TL;DR: The 10 best public golf courses within 20 miles of Highlands, NC include Highlands Cove Golf Club, Sequoyah National Golf Club, Sapphire Valley Golf Club, and seven more scenic mountain layouts. Each course sits inside a 20-mile radius, offers public access without a membership, and delivers the dramatic Blue Ridge Mountain scenery that makes Western North Carolina golf truly unforgettable.
Top 10 Public Golf Courses Within 20 Miles of Highlands, NC
What are the best public golf courses in Highlands, NC?
The best public golf courses in Highlands, NC are Highlands Cove Golf Club, Sapphire Valley Golf Club, and Chattooga Club Public Course, all within 12 miles of downtown and open to golfers without a membership. The Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Highlands create an extraordinary setting for golf, where crisp mountain air, dramatic elevation changes, and panoramic vistas turn every round into something closer to a memory than a scorecard. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a longtime local ready to explore new fairways, this region rewards every golfer who shows up with a bag and a little wonder.
Our private mountain golfing experience at Burlingame Country Club offers members a championship course woven into the natural terrain, but we genuinely want every golfer in the area to find the round that fits their day. The courses listed here deliver that without requiring a club membership.
What are the best golf courses to play near 200 Main in Highlands, NC?
The best golf courses to play near 200 Main in Highlands, NC are Chattooga Club Public Course at 5 miles, Sapphire Valley Golf Club at 8 miles, and Highlands Cove Golf Club at 12 miles, all reachable in a short scenic drive. From the heart of downtown Highlands, you can be on a first tee surrounded by mountain ridges in under 20 minutes. Each of these nearby courses offers a distinct character, from a quick nine holes at Chattooga to a full afternoon round with long-range views at Sapphire Valley.
Top 10 Public Golf Courses Within 20 Miles of Highlands, NC
Here are the ten finest publicly accessible courses within a 20-mile radius, listed in order of distance from downtown Highlands.
1. Chattooga Club Public Course
Just 5 miles from Highlands, this 9-hole public course sits beside a private club facility and offers a genuine taste of mountain golf without a long drive or a long commitment. Walking is encouraged here, and for good reason. Every hole invites you to slow down and let the surrounding natural beauty settle in. Surprising variety and challenge make this short layout far more memorable than its length suggests.
2. Sapphire Valley Golf Club
Eight miles from Highlands, Sapphire Valley is one of the most accessible and enjoyable mountain courses in the region, with generous fairways, well-protected greens, and natural water features that flow through the layout like mountain streams through summer meadows. Beginners find it welcoming. Experienced players find enough contour and green complexity to stay honest. Afternoon light shifting across distant peaks adds a quality to this course that no architect could plan.
3. Highlands Cove Golf Club
At 12 miles from downtown, Highlands Cove features dramatic elevation changes and panoramic views that showcase the full sweep of the Blue Ridge. The layout works with the natural terrain rather than against it, creating a challenging yet fair test for golfers of every ability level. Consistently well-maintained greens and a warm, welcoming staff make this a must-play destination that earns its reputation round after round.
4. Blue Ridge Mountain Golf Center
This family-friendly facility 14 miles from Highlands offers a forgiving 18-hole layout built for fun. Wider fairways and receptive greens lower the barrier for beginners and younger players, and the affordable rates and relaxed atmosphere mean the whole family can come out without the day feeling like a production. It is the kind of place where a grandparent and a grandchild can share a cart and make a morning of it.
5. Mill Creek Golf Club
Fifteen miles from Highlands, Mill Creek is a quiet gem tucked into tree-lined fairways alongside mountain streams. The course rewards accuracy over raw distance, asking you to think your way around rather than overpower it. Reasonable green fees and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere attract both casual weekend golfers and more serious players who appreciate a well-designed layout without the pretense.
6. High Mountain Golf Club
At 16 miles out, High Mountain sits at an elevation that keeps summer rounds noticeably cooler and the views noticeably longer. Strategic bunkering and thoughtful green complexes reward careful approach shots. The signature par-3 played over a mountain stream captures everything that makes golf in these mountains feel different from golf anywhere else.
7. Laurel Ridge Country Club (Public Tee Times)
Seventeen miles from Highlands, this course is primarily private but offers limited public tee times during specific seasons. The championship layout features impeccable conditions and dramatic holes that fold natural streams and sharp elevation changes into every stretch of the round. Call ahead to confirm public availability, because when a tee time opens up here, it is worth taking.
8. Sequoyah National Golf Club
This Robert Trent Jones II design 18 miles from Highlands is built with genuine respect for the land it occupies. The course winds through native landscapes with strategically placed bunkers and water features that reward thoughtful shot-making at every turn. Stunning mountain views and exceptional course conditions make the drive feel like part of the experience rather than a detour.
9. Franklin Golf Course
Nineteen miles from Highlands, Franklin offers a classic and straightforward design that lets the mountain scenery do the talking. Well-maintained conditions, a reasonable pace of play, and genuinely affordable rates make this a favorite among locals and visitors who want a beautiful round without anything getting in the way. There is something quietly satisfying about a course that knows exactly what it is.
10. Mountain Harbor Golf Links
At the edge of the 20-mile radius, Mountain Harbor takes a links-inspired approach that feels unusual and refreshing in a mountain setting. Fewer trees and more open terrain create wider sightlines and wind exposure that changes the game in interesting ways. Rolling terrain and well-placed bunkers generate honest shot values, and the long-range mountain views stretching beyond each open hole make this layout one of the most visually distinctive in the region.
What are the best public golf courses in the NC mountains?
