Carolina Club, The

$26 (cart included), played on Sunday, November 2018 at 8:10 AM

I secured the first tee time so they let me play Nine (9) holes for $32/cart with $55 the rate for 18 holes. Being 45 degrees the locals hadn't showed up yet so that's how I got the 9 Holes instead of the normal 18 Hole required.

This is one nice 1998 layout that makes the most out of a flat landscape broken up by sculptured fairways, ponds, trees, and grass/sand bunkers ready for your arrival.

I played Front 9 from Gold tees 3,240 (6,544yd) 71.0 / 124. #1 was a 356yd / Par 4 and #8 was a 350yd / Par 4. These were the easiest holes you'll see on the front 9. #4, a 574yd Par 5 is one tough tee shot from the tips with 285yd to clear traps, so stay down the LH side, or short. If playing from the Blues, 180yd drive makes it a easy 494yd Par 5 to a generous landing area. #5, a 235yd Par 3 (tips) will have you playing for the LH apron side of the green as the RH side is well protected. #6, a 606yd Par 5 and the #1 handicap makes you play LH side all the way and is a "Fader's" nightmare. Nothing but penalties await the righthand side of this hole with bogie a acceptable score. #7, a 166yd Par 3 is their "Sawgrass #17" so pick your safe yardage (166-116) and swing away. #9, a 504yd Par 5 is anything but traditional and offers two choices for your 2nd shot. The split fairway has island fairway LH side (shorter 3rd shot) or RH easier (longer 3rd shot) landing but 160-180yd ALL carry. I was told by the starter, play for a safe bogie your 1st time THEN decide how you would play it the 2nd time, great advise.

Tee boxes were in great shape, fairway sculptured mowed and great grass. Rough was very soft and tough to hit the ball correct distance so I ended up going 1-3 clubs more to get it right. Greens are large but non-typical in shape so center yardage is best choice. Ended up shooting 41 w/18 putts and would love playing the Back 9 at 3,492yds and looked just a challenging as the Front.

When playing #9 hole, look to your left and you get a preview of #18 488yd Par 5 but a little more friendly for your 2nd/3rd shots.

Stop in and you won't regret it, but get an early tee time as 4.5-5hr is normal for foursomes. (Great hole yardage/overview is available)

$76 (cart included), played on Monday, June 2011 at 6am

Played here 6-20-11 during our OBX vacation week. This course is very nice, and is a partner with The Pointe, a few miles down the road.

No elevation change to speak of, so the challenges all come with sand, water, and some moguls. Overall, the designer did well: very playable, but still with some teeth. #9 and #18, both par 5's, are terrific holes, requiring very careful assessment of risk/reward, no matter where your tee shot lands. Course has 5 par 3's and 5 par 5's, so the birdie opportunities are there.

Prices are high, as it is a resort area. Move this layout about 50 miles west and the price would drop in half. However, there is a "combined" rate for Carolina and The Pointe whch saves at least a few bucks. This course is one of about six playable and affordable courses in the Outer Banks area, and ranks with the better ones at this price tier.

My recommendations are here, The Pointe, Nags Head Links, Sea Scape, and Duck Woods. The Currituck Club is way too pricey ($165 weekdays) for the product, and I have not yet played Kilmarlic. Stay clear of Goose Creek in Grandy: it's a dog trsck. Enjoy the re$ort prices!!

$41 (cart included), played on Sunday, May 2010 at 8am

This is a really nice course that is one of two which are owned by the United Turf Company so the condition of the course is very good....they know how to grow grass. The course has a nice layout and is challenging but fair. Many of the greens are domed which makes going for pins placed on the perimeter a risky choice.