
Bald Head Island Course
Bald Head Island Country Club



About this course
Bald Head Island Country Club occupies a maritime setting on Bald Head Island, a barrier island accessible only by ferry from Southport, North Carolina. George Cobb designed the original course, which opened in the 1970s as part of the island's residential development. Tim Cate later completed a renovation that updated the layout while respecting the constraints and character of the island environment. The course operates within a community where golf carts are replaced by electric carts and bicycles, reflecting the island's car-free policy. The routing works through coastal forest and natural dune formations, with holes shaped by the island's sandy soil and exposure to salt air and prevailing winds. Live oaks draped with Spanish moss frame several fairways, while native grasses and maritime vegetation define playing corridors. The design accommodates the relatively flat terrain typical of barrier islands, relying on strategic bunkering and green contours rather than dramatic elevation change. Water features appear on select holes, and the coastal breeze influences club selection and shot strategy throughout the round. The club serves as the recreational centerpiece for property owners and guests on Bald Head Island, a private residential community known for its beaches, the historic Old Baldy Lighthouse, and protected maritime forest. The course complements the island's emphasis on low-impact development and natural preservation, offering golf within a setting defined more by ecological character than resort amenities.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in NC
Quick facts
- Location
- Bald Head Island, NC, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1974
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- George Cobb, Tim Cate
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,832 yards
- Difficulty
- 76/144
- Course Vaults score
- 7.8
Getting there
The journey to Bald Head Island Country Club is unlike any other in American golf, beginning at Wilmington International Airport before transitioning to the Deep Point Marina in Southport for the only means of access - a private passenger ferry that glides across the Cape Fear River. No cars are permitted on the island itself; upon arrival, golf carts and bicycles become the sole mode of transport, reinforcing the deliberate separation from the mainland world. The final approach winds through maritime forest and dune-studded landscape, where the rhythm of the Atlantic replaces the hum of civilization, and the clubhouse emerges as a quiet sanctuary at the edge of North Carolina's southernmost barrier island.

FAQ
Common questions about Bald Head Island
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Bald Head Island has a Course Vaults score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 17 logged golfers.
Bald Head Island was designed by George Cobb and Tim Cate.
Yes. Bald Head Island is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Bald Head Island is 72.
Bald Head Island plays 6,832 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Bald Head Island is 144.



