If you’ve been playing golf in Myrtle Beach since you were a kid, you probably have played most of the courses worth playing. Bald Head Island Country Club, one of the most outstanding courses on the Carolinas’ coast, is available for a full-day if you aren’t afraid to take a day. Bald Head was created by George Cobb, a renowned architect. It was recently renovated by Tim Cate in 2010. Cate restored the original beauty and design of the course over the years.
We were invited last week to play Bald Head. I think this course ranks right up with any at Sea Island, GA and Kiawah Island. The Ocean course was the only exception. On a windy, overcast day we played the course from our tips. With the wind blowing off the ocean, the course was challenging at 6800m. To give the feeling of being alone, each hole has its own distinct layout. Each hole was considered dangerous for the unwary because it passed through marshland, a maritime forest and an ocean. The layout was rugged and reminiscent of Kiawah’s Ocean Course. You have five options for tees, so be careful if you are playing in the wind. The back tees were not chosen wisely, so we got beat down. It’s not possible to hit the ball in that wind without a solid strike. Despite this, the course and surroundings are in great condition. It was so beautiful that it didn’t matter how hard you hit the ball. Okay, I was lying about that last sentence. It is not my favorite thing to get all excited to play great courses like this. Then I start swinging the club like I have an electric saw in my hand, chopping the green from each end.
The trip takes about a day. The drive took approximately 2 hours from Pawleys island, SC, to Southport NC. It takes about 30 minutes for a ferry to get to the island. Then they will shuttle you back to the club. Ambassador Golf (808-882-0684) can book a round at a reduced rate. This includes the ferry ride as well as play. From the practice area to the clubhouse, everything is top-notch. It was definitely worth driving four hours to be able to enjoy a course this good. It was just a shame that I didn’t leave the axe at home.