Kilmarlic
Tremendous Atlantic Ocean and soundside views and year-round golf on a handful of fabulous courses are just two of drawing cards of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, an almost 200-mile sliver of barrier islands.
The courses here reap the benefits of wonderful, sandy terrain and coastal forests and are made challenging by the windswept conditions.
The Outer Banks, or OBX as it is so widely known as, is famous as the location of the first flight in a powered heavier-than-air vehicle by the Wright brothers at Kill Devil Hills near the town of Kitty Hawk in 1903, the setting for the book and movie “Nights in Rodanthe,” which played heavily on the area’s isolated beauty and the islands’ famed wild beach horses.
We’ve provided some background on a few of the top courses in the area, and as you’ll quickly see the level of value for phenomenal golf that is in this area will leave a lasting impact on your group’s next golf getaway.
Kilmarlic Golf Club
Located in a pristine setting of over 600 beautiful acres of maritime forest and sprawling wetlands, Kilmarlic Golf Club is a must-play for any golf vacation in the Outer Banks. Known for always being in great condition, this Tom Steele design provides golfers with a picturesque setting that provides ample fairways contrasted by well-protected greens that are known for their deep greenside bunkers.
Throughout your round you’ll find magnificent tree-lined backdrops along with plenty of water hazards that will not only captivate your eye but also demand that you think your way around this course. In addition to being a course that has to be on your itinerary for an OBX golf trip, we also highly recommend that you consider the Cottages at Kilmarlic, featuring 2 bedrooms and a loft, a gourmet kitchen, and a massive lit putting green that sits between all of the cottages. There’s also a fun 4-hole short course that surrounds these cottages, and guests staying here have unlimited access to both amenities.
Kilmarlic
Nags Head Golf Links
You’ll be hard pressed to find soundside golf with more value than Nags Head Golf Links provides. This links-style design tips out at just over 6,000 yards even from the back tees on this par-71 layout, but don’t let that fool you as the course requires discipline as you need to focus on shotmaking in order to score here.
With four holes along the Roanoke Sound that cannot be beat at this price point, we suggest trying to time your day up so that you can enjoy either the early morning light or finishing up at sunset as the views particularly pop at those times of the day. No matter what time of day you tee it up here, we know you will enjoy it.
Nags Head
The Pointe Golf Club
Located on the mainland just across the Wright Memorial Bridge from the islands of the Outer Banks and located near Kilmarlic, The Pointe Golf Club bills itself as “groomed for the pro but available to the public.” The course’s A-1 Bentgrass putting surfaces are among the best in the area, and its wide, plush fairways have helped it earn kudos as one of the OBX’s most fun and playable golf courses.
Overlooking Currituck Sound, The Pointe was built on a turf farm and became a pioneer in golf course turf management. What amplifies a round at The Pointe is its isolation, as little or no development mar the edges of the traditional design except for a few scattered farm buildings and even a couple of family graveyards that add to the ambiance.
The Pointe Golf Club is appealing to golfers of all skill levels and has been voted Best of the Beach winner seven times. It’s a blast to play, and it’s a great addition to any OBX golf itineraries.
The Pointe Golf Club
The Currituck Club
Designed by “The Open Doctor” himself Mr. Rees Jones, The Currituck Club packs a mighty punch as it tips out at over 7,000 yards. The course provides a tranquil setting as you play alongside the Currituck Sound with some views of the Atlantic Ocean and is known for being in exceptional condition and as you’ll hear us say repeatedly when it comes to golf in the Outer Banks, the value here is exceptional.
The course is semi-private so they do a good job of keeping it in shape for both members and visitors alike, and the combination of sand dunes, woodlands, and wetlands that you’ll encounter throughout your round will keep you on your toes as you make your way around this spectacular design. There isn’t a bad hole at the Currituck Club. Jones has fashioned a track that requires strategic awareness, accuracy, and steady nerves, particularly from the back tees.
Even with its benign start and finish, the Currituck Club can be extremely difficult. The course has been rated as one of the 10 Best New Places You Can Play by Golf magazine and one of the Top 25 Courses in North Carolina by Golf Digest.
Currituck Club
The Carolina Club
The Carolina Club is actually one of the newest courses in the OBX golf market, and its convenient location in Grandy on the North Carolina mainland makes it an easy choice for those coming into or on their way out of the Outer Banks. The Carolina Club is known for being one of the longest courses in the area, stretching to 6,697 yards. The course was constructed on relatively flat terrain, but the fairways do feature some slight mounding and contour and features a creative mix of five par-3s and five par-5s giving you a lot of memorable variety throughout your round. All in all, it’s a favorite amongst travelers here and certainly worth your consideration.
The Carolina Club
Recommendation
When it comes to value, it’s tough to beat golf in the Outer Banks! Soundside, ocean and marsh views and great conditioning are consistent amongst these five golf courses, and if you’re looking to book a trip here we recommend reaching out to PlayOBXgolf.com as they can assist you with any of your booking needs.