Lion’s Paw Golf Links
A bold Big Cats layout at Ocean Ridge Plantation, Lion’s Paw Golf Links pairs wooded elevation changes, creek-valley views, wetland scenery, water on 15 holes, deep sugar-sand bunkers, and a rugged Lowcountry feel just north of the Grand Strand.
Where hardwoods, water, and Big Cats bite all meet.
Lion’s Paw Golf Links was the first of the Big Cats courses at Ocean Ridge Plantation, and it still gives the property much of its identity. The course has a raw, wooded personality, with elevation movement, wetlands, lakes, oyster-shell-lined water features, and holes that shift between tight hardwood corridors and more open, wind-exposed stretches.
The course plays as a par 72 and stretches to 7,003 yards from the championship tees. The scorecard number matters, but Lion’s Paw earns its reputation through the shape of the holes. Water comes into play on 15 holes, more than 70 bunkers are scattered across the property, and generous mounding gives the fairways a muscular, rolling look.
The first 12 holes move through towering hardwoods and feature more elevation change than many golfers expect this close to the coast. Holes 13 through 17 open up, changing the test from trees and terrain to wind, water, and visual intimidation. The 18th blends both personalities, starting open before working back through the trees toward the green.
For a 2026 Myrtle Beach golf trip, Lion’s Paw fits groups that want a north-end course with character, value, scenery, and enough trouble to keep the scorecard honest without turning the round into a full-blown survival documentary.
First of the Big Cats
Lion’s Paw helped establish the Big Cats identity at Ocean Ridge Plantation, setting the tone with a rugged mix of water, bunkers, hardwoods, and wetlands.
Water on 15 holes
Lakes, creeks, wetlands, and water-lined approaches show up throughout the round, giving Lion’s Paw plenty of bite and visual drama.
More than 70 bunkers
Deep sugar-sand bunkers and bold fairway mounding make placement important, especially for players trying to chase pins from the wrong angle.
Lion’s Paw Golf Links gallery
A look at Lion’s Paw’s island-style green complexes, wooded corridors, rolling fairways, bunkering, water features, and Big Cats atmosphere.
Where Lion’s Paw earns its reputation.
Lion’s Paw is a course where the view can be generous but the miss can be sharp. The fairways offer room in places, yet water, bunkers, mounding, and creek angles quickly remind golfers that this is still one of the Big Cats.
The first 12 holes ask players to manage hardwood corridors and elevation changes. From 13 through 17, the course opens up and wind becomes a larger part of the puzzle. The par-3 17th is one of the memorable pressure points, with water guarding most of the green and a bailout that still asks for nerve.
The 1st and 10th holes are both strong early-nine tests, with No. 10 especially demanding because of the creek running along the right side before cutting in front of the green. It is not just about length. It is about choosing the line that keeps the ball out of the claws.
For a 2026 Myrtle Beach golf trip, Lion’s Paw is a strong pick for groups looking at the Ocean Isle Beach and Brunswick County side of the golf map. It brings value, scenery, water, and enough strategic bite to make the round feel bigger than the price tag.
| Category | 2026 Course Details |
|---|---|
| Course | Lion’s Paw Golf Links |
| Complex | Big Cats Golf at Ocean Ridge Plantation |
| Location | Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina |
| Address | 351 Ocean Ridge Pkwy SW, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469 |
| Design Credit | Willard Byrd & Tim Cate |
| Opened | 1990 |
| Par | 72 |
| Championship Yardage | 7,003 yards |
| Men’s Yardage | 6,457 yards |
| Gold Tee Yardage | 5,872 yards |
| Ladies Yardage | 5,363 yards |
| Championship Rating / Slope | 74.0 / 132 |
| Men’s Rating / Slope | 71.3 / 128 |
| Ladies Rating / Slope | 69.0 / 121 |
| Greens | MiniVerde Bermudagrass greens |
| Water Features | Water comes into play on 15 holes |
| Bunkers | More than 70 bunkers with deep sugar-sand character |
| Signature Hole | No. 17 · par 3 with water around the green |
| Best Known For | Big Cats identity, wooded elevation changes, wetlands, water, bunkers and value |
What’s available at Lion’s Paw
Lion’s Paw offers the core pieces golf groups need for a complete day: bar, restaurant, golf shop, carts, club rentals, driving range, and access to the broader Big Cats golf setting at Ocean Ridge Plantation.
Bar
Club Rental
Golf Carts
Golf Shop
Restaurant
Driving Range
Add Lion’s Paw to your 2026 golf trip.
Lion’s Paw Golf Links is a smart choice for groups that want Big Cats character, Ocean Isle Beach scenery, water-lined strategy, deep bunkers, MiniVerde greens, and a north-end round with plenty of bite.