The best public golf courses in the North Carolina mountains are concentrated in the Highlands and Sapphire Valley area, where courses like Sequoyah National Golf Club and Highlands Cove Golf Club combine championship-level design with the most dramatic scenery in the state. Western North Carolina’s high-elevation terrain produces natural golf landscapes that course architects in flatter regions spend millions trying to recreate. Every course in this 20-mile corridor benefits from that inherited geography. You can explore more about public golf courses in Highlands, NC to plan your full visit.
What are the must-play courses around Highlands, and where can I shop for golf gear in town?
The must-play public courses around Highlands, NC are Sapphire Valley Golf Club, Highlands Cove Golf Club, and Sequoyah National Golf Club, offering the best combination of scenery, design quality, and public access in the region. For premium golf gear, downtown Highlands has local shops along and near Main Street that serve the active outdoor community. The town itself is small enough to walk, so pairing a morning round with an afternoon browse through Highlands’ shops is a natural and pleasant way to spend a mountain day.
How do the closest courses compare at a glance?
The five closest public courses to downtown Highlands each offer a different experience depending on how much time you have and what kind of round you want.
| Course | Distance from Highlands | Holes | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattooga Club Public Course | 5 miles | 9 | Quick rounds, walkers | Walkable, scenic, surprising variety |
| Sapphire Valley Golf Club | 8 miles | 18 | All skill levels, families | Natural water features, afternoon light on peaks |
| Highlands Cove Golf Club | 12 miles | 18 | All skill levels | Dramatic elevation changes, panoramic views |
| Blue Ridge Mountain Golf Center | 14 miles | 18 | Beginners, families, casual play | Affordable, forgiving layout, relaxed atmosphere |
| Mill Creek Golf Club | 15 miles | 18 | Accuracy-focused players | Tree-lined fairways, mountain streams, great value |
What are the best public golf courses in North Carolina overall?
North Carolina is home to some of the finest public golf in the country, and the Western NC mountains around Highlands are among the most distinctive golfing destinations in the entire state. Courses like Sequoyah National Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, represent the caliber of design and natural setting that earns Western NC a place in any serious conversation about the best public golf in the state. The combination of cool temperatures, high elevation, and Blue Ridge scenery creates playing conditions and visual experiences that flat-terrain courses simply cannot match. For those drawn to both the game and the mountains, this corner of North Carolina belongs at the top of the list.
Quick Recap
- Ten quality public golf courses sit within 20 miles of downtown Highlands, NC.
- The closest option is Chattooga Club Public Course at just 5 miles away, ideal for a quick 9-hole walk.
- Sapphire Valley Golf Club at 8 miles is the best all-around choice for families and mixed skill levels.
- Sequoyah National Golf Club, a Robert Trent Jones II design, is the most notable championship layout in the group.
- Laurel Ridge Country Club offers limited public tee times seasonally, so calling ahead is required.
- Every course benefits from the Blue Ridge Mountain terrain, which provides natural elevation, views, and cool summer temperatures.
- Burlingame Country Club offers a private membership alternative with a Tom Jackson-designed championship course and a full mountain lifestyle community.
- You can learn more about public golf courses in the Highlands area to build your complete itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest public golf course to downtown Highlands, NC?
The closest public golf course to downtown Highlands is Chattooga Club Public Course, located just 5 miles away. It offers a 9-hole layout that is walkable and scenic, making it the easiest option for a shorter round close to town.
Are there public golf courses in Highlands, NC that are good for beginners?
Yes. Sapphire Valley Golf Club at 8 miles and Blue Ridge Mountain Golf Center at 14 miles are both well-suited for beginners, with generous fairways, forgiving layouts, and affordable rates. Both courses also welcome families and casual players.
What makes golf near Highlands, NC different from other mountain golf regions?
The Highlands area sits at a high elevation inside the Blue Ridge Mountains, which produces dramatic terrain changes, long-range panoramic views, cooler summer temperatures, and natural stream and water features that shape the character of nearly every course in the region.
Is Sequoyah National Golf Club open to the public?
Yes, Sequoyah National Golf Club is a public course located 18 miles from Highlands. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones II and is considered one of the premier public golf experiences in Western North Carolina.
Can visitors play golf at Burlingame Country Club without a membership?
Burlingame Country Club is a private membership community. If you are interested in the golf and lifestyle experience there, you are encouraged to contact the membership director to learn about options. The public courses listed on this page are available to all golfers without a membership.
What is the best time of year to play golf near Highlands, NC?
Spring through fall offers the most consistent playing conditions near Highlands. Summer rounds benefit from the high-elevation cooling effect, and fall brings stunning foliage that frames every fairway. Course availability and hours can vary by season, so contacting individual clubs ahead of your visit is always a good idea.
Where can I find more information about public golf courses in Highlands, NC?
You can find a detailed guide to public golf courses in Highlands, NC on the Burlingame Country Club website, which covers the region’s most accessible options for visitors and locals.
Discover the Burlingame Difference
These ten public courses give every golfer a way into the mountain game that makes this corner of Western North Carolina so quietly extraordinary. But if you find yourself standing on a fairway at dusk, watching the light go gold across the ridgeline, and thinking that you would like to belong somewhere like this rather than just pass through it, Burlingame Country Club was built for exactly that feeling.
Our Tom Jackson-designed championship course works with the natural mountain terrain the way a trail follows a ridgeline: not forcing anything, just revealing what was already there. Membership here is about more than golf. It is about tennis, dining, community, and a lifestyle our members describe as “The Best of Times.” It is about the kind of family reunion where everybody actually likes each other, held in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the American South.
We welcome you to explore everything these wonderful public courses have to offer during your time in Highlands. And when you are ready to learn what it means to belong here, we are ready to talk.
Please Contact Jennifer Webb, Membership Director, for more information. Please use the form below or call 828.966.9200.