Planning a golf trip is half the fun - especially in a destination like North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands, where group leaders enjoy a choice of more than 30 golf courses, great restaurants, and stunning coastal views.

Here’s a three-day itinerary that blends golf, food, and relaxation to showcase the best of coastal North Carolina.

Day 1 – Arrive & Settle In (Afternoon Round)

 

Round 1: Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club

After checking in, it’s time to shake off the travel and tee it up at Sandpiper Bay, a 27-hole Dan Maples design featuring the Sand, Piper, and Bay nines. Wide fairways make it the perfect course to start your trip, giving everyone a chance to post a good score.

outdoor seating at a waterfront seafood restaurant in Calabash, NC

Dinner: Waterfront Seafood Shack

You’ve come to the coast for a reason, so head to the Waterfront Seafood Shack and enjoy fresh, local seafood and get an early taste of the serenity and beauty that make the Brunswick Islands so popular. An order of fish tacos, flounder or shrimp can help set the tone.

 

Day 2 – 36 Holes & Seafood Dinner

a trio of golfers on a green surrounded by water on River's Edge Golf Course

Round 2: Rivers Edge Golf Club

Head to Shallotte for a bucket-list round at Rivers Edge, one of Arnold Palmer’s most scenic designs. With seven holes running along the Shallotte River, this course has earned national acclaim, including a spot among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. The views are unforgettable, and the challenge will test your game.

Lunch: Rivers Edge Clubhouse

Between rounds, refuel in the clubhouse while taking in elevated views of the ninth and 18th greens with the river as your backdrop.

Round 3: Sea Trail Jones Course

Your afternoon round takes you to Sunset Beach and the Rees Jones Course at Sea Trail Resort. Known as the “Open Doctor” for his work on U.S. Open courses, Jones crafted a layout framed by mounding, towering pines, and water on 11 holes. It’s a course that demands focus but rewards precision.

Dinner: Ocean Isle Fish Company

After 36 holes, relax with an open-air, waterfront dinner at Ocean Isle Fish Company. Watch the fishing boats bring in the day’s catch, then enjoy it fresh on your plate. Head upstairs to the Gmack Tiki Bar for a sweeping view of Ocean Isle Beach, the perfect cap to a marathon day.

 

Day 3 – A Memorable Farewell

a golf course green surrounded by a body of water at Crow Creek Golf Club

Round 4: Crow Creek Golf Club

Your final round takes you to one of the area’s most underrated courses: Crow Creek. Designed by Rick Robbins, the course winds along the Caw Caw River with water in play throughout. Crow Creek also features the rare treat of bentgrass greens, widely considered the game’s premier putting surface.

Afternoon: Toes in the Sand

No Brunswick Islands vacation is complete without time on the beach. After 72 holes, unwind with a walk along the Atlantic, dip your toes in the surf, and soak in the Carolina coast one last time.

Farewell Dinner: The Boundary House

End your trip at a local institution, The Boundary House. Known for its fresh seafood and steaks, the menu offers something for everyone, and every dish delivers. Raise a glass here as it’s the perfect way to toast a trip you’ll be talking about long after you leave.

To learn more about golf in North Carolina's Brunswick Islands and start planning your trip, please visit www.ncbrunswick.com/golf.