Golf Communities in Southeastern North Carolina
Southeastern North Carolina has quietly become one of the East Coast's great golf destinations. Brunswick County alone is home to dozens of courses stretching from Leland to Calabash, and Wilmington adds several highly regarded private clubs. Mild winters mean you can play nearly every month of the year.
Golf communities here range from large master-planned neighborhoods with multiple courses, marinas, fitness centers, and walking trails to smaller neighborhoods built around a single course. Many buyers choose a golf community for the lifestyle as much as the golf: clubhouse dining, social clubs, pickleball and tennis, and a built-in network of neighbors.
The details matter. Membership structures, initiation fees, HOA dues, and whether a home actually sits on the course all affect value and day-to-day cost. We help buyers compare communities apples to apples so there are no surprises after closing.
Popular Golf Communities
St. James (Southport)
Brunswick CountyOne of the region's largest gated golf communities, with multiple championship courses, a marina on the Intracoastal Waterway, a private beach club, and an active community calendar.
Ocean Ridge Plantation (Ocean Isle Beach area)
Brunswick CountyKnown for its "Big Cats" collection of courses and its location a few minutes from Ocean Isle Beach. Homes range from villas to custom estates.
Brunswick Forest (Leland)
Brunswick CountyA large master-planned community about 10 to 15 minutes from downtown Wilmington, with Cape Fear National golf course, fitness centers, trails, and a wide variety of home styles.
Compass Pointe & Magnolia Greens (Leland)
Brunswick CountyLeland golf neighborhoods with resort-style amenities and quick access to Wilmington — popular with buyers who want newer construction and an easy commute.
Sea Trail & Brunswick Plantation
Brunswick CountyEstablished golf communities near Sunset Beach and Calabash, offering a range of price points and close proximity to the beaches and to North Myrtle Beach.
Landfall (Wilmington)
New Hanover CountyA gated private club community near Wrightsville Beach with courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye, plus a sports center and clubhouse.
Porters Neck Plantation (Wilmington)
New Hanover CountyA gated community in northern New Hanover County with a Tom Fazio-designed course, close to Figure Eight Island and the Intracoastal Waterway.
Belvedere Plantation (Hampstead)
Pender CountyA golf and country club community in Pender County with a more relaxed price point and easy access to Topsail Island and Wilmington.
Brunswick County Neighborhoods for Golf Communities
Specific Brunswick County communities that fit this lifestyle, with golf courses, builders and amenities at a glance.
Golf Course Communities
St. James Plantation
Custom homes & lotsOne of the largest gated golf communities on the North Carolina coast, between Southport and Oak Island along the Intracoastal Waterway. Single-family, attached and condo homes, with custom new construction still underway.
Four courses: The Reserve Club (Jack Nicklaus), The Founders Club (P.B. Dye), The Members Club (Hale Irwin) and The Players Club (Tim Cate)
- 24-hour gated entrance
- Full-service marina
- Beach club on Oak Island
- Pools & fitness
- Tennis & pickleball
- Golf membership optional
Winding River Plantation
Custom homes & lotsGated golf and river community on the Lockwood Folly River with its own day marina and a beach club on Holden Beach. Custom builders continue to build on remaining lots.
Carolina National Golf Club: 27 holes designed by Fred Couples (membership optional)
- Gated entrance
- River House & day marina
- Boat launch with ICW access
- Holden Beach oceanfront beach club
- Clubhouse, pool & fitness
- Tennis & bocce
Sea Trail Plantation
Builders selling nowMaster-planned golf and beach community on the mainland side of Sunset Beach, minutes from the island. New construction homes, villas, condos and buildable lots alongside established neighborhoods.
Three 18-hole championship courses: Rees Jones, Dan Maples and Willard Byrd
- Three golf courses
- Clubhouse & dining
- Pools
- Minutes to Sunset Beach
- Condos, villas & single-family
Ocean Ridge Plantation
Custom homes & lotsGated community off US 17 built around the "Big Cats" golf courses, with a private oceanfront beach club for residents on Sunset Beach.
The Big Cats: Tiger's Eye, Leopard's Chase, Lion's Paw and Panther's Run (four 18-hole courses)
- Gated entrance
- Private oceanfront beach club
- Two community centers
- Pools
- Tennis & pickleball
- Walking trails & fishing pond
Brunswick Plantation
Builders selling nowLarge gated golf community in Calabash with several neighborhoods and active new construction, a short drive to Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle and North Myrtle Beach.
