The Highlands-Cashiers plateau presents unique navigation challenges for golfers seeking public golf course access. This elevated mountain region at 4,000+ feet features some of North Carolina’s most spectacular golf layouts, yet the vast majority operate as private clubs with restricted access. Understanding which courses actually welcome daily-fee players—and how to reach them via mountain roads where GPS guidance often fails—separates successful golf outings from frustrating dead ends.
Mountain driving to the Highlands area courses demands different strategies than flatland golf travel. Winding two-lane roads climb through terrain where a route showing 15 miles might require 35 minutes due to switchbacks and elevation changes. GPS signals drop in deep valleys. Summer thunderstorms appear suddenly, reducing visibility to dangerous levels. Winter ice forms on north-facing slopes even when sunny south-facing roads remain clear.
This guide provides detailed directions to the limited public golf options in Highlands, NC, complete with GPS coordinates, landmark-based navigation for areas where cell service fails, alternate routes when weather or construction closes primary roads, and realistic travel time estimates that account for mountain conditions rather than optimistic GPS calculations designed for interstate speeds.
Understanding Public Golf Access in Highlands, NC
The Highlands-Cashiers area operates differently from most golf destinations in terms of public access. While regions like Myrtle Beach or Pinehurst offer dozens of daily-fee courses competing for visitor rounds, the Highlands plateau developed as an exclusive private club market where membership at facilities like Wade Hampton, Cullasaja Club, and Highlands Country Club represents the primary path to golf access.
This scarcity of public golf options stems from the area’s history as a summer retreat for wealthy families who established private clubs serving their seasonal communities. The real estate values and limited developable land at these elevations make daily-fee golf economically challenging compared to private membership models that guarantee consistent revenue.
Red Bird Golf Links in Sapphire Valley stands as the primary true public golf course in the greater Highlands region, located approximately 20 minutes from downtown Highlands via Highway 64. This facility welcomes walk-up play and reservations without membership requirements, making it the go-to option for visitors seeking guaranteed access.
Several semi-private facilities, including High Hampton, offer limited public access during specific seasons or through resort guest privileges. However, these arrangements change frequently based on member demand and operational needs. Calling ahead to verify current access policies prevents wasted trips to courses that may no longer welcome outside play.
Burlingame Country Club operates as a private member-owned facility but welcomes prospective members for tours and trial rounds. Located in Sapphire Valley at 3,000 feet, Burlingame’s Tom Jackson design showcases championship mountain golf architecture within a comprehensive amenity program including six dining venues, lawn sports, and wellness facilities.
Understanding this access landscape helps set realistic expectations. If you’re visiting Highlands hoping to play multiple courses daily as you would in traditional golf destinations, the limited public golf options require alternative strategies—considering membership opportunities at clubs offering regional reciprocity, booking resort stays that include golf privileges, or focusing your trip on the accessible courses while exploring the region’s other attractions.
Detailed Route to Red Bird Golf Links
Red Bird Golf Links in Sapphire serves as the primary fully-public golf course accessible from Highlands, located at 50 Red Bird Circle, Sapphire, NC 28774. GPS coordinates: 35.1094° N, 82.9847° W.
From Downtown Highlands: Take Main Street (Highway 64 East) heading toward Cashiers. Continue 14.3 miles on Highway 64, passing through the town of Cashiers. After the Cashiers, continue another 6.7 miles on Highway 64 East. Turn right onto Sapphire Valley Parkway. Continue 1.2 miles, then turn left onto Red Bird Circle. The course entrance appears on your right after 0.3 miles. Total distance: 22.5 miles. Estimated time: 35-40 minutes under normal conditions.
Landmark Navigation: After leaving Highlands, you’ll climb Whiteside Mountain with a dramatic rock face visible on your left. Pass through the Cashiers’ small downtown area with its shopping district. Continue through Sapphire Valley, passing the Sapphire Valley Resort entrance on your left. The turn onto Sapphire Valley Parkway comes shortly after crossing the Jackson County line. Look for directional signage indicating Red Bird and Sapphire amenities.
Mountain Road Considerations: Highway 64 between Highlands and Cashiers crosses Whiteside Mountain at approximately 4,100 feet in elevation. This section features numerous curves with limited visibility and no passing zones. Winter months bring frequent ice and snow that can close the road with little warning. During summer tourist season, expect slower traffic as visitors navigate unfamiliar mountain roads and stop at scenic overlooks.
Alternate Route During Highway 64 Closures: If Highway 64 closes due to weather or accidents, no direct alternate route exists. The detour requires traveling south from Highlands on Highway 28 to Walhalla, SC (approximately 30 miles), then north on Highway 107 through Cashiers to Sapphire, adding 45-60 minutes to the journey. Check NCDOT road conditions before departing during the winter months to avoid discovering closures mid-route.
Cell Service Notes: Cell coverage remains consistent on Highway 64 between Highlands and Sapphire, with brief weak signal areas in deeper valleys. Download offline maps before traveling if you’re unfamiliar with the route, as the strongest signal zones occur in town centers rather than along the highway corridor.
Parking and Arrival: Red Bird offers ample parking in a paved lot adjacent to the clubhouse. Arrive 20-30 minutes before your tee time for check-in, cart assignment, and a warm-up opportunity. The facility includes a practice putting green and limited driving range access.
