Carolina National Golf Club

Divided between three nine-hole courses – the Egret, the Heron and the Ibis – Carolina National Golf Club is nestled along the Lockwood Folly River in Brunswick County, North Carolina. The combination of any two of the three nines play at around yards from the tips, but with five separate tees, the trio provides a solid-yet-fair challenge for players of all levels. Some of the highlights for this Fred Couples/Gene Bates design include Egret’s No. 2, a par-4, 427-yard hole that bends around a small lake to the left and incorporates two oversized bunkers on the right. There’s also the challenging par-3 No. 5 on Heron, a 205-yard hole buried deep enough in the native trees that it almost feels cut off from the rest of the course. And don’t forget the Ibis. Those who play there get one of the more original finishes on the Carolina coast. The split fairway on this 394-yard par 4 is separated by large waste bunker. Those who take the left must contend with a large pond on the approach; go right, and a star-shaped bunker comes into play.

Carolina National Golf Club, which also features a 14,000 square-foot putting and chipping green and a 320-yard driving range, is located just across the North Carolina border in Bolivia, a short drive up U.S. 17 from the heart of the Myrtle Beach area.

Carolina National Golf Club recently received an overall rating of 8.6 from reviewers at Myrtle Beach Golf Insider, with exceptionally high marks for its fairways and staff. The 27-hole course has also been honored as a one of the East Coast’s finest courses by Golf Digest. Additionally, the course holds the distinction of being an Audubon-Certified Sanctuary Golf Course, meaning it has established itself in the golf community while preserving the environment and local wildlife.

 

Carolina National Golf Club Course Course Reviews

overall reviews
/5 Course Layout
/5 Customer Service
/5 Course Condition
/5 Clubhouse

recent reviews

David

Date Played: 08/07/2021
100 0

After coming to the Grand Strand for years for our annual golf trip we finally decided to make the trek to Carolina National. It is very playable design that uses hills, dog legs, and interesting bunker shapes to make the course engaging. The course condition was great, and the greens were impressively fast even though we got hit with a shower for 15 minutes during our round. Due to recent rains it was cart path only and we discovered some of the worst concrete cart paths we have seen. We had to drive more slowly on the paths than we would have been able to on the grass because of the huge heaving slabs on the path. There are a few scenic holes on the marsh that are noteworthy, but other courses provide more (Rivers Edge, Tidewater). Overall, our group decided that Carolina National provides a quality golf experience that is attractively priced to make the long drive from Myrtle Beach worth it.

Richard

Date Played: 05/07/2021
100 0

Excellent great staff!!!! Lou was awesome!!!

Vincent

Date Played: 04/30/2021
100 0

Beautiful course

Gary

Date Played: 05/13/2020
100 0

Greens were a little firm. They had been top dressed but still rolled true. I’ve played it before and will play it again.

Ray

Date Played: 03/08/2018
100 0

Horrible conditions from tee to green. So bad that the course design which is good could not save this place. Stay away.

JD

Date Played: 09/22/2017
100 0

Played 09/22/2017 - The course is a gem; in great condition; tee boxes (neat), fairways (lush) and greens (fastest on Grand Strand). The staff was cheerful and presented a professional attitude at every stage. Yardage book or GPS device a must, to avoid trouble with smart accurate shots; greens hold well, and putting on true fast undulated greens was a great experience.

Rick

Date Played: 09/22/2016
100 0

My group played all 27 holes on a deal where you get 27 holes and lunch. We had a great time. The golf course was in excellent condition. Not complaints. The greens putted very true and were moderately fast for summertime conditions. Speed of play for a Saturday was good. We were held up on a few holes but still all in all good pace of play. The staff is very friendly and the food in the grill was excellent. I had a bacon cheeseburger and it was one of the best, cooked perfectly (medium-rare), that I have had. This was my 2nd timed playing Carolina National and I definiely would recommend playing it.

David

Date Played: 09/15/2015
100 0

After 2 terrible experiences a few years ago, our group was glad to see Carolina National is back! The greens were nearly perfect and the rest of the course was fantastic. It's a beautiful facility and a great course. So happy to see the conditions are now up to par.

George

Date Played: 03/20/2015
100 0

Hard greens with little or no grass. Pins on slopiest part of greens. Tees way back. Wouldn't think the average golfer would enjoy this. Used to love this course but the maintenance seems to be slipping. Cart attendant didn't seem to be interested in handling our bags even though you can't take carts into the parking lot.

JJ

Date Played: 03/17/2015
100 0

Used to love this course but greens in terrible shape. They used the old dormant Bermuda excuse but it seemed that on the greens with the least grass the pins were placed on the slopiest portion of the green. Also most holes were cut poorly giving the volcano effect around the hole. The gold tees were all back as far as possible making them play almost as long as the black tees. Not much fun for the average golfer.