27-hole championship golf course
Builders: Lennar, D.R. Horton (Rich Square)
- Gated with 24-hour security
- 11,000 sq. ft. clubhouse
- Multiple pools
- Tennis courts
- On-site restaurant
Brunswick Forest
Builders selling nowRoughly 4,500-acre master-planned community in Leland, about 15 minutes from downtown Wilmington, with multiple builders and neighborhoods still under construction.
Cape Fear National: 18-hole championship course with a ~7,000 sq. ft. clubhouse
Builders: Multiple builders, including Stanley Martin (Trestle Ridge)
- Fitness center
- Indoor & outdoor pools
- 40+ miles of trails
- River Club with kayak access
- Restaurant & community garden
Compass Pointe
Builders selling nowGated, resort-style community in Leland known for its amenity center and lazy river, with a golf course built through the community.
The Pointe: 18-hole course designed by Rick Robbins (separate membership)
- Gated entrance
- Indoor & outdoor pools with lazy river
- Fitness & wellness center
- Tennis & pickleball
- Dog park & events lawn
- Walking & biking trails
Magnolia Greens
Mostly resaleEstablished golf community in Leland close to shopping on US 17, popular with buyers who want golf and value without the newest-construction price tag.
27-hole golf course open to the public
- Golf
- Community pool & clubhouse
- Tennis
- Close to Leland shopping
Crow Creek
Builders selling nowGolf community anchored by the Crow Creek course, with new single-family homes and condos near Calabash and Sunset Beach.
Crow Creek Golf Club
- Golf course
- Community pool
- Single-family homes & condos
Thistle Golf Club
Custom homes & lotsCustom homes and homesites within the private Thistle Golf Club, a well-regarded course near the South Carolina line.
Thistle Golf Club (private)
- Private golf club
- Custom home sites
Carolina Shores
Mostly resaleEstablished town built around an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse, with single-family homes, patio homes and villas at approachable prices.
18-hole golf course & clubhouse
- Golf
- Patio homes & villas
- Close to Calabash dining
Updated October 2026. Builders, phases, amenities and availability change often. Contact us for current pricing and inventory, and bring your own agent to your first builder visit.
Life in a Golf Community
Golf nearly every month
Coastal Carolina winters are mild, and many members play year-round. Spring and fall bring peak course conditions.
More than golf
Most larger communities include pools, fitness centers, pickleball and tennis courts, walking trails, and clubs for everything from wine to woodworking.
A built-in social network
Leagues, member-guest tournaments, and clubhouse events make it easy for newcomers — especially relocating retirees — to meet neighbors quickly.
Beach and city within reach
Many golf communities are 10 to 20 minutes from the beach and within an easy drive of Wilmington, Southport, or Myrtle Beach.
What to Know Before Buying a Golf Home
Membership is not always included
Owning a home in a golf community does not automatically mean golf privileges. Ask whether membership is mandatory, optional, or equity-based, and get the current initiation fees and monthly dues in writing.
HOA dues and amenity fees
Master HOA dues, sub-association dues, and amenity fees can add up. Review the budget, reserves, and any planned special assessments during due diligence.
On the course vs. in the community
Fairway and water-view lots carry a premium — and come with errant golf balls and course maintenance noise. Off-course homes in the same community can be a good value.
Course ownership and health
Ask who owns the course and how it is funded. A well-run, member-owned or well-capitalized course protects home values; a struggling course can affect them.
Golf Communities: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to join the golf club if I buy in a golf community?
It depends on the community. Some require a social or golf membership with home ownership, some make membership optional, and some courses are open to the public. Always confirm current membership requirements, initiation fees, and dues before you make an offer.
Which area has the most golf communities in Southeastern NC?
Brunswick County has the highest concentration, from Leland and Bolivia to Southport, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, and Calabash. Wilmington and northern New Hanover County offer several private clubs, and Pender County has options in Hampstead.
Are golf course homes a good investment?
Homes in well-maintained, financially healthy golf communities tend to hold value well, especially in markets popular with retirees like Brunswick County. The course's financial health, HOA management, and location relative to the beach and Wilmington all affect long-term value.
Can I find a golf community near the beach?
Yes. St. James, Ocean Ridge Plantation, Sea Trail, and several Holden Beach and Ocean Isle area communities are within roughly 5 to 20 minutes of the ocean.