Now that the dust has settle from another great March Break in North Carolina, I can finally sit down and pen my thoughts on one of the nicest golf courses I've had the privilege to play since I took up this silly game of golf.
The Bald Head Island Club stats:
Played from the White tees: Rating 70.3 Slope 131
Designed by George Cobb, 1974
Renovation Tom Cate, 2010
Date: March 13, 2018
Temperature on first tee: 6 degrees Celsius, gusty winds.
Bald Head Island Golf Club is one unique golf course located on the southernmost of North Carolina's barrier islands, the golf course is only accessible by passenger ferry or private boat. So right off the bat getting our ferry out to the Island to play golf was a unique and fun experience. Be sure to check the ferry schedule so you won't miss your tee time.
Trams take you from ferry to golf course.
Hole #1 327 yds.
Even though the starting hole at Bald Head is on the shorter side it's an intimidating tee shot with water down the left side, plus this dogleg has a waste area on right as well. On the day we played the wind was right into our faces.
Sam teeing off on #1 Bald Head Island Club
Hole #2 160 yds.
The first par 3 played into the wind for us and again had us thinking what club to hit. With the natural area all along the left side you don't want to be short as anything funnels into the sand.
Brian trying to make the green on #2 Bald Head Island.
A fun par 4 not overly long but with a narrow landing area and a lagoon on the left you have to be accurate. most will have a short iron into this heavily guarded green. Have fun!
Hole #4 484 yds.
The first Par 5 , a long dog leg left that I managed to get close with two shots but the massive live oak gobbled up my third shot and had to settle for a bogey. A challenging and fun par 5.
Live Oak gobbled up my wedge shot to the green.
Hole #5 375 yds.
The number 1 handicap hole at Bald Head, I was happy to bogey this tough par 4. Green is guarded by natural areas to the left and back, which can poise a problem to get out of for most.
Sam finding the 5th hole difficult
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Hole #6 355 yds.
A wide fairway on this par 4 can leave a short shot into the green depending on your shot shape. A beautiful hole.
Brian takes aim on #6 Bald Head Island Golf Club
Hole #7 480 yds.
A three shot par 5 for most can be risky if you go for it in two as there's a massive bunker which fronts the green. A lagoon runs the entire left side of this hole. The green is elevated and protected by a large dune ridge. Birdies can be had with smart shot selections.
Hole #8 141 yds.
A tough par 3 with winds impacting our shots. Hazards both left and right par is a great score here any day.
Brian trying to hit the green on this difficult par 3 (into the wind)
Hole #9 380 yds.
Can you say "lagoons". A great intimidating par 4 especially with the wind on the day we played. Bogey felt like birdie for sure!
Hole #10 345 yds.
The large lagoon shouldn't come into play on this par 4. The fairway is wide but anything left or right will find hazards. A good hole to start on the back 9.
Brian finding the fairway.
Hole #11 466 yds.
This hole reminded me of some of the golf I played at Kiawah Island. Can be a birdie hole for some who choose wisely. Love the backdrop of forest then the green guarded by the lagoon and bulkhead. Beautiful hole. Amazing green to putt on (once your on).
Hole #12 334 yds.
A slight dog leg right par 4. Bunkers guard the green so you want a good tee shot here to have a wedge into this tiered green.
Hole #13 166 yds.
An uphill par 3 that played very difficult the day we played due in large part to the wind. Lots of sand to think about when choosing your club.
Sam firing away on #13 at Bald Head Island Golf Club
Hole #14 365 yds.
An intimidating tee shot to a wide fairway. The hole dog legs to the right, play it smart and you won't shoot a high number. A tough hole.
Hole #15 340 yds.
Relatively short par 4. A tee shot anywhere in the center will leave the ideal approach to the green. This hole has a lagoon which must be crossed twice, and the green is protected by a natural area on the left that drops off sharply from the green.
Hole #16 160 yds.
An amazing par 3 from an elevated tee box this green is hard to hit regardless of the wind (which there was a lot of the day we played). Beautiful, fun and difficult.
Hole #17 450 yds.
These final two holes were some of the windiest we played all day and the most fun. Managed par on this par 5, the green was immaculate to putt on.
Hole #18 404 yds.
Sam teeing off at the final hole the par 4 #18. Felt like a par 5.
Although it was an hour and half drive from North Topsail Beach to catch the ferry to Bald Head Island. It's was worth it in my opinion. Amazing golf course and island. The staff both at the pro shop and restaurant were amazing and helpful. The wings were tasty and got us through the back 9.
The day we golfed there were no crowds and at times we felt like the only ones golfing on this natural piece of property. The salt marshes and maritime forest framed the golf course.
The new Miniverde greens at Bald Head Island Golf Club were a pleasure to putt on. From the first green on we loved the consistency and subtle nuances of the greens. Made lots of putts which kept my score reasonable.
Tom Cate did an amazing job transforming the 35 acres of rough into sandy areas with native grasses. Looks spectacular.
If you get a chance go experience golf on Bald Head Island you won't be disappointed.
