The Brunswick Islands are packed with memorable golf, and few architects have left a bigger imprint on the area than Willard Byrd. Whether you're chasing birdies with your buddies or planning a weeklong golf binge, these five Byrd-designed courses belong on your radar.

a golf green with a view of marshland in the background at the Lockwood Folly Country Club

1. Lockwood Folly Country Club

Set along the Lockwood Folly River with views of the Intracoastal Waterway, the Lockwood Folly Country Club has some of Byrd’s most scenic designs.

The routing takes full advantage of the land’s natural contours, weaving through salt marshes, hardwoods, and gently rolling terrain. The back nine is particularly striking, with several holes hugging the water and testing both nerves and shot-making skill. Despite the dramatic setting, the layout is playable for most skill levels thanks to five sets of tees and generous landing areas.

2. Brunswick Plantation Golf Resort

Byrd teamed with Clyde Johnston to design Brunswick Plantation, a 27-hole property that features the Magnolia, Dogwood, and Azalea nines. Each nine offers a different type of challenge, but all are cut through mature pines and feature Byrd’s signature use of mounding, bunkering, and strategically placed water hazards.

The resort feel and flexibility of three nine-hole layouts make it a great choice for groups, especially those looking to play more than 18 holes in a day without repeating the same course.

a view of a wooden bridge leading to a green on a hole of the Lion's Paw Golf Links

3. Lion’s Paw Golf Links

The first of Ocean Ridge Plantation’s Big Cat courses, Lion’s Paw takes advantage of the property’s natural beauty. Byrd carved the course through dense hardwoods and native wetlands, combining elevation changes with bold bunkering and undulating greens.

The front nine has an inland feel, while the back nine opens up visually and brings more water into play. It’s a great test for golfers looking for outstanding shot variety and risk-reward decisions.

4. Meadowlands Golf Club

Meadowlands is one of the area’s most playable designs, featuring wide fairways, large greens, and a layout that rewards good course management more than raw power.

The natural surroundings are serene, with lakes and meadows providing the namesake scenery. It’s a favorite among seniors and higher handicappers, but still fun and fair for more experienced players.

a wooden bridge over water running along a golf course

5. Sea Trail Resort – Byrd Course

One of three layouts at Sea Trail Resort, the Byrd Course is better than ever following a 2024 renovation that included the installation of new greens and an overhaul of the course’s bunkers. Routed through Carolina pines and dotted with numerous lakes, the layout features narrower fairways and slightly smaller greens than its sister courses.

The Byrd Course rewards precision over power as water comes into play on 10 holes. The challenge, paired with Sea Trail’s amenities and prime location near Sunset Beach, makes it a great anchor for a golf trip.

Willard Byrd might not be as famous as Pete Dye or Jack Nicklaus, but along the Brunswick Islands, his courses deliver the beauty, playability, and value that make for an unforgettable golf trip. That’s doubly the case when they are surrounded by sun, salt air, and Southern hospitality of the Brunswick Islands.

For more information on NC's Brunswick Islands golf please visit www.ncbrunswickgolf.com.