DJTheoret - 4/11/23
One of the biggest things the coastal North Carolina area has going for it is a fantastic climate; outdoor recreational activities can be enjoyed year-round and the mild winter temperatures are perfect for golf.

Renowned golf course architect Tim Cate has created a course that takes the area’s heavily undulating land and winds its way through wetlands, waterfalls, and beach bunkers. Although the course is carved from acres of forest, trees are not that much of a factor. Instead, North Carolina native grasses and wildflowers are often found bordering Cate’s signature feature – waste bunkers that run the entire length of a hole and sometimes serve as the cart path. This can be seen on holes 5, 13, and 16.

Cape Fear National is all about golf and with that mindset comes outstanding practice facilities. In addition to a full-length driving range, there are several separate areas where you can work on your short game, sand game, and putting. If you are lucky enough to be invited to the club as a guest or on a discovery tour, I advise getting to the course early and taking advantage of all the club has to offer

As you make your way around the course, you’ll find more than 1,500 feet of bridges, three separate waterfalls, several ponds, and strategically placed rock walls. Over 1.5 million cubic yards of earth were moved to create this golfing masterpiece with water or wetlands coming into play on every hole. The result is a gently rolling golf course that is as aesthetically pleasing to look at as it is challenging to play. What you see is what you get; there are no hidden hazards out here!

Whether you’re a low-handicapper or are just new to the game, players of all skill levels will enjoy Cape Fear National. With six sets of tees, the course plays anywhere from 7,130 yards to 4,811 yards. From the Champion Tees, Cape Fear National has a course rating of 74.8 and a slope of 140. I found the Blue Tees (6,208/70.3/131) offered a fair challenge and still allowed me to leave with some dignity intact. Pick the tees that best suit your game and you’re sure to enjoy yourself.

Bunkers steal the spotlight on Numbers 12 and 13. The 12th hole is a challenging and picturesque par 4 with beautiful bunkering in the fairway on either side and around the green, both in front and behind. You’ll need to fly your approach shot onto this green or risk hitting out of the sand. Number 13 is one of Cate’s signature holes with a waste bunker that you drive through framing the right side of the fairway and snaking its way up in front of the green. Be wary of the pond on the left side off the tee which you may well find if you’re paying too much attention to that bunker.

Cape Fear National is a private golf club where the focus is on you, the member. After all, membership is a choice that often leads to changes in lifestyle. Cape Fear National offers a welcoming atmosphere in a peaceful, serene setting, where you’re certain to meet others that share your interests. As a member, you’ll enjoy a challenging golf course, fun social activities, and memorable dining experiences. There are no tennis courts, swimming pools, or fitness centers, just a world-class golf facility, a well-stocked bar, great food, and good friends. That’s really all a country club needs.

Cape Fear National Golf Club was recently purchased by Heritage Golf Group, the fastest-growing golf club owner in the country. Heritage Golf Group currently has 25 public, private, and resort-style golf courses in 9 states that will challenge golfers of all skill sets and abilities.

  PoppaTimz - 9/6/14
Great golf course. a must play

  nhingtgen - 4/14/14
Excellent course that was in excellent shape. There's an alligator or 2 and a few Blue Herons. The greens were like pool tables and the fairways were just like carpet. Very, very good course! This is the 2nd spring in a row that we have played here and we'll be back again!

  billiedel - 9/30/13
This is a beautiful course and is always in outstanding condition. However, bring extra balls. Lots of carries over scrub off the tee. If you stray from the fairway, you'll have to look in the swamps. But you'll probably find 2 balls for everyone you lose!!

  davidrathburn - 5/23/13
outstanding in every way - excellent greens and lunch as well

  wfwelham - 5/21/13
Wonderful course with a very challenging layout, definitely worth the trip up from Myrtle to play.

  mushey - 10/16/12
very nice course, greens where the fastest we played on our 9 round trip.

  jperez - 5/7/12
Absolutely beatiful course, remenisent of Tim Cate's other designs. A brilliant idea to end each nine with a par three, giving everone a chance to leave to course with a smile.

Sadly, this time around (I played there twice) the ranger told us that despite the fact that we were on time, there was a gap in front of us, so we should speed up to close the gap. WHAT??? because the group in front is playing "speed golf," our pace of under 4 1/2 hours isn't good enough? This proceeded to throw off the tempo of the players in out group (myself included), and what was becoming a very good round only ended up so-so, after a string of needlessly poor shots by all of us, until we *did* catch up with the group ahead, so that we could *now* proceed to stand over out balls in a fairway and wait.

  JWRobertsIII - 9/16/11
It doesn't get much better than this...

  mbinio01 - 8/21/11
one of the best courses I've played