Alternative Golf Options Within Reasonable Driving Distance
Given the limited true public golf access in Highlands proper, understanding nearby alternatives expands your options when Red Bird doesn’t fit your schedule, or you’re seeking course variety during multi-day trips.
Sapphire National Golf Club (semi-private, 8 minutes from Red Bird): Located at 50 Slicers Lane, Sapphire, NC 28774. This facility sometimes allows outside play depending on member demand. Call (828) 743-3441 to inquire about current access policies. The course features more forgiving terrain than championship mountain layouts while maintaining scenic mountain views.
High Hampton (resort course, 25 minutes from Highlands): At 1525 Highway 107 South, Cashiers, NC 28717. Recently renovated with restricted access primarily for resort guests. Non-guests may occasionally access tee times during slower periods. Contact (828) 743-2411 for current policies. The historic course offers traditional mountain golf architecture at lower overall difficulty than championship private clubs.
Burlingame Country Club (private with trial rounds available, 20 minutes from Highlands): 746 Club Drive, Sapphire, NC 28774. Prospective members can arrange trial rounds and facility tours by contacting Membership Director Jennifer Webb at (828) 966-9200. Tom Jackson’s championship design showcases modern mountain course architecture within a comprehensive mountain club community.
Brevard Area Public Golf Courses (45-50 minutes from Highlands): The Brevard region offers several daily-fee options, including Glen Cannon Country Club and Sherwood Forest Golf Club. These facilities sit at lower elevations (2,200-2,500 feet) with less dramatic terrain than Highlands-area courses but provide reliable public golf access without advance arrangements.
Hendersonville Area Courses (75-80 minutes from Highlands): Champion Hills, Cummings Cove, and several municipal courses offer public access at various price points. The drive requires commitment but provides guaranteed tee times when Highlands-area options prove unavailable.
GPS Coordinates and Physical Address Reference
Having precise coordinates proves valuable when GPS systems lose signal in mountain valleys or when searching for courses using mapping applications. These coordinates guide you to course entrances rather than the general facility vicinity.
Red Bird Golf Links
- Address: 50 Red Bird Circle, Sapphire, NC 28774
- GPS: 35.1094° N, 82.9847° W
- Phone: (828) 743-3441
Sapphire National Golf Club
- Address: 50 Slicers Lane, Sapphire, NC 28774
- GPS: 35.1189° N, 82.9842° W
- Phone: (828) 743-3441
High Hampton
- Address: 1525 Highway 107 South, Cashiers, NC 28717
- GPS: 35.1086° N, 83.1078° W
- Phone: (828) 743-2411
Burlingame Country Club
- Address: 746 Club Drive, Sapphire, NC 28774
- GPS: 35.1172° N, 82.9694° W
- Phone: (828) 966-9200
When using GPS navigation, input these exact coordinates rather than searching by course name, as mapping databases sometimes display incorrect locations or guide you to facility secondary entrances rather than main clubhouse access points.
Making the Most of Limited Public Access
The scarcity of public golf in the Highlands-Cashiers area requires strategic thinking about how to maximize your mountain golf experience within the constraints of limited access.
Consider membership opportunities if you visit the region regularly or own property nearby. Private club membership at facilities like Burlingame provides consistent access to championship mountain golf plus reciprocal playing privileges at select regional courses. The upfront investment makes financial sense for golfers playing 15+ rounds annually compared to premium daily-fee rates when public golf access exists.
Book resort stays that include golf privileges at facilities operating courses as amenity offerings rather than standalone daily-fee operations. High Hampton and similar properties occasionally extend guest privileges to their golf courses, providing access that wouldn’t otherwise be available.
Explore the broader region beyond just Highlands proper. The Western North Carolina golf landscape includes Asheville, Brevard, and Franklin areas, offering more abundant public access at courses showcasing mountain golf characteristics while welcoming daily-fee players consistently.
Time visits during shoulder seasons, when member demand decreases at semi-private facilities that occasionally welcome outside play. Late fall and early spring see reduced member play, creating opportunities for outside access that don’t exist during peak summer months.
Connect with local golf networks through social media or golf forums, where members sometimes arrange guest rounds at their clubs. The mountain golf community appreciates genuine enthusiasts who respect club traditions and policies. Building these relationships over time can open doors to experiences unavailable through standard public channels.
The limited public golf access ultimately reflects the region’s character as an exclusive mountain retreat rather than a high-volume golf destination. This exclusivity maintains course conditions, creates intimate club environments, and preserves the mountain aesthetics that draw people to these elevations. While it creates challenges for visitors seeking casual rounds, it also ensures that when you do access these courses—whether through membership, guest privileges, or the few public options—you experience mountain golf at its finest without the overcrowding that plagues more accessible golf markets.
Contact Burlingame Country Club to discuss membership opportunities that provide consistent access to championship mountain golf plus the comprehensive amenities—six dining venues, lawn sports facilities, wellness complex, and hiking trails—that transform golf membership into a complete mountain lifestyle engagement. Schedule your tour to experience firsthand why Sapphire Valley serves as the ideal base for exploring Western North Carolina’s premier golf region.