Tot Hill Farm Golf Club

Tot Hill Farm Golf Club opened in 2000 on a 400-acre family farm in Asheboro, NC, designed by Mike Strantz — who moved into the on-site farmhouse during design to fully inhabit the land. The course name honors the three Yates family children: Tucker, Ogburn, and Toler.

Strantz called it his finest work. He used a small horse nicknamed "Little Man" to survey the steep, rocky terrain (a local brewery later honored the horse with "Little Man Lager"). His original pencil sketches hang in the 1851 farmhouse clubhouse.

After flood damage in 2003–04 and years of deferred maintenance, new owner Pat Barber launched a $3 million restoration in 2023. The renovation converted all greens to Prizm Zoysia (only the second course in the US to use it), removed 1,200+ trees, restored the 15th waterfall, and reinstated Strantz's original three-tier 13th green. The course reopened Labor Day 2023 and earned a spot on Golf Magazine's Top 100 Courses You Can Play 2024–25.

Tot Hill Farm sits at the foot of the Uwharrie Mountains in central NC and delivers a mountain-course experience with extreme elevation changes on nearly every hole. Betty McGee Creek winds through the property, affecting strategy on all five par 3s.

Strantz built wide fairways — the course looks far more penalizing from the tee than it plays. Trust the width. The Prizm Zoysia greens are firm and fast, requiring precise approach shots to the correct tier. Being on the wrong level can turn a 2-putt into a 4-putt.

The 1851 farmhouse clubhouse displays Strantz's original pencil sketches. Five par 3s (unusual for an 18-hole layout) and four par 5s make for a varied, memorable round.

Trust the width — fairways are wider than they appear. As Strantz himself said: "Take what the golf course gives you."

Green tier management is everything. Always identify which tier the pin is on and land on that tier or below — never above. False fronts (especially No. 17) punish short approaches.

Uphill holes (4, 9, 18) play significantly longer than the scorecard. Club up by one or two clubs.

Know Betty McGee Creek. Favor the side of the fairway that gives the best angle away from water on approach.

Hole 15: aim center of the green — the waterfall backdrop is beautiful but the surrounding stream penalizes greed. Birdie is very makeable from the middle.