Bald Head Island Country Club ☆ Follow

The 18-hole Bald Head Island course features 6,855 yards from the longest tees for a par of 72. Designed by George Cobb and opened in 1974, the course plays through maritime forest, around freshwater lagoons and along a dune ridge. The front nine winds through maritime forest and lagoons, while the back nine plays along the Atlantic Ocean coastline. The course features hundreds of sabal palms (the island is the northernmost point where these palms grow naturally), and golfers may spot foxes, herons, egrets, ospreys, and alligators.

The course has a slope rating of 143 and course rating of 73.7. Serious golfers enjoy the challenge while weekend players find it playable from the forward tees. The par 3 16th hole is considered the signature hole, located at one of the highest elevation points with panoramic views of the course and sea, with water in front and along the right side. The course was recently renovated by architect Tim Cate and Links magazine rated it the second-best renovation in the country, just behind Pinehurst No. 2.