Top Golf Course Picks from Coastaway Vacations
North Carolina’s Ocean Isle Beach is a prime destination for golfers–pros and amateurs alike.
Just over the state line from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the Ocean Isle Beach golf courses available within minutes of Ocean Isle offer an array of world-class golf courses, each with its unique charm and challenges.
From classic courses to modern designs, golf enthusiasts have plenty of options to choose from.
Here are the top seven golf courses near Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina:
Leopard’s Chase Golf Club
Leopard’s Chase Golf Club is a stunning course that offers an exceptional golfing experience. Located nearby in Sunset Beach, it’s part of the Big Cats family of golf courses and features well-manicured fairways, challenging bunkers, and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
The course was designed by Tim Cate and offers golfers an exciting challenge with its undulating terrain, water hazards, and unique hole designs, including an island green on hole #5 and a man-made waterfall with cascading waters down a wall of boulders on the final hole.
Leopard’s Chase is located at 6330 Castlebrook Way Ocean Highway West, Sunset Beach, North Carolina. For more info or to book a tee time, visit the Leopard’s Chase website.
Thistle Golf Club
The Thistle Golf Club is a unique Scottish-inspired course that offers an unforgettable golfing experience. Named for the legendary Thistle Golf Club, the course features a traditional links-style design with a modern twist.
The difference at Thistle Golf Club is evident from the moment you step up to the tee on hole #1. While most courses space tee times at intervals of 8 minutes, this majestic public course sends players off at 10 minute intervals down a course meticulously maintained, providing an experience and leisurely pace of play harkening back to the Links at Leith at Edinburgh, considered the birthplace of golf, where the original Thistle Golf Club played in the 19th century.
Thoughtfully planned and flawlessly designed by Tim Cate, Thistle Golf Club consists of two par 36 courses and a par 35, with abundant water features, difficult, deep bunkers and unpredictable ridges around every turn.
Thistle Golf Club is located at 1815 Olde Thistle Club Road, Sunset Beach, NC 28468. For more info or to check available tee times, visit the Thistle Golf Club website.
Tiger’s Eye Golf Links
Another of Tim Cate’s dazzling course designs, Tiger’s Eye Golf Links is a must-play course for any golf enthusiast visiting Ocean Isle Beach.
Part of the Big Cats Golf course family and a favorite destination for visitors to Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas. Tiger’s Eye features rolling fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and challenging water hazards.
Situated among the tall Caroline pines and naturally occurring sand hills, this challenging course features 60 ft changes in elevation, links-style play, and scenery unlike anywhere else in the world.
Although Tiger’s Eye can be a challenge, physically, for many, the course can be equally mentally challenging, as sharp dog legs and abundant bunkers require players to be on the money with their drives as well as requiring a serious short game. If you’re looking for a tough course among unparalleled beauty, Tiger’s Eye is the course during your Ocean Isle Beach stay.
Tiger’s Eye Golf Links is located at 360 Ocean Ridge Pkwy SW, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469. For more info or to book a tee time, visit the Tiger’s Eye website.
Sea Trail Golf Resort
Sea Trail Golf Resort is a premier golfing destination that offers three 18-hole courses designed by Rees Jones, Dan Maples, and Willard Byrd, who are legends among golf course designers, and who each put their own spin on each of the three courses at Sea Trail.
The Rees Jones course is a classic, straightforward course with rolling mounded fairways, abundant scenic lakes and water hazards, and towering pines.
The Dan Maples course is a traditional southern medium-length course featuring copious oaks and pines, and exciting short-game play.
The Willard Bird course requires cunning play, as painfully tight tree lines, greenside bunkers aplenty, and strategically placed water hazards can make even the most stoic golfer cry.
Sea Trail Golf Resort is located at 75A Clubhouse Rd, Sunset Beach, NC 28468. For more info or to check available tee times, visit the Sea Trail Golf Resort website.
The Pearl Golf Links
The Pearl Golf Course is a unique course that offers stunning views of the Calabash River and Intracoastal Waterway. The course features two 18-hole courses, the East Course and the West Course, each with its unique layout and challenges.
Golfers can enjoy well-manicured fairways, challenging greens, and water hazards as they navigate through this true treasure among North Carolina links.
The player’s favorite, The Pearl Golf Course is a must-play course for any golfer visiting Ocean Isle Beach.
The Pearl Golf Course is located 1300 Pearl Blvd SW, Calabash, NC 28467. For more info or to book a tee time, visit the The Pearl Golf Links website.
Rivers Edge Golf Club
Rivers Edge Golf Club is a stunning course that offers a unique golfing experience.
Designed by Arnold Palmer, this simply breathtaking course offers a challenging layout that requires strategic play to come in under par.
The course features breathtaking views of the Shallotte River and well-manicured fairways that wind through natural marshes and forests.
Known for its reputation for being one of the most immaculately maintained courses along the east coast, Rivers Edge Golf Club is a must-play course for any golfer visiting Ocean Isle Beach.
River’s Edge Golf Club is located at 2000 Arnold Palmer Dr, Shallotte, NC 28470. For more info or check available tee times, visit the River’s Edge website.
Crow Creek Golf Club
Crow Creek Golf Club is a beautiful course that offers a fun and challenging golfing experience for beginners and expert players, making it a popular destination among locals and tourists alike.
The course features well-manicured fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and challenging greens, making this a favorite destination for groups looking to golf during their visit to Ocean Isle Beach.
Known for its tifsport bermuda fairways and V8 bent grass greens, the greens at Crow Creek run fast and smooth, reminding many players from Canada and the northeast seaboard of their beloved home courses.
Crow Creek Golf Club is located 1300 Pearl Blvd SW, Calabash, NC 28467. For more info or to book a tee time, visit the Crow Creek Golf website.
A Golfer’s Paradise
Situated just up the road from Myrtle Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, is home to some of the best golf courses in the country. Each course offers a unique golfing experience, with challenging layouts, stunning views, and exceptional amenities. Whether you’re a serious golfer or a casual player, there’s a course near Ocean Isle Beach that’s perfect for you.
To book accommodations for your one-of-a-kind Ocean Isle Beach golf vacation, visit the Coastaway Vacations website to learn about the exciting properties and rentals available within minutes of the region’s best golf courses.
