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Outer Banks Golf CoursesCurrituck Club Carolinas Golf Group created the Currituck Club, Corolla's only golf-resort community, as part of a 600-acre development. It promises the upscale ambiance appropriate for the Outer Banks gentry and like visitors. The land was used by a shooting club in 1857. That clubhouse, rebuilt in 1879 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is preserved on one end of the development. The 18-hole Rees Jones course opened in July 1996. The dense vegetation and several spectacular dunes provide an opportunity for a true links-style layout. Abundant wetlands, maritime forests and two lakes all come into play. The number-one handicap hole is the 12th, a par 4 dogleg right that measures 454 yards from the tips. It's narrow at the turn with three bunkers on the inside of the dogleg. If you drive it about 250, it's a 3-wood to a narrow approach, which bottles to about 30 yards wide in front of the green. Then it drops severely on the left with a collection area on that side of the hole and a big hill wrapping around the right of the green. The two-tier green is high in the back, so if you can hit it there you can play down to the lower level. The 7th is a beautiful signature hole on Currituck Sound. It's a 532-yard par 5. Water runs along the left side, plus there's a thinned line of maple and oak trees. You can hit a 300-yard drive to a big oak tree where the fairway narrows; then you can go for the green and avoid the three bunkers in a row on the right. The green is raised on the right, sloping flat toward the sound across the fairway. One huge bunker guards the left side of the green. A driving range with multiple tees and several target greens will provide a good warm up, and the practice green is expansive. Approximate greens fees with cart range from $45 to $90 depending on the season. Walking is restricted. Duck Woods Country Club This country club is the oldest course on the Outer Banks. It boasts a pristine setting among tall pines and other foliage. The club aims to accommodate its 900 members, many of whom are non-locals, but accepts public play year-round as time permits. Housing surrounds parts of the course but does not inhibit play. You shouldn't be afraid to cut loose with a long shot; you won't find a window close enough to break. Ellis Maples designed the course. Fairways are narrow, and water comes into play on 14 holes. The bentgrass greens were reconstructed in 1996 and 1997. Warm up before playing Duck Woods because the course begins with a bang: a 481-yard par 5. Stay warm for the entire round because it ends with a 506-yard par 5. Shot placement is key on this course. For example, on the par 5 14th, you must lay up in front of the water bisecting the fairway. Duck Woods is a friendly but unforgiving course; again, every shot must be placed carefully. The driving range, putting green, target greens and a practice bunker are open to the public the day of play only. Club rentals are available. The pro shop is stocked primarily with balls and tees but includes limited equipment and apparel as well. A clubhouse, locker rooms for men and women, a bar and restaurant are available to members. Walking is allowed for members only. Booking is accepted a week in advance. The greens fee, including cart, varies according to season and time of day. Approximate cost is $45. Goose Creek Golf and Country Club Technically speaking this course is not on the Outer Banks, but it's just minutes away across the Currituck Bridge on the mainland. Besides, we think Goose Creek has the right idea. The club's philosophy summed up on its scorecard: "Golf is a fun, relaxing, competitive sport. Enjoy Goose Creek to its fullest potential." Goose Creek is one of the most player-friendly courses anywhere. The main objective is for golfers to have a good time and come back again. This is not a course where you will lose countless balls and go home frustrated. This is a course for the whole family. In fact, family golf outings are encouraged, and children are welcome during a recommended time frame conducive to young golfers who are learning the game. The clubhouse is a former hunting lodge. The owners have converted the small bedrooms into private locker rooms for players. The homey atmosphere is derived from the owners' receptive attitudes as well as the ambiance of the pine-paneled lounge and snack bar, which retain the feel of the lodge living room and kitchen. Steve and Bill Jernigan built the course in the early '90s using a Jerry Turner and Associates design. The Jernigans believe in their golfing concepts and are interested in the development of packages to bring golfers to the Outer Banks for the fun aspects of the game in a comfortable Southern-style atmosphere. Bermudagrass greens and fairways grace the flat Goose Creek course, which is not a typical beach layout. The tree-lined fairways are relatively tight on the front nine and more undulating and open on the back. Greens are relatively small. The 13th is considered the signature hole. During fall and winter, the wind in your face presents the difficulty; during summer, the wind is at your back, thus the hole plays quite differently. A few water hazards exist and could come into play on five holes. After playing Goose Creek, you should feel confident and upbeat about your game. It's a course for high-handicappers as well as seasoned golfers. A driving range and practice green are available. Only members can walk. Approximate greens fees range from $35 to $40 for prime morning tee times. The course offers a three-day golf pass for approximately $99. Nags Head Golf Links This course offers enticing beauty along the Roanoke Sound. Views of the water are spectacular on almost every hole. Architect Bob Moore remembered