The Lakes Golf Club

Carolina National Golf Club, located in Bolivia, North Carolina, is a 27-hole Fred Couples design laid out along the Lockwood Folly River. The Egret and Heron nines are typically combined to form the standard 18-hole routing, measuring roughly 6,500 yards from the tips. The site’s coastal wetlands and riverfront setting give the course a distinctive aesthetic not commonly found in inland public layouts.

The design uses natural marshland as a strategic and visual element. Several holes feature forced carries over wetlands, especially on the par-3s, which require precise shotmaking. The par-4 5th (Egret Nine) stands out with its split fairway and risk-reward tee shot over marsh, offering a true decision point for aggressive players. The green complexes often have subtle contours and elevated surrounds, placing a premium on short game control.

Unlike many public or resort tracks, Carolina National preserves a quiet, natural feel, avoiding dense housing corridors or heavy resort traffic. It’s walkable in places and routed with consideration to prevailing winds off the nearby Intracoastal Waterway. While not overly long, the variety in hole shapes, strategic hazards, and coastal breezes create enough challenge to engage low handicappers, while still being playable for mid-level golfers.