Most avid golfers know North Carolina for destinations like Pinehurst, Mid Pines, Pine Needles and Tobacco Road. These locations almost exclusively draw guys’ buddies’ trips like a moth to a flame. Sure, all the aforementioned resorts are world class, but if you want to take the missus or lady friend along, unless they play golf, they may find themselves with little else to do. However, there is a locale in North Carolina that is perfect for not only affordable golf, but dining, sea adventures, beach time and most importantly, fun for the significant other.
The Brunswick Islands of North Carolina sit just a stone’s throw across the border from South Carolina and are ripe with courses and accommodations that are perfect for a couple’s adventure. A flight to Wilmington is the first step, which is readily available direct from Dallas. Wilmington is a beautiful town, with a population of around 130,000. Their boardwalk along the Cape Fear River is buzzing with restaurants, shops and watering holes. The battleship USS North Carolina resides there, having been decommissioned in June 1947 and moored in Wilmington as a museum ship in 1962.
Sea Trail Golf Resort is a short drive from downtown Wilmington and offers a multitude of accommodation selections. Built in 2024, the Sawmill Townhomes offer a modern layout, complete with amenities like walk-in showers, fridge, washer/dryer and full kitchen should you and your group want to whip up meal or quick snack. There is even a screened in patio which is perfect to relax and tilt a cocktail as you prepare for your round of golf or relax before dinner. The Club Villas also come well-appointed and are a great choice for groups looking for more value. The Champions Condos are another option and can offer coveted golf course views for those with smaller groups or who happen to be flying solo.
Golf at Sea Trail comes in abundance. There are three courses to select from, all of which offer provocative design elements while requiring target shot-making ability. The Jones course, named for renowned architect Rees Jones, is a 6,700-yard par 72 with water featured on 11 of the 18 holes. One interesting twist with the Rees Course is the back-to-back par 5s to round out the opening nine. The layout also ends with a par 5, offering one last scoring opportunity.
The Maples and Byrd Courses were both recently renovated. The Byrd reopened in 2024 with a rediscovered commitment to turf management, renovated greens, exciting bunker changes and tree removal that really opened up vistas across the 18-hole layout. The Maples, which reopened in October 2025, also saw similar upgrades and improvements, with the addition of native grasses throughout that frame holes wonderfully and add contrast to the layout, which originally opened for play in 1986.
Both Maples and Byrd require precision, but more so on the Maples. Designed by Dan Maples, the par 72 layout feels short, playing at just over 6,300 yards from the tips, but tight doglegs and boundary pushing routing make it play longer. Big hitters can comfortably play most of the round without ever removing a headcover, but that is just the beginning of the challenge. Water is in play on most holes, and narrow corridors make it anything but simple. The par 3 3rd is particularly intriguing, with a tree that guards the green making this 170-yard iron shot tough to flight properly. Depending on pin position, the tree is fully or partially in play, making this a distinct but challenging hole.
The following hole, the par 5 4th, requires players to bring the straight ball. This hole doesn’t wiggle one yard left or right from tee to green, but trees on both sides make it a tough customer from tee shot to approach. Miss right or left off the tee and you might find yourself playing Plinko off trees for more than a couple of shots. Keep it in the fairway instead, and you can find a look at birdie.
No. 7 on the Maples is undoubtedly one of the most unique designs on the property. This par four reads just 358 on the scorecard, but the tee shot is everything. Players must fire a shot straight away, but the ball must carry past a grove of trees on the left, as the hole turns dramatically to the left across a pond. Should the tee shot not carry past the trees, players are left with a decision to punch something through the overhanging trees and over the water toward the green or advance the ball far enough to take the trees out of play. It’s a quirky, but fun design.
The final nine at the Maples offers more fun architectural elements and plenty of new sandy dunes and native grasses. No. 13 is a bombers delight, playing at just 306 from the back tees and just 286 from the one-tee white teeing area. Longer hitters have the green light to go for the green, but it is also manageable for those who may not carry that kind of firepower. It’s a great opportunity for a tweener.
