You know the feeling. It’s 8:30 PM on a Tuesday, the sun has officially checked out, and you suddenly realize your short game is a total disaster. Most golf courses are locked up tight by now. The pro shop guys are home, and the fairways are dark. But if you’re anywhere near the Raleigh-Durham area, specifically heading down Ten-Ten Road in Apex, you’ll see those massive stadium lights glowing against the horizon. That’s Knights Play Golf Center. It’s basically the "open late" diner of the golf world, but with better grass and fewer hashbrowns.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a local legend.
For people who work a 9-to-5, or for parents who can’t sneak away until the kids are finally asleep, this place is a lifesaver. It isn’t your typical, stuffy country club where you need a specific type of collar to step onto the grass. It’s accessible. It’s a par-3 course that stays open until midnight most nights. That alone changes the math for anyone trying to actually get better at this frustrating sport.
What You’re Actually Getting at Knights Play Golf Center
Let’s get the logistics out of the way because people always ask the same three things: How many holes? Is it lighted? And do I need to be good?
Knights Play features 27 holes of par-3 golf. That’s three different nine-hole tracks—traditionally called the North, South, and Central courses. Every single one of them is fully illuminated. We’re talking massive, stadium-style poles that make the place look like a Friday night football game from a mile away.
The distance of the holes varies, but you’re usually looking at anything from an 80-yard flick to a 170-yard carry. It’s the perfect range for working on those scoring clubs. If you can’t hit your wedges, you’re going to have a long night.
The Range and the Vibe
Beyond the course, there's a massive driving bag with 60 stations. A good chunk of them are covered and heated, which is a big deal during those weird North Carolina winters where it’s 60 degrees at noon and 30 degrees by 7:00 PM. They use high-quality mats, and the targets are well-marked.
But the vibe is what really sets it apart. You’ll see a guy in a full Nike golf kit grinding on his swing next to a college couple on a date, followed by a group of teenagers just trying to see who can hit the back fence. It’s loud, it’s social, and it’s completely devoid of the gatekeeping you find at private clubs.
The clubhouse is functional. Don't expect a five-star dining experience, but the grill serves up exactly what you want at 10:00 PM: burgers, hot dogs, and cold beer. It’s simple. It works.
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Why the Par-3 Format is Secretly Better for Your Game
Most amateur golfers spend way too much time at the range hitting drivers. It feels good to rip one 250 yards (even if it’s 40 yards offline). But if you actually look at where strokes are lost, it’s within 100 yards of the pin. Knights Play Golf Center forces you to play that "short game" over and over again.
Think about it.
On a standard par-72 course, you might hit your 9-iron twice. At Knights Play, you might hit it nine times in an hour. The repetition is where the muscle memory happens. Because the greens are generally smaller than what you’d find at a championship course like Pinehurst No. 2, your accuracy has to be sharper. You either hit the green or you’re chipping from the Bermuda grass fringe. There is no in-between.
Course Conditions: What to Expect
Let’s be real for a second. This is a high-traffic public facility.
Because it’s open late and stays busy, the tee boxes—which are mostly mats on the course itself—take a beating. The greens are decent, but they aren’t going to be "Masters Tournament" fast. They’re built for durability. If you go in expecting pristine, bentgrass greens that roll at a 12 on the stimpmeter, you’re missing the point. You go here for the convenience and the practice, not to complain about a ball mark.
Breaking Down the Three Courses
Most regulars have a favorite.
- The North Course: Often considered the "standard" loop. It’s got a good mix of lengths and usually serves as the introduction for new players.
- The South Course: Some regulars swear this one plays slightly tougher due to the angles, but it’s mostly anecdotal.
- The Central Course: Great for a quick loop if the others are backed up.
Actually, the "best" course is usually whichever one has the shortest wait time. On a Friday night in May, this place gets packed. You might find yourself waiting a bit at the tee, but since everyone is there to hang out anyway, nobody seems to mind much.
The Financials: Is it Worth the Cash?
Golf is getting expensive.
