Lion's Paw occupies gently rolling terrain in the Ocean Ridge Plantation development near Ocean Isle Beach on North Carolina's southern coast. Designed by Willard Byrd and opened in 1991, the course takes its name from its signature feature: a massive bunker shaped like a lion's paw print that guards the 18th green. Byrd, a North Carolina native who designed numerous courses throughout the Carolinas, routed Lion's Paw through natural wetlands and stands of longleaf pine, incorporating the coastal plain's characteristic sandy soil and native vegetation into the design. The layout measures over 7,000 yards from the championship tees and features generous landing areas balanced by strategic bunkering and water hazards that come into play on roughly half the holes. The course moves through varied terrain, with several holes playing along or across wetland areas while others wind through pine corridors. Elevation changes are modest but provide enough movement to create visual interest and affect club selection on approach shots. Lion's Paw is part of the Big Cats Golf collection at Ocean Ridge Plantation, which includes multiple courses designed around a feline theme. The facility operates as a semi-private club, welcoming both members and daily-fee players. The course has hosted various regional amateur events and remains popular with visitors to the Brunswick County beach communities, offering a parkland-style layout that contrasts with the links-influenced designs more common along North Carolina's Outer Banks to the north.