Art

Date Played: 10/28/2014
100 0

Wayne

Date Played: 06/03/2014
100 0

Par 3s are tough

William

Date Played: 04/17/2014
100 0

OK

Pascal/Louise

Date Played: 03/12/2014
100 0

Fantastic

Todd

Date Played: 01/15/2014
100 0

Good

Mike

Date Played: 09/30/2013
100 0

Really good

Randy

Date Played: 09/02/2013
100 0

OUTSTANDING!!!! This is the first time we played the course. Trust me, it won't be the last. The course was in great shape from tee to green. I preferred the bent grass greens on the IBIS course, but can understand why they are making the change to the Bermuda greens.

W.B.

Date Played: 03/21/2013
100 0

My wife and I met a couple we know Sunday at Carolina National for an afternoon round of golf. What a disappointment, for a supposed 4 and 1/2 star golf course it really fell short. I have played the courses up and down the Grand Strand all winter and this one was in the worse condition of any we have played. The fairways were spotty and the greens very lumpy and inconsistent. We spent most of the time on the Ibsis nine with two or three groups backed up on every tee box. We made the turn at 2 hours and 45 minutes with two groups on the tee. We were looking at a 6 hour round with no player assistant people seen all day. We decided to leave. On the way out my friend went into the Pro Shop to register our complaint about the conditions and slow play. Only to be met with total disconcern from the young man behind the counter who's answer was No one else has complained. I will not travel the distance from Myrtle Beach to play this course again nor would I suggest it as a course to play to any of my friends or anyone who would ask.

Michael

Date Played: 03/18/2013
100 0

Everyone, was friendly, knowledgeable, and respectful. I really enjoyed the course, but a little long for seniors, but I still shot under 100. Enjoyed the round and would come back.

Steven

Date Played: 03/01/2013
100 0

Liked the entire layout of the course. The 5 choices of tee boxes make this course playable for all skill levels. I got paired with 2 gentlemen who knew the course and were an absolute blast to play golf with. Will definetely play this course again.

Stephen

Date Played: 01/24/2013
100 0

Me and my buddies from OH played there yesterday. The course was in great shape. I could have shot better, but oh well! The lunch and beers they included was outstanding. Couldn't ask for more. It took a while to get here, but that's ok. I will definitely be back next year!

Charles

Date Played: 11/11/2012
100 0

(Would like to have known prior to play) that there would be frost delay.

Charlie

Date Played: 10/28/2012
100 0

Good.

Marlin

Date Played: 10/22/2012
100 0

Course was overseeded, which made it play slow.

George

Date Played: 10/18/2012
100 0

Very good.

James

Date Played: 05/02/2012
100 0

Fairways were cut very tight. Greens were very slow.

Darren

Date Played: 04/02/2012
100 0

Very pleased with this one. First round on the trip. Overnighted in Wilmington on my drive to MB. Wanted to play something on the way to MB today. Will do it again. Good range, good practice green. Very fair layout. Played Heron & Ibis nines. Ibis nine is more course management with a few blind tee shots. Yardage book really helped & leaving the driver in the bag for some tee shots is the smart play for the longer hitters on some holes. Green ran pretty quick & rolled very true. Little round, fairways cut nicely & in good shape. Staff were friendly as well & paired me up with another single & a couple of members. Thanks for a good day.

Robert

Date Played: 11/04/2011
100 0

Clean, well maintained, friendly staff. Very challenging from the back tees particularly on a windy day. Not my favorite but a nice course to play occasionally.

Gregory

Date Played: 11/01/2011
100 0

Nicest course we played this trip.

Scott

Date Played: 10/20/2011
100 0

Greens were slow, shaggy and on the back 9 most greens had sand patches on them. Nice layout, too bad greens leave a bad taste.

Joe

Date Played: 09/03/2011
100 0

Nice layout and facilities, but if staying in MB, the 52-mile drive is a tough one. Be sure to ask about conditions of greens. Otherwise, beautiful course and friendly service.

Vincent

Date Played: 05/18/2011
100 0

Great course if driving to or from Myrtle.

Mike

Date Played: 05/03/2011
100 0

If you don't mind the drive, this 27 holes is a great value. Beautiful facilities and 3 diverse 9 holes. Heron 9 are great. Greens rolling true and fairways are good. With a little more rain and heat the course will be perfect. Worth the drive.

Benoit

Date Played: 03/30/2011
100 0

A good hour drive from central MB, OK for a stop on the way back north. The course is in good condition but I had the feeling of walking in a members-only environment. Was paired with a member who is the type to throw his golf bag into the pond, that did not help my day. Will be back with a full foursome later. Did not serve full breakfast.

Pete

Date Played: 03/29/2011
100 0

Fun course. Our foursome had a great time and the staff was awesome.

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