If your idea of an interesting golf vacation includes following the Wright Brothers through an incredible natural setting with terrific golf courses along the Atlantic Ocean, then the serene Outer Banks of North Carolina is your ticket.
This is an area that’s certainly off the beaten path. Locals know all about the Outer Banks and its authentic selection of restaurants and experiences, stunning dunes and historical landmarks. But for many this is an undiscovered country that should be experienced.
OBX, as it is also known, is where the Wright Brothers made their first four historic powered flights, and that spot is now the Wright Brothers National Memorial, a must-see for any visitor. There are historic lighthouses, too, some of which you can climb, plenty of fishing and hunting opportunities and you can even drive on the beach with a permit or run with wild horses on the beaches via organized tours.
And then there’s the golf. It’s easy to book a package, so it’s a perfect place for a buddy trip or maybe even a romantic getaway. Plenty of great restaurants and experiences await those who are willing to travel to this barrier island that separates Currituck Sound from the Atlantic Ocean. It’s as unspoiled as just about any spot in America.
A variety of exceptional golf on the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a little bit out there, but not that hard to get to. If you’re within driving distance, it’s no trouble at all. Otherwise, most people fly into Norfolk (Va.) International Airport, which is about 80 miles or so north, rent a car and then drive down.
On the OBX, there are about eight or so courses, all unique and plenty enough to keep a group or even a couple busy for a week’s vacation. The courses are good values and easily packaged with a resort. There are even accommodations at one of the courses, Kilmaric Golf Club, which is set on 650 acres on Powell’s Point.Â
Kilmaric, a one-off design by Tom Steele, has a natural flow to it through wetlands and pines, oaks and dogwoods. It’s only 6,500 yards or so from the tips, but it’s a good test. There’s also a 5,000-square foot lighted putting green, a four-hole short course and a welcoming on-course restaurant, the Black Tarpon Tap Room. Golf package guests also have access to a nearby athletic club.Â
The Cottages at Kilmaric can make for a great golf base to play any of the courses in the region. They range from two to four bedrooms and are very nicely appointed.
Sanderling Resort is another good option for accommodations. The premier resort on the Outer banks offers luxury rooms with ocean views, beach access and a full-service spa as well as great dining, including the historic and five-star rated Lifesaving Station No. 5 restaurant.
As for more golf, you’ll definitely want to experience Nags Head Golf Links. Designed by Bob Moore and opened in 1988, it’s the longest 6,100 yards you’ll ever play. It has a links feel to it, tight fairways and some tricky landing areas. It also has some of the most beautiful holes on the island. The par-4 ninth along the shoreline is a great example.
Another great golf option is The Currituck Club. A Rees Jones design, this 6,900-yard layout is generous off the tee and just plain fun to play. It runs along the Currituck Sound with a combination of wetlands and water hazards to navigate as well as some formidable bunkers. Ranked among the top 25 or so courses in North Carolina by most accounts, this is a must-play when visiting the island.
The Carolina Club is another great choice. A local favorite that stretches to almost 7,000 yards, it was designed by Russell Breeden and Bob Moore. Generous off the tee, the course is designed around a few large lakes and ponds. The Carolina Club has a sister club that’s pretty good, too, the Pointe Golf Club. Also designed by Breeden, it’s very player friendly.
And finally, Scotch Hall Preserve is an Arnold Palmer layout that’s located along the Inner Banks along the Albemarie Sound. It is one of the most scenic courses in the state with beautiful vegetation and plenty of water views. At 7,254 yards from the tips, it’s also pretty challenging.
Restaurants and other activities along the Outer Banks
From barbecue to fine dining to seafood, the Outer Banks has you covered. They’re all local, of course — no franchises or corporate eateries here.
One must-visit is the Currituck Barbecue Company for authentic Carolina BBQ. It’s a great stop on your journey in or out of the Outer Banks from Virginia. It’s hard to go wrong with pulled pork sandwiches covered with coleslaw and a vinegar sauce, plus all the great sides.
If you like wine and/or beer with cheese and other local delights, The Trio is another great stop. Offering products around the world, it has a great selection of beers with two dozen craft brews on tap at a time.
The Trio is part of something called the OBX Beer, Wine & Spirits Trail. The Vineyard Voyage, a wine-tasting tour that includes the Sanctuary Vineyards on the mainland, is part of The Trail.
The Trail also includes the Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills; Buffalo City Jug Shop and Fish Heads Bar & Grill in Nags Head; Outer Banks Distilling Company in (rum) Manteo; Lost Colony Brewery and Cafe in Manteo; and Lighthouse Sports Bar in Buxton, just to name a few.
No trip to the Outer Banks is complete until you make a stop at local favorite Duck Donuts on the boardwalk. Here you’ll find some of the most unusual and tasty donuts in the country, like its specialty, a maple-bacon pastry that’s perfect for breakfast (if you’re not on a diet).
As you might expect, the Outer Banks offers plenty of seafood dining. You’ll find everything from Hatteras-style clam chowder to yellowfin tuna in a variety of settings.
One of the area’s most historic restaurants is the Black Pelican, which actually served as a lifesaving station established in 1864. The food is terrific, especially the seafood, but this is also where Orville Wright sent a telegram announcing that he and his brother had successfully achieved flight on Dec. 17, 1903.
And speaking of Wright, if this is your first trip to the OBX (and maybe even if it’s not), you’ll definitely want to get out to Kitty Hawk. The national monument showcases a large memorial and museum and gift shop dedicated to those historic first flights.
And then there are the beaches, which are vast. They are famous for the generations of wild horses that roam there. Those horses apparently go back five centuries, possibly left from early Spanish explorers. A guided tour makes a sighting more likely.Â
In any event, it’s just another reason the Outer Banks is unlike any other vacation in the country.