If you’ve ever driven across the border from South Carolina into North Carolina on Highway 17, you know that transition. The neon of Myrtle Beach starts to fade. The traffic thins. Things get... quiet. Right there, tucked into the very first pocket of Calabash, sits Carolina Shores Golf & Country Club. It’s an old-school survivor. Honestly, in a region where multi-million dollar renovations and "signature" branding usually dominate the conversation, this course feels like a throwback to a time when golf was just about the game and the trees.
The course opened back in 1974. Tom Jackson designed it. He’s the guy behind some of the most playable but deceptively tricky layouts in the Southeast. He didn't have the massive earth-moving equipment they use now to create artificial dunes or island greens. Instead, he worked with what the coastal terrain gave him. That means lots of doglegs. Huge oaks. Towering pines. It’s a parkland style that catches people off guard because they expect wide-open coastal marsh views. You won't find those here. What you’ll find is a narrow, tactical challenge that punishes the "grip it and rip it" crowd.
The Reality of the Carolina Shores Golf & Country Club Experience
Let's be real for a second. If you are looking for the manicured, pristine perfection of TPC Myrtle Beach or the high-end luxury of Caledonia, you might feel a bit out of place at Carolina Shores. It's a locals' haunt. The clubhouse is functional. The vibe is casual. You’ll see guys in cargo shorts and retirees who have played the same 18 holes every Tuesday for three decades. That’s the charm. It’s affordable. It’s accessible.
The layout is the real star here.
Most people look at the scorecard and see a par 72 that isn't overly long from the tips—about 6,700 yards. Don't let that fool you into thinking it's a pushover. The course is famous for its "traditional" difficulty. You’ve got over 50 bunkers scattered throughout the property. But it’s the trees that do the heavy lifting. If you can’t shape your ball or at least keep it on a string, you’re going to be punching out of the pine straw all afternoon.
Why the Doglegs Matter
Most modern courses are designed to be "fair." You can usually see the flag from the tee box. At Carolina Shores Golf & Country Club, Jackson forces you to think three shots ahead.
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- The Second Hole: It’s a par 4 that requires a very specific landing area. Too long and you’re in the woods. Too short and you’re blocked by the treeline.
- The Ninth: A finishing hole for the front nine that tests your nerves with water and a tight approach.
It’s basically a chess match played with a five-iron.
The "Calabash" Connection
You can't talk about this club without talking about the town of Calabash. It’s the "Seafood Capital of the World," or so the signs say. The proximity of the course to the famous waterfront restaurants means that the "round and a meal" combo is a legitimate local ritual.
A lot of golfers stay in the villas around the course. These aren't high-rise hotels. They’re low-slung, quiet condos that give you that 1980s vacation vibe. It’s nostalgic. You wake up, walk to the pro shop, play 18, and then head down the road for fried shrimp. It’s a specific kind of North Shore lifestyle that is disappearing as the Grand Strand gets more corporate and polished.
Navigating the Surface Conditions
I’ve heard people complain about the greens in the height of summer. It’s a common issue in the coastal Carolinas. The humidity is brutal. The club uses Bermuda grass, which loves the heat but can get grainy. Recently, there has been a significant push to improve the consistency of the putting surfaces. The staff there knows they aren't competing with the $200 green fees down the road, so they focus on making sure the greens are true and the fairways are playable.
Is it perfect? No.
Is it worth the $45-$60 you’re likely paying? Absolutely.
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The Community Aspect
One thing that sticks out about Carolina Shores Golf & Country Club is the membership. This isn't just a place for tourists to drop in. It’s the heart of the Carolina Shores community. The residents live right on the fairways. You’ll see them out on their back porches watching you miss your birdie putt. There’s a sense of ownership and pride in the neighborhood that keeps the place alive even during the "off" months of January and February.
Strategies for Playing the Course
If it’s your first time out, leave the driver in the bag for at least four of the par 4s. I’m serious. The fairway bunkers are strategically placed exactly where a "decent" drive lands.
- Check the Wind: Since you're only a few miles from the Atlantic, the breeze can be swirling through the trees. It’s hard to feel on the tee, but once the ball clears the treeline, it’s gone.
- Aim for the Middle: The greens are relatively large, but they have subtle undulations. Aiming for the center is almost always the smart play.
- Short Game is King: Because of the bunkers guarding the fronts of many greens, you need a reliable high-lofted wedge.
The bunkers are filled with that classic Carolina sand. It’s fine. It’s heavy when wet. If you aren't comfortable in the sand, you’re going to have a long day at Carolina Shores.
The Truth About the "Myrtle Beach" Label
Marketing people love to lump Carolina Shores in with the "Myrtle Beach Golf" umbrella. Geographically, it’s in Brunswick County, NC. This matters for a few reasons. The tax rates are different, the liquor laws (historically) were different, and the pace of life is just... slower.
When you book a golf package in Myrtle Beach, the operators often use Carolina Shores as a "value" course to round out a four-day trip. Usually, people play it on their way into town or on their way out. But honestly, it’s a great "middle of the trip" course to give your wallet a break while still challenging your game.
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What's Changed Recently?
Like many courses that hit the 50-year mark, Carolina Shores Golf & Country Club has had to adapt. There have been updates to the irrigation systems and efforts to clear out some of the underbrush that makes finding errant balls a nightmare. The goal isn't to make the course easier; it's to make it more efficient.
The pro shop remains one of those places where the person behind the counter actually knows the course conditions. They aren't reading off a script. Ask them where the pin positions are or if the greens were mowed that morning. They’ll tell you the truth.
Practical Information for Your Visit
- Location: 99 Tradeview Ct, Calabash, NC 28467.
- Booking: You can usually find tee times on the major aggregators, but calling the shop directly sometimes yields better "local" rates.
- Practice Facilities: There’s a putting green and a chipping area. Don't expect a 300-yard driving range with Trackman tech. It’s basic.
Final Perspective on Value
We spend so much time chasing the "best" or the "most expensive" experiences that we forget why we started playing golf in the first place. We play for the sound of the wind in the pines. We play for the challenge of a dogleg left. We play for the beer in the plastic cup at the 19th hole.
Carolina Shores Golf & Country Club provides all of that without the pretension. It’s a course that demands respect because of its age and its design, not because of a fancy logo. If you go in expecting a solid, affordable round of golf on a layout that will test your accuracy, you’ll leave happy. If you go in expecting a country club experience with valets and chilled towels, you’re in the wrong zip code.
Actionable Next Steps
- Book an Afternoon Tee Time: The shadows through the pines at Carolina Shores are stunning around 3:00 PM, and the rates usually drop significantly.
- Pack Extra Balls: Even for mid-handicappers, the narrow corridors eat golf balls. Bring a fresh sleeve or two of your favorite "woods-friendly" brand.
- Plan Your Meal: Drive three minutes into Calabash after your round. Skip the chains and find a local spot like Waterfront Seafood Shack or Ella’s of Calabash.
- Check the Weather: Brunswick County can be 5 degrees cooler than Myrtle Beach due to the tree cover and northern latitude. Bring a light windbreaker if you're playing in the spring or fall.
- Walk if You Can: While the course is cart-friendly, it’s a relatively flat layout that is actually quite pleasant to walk if the weather isn't sweltering. It lets you appreciate the Tom Jackson design nuances much better.