North Strand

Includes: Brunswick County beaches, Calabash, and Shallotte.

Flavor: Rural, bucolic, and generally, a breath of fresh air. Condos give way to beach houses, chain restaurants give way to home grown seafood restaurants, and a four hour rounds are still obtainable.

Best Courses You Can Play: Rivers Edge – Palmer designed course with a back nine that plays along the Shallotte River. Tigers Eye – Tim Cate jewel at Ocean Ridge that is often referred to as the Caledonia of the north. The Thistle – Linksy Tim Cate course that just added a new nine. Marsh Harbor and Oyster Bay – Dan Maples designs two of the most scenic in the Grand Strand. The Players Club at St. James Plantation – its way up there, but worth the drive.

Best of the Rest: Carolina National, Calabash Golf Links, Farmstead Golf Links, Crow Creek, Sea Trail Courses, Pearl Courses, Angles Trace, Members Club and Gauntlet at St. James Plantation, Magnolia Greens Plantation, Brunswick Plantation, Sandpiper Bay, Panthers Run, and Lockwood Folley.

Also Playing: Meadowlands Golf Club, Brick Landing, Ocean Isle, Lion’s Paw and Brierwood.

Best Eats: Seafood – Calabash … any restaurant, Hamburger – Broncos on Ocean Isle Beach, Italian – Grapevine in Calabash.