not to mess with Mother Nature too much when he designed this course, and he left intact almost all of the wonderful natural landscape. With the wind whipping around the course, its proximity to the ocean and its design, this course could easily be mistaken for a Scottish links. If your ball travels out of the fairway, plan to spend time searching the dense undergrowth. The distance is fully realized because of the strength and influence of the constant winds. This is especially true on the 583-yard par-5 18th. It runs dangerously close to the Roanoke Sound and, therefore, truly tests your skills as a golfer. This course is difficult, and a less experienced golfer may want to play from the mid-front ("Other") tees. You also may want to leave your woods in the bag, because your drive can easily get caught in the wind and blown off-line. In addition to the wind, water and wetlands present challenges, coming into play on all but four holes. Nags Head Golf Links requires both muscle and mind. Houses on the course may present a fear of breaking glass if you don't have control of your tee shots. One thing you can't control is the wind. Of the five par 3s, none is a "gimme." The cruelest par 3 is the 221-yard 15th. With one quick gust of wind, your ball could either be in sand on the right or in the pond in front of the green. This course changes almost minute by minute. You can be standing on the tee box with wind hitting you in your face, take a quick glance at the flag and notice the wind blowing the exact opposite direction on the green. Nags Head Golf Links has a pro shop, bar, restaurant, driving range, putting green and rental clubs. The Links Grille overlooks the 9th green and Roanoke Sound. Walking is restricted. Approximate greens fees, including cart, range from $45 to $75. A three-round pass is available and may be used also on The Currituck Club. Kids play free after 5 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. This is a golfing experience that every golfer should appreciate, regardless of ability. A round here will make your visit to the Outer Banks unforgettable. It's also the place to remember that golf is just a game. But golf on this beautiful course, regardless of your score, is a game worth playing. Pointe Golf Club Pointe Golf Club opened in 1995. It's a Russell Breeden design and was the first course in the country seeded with A1 bentgrass. This new disease-resistant, dense grass has been researched extensively at Penn State University, and Keith Hall, Pointe owner and president of United Turf, is a perfectionist when it comes to lush grass. The site of the course formerly was a turf farm, thus a special bit of attention was given these perfect greens. Hall and his friendly staff are devoted to providing the finest course conditions, including lush tifdwarf fairways. No development surrounds this course, save the few scattered farmhouses that add to the character of this rural Carolina-mainland community. Although built in an area known for links-style golf courses, the Pointe is more of a traditional layout. The scenery is quite beautiful, as the Pointe overlooks the Currituck Sound. Strategically placed water hazards come into play on 15 holes, and generally windy conditions ensure that the course will never play the same way twice. The signature hole is No. 6, a 457-yard par 4 with a carry over wetlands, a blind shot to the fairway, water, bunkers and slopes to the right. The 18th hole plays an exciting 619 yards from the back tees. Your drive has to hit the fairway. Three perfect shots will make your birdie for the day. A driving range, practice bunker, full-size putting green, clubhouse, pro shop and restaurant are available. The clubhouse is quite classy, and you'll appreciate the course's beauty. Walking is allowed after noon from October through May for greens fee pass-holders. Approximate greens fees are $52 in summer and $37 after October. Packages are available through area rental companies. Sea Scape Golf Club This course is cut into the maritime forests of Kitty Hawk and the signature dunes of the Outer Banks. It was designed by Art Wall, with bentgrass greens and fairways. The fairways are somewhat wide. During the winter of 1997, the course was redesigned and remodeled by Paragon Construction and Nicklaus Design Company. Waste areas, new tees and Scottish-style bunkering were added, making it a true links course. Sea Scape is the second-oldest course on the Outer Banks, and it has aged beautifully since opening in 1965. At Sea Scape, as at virtually all seaside courses, but particularly those on the Outer Banks, you not only play the course but also the wind. The course derives its character from the natural surroundings, with ocean views from 15 holes. If the wind is unforgiving and your shot lands in the rough, you will be looking for your Titleist in sand and sea oats as well as scrub. The most challenging hole is No. 11. It's long and always plays against the prevailing wind. The par 3 141-yard 9th is aesthetically appealing from its elevated tee. Club selection is imperative here depending on the direction of the wind. Your shot easily could bounce off the road if you have a good tail wind. With its five par 3s and five par 5s, Sea Scape is a true test of your golfing ability as well as your patience. Housing along Sea Scape is sometimes close to the course and surrounded by woods. Sea Scape has a teaching center, club fitting, rental clubs, a driving range, bar, restaurant and a fully stocked pro shop. Walking is not allowed. Approximate greens fees range from $40 to $60, including cart. Advance tee times are available whenever you call, which means you should call well in advance of your arrival if you plan to be here during the busy summer season.
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