Sunset Beach, 3 Rounds in July, Where to play?

[NCgolf135]

Going on a family vacay to Sunset right after the 4th. Probably will be able to play 3 times that week, and will have 4-8 golfers each time. What do you all think are the best courses in the area? Rest of the group won't travel so Myrtle courses are out of the picture. Just the best courses that are within 20 minutes of Sunset pretty much.

[btpd806]

Big cats

[ewe8523]

Sandpiper Bay is my first pick at Sunset Beach in terms of quality / cost. It is usually around $40 in the Summer. The staff is also very friendly.

The Cat Courses are nice, but more expensive and the staff is very rude. I like Tiger’s Eye the best of the four.

Thistle is very highly rated but will cost you more.

Avoid Sea Trail. The prices are way too high for the quality of the course.

Oyster Bay is ok, but I haven’t played there in a few years.

I played at Brunswick Plantation a couple years ago because it was the only place I could get a tee time during that big yearly Golf Channel event. It was ok but I wouldn’t even consider it if Sandpiper Bay is available for the same price.

[lefty1984]

I’d play River’s Edge for sure. Great views, some fun but challenging holes, and it’s only about 20 mins north of you.

Crow Creek is a pretty solid course as well within that same driving time.

Glen Dornoch and Tidewater are courses that would be worth consideration as well. I played Tidewater four times the last year or so, and it was in terrific shape every time, and a few of the holes have views that are hard to beat

[krtgolfing]

100% Thistle.

[ArtMBgolf]

Thistle, The Pearl, Oyster Bay, Rivers Edge are the best.

Sandpiper Bay is an excellent lower cost course.

 

The Big Cats and Sea Trail are not maintained as well as we would like or as well they used to be, but could be ok if Passport has low rates.

 

Farmstead + Crow Creek are good and not far. Boundary House is a good restaurant.

 

[jc2]

ArtMBgolf nailed it. We're done here.

 

Thistle is definately my favorite in the area. Condition, pace of play, service all top notch.

Last time I was at Ocean Isle our group was budget conscious and found a ridiculous deal on The Pearl and had a blast. Not the same condition as thistle but I think we played 4 rounds for less than it would have cost to play 1 at Thistle.

 

I love River's edge but the course conditions seem to vary so much. I enjoy the course and can get over that, but others in the group really didn't like it

 

 

[a13golf]

Thistle, Rivers Edge, Glen Dornach, Crow Creek

[brewcrew9]

Which 9s to play at Thistle if only have time for 18?

[ArtMBgolf]

The Thistle 9's are not a big difference. I feel Stewart/Mackay is the better combo, if you can get it.

[Fuscinator]

The Maples course at Sea trails is hilarious. My father-in-law loved Brunswick Plantation and I always enjoyed it. It's two very different nines. Sandpiper, to me, seems kinda goat tracky. I was very hungover playing Oyster Bay, so don't drink the night before.

[driveandputtmachine]

Cost Conscious - Crow Creek is pretty much the best of the bunch, and it's not close. However the owner sold it last year, so that could change.

Best Course layout/conditions - River's Edge, Oyster Bay. Thistle is not just as memorable to me as the other two, but is good. I would play the Pearl before Thistle (Pearl just went to 27, and they rotate which composite course you play.

Looking to play four rounds? Oyster Bay, Pearl, Crow Creek/Farmstead, and River's Edge. Coming from a guy that lived in Ocean Isle for 7 years and before that vacationed there for the prior 20 years.

[anythingfinite]

We go to Holden Beach every year and I always play Lockwood Folly. Love the course. Sandpiper is fun but pace of play can be AWFUL when you make the turn because of the way they send groups off on the 3 separate 9s.

Brunswick Plantation is closed as of Jan 1st. That and the closing of Brierwood bummed me out.

Magnolia Greens and Cape Fear National up in Leland are worth the drive too.

[ArtMBgolf]

Brunswick isn't closed. It was bought and improved. Are you thinking of some other course?

[islesmb]

He's probably thinking of Brick Landing.

[anythingfinite]

Damn it...youre right. Sorry for the confusion!

[ewe8523]

I’m playing at Sandpiper Bay in 2 weeks. I can report back after that.

[golf_addict73]

If they're willing to make the drive to CFN, which is head and shoulders better condition than Magnolia (Which is saying a lot because Magnolia is always in good shape), I'd recommend Compass Pointe as well. Absolutely beautiful layout (even with it being in a neighborhood) and the conditions are always great. With the ground temp warming up here, the Bermuda has taken off and is greening up everywhere.

[anythingfinite]

My 4 courses I'm playing when I go to Holden in 2.5 weeks:

Lockwood Folly

Carolina Shores

Glen Dornoch

Rivers Edge

The first 2 are sentimental favorites as I've played them for years. The last 2 are new to me.

*edit: I will be calling Magnolia Greens and CFN a week out to try and replace at least one of those tee times.

[ArtMBgolf]

In recent years Lockwood has installed new greens and built a new clubhouse.

 

Carolina Shores is a decent layout, but it's conditions have been poor for years now. I recommend you replace it.

 

Glen Dor + Rivers Edge are challenging and scenic. A lot more upscale than Lockwood + the Dumpy Carolina Shores.

 

 

[anythingfinite]

Yeah, I know that its a pretty wide dispersion on quality. I'm playing these rounds with my dad and brother who are probably 20 HCs at best and my friend who is about an 8. If it was just me, I would be playing only the nicer courses, but I gotta take them to places like Carolina Shores where they feel comfortable.

Honestly, I used to love scruffy old Brierwood and Brick Landing, but both are closed now.

[anythingfinite]

With that said...if you have recommendations for a similar course in the area, that would be rad.

[ArtMBgolf]

Courses in the Calabash/Sunset Beach area that are not expensive, forgiving and a lot nicer than Carolina Shores are:

The Pearl, Sandpiper Bay, Sea Trail. A little farther are: Brunswick + Farmstead.

Oyster Bay has a lot more water/hazard, but if they like a unique course and don't mind some lost balls, it's fun and includes breakfast + lunch.

In the summer, probably not much more net cost than the others.

[anythingfinite]

I've played Sandpiper and the PoP was atrocious. I remember liking the course though.

I will look into the others. Have seen The Pearl a million times and just assumed it was a boring resort course. Thanks!

[sheppy335]

hope you have a good trip and let us know how the courses are looking.

[ewe8523]

I just finished at Sandpiper Bay. The course was in excellent condition. We finished our round in under 4 hours. Played for $30 thanks to GolfNow apparently posting the rates wrong for a few hours when I booked. The regular rate is $60 apparently.

Also drove through Sea Trail which looked to be in great shape too compared to prior years where the fairways looked burnt out.

I’d say most courses in the area are probably in good shape right now given the weather this Spring.