Thistle Golf Club

Overview

27 holes of Scottish soul — and a bagpiper on the tee every weekend.

27 Holes

71 (Cameron+MacKay) / 71 (MacKay+Stewart) / 71 (Stewart+Cameron) — varies by 9-hole combination played Par

6,727 Yards Thistle Tees tees

141 Slope Rating 73.6

Golf Digest awarded Thistle 4.5 stars, and GolfPass named it among the Top 25 Best-Conditioned Courses in the country in 2023 — a testament to the operation's commitment to year-round quality. Twelve-minute tee time intervals keep pace of play brisk, which regulars cite as one of the most consistently appreciated features of the facility.

Situated just south of the North Carolina border near the Brunswick Isles, Thistle sits slightly off the main Grand Strand circuit — a location that keeps it refreshingly uncrowded while remaining within easy reach of the major resort corridors. For golfers who want a course that feels like a destination rather than a commodity, Thistle is one of the best answers on the northern end of the region.

Golfweek Best Public Courses You Can Play 2023

Golf Digest 4.5 Stars Places to Play 2008

GolfPass Top 50 U.S. Public Courses (Golfers' Choice) — #23 2024

GolfPass Top 25 Best-Conditioned Courses in the U.S. (Golfers' Choice) 2023

Golf For Women Top 100 Fairways in America 2004

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1815 Olde Thistle Club Road, Sunset Beach, NC 28468

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(910) 444-2500

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thistlegolf.com/

Before You Play

At Thistle Golf Club

Caddie's Notes

4 things worth knowing before your round — from tee selection to where to eat when you're done.

Course Character & Design

Tim Cate drew direct inspiration from the original Thistle Golf Club of Leith, Scotland (est. 1815) to create this 27-hole layout with three distinct nine-hole personalities, Stewart (most links-like, with stacked-sod bunkers and mounded fairways), MacKay (water and sand throughout), and Cameron (flatter, more parkland). Played in any two-of-three combination, Thistle offers more variety within a single facility than almost anywhere else on the Grand Strand.

Signature Holes

The Stewart nine's stacked-sod bunkers and exposed mounding are the most visually distinctive holes on the property, they genuinely evoke a Scottish links in a way that few American 'links-style' courses achieve. MacKay's water-and-sand combination plays like a Lowcountry course at its finest, while Cameron's flatter parkland character makes it the transition nine that ties the experience together.

Course Conditions

TifEagle UltraDwarf Bermuda greens are being renovated nine-by-nine, Cameron and MacKay nines were completed by 2025, with Stewart underway. The phased renovation approach means conditions vary slightly by nine during the transition, but TifEagle is one of the premium putting surfaces in Myrtle Beach; ask the pro shop which nines are fully completed when booking.

Before You Play

Complimentary range balls, yardage books, and bag tags are included in your round: a genuine value-add that bigger-name courses charge extra for. The Pot Bunker Pub is open from 7am to 6pm (grill closes at 4pm), so plan your post-round timing accordingly. The Scottish-designed clubhouse is one of the Grand Strand's most atmospheric 19th holes, with an imported Scottish bar and historic golf memorabilia worth lingering in after your round. Book the Cameron/MacKay combo if you want the most balanced test; Stewart/MacKay if you want the most variety.

Course Details

The Essentials

Designer Tim Cate

Opened 1999

Access Public / semi-private

Course Type Scottish Links / Lowcountry

Walking Cart only

Caddies Not available

Greens TifEagle UltraDwarf Bermuda (recently renovated per-nine; Stewart renovation in progress as of mid-2025)

Fairways Bermuda

Short Game Area Yes

Driving Range Full practice facility with complimentary range balls included

Club Rental Available

GPS Carts No

Golf Trail Myrtle Beach Golf Trail

Instruction PGA instruction available

Dining Pot Bunker Pub (The 28th Hole) — full-service Scottish-themed pub/grill, 7am–6pm (grill closes 4pm)

Lodging None

Green Fees $185 – $210

Best Months October-May

Peak Season March-May

Nearest Airport MYR · 30 min

Notable Features

27-hole Tim Cate design inspired by the original Thistle Golf Club of Leith, Scotland (est. 1815). Three distinct 9-hole layouts — Stewart (most links-like with stacked-sod bunkers and mounded fairways), MacKay (water and sand throughout), Cameron (flatter and more parkland in feel). Rounds are played as any two-of-three combination for 18 holes. Grand Strand's most acclaimed clubhouse: Scottish architectural design meant to evoke a club grown over 100 years, featuring imported Scottish bar, historic golf memorabilia and documents. Complimentary range balls, yardage books, and bag tags included. TifEagle Bermuda greens being renovated per-nine (Cameron and MacKay done by 2025; Stewart underway). Managed by Knight39 (Kevan Moore, GM).

Tee Information

Scorecard

Tee	Gender	Par	Yardage	Rating	Slope
Thistle Tees	M	71	6,727	73.6	141
Blue Tees	M	71	6,274	71	135
White Tees	M	71	5,696	68.4	125
White/Gold Hybrid	M	71	5,476	67.3	122
Gold Tees	M	71	5,092	65.7	112
Red Tees	M	70	4,357	62.5	108
Thistle Tees	M	72	6,936	74.4	141
Blue Tees	M	72	6,437	71.9	134
White Tees	M	72	5,941	69.5	126
White/Gold Hybrid	M	72	5,720	68.3	123
Gold Tees	M	72	5,303	66.7	112
Red Tees	M	70	4,590	63.5	106
Thistle Tees	M	71	6,845	74	140
Blue Tees	M	71	6,415	71.7	137
White Tees	M	71	5,881	69.1	127
White/Gold Hybrid	M	71	5,654	68	123
Gold Tees	M	71	5,293	66.2	115
Red Tees	M	70	4,471	62.8	109

◆ Ratings and yardages are approximate and may vary by season. Verify with the pro shop before your round.

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