Video Spotlight: Thistle Golf Club
Join us for a dynamic sightseeing tour of a North Strand design that honors the finest traditions of the game’s birthplace: Thistle Golf Club near Myrtle Beach in Sunset Beach, N.C.
Each morning, as the sun rises, a new day dawns over Thistle Golf Club.
And with each new day, Thistle’s Scottish legacy comes to life for the enjoyment of its members and guests. With historical ties dating back to 1815 and the original Thistle Golf Club located in Leith, Scotland, this modern-day masterpiece offers 27 holes of brilliant Scottish tradition located in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, just 20 minutes north of Myrtle Beach.
The three nines; Stewart, MacKay and Cameron, offer a golf experience as it was meant to be, with stunning visuals, challenging design features and impeccable conditions year-round … a truly authentic golf experience. Challenging par-fives and picturesque par-threes are beautifully designed with traditional Scottish mounding and sandy waste areas that attract an array of natural wildlife commonly seen everyday here at Thistle Golf Club.
With exclusive home sites, residents are prideful of their peaceful surroundings while golfers enjoy a classic golf experience with expansive natural views set amongst this naturally beautiful property. Thistle Golf Club is served by its attentive member staff dedicated to excellence here within this spectacular clubhouse. The stunning architecture embraces classic ‘old-world-European’ design with timeless materials including quarried stone, red brick, massive wooden beams and slate roof that houses timeless golf artifacts and memorabilia…not commonly found anywhere in the world. Panoramic views from the back deck overlook the putting green and numerous holes from the MacKay and Cameron nines.
Thistle Golf Club has graciously accepted Golf Digest’s four-and-a-half-star rating for six straight years and continues to exceed player expectations for course conditions and service. Excellence, pride and tradition are the principles that have created and continue to shape Thistle Golf Club.
Come experience for yourself how these three virtues have created an unforgettable golf experience at Thistle Golf Club.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Thistle Golf Club?
Thistle Golf Club is in Sunset Beach, N.C., just across the state line on the North Strand. It's an easy drive up from North Myrtle Beach and a natural fit for any golf trip that includes the Brunswick County courses.
- How many holes does Thistle Golf Club have?
Thistle has 27 holes in three nines: Stewart, MacKay and Cameron. Any two of them combine for an 18-hole round, so you can come back and play a different layout the next day.
- Who designed Thistle Golf Club?
Tim Cate designed Thistle, and it opened in 1999. Cate started with an almost perfectly flat piece of land and shaped it with Scottish-style mounding, sandy waste areas and plenty of water to give the course its old-world character.
- How long is Thistle Golf Club?
Any 18-hole combination plays at roughly 6,800 yards from the back tees, with shorter sets of tees for mid- and high-handicappers. Expect strong par 5s that reward smart positioning more than brute force.
- What is the toughest hole at Thistle?
MacKay No. 7 is the course's number one handicap hole. It's a 546-yard par 5 that asks you to plan all three shots before you ever pull a club.
- Why is it called Thistle Golf Club?
The name honors the original Thistle Golf Club, founded in 1815 in Leith, Scotland, near Edinburgh. The clubhouse displays memorabilia tied to that history, including an 1824 copy of the original club's rules.
- Is the Thistle clubhouse worth seeing?
Absolutely. The clubhouse is built in an old-world European style with quarried stone, red brick, massive wooden beams and a slate roof. Take a few minutes to check out the golf artifacts inside, then enjoy the view from the back deck over the putting green and the MacKay and Cameron nines.
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