16. Jefferson Landing
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Golf
Telephone: (800) 292-6274
Description: Further up the Blue Ride Parkway, in the northwest corner of the state, Jefferson Landing opened in 1991 along the New River. Former U.S. Open and PGA champion Larry Nelson designed this 7,111-yard layout. Its gently rolling, open terrain would allow golfers a greater margin for error if it weren’t for the creeks and ponds, which are in play on 15 holes. Golfers must stay on property to play the course, which is okay, because the accommodations are quite nice.
17. Maggie Valley Club
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Golf
Telephone: (800) 438-3861
Address: 1819 Country Club Dr.
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Golf
Address: 80 Carolina Vista Dr.
19. National Golf Club
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Golf
Telephone: (800) 471-4339
Description: Just down Midland Road from Pinehurst Resort is the Jack Nicklaus–designed National Golf Club, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Nicklaus built a beautiful course on one of the most scenic tracts of land in the Sandhills. It features significant elevation changes, streams, ponds, and a lake interspersed among the sand and longleaf pines.
20. Thistle Golf Club
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Golf
Telephone: (800) 571-6710
Address: 1815 Olde Thistle Club Rd.
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Golf
Address: 1400 Tidewater Dr.
22. Barefoot Resort
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Golf
Telephone: (800) 320-6536
Address: 4980 Barefoot Resort Bridge Rd.
Description: Just south of Tidewater in the heart of North Myrtle Beach is a grand slam of great golf at Barefoot Resort. This luxury getaway is home to superb courses designed by Greg Norman, Tom Fazio, Davis Love III, and Pete Dye. Norman’s course might just be the best; its minimalist approach follows the lay of the land and incorporates stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway.
23. Myrtle Beach National
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Golf
Description: Moving to the south end of the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach National features three courses: King’s North, Southcreek, and the West Course. King’s North is the standout of the trio, designed by Arnold Palmer. It features a par-5 hole called “the gambler” where you can cut distance on the hole by hitting to an island in the middle of a lake. The 18th hole at King’s North is known for its 42 bunkers, believed to be the most on any hole in America.
24. Caledonia Golf And Fish Club
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Golf
Telephone: (843) 237-3675
Address: 369 Caledonia Dr.
Description: In the quieter southern Strand, golf courses lined with live oaks have been carved from former rice plantations. Caledonia Golf and Fish Club in Pawley’s Island is a shining example and has been rated among America’s best modern courses by Golfweek.
25. Wild Dunes
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Golf
Telephone: (888) 778-1876
Address: 5757 Palm Blvd.
Description: Farther down the coast in the Charleston region, Wild Dunes was one of the original island resorts to be built in the lowcountry. Wild Dunes has two courses designed by Tom Fazio, with the Links Course garnering the most attention. The 17th and 18th hole play along the Atlantic Ocean, so close that coastline erosion forced a redesign of the 18th hole a few years ago.
26. Kiawah Island Golf Resort
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Golf
Telephone: (800) 654-2924
Description: On the southern side of Charleston, Kiawah Island offers four top-drawer courses. The most famous is the Ocean Course, designed by Pete Dye and host to the memorable 1991 Ryder Cup. The Ocean Course has been called the “Pebble Beach of the East” because so many holes play along the sea. The Atlantic lurks in the distance on the front nine—you hear it but can’t see it until the ninth hole. However, the backside sweeps closer to the water, providing spectacular seascape views from multiple vantage points among the dunes.