Wilmington is home to almost 50 golf courses within a one hour range. For your convenience, we have listed some of the area's finest courses.

Bald Head
George Cobb Design, 1972
Back Tees: 6855
Bald Head Island
910-457-5000 / 800-680-8322 / 800-234-1666
Website

Located in the middle of one of the most beautiful and well preserved islands on the east coast, the Bald Head Island Course winds through a maritime forest reminiscent of a tropical island before emerging with impressive oceanfront views. The novice golfer should pack extra balls, because the woods are thick and the water unforgiving, especially on the back nine. Rated 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest.

Beau Rivage Plantation
Joe Getsner, 1988
Back Tees: 6709
649 Rivage Promenade, Wilmington
910-392-9022 / 800-628-7080

Surprising elevations are among the challenges you'll encounter at this course. Water comes into play on about half the holes, including a long carry over the 206 yard par 3 4th hole. The course also has a rare feature -- back to back par three holes on the back nine.

Belvedere Plantation Country Club
Russell Burney Design, 1972
Back Tees: 6401
2368 Country Club Dr., Hampstead
910-270-2703 / 877-YARD-037

One of the pioneers when it comes to golf course developments in the area, Belvedere first came on line back in the early 70s. A short course with small, tight greens, Belvedere awards excellence in the short game -- and punishes the inept. Sometimes the greens can be fast, and four putts have been known to hit even the best golfers.

The Cape Golf and Racquet Club
Gene Hamm Design, 1985
Back Tees:6805
535 The Cape Blvd, Wilmington
910-799-3110

Challenging and unique, this course has numerous impressive vistas, reminiscent of a Scottish style. Over 24 lakes and ponds add to the attractiveness of the coastal terrain. Also memorable is the double green on 15/17.

Carolina National Golf Club
Fred Couples Design, 1998
Back Tees: 7017
1643 Goley Hewitt Rd., Bolivia
888-200-6455
Website

One of the areas newer courses, this Fred Couples signature course was carefully built into over 100 acres of wetland along the Lockwood Folly River in the Winding River Development. It is an Audubon Certified Course, earning that distinction for its preservation of natural areas. Rated 4 1/2 stars in a recent survey by Golf Digest.

Castle Bay
Randy Blanton Design, 1999
Back Tees: 6713
2516 Hoover Rd., Hampstead
910-270-1978

A links style course with a Scottish feel, Castle Bay is one of the area's newest courses. The course is mostly treeless, with rolling hills and high heather grass rough -- visualize the British Open. The course winds through marsh areas and has a surprising amount of water.

Echo Farms Golf & Country Club
Ian Scott-Taylor (re-design of Gene Hamm), 1974
Back Tees: 7004
4114 Echo Rarms Blvd., Wilmington
910-791-9318

Recently redesigned to capture the flavor of the Scottish tradition, this course offers challenges to all skill levels. A few years ago the course had a lot of drainage and maintenance problems but new pro Larry George has stepped up with a lot of improvements.

Inland Greens Par 3
Dallas Harris, 1993
Back Tees: 2001
5945 Inland Greens Dr.
910-452-9900

The only Par 3 golf course in the area, Inland Greens is great for beginners but also ideal for honing the skills of the more advanced players. The course also takes a fraction of the time to play as a regular course, and costs much less.

The Lakes
Ed Riciboni Design, 1962
Back Tees: 6800
Boiling Springs Lakes
910-845-2625

One of the oldest golf courses in golf-crazy Brunswick County, this 6800 yard course formerly known as Fox Squirrel is undergoing dramatic improvement. The course is unique in that no two fairways are parallel.

Landfall Country Club
Jack Nicklaus Signature Design,
Back Tees:7142
Pete Dye Design,
Back Tees: 6997
1515 East Landfall Rd., Wilmington
910-256-9050
Website

Landfall is a private community that accepts a limited number of non-member play. It has two separate courses. The one designed by Nicklaus has lots of marsh with water in play throughout. Dyes course turns a flat piece of land into a links imitation that's playable for the retiree, yet strong enough to test the low-handicapper. Landfall has been stunningly and skillfully earthworked to provide a fierce challenge. Both courses are kept in immaculate condition with hazards riddled throughout .

Lockwood Golf Links
Willard Byrd Design, 1988
Back Tees: 6836
Holden Beach
910-842-5666
Website

Bordered by the Lockwood Folly River and the Intracoastal Waterway, this course utilizes waterfront views, cypress lakes and a variety of beautiful trees to create a memorable outing. Awarded a four star rating in Places to Play in the 2000 Golf Digest.

Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation
Tom Jackson Design, 1999
Back Tees: 7185
1800 Linkwood Cir., Leland
910-383-0999 / 877-PUTT-133
Website

A young course that has quickly become known as one of the finest in the region, located on a scenic tract of land across the Cape Fear River. This course has played host to PGA Qualifying for the past two years and is a must-play for the local enthusiast. The 27 hole layout has lots of clever turns that challenge golfers to use tact and a variety of shot-making. 4 Stars Golf Digest Places to Play.

