Behind the Greens: Fall Golf in the Blue Ridge Mountains By Brian Weis

Behind the Greens: Fall Golf in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Why Fall is the Best Time for Golf in North Carolina

By Brian Weis

As the grind of summer winds down and the cool, crisp air begins to filter in, golfers and superintendents alike get giddy at the thought of the fall golf season. Humidity levels are on the decline, and hot temperatures are giving way to that wonderful mountain air we know and love. The cooler weather is not only good for golfers and golf course employees, but it is also good for the playing surfaces.

Why Fall is the Best Time for Golf in North Carolina

When turf growth slows down, the course plays better. The summer roller coaster of heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms, coupled with the rapid growth of warm-season grass, can create a lush, green course that looks beautiful but often plays soft and slow. While “lush and pretty” works great for photos on social media, it can also mean thicker rough, less roll in the fairways, and slower putting surfaces — all of which stretch out round times.

Golf at Bald Mountain and Apple Valley This Fall

Whether you are at Bald Mountain or Apple Valley, Rumbling Bald delivers one of the best fall golf experiences in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Towering tree-lined fairways, vibrant foliage, and sweeping views of Lake Lure make this season the perfect time to play with family and friends.
Superintendent’s Tips for Fall Golf

Whether you are squeezing in a quick nine after work or making a day of it at Rumbling Bald, here are four simple ways to make the most of your round:

• Watch the ball. Everyone in your group should watch each shot until it lands. Use reference points like trees, bunkers, or markers to make locating balls faster.

• Use bright-colored balls. High-visibility balls, like neon yellow or orange, may not be everyone’s favorite, but they stand out in fallen leaves and save time.

• Play with patience. Our maintenance crew clears leaves and debris throughout the day, especially on putting surfaces. You may encounter leaves in your line, but know the team is working continuously to keep greens smooth and playable.

• Carry a tool for leaves. Old-school methods like sweeping with a towel or hat still work, but today’s small, battery-powered leaf blowers are handy to keep in your cart. They can make a surprising difference during fall rounds.

Experience Fall Golf at Rumbling Bald

Fall golf in North Carolina is as much about the atmosphere as it is about the game. The crisp air, mountain views, and colorful scenery make this season one of the most enjoyable times to play. Whether you choose Bald Mountain or Apple Valley, Rumbling Bald offers a golf experience that feels both challenging and rewarding.

To check availability or book a tee time, call the Pro Shop directly at 828.694.3042.

Revised: 09/04/2025 - Article Viewed 83 Times - View Course Profile

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the mastermind behind GolfTrips.com, a vast network of golf travel and directory sites covering everything from the rolling fairways of Wisconsin to the sunbaked desert layouts of Arizona. If there’s a golf destination worth visiting, chances are, Brian has written about it, played it, or at the very least, found a way to justify a "business trip" there.

As a card-carrying member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA), and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG), Brian has the credentials to prove that talking about golf is his full-time job. In 2016, his peers even handed him The Shaheen Cup, a prestigious award in golf travel writing—essentially the Masters green jacket for guys who don’t hit the range but still know where the best 19th holes are.

Brian’s love for golf goes way back. As a kid, he competed in junior and high school golf, only to realize that his dreams of a college golf scholarship had about the same odds as a 30-handicap making a hole-in-one. Instead, he took the more practical route—working on the West Bend Country Club grounds crew to fund his University of Wisconsin education. Little did he know that mowing greens and fixing divots would one day lead to a career writing about the best courses on the planet.

In 2004, Brian turned his golf passion into a business, launching GolfWisconsin.com. Three years later, he expanded his vision, and GolfTrips.com was born—a one-stop shop for golf travel junkies looking for their next tee time. Today, his empire spans all 50 states, and 20+ international destinations.

On the course, Brian is a weekend warrior who oscillates between a 5 and 9 handicap, depending on how much he's been traveling (or how generous he’s feeling with his scorecard). His signature move" A high, soft fade that his playing partners affectionately (or not-so-affectionately) call "The Weis Slice." But when he catches one clean, his 300+ yard drives remind everyone that while he may write about golf for a living, he can still send a ball into the next zip code with the best of them.

Whether he’s hunting down the best public courses, digging up hidden gems, or simply outdriving his buddies, Brian Weis is living proof that golf is more than a game—it’s a way of life.