The last couple holes on the Maples layout feature a par 3 and a par 4, both of which are great chances to finish strong. The final hole plays a little uphill and features a slight dogleg left with native sandy waste areas down both sides and guarding the green. It’s a picturesque finish to a short, but very unique layout.
The Byrd Course, hatched from the mind of architect Willard Byrd, tasked Tim Cate, who has ties to Byrd, with updating the routing and changes across the 6,700-yard layout. New TifEagle greens, enhanced sightlines and new bunkering highlight this par 72. From the opening par 4 to the closing par 5, the course winds throughout water features and offers subtle elevation changes.
No. 3 is a particularly fun par 5, with a hard dogleg right that plays uphill to a well-protected green. Taking tee shots over the corner offers a shorter shot but brings trouble into play with trees and condos lining the right side.The par 3 7th boasts more of a Florida golf feel than North Carolina. The sandy dune that separates the tee and green forces players to choose enough club. There is also a mystical ghost tree that sits in the middle of the waste area, which adds a nice visual delight to the hole.
The inward nine continues to impress, with the 180-yard 12th hole, which is a long carry over water. As with many of the par 3s at Sea Trail, pin placement dictates how aggressive players can get. A pin tucked back left could require a more conservative line. Pins cut on the right can be attacked with a bit more aggressiveness.
In addition to the updates to the golf courses, the renovated clubhouse was also completed in 2024. The contemporary design took this resort to the next level, with palpable sophistication and modern creature comforts. The cart staging area runs like a Swiss watch, with attendants ready to load your clubs and send you off for your round. If you plan to play the Maples Course, which is a short drive away, a shuttle will get you there with little effort, as they run every few minutes.
A breakfast buffet is available every morning to fuel up for your day on property. If you are looking for some grub or beverages post-round, 55 Bistro Bar offers delicious options like wings, burgers or their famous surf & turf bowl. You can play some darts, billiards or challenge your group to a round on their Golden Tee machine. Over 40 TVs are tuned to any game you may want to watch. It’s a sports bar on performance enhancers.
If you are looking for upscale, Sunset Prime offers dinner selections like Lobster Ravioli, Miso Glazed Salmon, or prime ribeye and filet. Add some black truffle butter or chimichurri to enhance any of your beef selections. Dinner at Sunset Prime is offered from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
When you consider how much capital Sea Trail Golf Resort has invested in the property over the last several years, it would lead many to believe that rates for stay-and-play packages would be on the pricier side, but in reality, they are very affordable. For a property you never need to leave (if you don’t want to), the packages Sea Trail offers are perfection for your next golf outing or couples’ trip. The updated amenities coupled with the player-friendly layouts across three courses make this a no-brainer.
Should you choose to step away from Sea Trail for golf, dining or a beach adventure, there are a lot of ways to entertain yourself.
Lockwood Folly Country Club in Holden Beach is an off-property course sitting about 40 minutes away that is affordable and offers scenic views and fun, playable holes. Greens have subtle breaks, putting a premium on the flat stick. The par 3 2nd hole is a great look at the inland marsh of the area, with a forced carry and trees that whip the winds around making club selection difficult.
No. 5 and No. 7 also play around a large pond where you might just see a gator or two. Oddly enough, the southern tip of North Carolina, in the Brunswick area, is the farthest north you will see alligators. So, keep your eyes peeled and be aware around tall grasses near ponds. Hole No. 15 is one of the most unique on the Willard Byrd layout. This tee shot plays uphill to a sharp dogleg left. There is a massive tree guarding the left side of the fairway … best piece of advice, hit it at the tree and hope your ball draws over it or fades away from it.
The final hole at Lockwood Folly is a par five that climbs back to the clubhouse and offers a wonderful view of the wetlands sitting behind the green. It’s a great way to finish. Lockwood is affordable and a worthy addition to your Brunswick area golf itinerary.
After a day at Lockwood Folly, a dinner at Jinx Creek Waterfront Grill in Ocean Isle Beach is a way to round out your day. Jinx Creek has some great drink selections, like their Cheerwine Old Fashioned, to sip on as you soak in a patio view of the magnificent Brunswick Islands sunset. As with most of the other options in the area, seafood is prevalent on the menu, with shrimp, oysters, tuna, crab cakes and salmon.
