Golf Trip Itinerary: The Par Saver
Three Days and Two Nights on the Outer Banks
The region known as the Outer Banks is home to the morning drive. You wake up early, eat a hearty meal at one of the multitude of breakfast nooks around town, hop into your car and head to the first tee.
But this is not where the drive ends. In OBX, it’s where the pedal-to-the-metal, grip-it-and-rip-it excitement begins.
Each year this renowned beach resort destination attracts thousands of golfers of all over the country and from all skill levels in search of playing the wind-swept game along the North Carolina coast. With eclectic accommodations to be found up and down the waterfronts and top-of-the-line golf courses scattered among them, the options are limitless.
As golf courses of the Outer Banks become more dominant attractions, there is a need to organize trips built specifically around playing them. To make things a little easier, we have put together a trio of tried-and-true golf itineraries – each one a little bolder than the next.
We’ll start with what we call our “Par Saver” schedule, designed for less serious golfers not wanting to venture too far from home base. From there we advance to the “Birdie Chaser” itinerary, tailored to the needs of the more adventure-seeking players. Finally we have the “Tour of the Shore” lineup, crafted for the really serious players looking to take a really deep dive into the Outer Banks golf experience. Of course these are just a few examples on how to formulate an outstanding buddy golf trip to the region (mixing and matching can be achieved). Any way you shape it, you’ll be on your way to an unforgettable adventure.
Itinerary: The Par Saver
For those looking to stay close to their accommodations while venturing out to play golf, the Par Saver may be just the ticket. A foursome staying in a fully-equipped Kilmarlic Golf Cottage will have not only have access to three great golf courses without all the traffic of the main drag, but they will have an array of in-between golf activities to partake in as well. Highway 158 through Grandy and Powells Point features a trio of popular, upscale layouts that provide an inland diversion to the truly ocean-side adventure golfers will discover on the next two itineraries. With Kilmarlic, The Pointe and The Carolina Club situated just minutes apart each right off U.S. Highway 158, they provide affordable golf with not a lot of time spent behind the wheel.
Day 1:
Check into your luxurious Kilmarlic cottage early afternoon still with plenty of time to enjoy an evening round at The Pointe. The Pointe – located just a few minutes from the Kilmarlic cottage neighborhood – is the ideal course to begin your trip as it is generally wide open and forgiving with some of the finest turf conditions and one of the largest practice ranges in the region.
Afterwards, a dinner at the one of the nearby barbeque places along Highway 158 (Currituck Barbeque is just up the road) is a treat. Or if it happens to be a Thursday night, Kilmarlic may be hosting a barbeque feast outdoors in the cottage courtyard. There are also many delicious culinary treats about 15 minutes away just across the Wright Brothers Bridge.
As a wind down to the day or to get the juices flowing for day two, golfers can play a few games on Kilmarlic’s par three short course – “The Killie” – and lighted putting green right off their cottage front porch.
Day 2:
You really don’t have to look far for a great breakfast options as all three golf course clubhouses offer great menus. The Pointe is particularly inviting, especially if you want to spend more time afterwards practicing out on the range.
A short drive up the road will have you at the Carolina Club ready to tee off in minutes. Grab some grub at the turn and enjoy your day on this imaginative layout with its inviting island green.
You’ll want to schedule some sort of beachy activity that afternoon or perhaps take in a history tour at the Wright Brothers National Memorial where the brothers first discovered flight in Kitty Hawk.
Dinner afterwards at Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar, Barefoot Bernies, Black Pelican, Ocean Boulevard or The Kill Devil Grill are always a pleasure on your way back to the cottage.
Day 3:
This day should be reserved for the total Kilmarlic experience. The course, designed by award-winning architect Tom Steele, sits surrounded by 605 acres of historic maritime forest and among sprawling wetlands. This “unique partnership between golf and nature” is truly something to be savored and not rushed.
A short walk to breakfast in the clubhouse can be followed by some putting or chipping games on the facility’s fine practice area. Round these out with a pro-style warm-up on the range and then head out for a golfing experience as memorable as any you will find in OBX.
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