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Green fees at local muni courses are creeping up toward $60 or $70 for a weekend round. At Knights Play, you can usually walk nine holes for under $20. If you’re a senior or a junior, it’s even cheaper. They also offer "all day" passes and multi-round punch cards that bring the cost down significantly.
For a family of four, you can actually spend an evening here without needing a second mortgage. That’s rare in the modern sports world. Even the buckets of balls are priced fairly compared to the "entertainment" golf chains that charge by the hour. Here, you pay for the balls you hit, which is how it should be.
Instruction and Learning
If you’re a total beginner, this is probably the best place in the Triangle to learn. They have a staff of PGA professionals who offer lessons. Because the environment is so low-pressure, you don't feel the "stage fright" that often comes with learning at a fancy club.
The instructors here are used to working with everyone from scratch golfers to people who have never held a club. They utilize video analysis and have a dedicated area for teaching that keeps you out of the main fray of the driving range.
Surprising Facts About Knights Play
Most people don’t realize that Knights Play is one of the busiest golf facilities in the country. Seriously. Because of the night lighting and the sheer volume of rounds played, their "rounds per year" count is staggering compared to traditional 18-hole courses.
Another weird detail? The wildlife.
Since it’s a massive patch of green in a rapidly developing part of Apex, you’ll often see deer wandering near the edges of the fairways at night, completely unbothered by the giant lights or the sound of a thinned 7-iron. It adds a weirdly peaceful vibe to the whole experience.
Navigating the Peak Hours
If you hate crowds, don't show up at 7:30 PM on a Saturday. Just don't.
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That’s prime time. The range will have a waitlist, and the course will be slow. If you want a peaceful, fast-paced practice session, try a Tuesday night after 9:30 PM. Or, if you’re an early bird, they open at 8:00 AM. The "sweet spot" is often weekday mornings or very late on weeknights.
Also, keep an eye on the weather. If there’s a slight drizzle, the fair-weather golfers stay home, but the lights stay on. Put on a rain jacket, and you’ll have the place to yourself.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
To actually improve your game at Knights Play Golf Center, you have to change your mindset. Don't just go out there and try to "score."
Use the round to practice specific shots. Tell yourself, "I'm going to hit a high draw on every hole," or "I'm only going to use my 56-degree wedge for every shot under 100 yards." Since it’s a par-3, the stakes are low. It’s a laboratory for your swing.
Also, bring your own towel. The rental clubs are fine in a pinch, but they're exactly what you'd expect from rentals. If you have your own gear, bring it. You only need about five or six clubs—don't lug a giant tour bag around a par-3 course. A small "Sunday bag" or even just carrying a handful of irons is the pro move here.
Practical Steps for Your Next Round
If you're planning to head out, here is how to handle it like a local:
- Check the Wind: The range is fairly open, and the wind can swirl. It’s great practice for learning how to flight your ball.
- Download a GPS App: While it’s "just" a par-3, having exact yardages to the pin (rather than just the center of the green) helps you dial in your clubs.
- The "Half-Bucket" Rule: If you’re playing a round, hit a small bucket first. Don’t waste your energy hitting 100 balls before walking nine holes. Warm up the wedges, then head to the first tee.
- Join the Rewards Program: They have a frequent player program. If you’re going to be there once a week, it pays for itself almost immediately.
- Check the Lights: On Sunday nights, they sometimes turn the lights off earlier than Friday/Saturday. Always check their seasonal hours on the website before driving out at 10:30 PM.
Knights Play isn't trying to be Augusta National. It's trying to be a place where you can hit a ball, hang out with friends, and maybe finally stop topping your pitching wedge. It’s a staple of the Apex community for a reason. Whether you're a scratch golfer looking to maintain your edge or a beginner just trying to contact the ball, those lights are a welcoming sight.
Next Steps for Your Visit
To get started, head over to the pro shop and grab a multi-round pass if you plan on visiting more than twice a month; it's the most cost-effective way to play. Before you hit the course, spend exactly 15 minutes on the putting green near the first tee to get a feel for the speed of the Bermuda grass, as it changes significantly after the sun goes down and the dew sets in. Finally, make sure to check their online calendar for any scheduled tournaments or league nights, which can occasionally limit access to certain parts of the 27-hole layout.