Golfers planning a trip to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands have no shortage of choices. The area is home to more than 20 courses, ranging from layouts with a top 100 pedigree to the under-the-radar tracks that have helped make this stretch of the Carolina coast such an appealing destination.
But great golf doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag. With that in mind, here are five Brunswick Islands courses that should be on the itinerary of golfers looking to maximize both their experience and their budget.
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Crow Creek Golf Club
If the goal is finding a course that plays above its price point, Crow Creek Golf Club in Calabash is an easy place to start.
The Rick Robbins design can stretch to more than 7,100 yards, but its appeal isn't rooted in length. Generous landing areas and well-bunkered greens are at the heart of the course’s appeal.
Why it's a value: Crow Creek delivers much of what golfers expect from higher-priced resort courses - an appealing layout, strong conditions and a quality overall experience - without breaking the bank.
Photo courtesy of Meadowlands Golf Club
Meadowlands Golf Club
Meadowlands Golf Club is another Calabash-area course that makes a compelling case for golfers watching their budget.
A Willard Byrd design, Meadowlands gives golfers plenty of room off the tee and features a layout that encourages aggressive play. From the customer service and conditions to the forgiving design, this is a player-friendly facility.
Why it's a value: Meadowlands offers a resort-golf experience at a value price.
Photo courtesy of Olde Fort Golf Course
Olde Fort Golf Course
Every great value list needs a true local option, and Olde Fort fills that role nicely.
Located in Winnabow, Olde Fort Golf Course isn't trying to compete with the sprawling clubhouses and elaborate amenities of the region's resort courses. Instead, its appeal is much simpler: golf. Designed by Rayford Trask and opened in 1989, Olde Fort is a traditional par-72 layout that measures approximately 6,400 yards and features Bermuda grass.
Why it's a value: Olde Fort provides an affordable, straightforward round that allows golfers to enjoy 18 holes at a price that’s hard to beat.
Photo courtesy of Brunswick Plantation Golf Resort
Brunswick Plantation Golf Resort
Brunswick Plantation Golf Resort in Calabash offers 27 holes - the Azalea, Magnolia and Dogwood nines - providing golfers with variety before price even enters the equation, giving value-conscious players another reason to take a look.
Why it's a value: Twenty-seven holes, replay opportunities and attractive stay-and-play options give golfers multiple ways to stretch their vacation dollars.
Photo courtesy of Oak Island Golf Club
Oak Island Golf Club
Value isn't always measured strictly by the green fee.
Sometimes location and experience enter the equation, and that's part of the appeal of Oak Island Golf Club.
For visitors staying on Oak Island, the convenience alone is significant, allowing golfers to tee it up close to where they're vacationing. The course’s coastal setting gives the round a distinctive sense of place and makes it an easy addition to any golf trip.
Why it's a value: For golfers staying on or near Oak Island, the combination of location, convenience and a quality layout can be every bit as valuable as saving a few dollars on the green fee.
Book Your Next Golf Trip
The best value isn't necessarily found on the lowest-priced tee sheet. It's found when you walk off the 18th green, think about the course you just played and the money you spent, and arrive at one simple conclusion: 'I'd happily pay that to play here again.'
Crow Creek, Meadowlands, Olde Fort, Oak Island Golf Club, and Brunswick Plantation all deliver on that promise.
If you are ready to experience everything a Brunswick Islands golf trip has to offer, start planning your next stay-and-play vacation at www.NCBrunswick.com.