North Shore Country Club
Bob Moore Design, 1988
Back Tees: 6900
Hwy 210, N Topsail Beach
800-828-5035
Website

A very scenic, very impressive golf course. The Bermuda grass fairways wind through coastal dunes and marshes, and alongside the Intracoastal Waterway. Topsail Island is just across the sound. Has some long carries over water. Golf Digest chose North Shore as the top coastal course in North Carolina.

Oak Island Golf & Country Club
George Cobb Design, 1962
Back Tees: 6657
928 Caswell Bch Rd, Oak Island
800-278-5275
Website

Overlooking the Atlantic ocean, this course has lots of water to contend with but is overall a fun course. During summer months you'll likely see an alligator or two sunning alongside the course, so watch your step when you're looking for that errant drive.

Olde Fort Golf & Country Club
Raeford Trask Design, 1991
Back Tees: 6311
Hwy 133 S. Winnabow
910-371-9940

A sister course of Duck Haven, it is very similar in challenge level and playability. Olde Fort is a popular golf course for people just getting into the game and affordable enough to not break the budget.

Olde Point Golf and Country Club
Jerry Tuner Design, 1974
Back Tees: 6913
Hampstead
910-270-2403 / 866-2121-PAR
Website

One of the areas older courses, this course utilizes the heavily wooded landscape, scenic lakes and ponds, and strategic greenside and fairway bunkers to create an intriguing and fun course. Although it's one of the shortest courses in the area at just over 6000 yards, it's still a challenge.

Porters Neck Plantation
Tom Fazio Design, 1991
Back Tees: 7112
1202 Porter's Neck Rd., Wilmington
910-686-1177 - 866-2431-PIN
Website

Clearly one of the top courses in the area, this Tom Fazio course is carefully built into a heavily wooded area north of Wilmington. Porters Neck was developed shortly after Landfall, and is first rate in every way. The golf course was once named the #1 course on the NC Coast by Golf Digest.

River Landing
Clyde Johnston Design, 1996
Back Tees: 7009
Wallace
888-285-4171 / 866-DRIVER-9
Website

Part of a 1,400 acre gated community developed by the Murphy Farm people, River Landing is a top notch 27 hole course with some very pictruesque landscaping. Designed by Clyde Johnston, the course winds along the Northeast Cape Fear River, a mere 40 minute drive from Wilmington. Ranked in the top 50 by North Carolina Magazine.

Rivers Edge Golf Club
Arnold Palmer Signature Course , 2000
Back Tees: 6909
Shallotte
910-755-3434 / 877-RIVER-18
Website

Rivers Edge features seven riverfront holes unique to golf course development and has incredible views of the river and salt marsh. The interior holes feature natural and dramatic topography with lots of elevation changes and dense forests. The 18-hole championship course is located in one of coastal North Carolina's most pristine areas along freshwater lakes, salt marshes and the mile-wide Shallotte River. Rated #7 in America's top ten best new upscale golf course for 2000 - Golf Digest.

St. James Plantation, Founders Club
P.B. Bye Design, 1991
Back Tees: 7033
Southport
800-247-4806 - 877-935-SHOT
Website

Over 200 acres of marsh, woodlands, lakes and the Intracoastal Waterway means water will come into play on this excellent golf course. Recently rated 3 1/2 stars by Golf Digest , the Gauntlet is not an easy course, with lots of contours around the greens. Its medieval theme -- one water heavy hole is called The Moats -- adds to the fun.

St. James Plantation, Members Club
Hale Irwin Design, 1996
Back Tees:6887
Southport
800-474-9277
Website

Unexpected elevations and a beautiful natural setting makes this well-maintained Hale Irwin signature course a winner. The Members Club is a Pinhurst style layout, with wider fairways and gently rolling terrain.

St. James Plantation, Players Club
Tim Cate Design, 1997
Back Tees: 7033
Southport
800-281-6626
Website

Built with a higher skill level in mind, this course cuts through rolling terrain enhanced by native forests and natural streams. The players club is tight off the tee and wider closer to the green. Like the other two courses at St. James, a guaranteed winner.

Topsail Greens
Russell Burney Design, 1972
Back Tees: 6324
Hwy 17 N., Hampstead
910-270-2883

A short, basic course with some unexpected challenges. Topsail Greens was the first in the Hampstead trio to open in the early 70s, though it initially had the name Chanticleer.

Wilmington Municipal Golf Course
Donald Ross Design, 1926
Back Tees: 6564
311 S. Wallace, Wilmington
910-791-0558

Very impressive for a municipal course, the Wilmington club underwent extensive renovations in recent years to return it to its original Donald Ross design.

There are many other courses in the area. Just south of this survey of courses lies Brunswick County which has over 40 courses with many more on the way. Among the most notable, not already mentioned above, include Brick Landing, Calabash, Carolina Shores, Lions Paw, Marsh Harbor, Oyster Bay, Panthers Run, The Pearl, Sea Trail, Thistle, and Tigers Eye.

To book a golf package at most of the above referenced courses, check out Golf Cape Fear .

Special thanks for some of the info here to Encore Magazines Guide to Area Golf Issue.