TL;DR: Public golf near Cashiers, NC is limited but rewarding. Sapphire National Golf Club is the closest daily-fee course, just 10 minutes away in Sapphire Valley. Highlands Falls Country Club and Sequoyah National Golf Club round out your best options within 30 miles, each offering true mountain golf on designer layouts.
Understanding Public Golf Access Near Cashiers
The Cashiers plateau sits at the heart of Western North Carolina’s most treasured golf territory, where the mountains hold their courses close like a family secret passed down through generations. Private clubs like Wade Hampton, Cullasaja, and High Hampton Country Club shape the landscape, their championship layouts reserved for members and their guests. For visitors seeking mountain golf without those private connections, public access options do exist within a 30-mile radius, though they are fewer than you would find in traditional golf destinations.
This scarcity is not a drawback. It is simply the nature of a region that grew around second-home communities and intimate private clubs rather than resort golf. The public courses that do exist hold themselves to high standards. They offer genuine mountain golf experiences with the dramatic elevation changes and Blue Ridge beauty that have drawn families to these highlands for more than a century.
Planning matters more here than in golf-rich areas like Pinehurst or Myrtle Beach. Summer and fall weekends book weeks or months in advance. Walking up without a reservation during peak season rarely works. With proper planning and realistic expectations, public golf near Cashiers delivers rounds against mountain backdrops that rival any private club scenery in the South.
What Are the Best Golf Courses to Play in Cashiers, North Carolina?
The three best golf courses to play near Cashiers, NC are Sapphire National Golf Club, Highlands Falls Country Club, and Sequoyah National Golf Club, each within 30 miles and each offering a distinct mountain golf character. Sapphire National is the closest daily-fee option, a Rees Jones design just 10 minutes from Cashiers in Sapphire Valley. Highlands Falls in the town of Highlands offers a classic Tom Jackson layout at elevations reaching 4,100 feet. Sequoyah National near Whittier delivers championship-caliber Robert Trent Jones Jr. design with dramatic elevation changes.
You can explore the full local landscape in our complete guide to golf courses in Cashiers, NC, and see how local professionals rank each layout at our local pro rankings page.
What makes this region special is not the volume of courses but the quality of the land they rest on. Every round here feels like walking through a living painting, where ridgelines rise and fall and the air carries the cool, clean scent of elevation. Families who discover mountain golf near Cashiers tend to return year after year, building their own quiet traditions around these fairways.
Is Sapphire National Golf Course Open?
Sapphire National Golf Club is open for daily-fee play, with seasonal availability running strongest from April through November and limited weather-dependent play available in winter months. Located just 10 minutes from Cashiers in Sapphire Valley, the course accepts advance reservations up to 30 days out through their pro shop and online booking system. Call ahead before planning a winter round, as mountain weather can close the course on short notice during that season.
Peak season runs June through October. During those months, weekend morning tee times fill weeks in advance. Weekday and afternoon slots offer more flexibility. Shoulder seasons in spring and fall are often the most rewarding times to visit, with cooler air, brilliant foliage, and easier access to prime tee times.
If you are planning a golf-focused stay in the region, our guide to where to stay near public golf courses in Cashiers pairs well with your Sapphire National booking.
How to Book a Round at a Beau Welling-Designed Par-3 Golf Course in Cashiers, NC
The best way to book a round at Burlingame Country Club’s Beau Welling-designed par-3 golf course in Cashiers, NC is to contact Jennifer Webb, Membership Director, directly by calling 828.966.9200 or using the contact form below, as this intimate course is part of a private membership community rather than a daily-fee facility. Burlingame’s par-3 course was designed by Beau Welling and sits within one of Sapphire Valley’s most cherished family retreat communities, which means access comes through membership rather than walk-up or online booking.
This is not a limitation but rather a gift. The par-3 course at Burlingame exists for members and their families, woven into a life of shared mornings on dewy fairways and afternoons on the porch comparing scorecards. It is the kind of golf that becomes a family story told for decades.
You can learn more about the full golf experience at Burlingame on our golf page, and explore the broader membership lifestyle at our membership page. For a broader look at what the mountain region offers, visit our ultimate guide to golf courses.
