditions—but it’s still a bit inconsistent depending on when you catch it.
Cardinal Country Club is one of those old-school public tracks that doesn’t try to impress you with flash—it just gives you a straightforward, traditional round of golf. Originally opened in the late 1960s and designed by John Nubin, the course plays around 6,600 yards, par 72, with a slope in the mid-120s range depending on tees.
Set among tall pines with canals, ponds, and bunkers scattered throughout, it’s a very “Carolina-style” course—nothing tricked up, but enough going on to keep you engaged. The routing is simple and walkable, and you can tell it was built to be playable for a wide range of golfers, not just low handicaps.
Course Conditions
The biggest theme here is improvement. Overall golfer sentiment points to a course that has gotten noticeably better over time thanks to recent work by the grounds crew. Fairways and greens are often described as being in good or even excellent condition for the price, with multiple mentions of the course “coming around.”
That said, it’s not perfect. Some players still note inconsistencies—especially after rain, where drainage can be an issue. You’ll also occasionally run into aerated greens or areas that feel like they’re still being worked on. But the trajectory is clearly positive.
Playability & Layout
Cardinal offers a mix of wide-open and tighter holes, which keeps things interesting. You’ll get some breathing room off the tee on certain holes, then others that demand accuracy—especially with tree-lined fairways and a few doglegs that force you to think.
It’s not overly long, but it doesn’t need to be. The course relies more on positioning than distance, making it a good fit for beginners and mid-handicappers, while still giving better players enough to stay engaged. The signature 18th—a long par 5 with a dogleg—finishes the round strong and adds a bit of challenge late.
Overall Experience
This is where things are a bit mixed. On one side, you’ve got a lot of golfers calling it a fun, affordable, and welcoming place to play, with friendly staff and a laid-back vibe. It’s the kind of course that doesn’t feel intimidating and is easy to enjoy.
On the flip side, there are some recurring complaints about pace of play, occasional poor etiquette from other players, and inconsistent pro shop experiences. There are also mentions of operational hiccups—things like delays or lack of amenities on certain days.
Value
This is Cardinal’s biggest strength. It’s consistently described as affordable and worth the money, especially when the course is in good shape. When conditions are solid, it punches above its price point. When they’re not, it still holds up as a budget-friendly option—but expectations should match the price.
Who Should Play This Course
If you’re looking for a cheap, easygoing round near Selma or along I-95, Cardinal is a solid option—especially for beginners or casual players. If you’re expecting pristine, country-club-level conditions every time, this probably isn’t your spot. But if you catch it on a good day, it’s a fun, straightforward round that delivers good value.
My Take
I think this is a great budget golf course option in the Johnston County area. I agree with the overall sentiment that this course is improving constantly with new(er) ownership and from the first time I went there to the second, the course definitely seemed to improve condition wise.
Some really fun holes with my favorite definitely being 18, a par 5 with the approach shot over water with the clubhouse in the background and an initial dogleg left tee shot where you can take a risk and pop it over the trees or just hit it straight and try to get to the green in 3. Overall I really enjoyed this course and found the staff to be great. Many locals seem to refer to this course as “The cardinal!”
Price wise it’s tough to beat and you won’t in Johnston County. An $80/month membership is about what you would play for 1 round at most other courses in JoCo and their regular rates range from $30-$45 for 18 holes.