Outer Banks Golf Courses: Nags Head Golf Links

When packing your suitcases to come visit the beautiful sandy beaches of the Outer Banks, North Carolina, make sure to leave some room in your car for your golf clubs. This beautiful sandbar that I was blessed to grow up on is home to some of the most breathtaking courses on the coast of North Carolina, including Nags Head Golf Links.

Katherine’s Personal View of the Course

Nags Head Golf Links in my opinion is an absolute “must-play” golf course during your stay on the Outer Banks because this course truly demonstrates what life on the Outer Banks is all about- breathtaking views, fun for all, and loads of excitement as well as adventure around every corner. Or in this case every “dogleg” (haha).

Nags Head Golf links is located about 3.5 miles north of the Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge and approximately 4 miles south of the fun for all Jockey’s Ridge State Park. If you are staying in a rental home in the northern part of the Outer Banks like Duck or Corolla, I would recommend making a day trip to the southern part of the Outer Banks- like Nags Head, Roanoke Island, Pea Island, Hatteras, etc. I promise there is so much to do and it is definitely worth the trip!

The Course

Nags Head Golf Links is a scenic links-style 18 hole par 71 course with bent grass greens and bermuda fairways with subtle topography changes that nestle in between the Pamlico Sound and Croatan Highway. There is also a small driving range on property where you can loosen up before your round. (The golf balls on the range are indeed limited flight range balls). If you notice that your golf ball is not flying as far as they normally do- no worries! Your normal yardage will show up again on the first tee.

You are in for a real treat and I am sure you can feel that it is going to be a very fun round ahead of you while you are standing on the elevated first tee box looking down to the plush green fairway in front of you. I will admit that some local course knowledge is a huge advantage when playing this course. There are a few tricky tee shots, some dog legs where you can probably reach the turns, and a few hidden penalty area spots that can come into play depending on the wind. When picking what tee box to play. Do not make the same mistake I did and let the length of this course fool you. The biggest defense of this golf course is the Outer Banks wind. One day you can be 150 yards out hitting your 110-yard club and the very next day you can be in the exact same spot that you were in the day before praying that your 180-yard club makes it to the green.

In my opinion, Nags Head Golf Links is the prettiest golf course on the Outer Banks. I find the course to be rather challenging which is why I love it. The course makes me think on every shot, gives me some hope on a downwind par 5 then tests my ability with an into the wind par 3. The first three holes I believe are a good warm-up to the round. It builds your confidence thinking that you are on top of the world and that your personal best is in the bag. Then hole 4 comes around and your mouth falls in awe of the beauty, the cameras start coming out and the scenic swing videos with the beautiful scenery in the background come into play. Four holes are touching the Pamlico Sound and there are about 5 other holes where you can see the water from somewhere on the hole.

This course is extremely fun to play with your loved ones, friends, or even with your in-laws. The last time I played Nags Head Golf Links, I was able to play a one vs. one match play match with a good high school friend of mine for a Surfin’ Spoon ice cream. I was even one down through the first hole after he stuck his approach to 3 ft and proceeded to make the putt for birdie. However, I was able to bring the match back to ‘all square’ after making a 9ft birdie putt on the 2nd hole. All of this is to say, that playing this course with people that will add to the fun of being on the golf course will make it that much better. I can promise you that you will have the time of your life, make some great memories, and experience all the emotions that golf can display, but at the end of the day, all you can do is laugh it off and enjoy being at the beach.