You’re driving down Highway 17, somewhere between the glitz of Myrtle Beach and the historic charm of Wilmington, and you see the sign. It’s easy to miss. Most people keep their foot on the gas, heading for the big-name resorts that charge three times the price for a round of golf that feels like a factory assembly line. That’s their first mistake. Honestly, if you want to understand what low-country golf is supposed to feel like, you have to pull over at Winding River Plantation. This is where you find Carolina National Golf Club, a Fred Couples signature design that doesn't just sit on the land—it breathes with it.
It’s 27 holes. Three distinct nines. All of them wrapped around the Lockwood Folly River.
Most courses in this part of North Carolina are flat. They’re basically just sandy soil and pine trees. But Carolina National has this weird, beautiful topographical soul. One minute you’re in a dense forest of live oaks, and the next, the trees vanish, replaced by a massive expanse of golden marshland that stretches all the way to the horizon. It’s intimidating. It’s gorgeous. And if the wind is blowing off the Atlantic, which it almost always is, it’s a total beast.
The Egret, The Heron, and The Ibis: Breaking Down the Nines
Fred Couples didn't just slap his name on a piece of stationery and call it a day here. You can feel his "Boom Boom" DNA in the layout. The fairways are wide enough to accommodate a big miss, which is a relief because the trouble—the real trouble—is catastrophic. We’re talking about environmental waste areas where your ball goes to die among the fiddler crabs.
The Egret nine is usually where people start. It’s the "warm-up," but don't let that fool you into a false sense of security. It meanders through the heavy timber. You’ve got to be precise here. If you’re spraying the ball, you’re going to be spending a lot of time looking at bark.
Then you hit the Heron. This is the superstar. This is the nine that everyone posts on Instagram. It’s almost entirely played along the Lockwood Folly River. The five-hole stretch from hole 2 to hole 6 is arguably some of the most scenic golf in the entire state of North Carolina. When the tide is in, the water is inches away from the turf. When the tide is out, it’s a muddy, prehistoric landscape that looks like something out of a movie.
The Ibis nine is the closer. It’s longer. It feels more "Championship" style. It requires a lot of carries over water and wetlands. If your handicap is in the double digits, the Ibis is going to test your mental fortitude. It’s got a different rhythm than the other two, more open but somehow more demanding of a long, straight flight.
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Why the Lockwood Folly River Changes Everything
Golf is usually a static game. The green stays where it is. The bunkers don't move. But at Carolina National, the river makes the course feel alive.
The Lockwood Folly River is tidal. That means the course you play at 8:00 AM is technically not the same course you play at 2:00 PM. I’ve seen golfers get vertigo just looking at the shifting water levels. On the Heron’s signature par-3 5th hole, you’re hitting over a marsh to a green that feels like an island. At high tide, the water creates a shimmering blue barrier that messes with your depth perception. At low tide, the exposed mud flats make the target look bigger, but the wind usually picks up, so it's a wash.
It’s a 4-star destination according to Golf Digest, but it feels more personal than that.
The "Boom Boom" Philosophy in the Dirt
What most people get wrong about Fred Couples' designs is they expect them to be easy because Freddy looks so relaxed when he swings. That’s a trap. While the landing areas at Carolina National are generous, the greens are complex. They have these subtle humps and hollows. You’ll think you’ve hit a dart to ten feet, only to watch the ball catch a ridge and trickling thirty feet away into a collection area.
It’s fair, though. You won't find many "tricked out" holes here. No hidden windmills or goofy elevation changes that don't make sense. It’s just pure, strategic golf.
You have to decide: Do I take the aggressive line over the marsh to have a wedge in? Or do I play it safe to the fat part of the fairway and leave myself a long iron? Most of the time, the safe play is the smart play, but the beauty of the coastal views makes you want to be a hero. Don't be a hero. The Lockwood Folly doesn't care about your ego.
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The Reality of Course Conditions
Let’s be real for a second. Coastal South and North Carolina courses take a beating. Between the humidity, the salt air, and the occasional hurricane, maintaining turf is a nightmare.
Carolina National uses Champion Bermuda grass on the greens. It’s hardy. It handles the heat of a Carolina July without blinking. Usually, these greens are rolling fast and true. However, because it’s a 27-hole facility, they often rotate which nines are open to manage foot traffic and maintenance. It's always worth a quick phone call to the pro shop to see which combination is running that day. If you have a choice, tell them you want the Heron. Always the Heron.