What Are the Best Golf Courses Near 200 Main in Highlands, NC?
The closest and most accessible golf course to downtown Highlands, NC near 200 Main Street is Highlands Falls Country Club, a Tom Jackson-designed layout sitting at elevations up to 4,100 feet just minutes from the center of town. Within a broader 20-mile range, Sapphire National Golf Club and Burlingame Country Club in Sapphire Valley are both strong options, with Sapphire National offering the most consistent daily-fee access in the region.
Highlands is one of the most storied towns in Western North Carolina, and the golf courses surrounding it carry that same sense of quiet permanence. The mature hardwood forests lining each fairway, the cool mountain air even in July, the views that appear unexpectedly between the trees: these are courses that feel like they belong to the land rather than the other way around.
For a full picture of what the region offers golfers, see our guide to the 15 best public golf courses in Western North Carolina and our dedicated best golf courses in Cashiers, NC page.
What Are Typical Membership Options at Golf Courses Near Cashiers?
Golf courses near Cashiers, NC typically fall into one of three access categories: fully private clubs requiring member sponsorship (Wade Hampton, Cullasaja), semi-private clubs with limited public tee times (Highlands Falls Country Club), and daily-fee public courses with open booking (Sapphire National Golf Club). Burlingame Country Club offers a private membership model that includes access to a Beau Welling-designed par-3 course along with a full range of family-focused amenities across its mountain community.
Membership at a place like Burlingame is less a golf purchase and more a decision to root your family’s story in a particular landscape. Members share not just a course but a community, a rhythm of seasons, and the kind of easy belonging that makes a reunion feel like coming home. The membership page outlines how to begin that conversation.
For those exploring the full range of options across the region, our ultimate guide to golf courses covers membership structures, access policies, and course character across Western North Carolina’s mountain corridor.
Course Comparison: Rates, Access, and Character
| Course | Designer | Distance from Cashiers | Yardage / Par | Elevation | Peak Season Rates | Public Access | Walking Permitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapphire National Golf Club | Rees Jones | 10 minutes | 6,902 yards / Par 72 | 3,100–3,300 ft | $95–$125 | Daily fee, book up to 30 days ahead | Permitted (cart practical) |
| Highlands Falls Country Club | Tom Jackson | 15 minutes | 6,395 yards from tips | Up to 4,100 ft | $75–$110 | Semi-private, phone reservations required | Permitted |
| Sequoyah National Golf Club | Robert Trent Jones Jr. | 25 miles | 6,819 yards | 2,600–2,800 ft | Varies, call ahead | Public play welcomed | Varies by conditions |
| Burlingame Country Club (Par-3) | Beau Welling | Sapphire Valley | Par-3 layout | Mountain elevation | Member access only | Membership required | Yes |
Sapphire National Golf Club: Full Details
Sapphire National Golf Club is the closest and most consistently accessible public golf course to Cashiers, NC, located 10 minutes away in Sapphire Valley on a Rees Jones-designed 18-hole par-72 layout stretching 6,902 yards from the championship tees. The course sits between 3,100 and 3,300 feet of elevation, delivering the cool temperatures and mountain air that make summer golf here feel like a privilege reserved for the few who know to look for it.
The front nine plays through tighter, tree-lined corridors where accuracy off the tee matters more than distance. Several holes feature wetlands and natural water hazards that demand honest ball-striking. The back nine opens up, offering wider fairways that reward players willing to be aggressive while still requiring solid contact on approach shots.
Greens run true and maintain consistent pace across the season. The Jones design follows the mountain’s natural grain in its putting surfaces, creating breaks that are not always obvious from your approach angle. First-time players score best by reading putts conservatively and trusting the grain to move the ball more than expected. This is the kind of course where you leave wanting to play it again because you feel you have only just begun to understand it.
Booking and Rates at Sapphire National
The pro shop accepts reservations up to 30 days in advance, with online booking handling most scheduling. Peak season (June through October) requires booking as early as possible, particularly for weekend morning tee times. Weekday play offers more flexibility. Spring and fall often show afternoon availability even a few days before your desired date.