Even casual golf fans know the name Arnold Palmer. Although “The King” has been gone for almost a decade, the memories of his seven major championships and course architecture live on for golfers to enjoy on a daily basis. River’s Edge Golf Club sits along intercoastal marshland in Shallotte, North Carolina. Just 25 minutes from Sea Trail, this Palmer design offers magical views, immaculate course conditions and a dynamic layout that tests every club in your bag. It is easy to see why it has been ranked in the Golf Digest top 100 on a pair of occasions and was also named the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owner’s Association Course of the Year in 2023.
On a course chock-full of highlights, a few of the holes really stand out. No. 5 is a jaw-dropper of a par 3, with an all-carry tee shot playing over marshland reeds with a spectacular view of the wetlands beyond the green. Towering trees behind the putting surface frame the hole wonderfully and the contours of the green make this anything but an automatic par, even when the green is found off the tee. It’s only 135 yards from the tips, but it is a white-knuckle iron shot, even for the best ball-strikers.
One goal as players aim to achieve on this par 72 layout is the battle coin they can claim with a birdie on No. 9. Nicknamed “Arnie’s Revenge,” this lengthy, strategic par 5 looms in the back of your mind until you put a tee in the ground. A heart-palpitating tee shot with marsh all down the left eventually leads to a second shot to a narrow sliver of fairway and then an approach to a tiny green surrounded by more ball-swallowing quagmire. Par is a great score, but should you make four or better, head to the pro shop post-round for a commemorative coin and a free beer on the house. It’s a stunning, but tough three-shot par 5.
The second nine has just as much character and show-stopping views as the front. The par 5 11th features a massive bunker down the left that must be avoided to make the second shot more manageable. Longer hitters can take a run at the green in two, but a precise shot is required, as the peninsula green is tough to hit. A lay-up and a wedge is a more reasonable play and offers the best chance at walking away with par. Be sure to enjoy the ride to the 12th tee that twists across a wooden bridge over a gorgeous lake covered in lily pads. It’s a great place to opt for an Instagram-worthy photo.
As with the 9th, the final two holes at River’s Edge really showcase the majesty of the property. Another par five comes at No. 17, and winds around more gorgeous marsh, trundling up from the tee and then down to the putting surface. A good tee shot leaves a decision to lay up or go for the green in two. The choice really depends on pin placement as a large tree guards the green on the front right. Any left pin is accessible, but tucked right pins need to be navigated with caution to avoid the tree. If the pin is right, a layup makes more sense, and a left pin offers the opportunity to make a go for the green. It’s a well-designed hole that offers options and a great chance to score as you near the end of the round.
A final par four offers another challenge as players sling a tee shot over more inland wetlands. A more aggressive line leaves a shorter play to a stadium-style green where well-placed shots will feed to the pin. It’s a great finishing hole on a course ripe with scenery and whimsy.
After the round, take some time to pop in the pro shop and find the perfect cap or shirt to take home, as many offer the River’s Edge logo and others come with the iconic Arnold Palmer umbrella logo made famous by Bay Hill.
Simply put, River’s Edge is unforgettable, and a must-play if you embark on a trip to the area.
After your round at River’s Edge, The Silver Coast Winery is also a must-visit for those who love to tilt a glass of vino. Whether you enjoy a Calabash Red, a Merlot, a Cabernet or a Stainless Chardonnay, there is something for everyone. Live music and even a bridge group make Silver Coast a spot you won’t want to pass up.
If you have ever envisioned playing golf in a nature preserve, then you need to check out Oyster Bay Golf Links in Sunset Beach. On their website, just below their logo, it reads “experience alligator alley”. More on that momentarily. This Dan Maples design offers views of the meandering Calabash River and coastal estuaries and with a par of 70, plays longer than the 6,369-tip distance on the scorecard.