The bunkers are filled with that native Carolina sand—heavy, white, and sometimes a bit packed down if there’s been rain. It’s not the fluffy "sugar sand" you find in the Caribbean, but it’s consistent.
Nature is Literally Everywhere
This isn't just a golf course; it's a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. That sounds like a fancy marketing term, but you actually see the results.
- Alligators: Yeah, they’re here. Usually sunning themselves on the banks of the ponds on the Ibis nine. They won't bother you if you don't bother them. Leave the ball. It’s not worth it.
- Ospreys and Bald Eagles: Look up. The nesting platforms around the river are usually occupied. It’s pretty wild to be lining up a birdie putt while a raptor is diving for lunch 50 yards away.
- Deer: They tend to hang out near the Egret holes around dusk.
It feels remote. Even though there are houses in the Winding River Plantation, they’re set back. You don’t feel like you’re playing in someone’s backyard, which is a common complaint about many Myrtle Beach area courses.
The Practical Stuff: Getting There and Staying Fed
Carolina National is located in Bolivia, NC. If you’re coming from Southport, it’s a breeze. From Wilmington, it’s maybe a 35-minute drive down 17.
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The clubhouse is a classic low-country structure with a big wraparound porch. It’s the kind of place where you actually want to have a beer after the round. The "Plantation Grille" does a solid burger. Nothing fancy, just good, honest food that hits the spot after four hours in the sun.
Prices? They’re middle-of-the-road. You aren't paying the $300+ rates of a Pinehurst, but it’s not a $40 muni either. Depending on the season, you’re looking at anywhere from $60 to $120. For 27 holes of this caliber, that’s a steal.
Common Misconceptions About the Layout
Some people think 27-hole courses are just "three sets of nine" that don't flow together. That’s not the case here. The transition between the Egret and Heron nines feels seamless. The Ibis is the only one that feels slightly like its own entity, mostly because of how the land opens up.
Another myth is that you need a boat to play here. While the river is a major feature, the carries over water are mostly psychological. If you play from the correct tees—and please, for the love of the game, play from the tees that match your skill level—the forced carries are manageable. There are six sets of tees. If you’re a 15-handicap playing from the tips (7,017 yards), you’re going to have a bad time. Move up to the whites or the greens and suddenly the course becomes a playground.
Essential Tips for Your Round
- Check the Tide Clock: Seriously. Ask the starter what the tide is doing. It affects the wind and the visuals.
- Bring Extra Balls: The marshes are hungry. Even if you’re a straight hitter, a sudden gust can push a ball into the "environmentally sensitive areas" where entry is prohibited.
- Hydrate: The humidity in Brunswick County is no joke. The breeze off the river feels great, but it’s deceptive. It’s drying you out faster than you realize.
- Bug Spray: If you’re playing an afternoon round in the summer, the "no-see-ums" and mosquitoes near the marsh can be aggressive. Keep a can of Deep Woods Off in your bag.
- Respect the Waste Areas: Those large sandy transitions aren't just big bunkers. You can ground your club in most of them (check local rules on the scorecard), but they’re often riddled with small pebbles and shells. Protect your clubs.
What to do After the 18th (or 27th) Hole
Since you're already in the area, don't just head back to the hotel. Take the short drive into Southport. It’s been the filming location for dozens of movies (like Safe Haven and A Walk to Remember) for a reason. It’s incredibly charming. Grab a seat at a waterfront bar, watch the container ships head toward Wilmington, and talk about the putt you definitely should have made on the 7th hole of the Heron.
Carolina National isn't trying to be a pretentious, high-society country club. It’s a golfer's golf course. It’s rugged, it’s beautiful, and it’s a little bit wild. Whether you're a local or just passing through on a coastal road trip, skipping this place is a mistake you don't want to make.
Next Steps for Your Visit
- Book Your Tee Time Early: During the spring and fall "prime seasons," the morning slots fill up weeks in advance. Aim for a mid-morning start to see the tide shift during your round.
- Download a Yardage App: Because of the marshes, "eyeballing" distances here is notoriously difficult. A GPS app will tell you exactly how much room you have before the junk starts.
- Coordinate a "Triple Play": If you have the stamina, ask the pro shop about a rate to play all 27 holes in a single day. It’s the only way to truly experience the full vision Fred Couples had for this landscape.