Peak season rates (June through October) run $95 to $125 depending on day and tee time. Afternoon and twilight slots offer discounts of roughly $15 to $25 below prime morning rates. Shoulder season rates (April through May, November) drop to the $65 to $85 range. Winter rates, when the course is open during weather windows, can fall to $45 to $55, though availability is weather-dependent. All rates include cart fees.
Practice Facilities and Dining
The practice range sits adjacent to the clubhouse with grass hitting areas and short game zones. It provides adequate space for warming up, though it differs from the comprehensive facilities you find at a full private club like Burlingame Country Club. Putting and chipping greens near the first tee allow focused short game work. Arriving 30 to 45 minutes before your tee time gives enough cushion for check-in, practice, and cart staging.
The on-site grill room serves breakfast and lunch with mountain views from the dining area. The menu covers classic clubhouse fare: burgers, sandwiches, salads, and daily specials. The pro shop carries quality equipment, apparel, and logo merchandise, with staff knowledgeable on local course recommendations and fitting basics.
Highlands Falls Country Club: Full Details
Highlands Falls Country Club sits 15 minutes from Cashiers in the town of Highlands, playing 6,395 yards from the tips at elevations reaching 4,100 feet, making it one of the highest-elevation courses in the entire region. Tom Jackson designed the layout in the 1960s, when course-building meant working with the land rather than reshaping it. The routing follows natural contours through mature hardwood forests, with fairways that climb and descend in the honest way mountain terrain demands.
This is position golf rather than power golf. The shorter yardage suggests a gentler test, but the combination of elevation changes, tight fairways, and small greens creates challenges for players accustomed to wider targets. Approach shots regularly come from uneven lies with uphill or downhill stances that complicate distance control. The greens sit at angles that reject poorly executed shots into surrounding collection areas.
The signature par-3 7th plays downhill with mountain views stretching to the horizon. Club selection changes dramatically with wind conditions, and the small green rewards nothing but precise iron play. It is the kind of hole you talk about on the drive home and dream about playing again differently.
Access, Rates, and Booking
Highlands Falls operates as a semi-private club serving members and property owners. Public access varies seasonally based on member demand. Spring and fall typically offer more public tee times than peak summer months. Calling the pro shop directly is essential, as online booking is not always available for public players. Public rates range from $75 to $110 depending on season and tee time. Walking is permitted for those who welcome the genuine workout of mountain terrain.
Sequoyah National Golf Club: Full Details
Sequoyah National Golf Club sits 25 miles from Cashiers near Whittier, NC, delivering championship golf on a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that plays 6,819 yards across terrain dropping from 2,800 feet elevation to valley floors 200 feet lower. The added distance from Cashiers means more consistent availability for visitors, while the course’s location near the Cherokee reservation and the Great Smoky Mountains adds a cultural and scenic richness that makes the drive feel worthwhile.
Trent Jones used the dramatic topography to create holes with significant elevation changes, including the par-3 17th that drops over 100 feet from tee to green. Wide fairways welcome tee shots while strategic bunkering and water hazards demand precise approach play. Natural creeks and streams thread through multiple holes, creating both beauty and consequence. The greens are large by mountain course standards, with subtle contours that reward accurate iron play and offer multiple pin positions for varying difficulty.
Sequoyah National welcomes public play with more consistent availability than courses closer to Cashiers. It is a legitimate championship test that rewards the extra miles with a golf experience that stands equal to anything in the region. For those building a multi-day golf itinerary, pairing Sequoyah with Sapphire National creates a memorable mountain golf weekend.
For more options across the broader region, our guide to the 15 best public golf courses in Western North Carolina is the most complete resource available.
Golf as Part of Something Larger at Burlingame
At Burlingame Country Club, golf is one thread in a much richer tapestry. The Beau Welling-designed par-3 course is made for the kind of golf that brings people together rather than separating them by handicap. It is where grandparents introduce grandchildren to the game, where families play a quick nine before dinner, where the round matters less than the conversation that surrounds it.
Beyond golf, members find a full life of mountain connection. The dining at Burlingame gathers the community around shared tables. The wellness offerings restore the body after mornings on the fairway. The fishing program draws families to the water in the same quiet way the course draws them to the hills. And the lawn sports give children and adults alike another reason to stay outside just a little longer.
