By Linda Rike
Morehead City isn't primarily known as a golf destination — it's known for its waterfront, its fishing, and its coastal lifestyle. But golfers who make their home here or visit the Crystal Coast quickly discover that the region's courses offer something refreshingly different from the manicured resort layouts you find elsewhere in North Carolina. Here's our guide to the best golf courses in Morehead City and the surrounding Crystal Coast area.
Key Takeaways
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Morehead City and the surrounding Crystal Coast offer a range of public and semi-private courses within easy driving distance.
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Brandywine Bay Golf Club is the only semi-private course in Carteret County and the area's most accessible option for visiting golfers.
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The Beaufort Club and Crystal Coast Country Club round out the region's strongest layouts with highly rated experiences.
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Star Hill Golf Club in Cape Carteret provides a 27-hole option for golfers who want variety across multiple rounds.
Brandywine Bay Golf Club: Morehead City's Home Course
If you're based in Morehead City, Brandywine Bay Golf Club is your local track. Originally designed by Bruce Devlin in 1977 and later reshaped by legendary architect Ellis Maples, this 18-hole, par-71 course stretches just over 6,500 yards from the championship tees and plays through the Brandywine Bay residential community. It was voted one of the Best Places to Play in North Carolina by Golf Digest and remains the only semi-private club in Carteret County.
What to Know Before You Play Brandywine Bay
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Four sets of tees that make the course accessible to players across the skill spectrum
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A full amenity package including pro shop, driving range, chipping area, putting green, and bar and grill
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Semi-private structure with memberships available alongside unrestricted public access
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Strong southern hospitality from staff that regulars and first-timers alike consistently mention
Brandywine Bay is where many Crystal Coast residents have their standing weekend tee time — a course with genuine local history and a layout that holds up round after round.
The Beaufort Club: The Region's Highest-Rated Layout
Just minutes from Morehead City in neighboring Beaufort, The Beaufort Club is consistently rated the top golf experience in the area. This Bob Moore-designed, 18-hole championship course sits at the center of the Beaufort Club community and carries ratings that rival courses at much larger destination resorts. With a course rating in the upper 4s out of 5 across hundreds of reviews, it earns its reputation every time out.
A Championship Course Worth the Short Drive
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A well-maintained championship layout with a design that rewards strategic thinking off the tee
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Semi-private access that keeps the experience more personal than a fully open public course
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A beautifully maintained facility with a clubhouse that matches the quality of the golf course
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Consistently praised for pace of play, course conditions, and overall value
For Crystal Coast residents who want the region's best golf experience, The Beaufort Club is the consistent answer.
Crystal Coast Country Club: Pine Knoll Shores' Standout Option
Crystal Coast Country Club in Pine Knoll Shores occupies a distinctive position in the region's golf landscape — a semi-private course set against a backdrop of coastal North Carolina landscape that doesn't feel like anywhere else. With ratings comparable to The Beaufort Club and several hundred reviews backing that up, this 18-hole layout has developed a loyal following among both residents and visitors.
Why Crystal Coast Country Club Earns Its Reputation
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An 18-hole semi-private layout with public access and a setting that reflects the coastal environment
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Consistently high ratings across major golf review platforms — one of the most-reviewed courses in the region
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Proximity to the beach and barrier island communities makes it easy to combine a round with a full day on the coast
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A course that rewards return visits as players develop familiarity with its particular challenges
Crystal Coast Country Club is the kind of course that becomes a regular stop once you've played it once.
Star Hill Golf Club: 27 Holes in Cape Carteret
For golfers who want more options in a single location, Star Hill Golf Club in Cape Carteret offers 27 holes across three nine-hole combinations — Pines, Lakes, and Sands — giving players genuine variety across multiple rounds. Located just across the bridge from Emerald Isle, Star Hill is one of the oldest established courses on the Crystal Coast and has maintained a consistent presence in the regional golf community for decades.
What Star Hill Offers the Crystal Coast Golfer
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Three distinct nine-hole courses that can be played in any combination for an 18-hole round
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One of the most established golf venues on the Crystal Coast with decades of local history
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A public course accessible to all players without membership requirements
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A location in Cape Carteret that puts it within easy reach of Morehead City and the broader Crystal Coast
Star Hill is where Crystal Coast golfers go when they want options — and the 27-hole format consistently delivers them.
FAQs
Are there public golf courses in Morehead City itself?
Brandywine Bay Golf Club is the primary golf option within Morehead City and welcomes public play seven days a week. For additional variety, The Beaufort Club, Crystal Coast Country Club, and Star Hill Golf Club are all within a 15–25 minute drive and represent the strongest options the broader Crystal Coast area has to offer.
Does access to golf courses affect home values in the Morehead City area?
For the right buyer, absolutely. Properties near Brandywine Bay Golf Club benefit from the community's amenities, and buyers who prioritize golf alongside waterfront access often find that the Crystal Coast's combination of both is part of what makes this area compelling as a primary or secondary residence. It's a lifestyle factor we discuss with buyers who are evaluating the full picture of what living here looks like.
Is the Crystal Coast golf scene growing?
The region's overall real estate demand has supported continued interest in lifestyle amenities, including golf. The Crystal Coast's combination of courses, waterfront access, and year-round playability — North Carolina's mild coastal climate makes golf accessible for most of the year — is consistently mentioned by buyers who are comparing the region to other coastal destinations.
Find Your Place on the Crystal Coast with Linda Rike
Whether golf is part of your daily routine or an occasional treat, the Crystal Coast delivers — and so does this real estate market. We've spent years helping buyers and sellers navigate the Morehead City and Crystal Coast market with honest strategy and real local knowledge.
If you're looking for a team that delivers results without wasting your time, we're the right call.
Visit our website to connect with our team and get started.
If you're looking for a team that delivers results without wasting your time, we're the right call.
Visit our website to connect with our team and get started.