As you work your way toward the par 5 5th hole, you play an array of fun designs, but the real stars of the show are the gators. One, named Elvis by locals, could be seen with its head just above the waterline next to the 3rd green. Oyster Bay’s logo is a gator head with eyes peeking just above the water, which seems appropriate once you see Elvis.
The aforementioned par 5 5th runs along the Calabash River, and really gives players not only a challenge, but a great look at the local landscape. After the par 3 6th comes a short par 4, and while the layout of No. 7 is fairly straightforward, you may have a gallery as you tee off. A rafter of turkeys sat just in front of the 7th tee, one of which was shimmying his plumage as our group put a tee in the ground.
The back nine at Oyster Bay offers not only more objectively beautiful golf, but more wildlife. Deer, more gators, and even a portly woodpecker were spotted … making the whole day seem like a safari with some great golf sprinkled in along the way. The signature hole on the inward nine comes at No. 17. Oyster shells are seen surrounding this island green par 3 that plays 160-yards. On a course with plenty of gorgeous, memorable holes, this one really flexes its muscles.
The Brunswick Islands are also a hotbed for other activities. The beaches are lovely should you want some rest and relaxation with your spouse when you aren’t teeing it up. The Atlantic beaches in the area are not nearly as rambunctious as some of the ones just south in Myrtle Beach, making them a perfect place to enjoy some reading or a quiet surfside snooze. If you want to get out on the water, you might look into a day sail, sunset cruise or a dolphin cruise, all of which are a great way to spend an afternoon. The dolphin cruise is particularly fun for a few hours if you are a lover of marine life.
Calabash-style seafood is a staple in the area. Most seafood spots offer the four local favorites: shrimp, flounder, scallops and oysters. The shrimp, flounder and scallops can usually be ordered one of three ways: lightly breaded and fried, grilled or blackened.
The Boundary House is one such spot, located in Calabash near the same docks where you can catch one of those dolphin cruises, and offers this traditional fare. The house made croissants with honey butter are a great appetizer, as well as the spinach artichoke dip, which eats more like what we would call queso in Texas. They offer combinations of seafood, so if you don’t want to be tethered to just shrimp or flounder, why not try both? If you aren’t a seafood lover, or happen to have an allergy … steaks, chicken and a great southern-style pork chop are also available.
If you are seeking a little more upscale, then The Oyster Rock Waterfront Seafood is an option you won’t want to miss. The meal gets better and better as you progress through the menu. Our server Marco not only listed the multiple specials from memory, but also entertained the group with some impressions he is workshopping with his kids. The service alone made the experience memorable before we ever received a plate.
If you are looking for a local brew, the Ironwood Amber Lager from Brunswick Beer & Cider in Leland, NC is a smooth sipper, and pairs well with any seafood selection you may choose. If you like lighter, a crisp Molesonboro Island Pilsner from Mad Mole Brewing in Wilmington will wet your whistle nicely.
The fried pickles were a wonderful starter, along with the He & She Crab Soup, which is prepared in the Olde Charleston Gullah style using blue crab roe broth, sautéed onions, minced celery and lots of Carolina blue crab meat. The soup was rich and flavorful, loaded with oodles of subtle, sweet crab meat.
As a main, the previously mentioned Calabash-style seafood is an option, along with house specials like the Deep Treasure, which is cast iron-seared, large diver scallops with lemongrass risotto cake and kaffir lime beurre blanc. One side item recommendation per our server Marco was the Tabor City Sweet Potato Crunch, which is akin to sweet potato pie, and is truly a life-changing addition to any meal at The Oyster Rock.
The Brunswick Islands of southern North Carolina are criminally underrated. The Wilmington area is lovely and once you near the coast the charm only continues to manifest. The beaches are clean and serene, the golf is affordable and fun. There are more than enough reasons to consider this for your next anniversary trip or vacation with someone special. Sure, you can take the golf crew there too, but overall, the vibe is wonderful for all age groups and especially those on a budget that may not afford them the opportunity to travel to more expensive destinations. From the courses to the dining, everything is welcoming and eye-catching, all at rates that seem like you’re stealing memories step-by-step.
For more information on North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands, visit www.ncbrunswick.com.