This is what a family retreat community feels like when it is done with intention. Not flashy. Not loud. Just deeply, quietly right.
Quick Recap
- Public golf near Cashiers, NC is limited compared to resort regions, but the quality of what exists is genuinely high.
- Sapphire National Golf Club (Rees Jones, 18 holes, par-72) is the closest daily-fee option, 10 minutes from Cashiers in Sapphire Valley, open year-round with weather-dependent winter availability.
- Peak season rates at Sapphire National run $95 to $125 including cart. Shoulder and winter rates are significantly lower.
- Highlands Falls Country Club (Tom Jackson design, 4,100-foot elevation) offers semi-private access in Highlands, 15 minutes from Cashiers. Call ahead for public tee time availability.
- Sequoyah National Golf Club (Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, 25 miles from Cashiers) offers the most consistent public access and a championship-caliber layout.
- The Beau Welling-designed par-3 course at Burlingame Country Club is a private membership amenity. Contact Jennifer Webb at 828.966.9200 to learn more.
- All three public and semi-private courses book out weeks in advance during summer and fall peak season. Plan ahead.
- Walking is permitted at most courses but mountain terrain makes carts practical at Sapphire National and Highlands Falls.
- Burlingame membership offers golf alongside dining, wellness, fishing, and lawn sports as part of a complete family mountain life.
- For the full regional picture, see the ultimate guide to golf courses and the best golf courses in Cashiers, NC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sapphire National Golf Course open year-round?
Sapphire National Golf Club is open most of the year, with peak season running April through November. Winter play is available during favorable weather windows, but mountain conditions can close the course on short notice. Always call the pro shop before planning a winter round.
What is the closest public golf course to Cashiers, NC?
Sapphire National Golf Club in Sapphire Valley is the closest public golf course to Cashiers, NC, located approximately 10 minutes away. It is an 18-hole, par-72 Rees Jones design open to daily-fee players with advance reservations.
What are the best golf courses near Highlands, NC?
The best golf courses near Highlands, NC are Highlands Falls Country Club (semi-private, just minutes from downtown Highlands), Sapphire National Golf Club (10 to 15 minutes away in Sapphire Valley), and Burlingame Country Club (private membership, Sapphire Valley). For a full regional list, see the 15 best public golf courses in Western North Carolina.
How do I book a tee time at Sapphire National Golf Club?
You can book a tee time at Sapphire National Golf Club through their online reservation system or by calling the pro shop directly. Reservations open up to 30 days in advance. During peak season (June through October), book as early as possible, especially for weekend morning slots.
What is Glen Cove by Old Edwards, and how does it relate to golf near Cashiers?
Glen Cove by Old Edwards is a residential and hospitality development associated with the Old Edwards Inn brand in the Highlands and Cashiers area. For the most current access and golf information related to that property, contact their team directly. For public golf options nearby, Sapphire National and Highlands Falls Country Club remain the most accessible courses in the area.
What membership options does Burlingame Country Club offer?
Burlingame Country Club offers private membership that includes access to the Beau Welling-designed par-3 golf course, dining, wellness, fishing, lawn sports, and a full mountain community lifestyle. Membership is by contact with Jennifer Webb, Membership Director. Call 828.966.9200 or use the contact form below for details. You can also visit the membership page to learn more.
Are there any public golf courses in Sapphire Valley, NC?
Yes. Sapphire National Golf Club in Sapphire Valley is the primary public golf course in the area, offering daily-fee play on an 18-hole Rees Jones layout just 10 minutes from Cashiers. Burlingame Country Club also sits in Sapphire Valley but operates as a private membership community rather than a public course.
Ready to Explore Golf and Membership at Burlingame?
Whether you are planning a public golf trip across the Cashiers plateau or considering something more lasting, a place where your family returns year after year to the same mountain air and familiar faces, Burlingame Country Club invites you to learn more. The Beau Welling par-3 course, the dining, the fishing, the wellness, the lawn sports: all of it exists to help families build the kind of memories that outlast any single round.
Please Contact Jennifer Webb, Membership Director, for more information. Please use the form below or call 828.966.9200.