Lion's Paw at Ocean Ridge Plantation
About
Lion's Paw Golf Links is an open, hilly course that treats the golfer to spectacular views of a beautiful creek valley and its adjoining wetlands. A wild and untamed layout, Lion's Paw features deep sugar white sand bunkers and MiniVerde greens.
A stunning 23,000 square foot clubhouse serves both Lion's Paw and Panther's Run golf courses and offers residents and visitors the perfect place to ready themselves for the upcoming challenge on the links. Designed with a safari theme, the clubhouse includes a full-service pro shop, a snack bar and Tamers Restaurant and Lounge, an elegant dining room serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Lion's Paw has been described as Willard Byrd's finest work. Part wild, part rustic and quiet, this magnificent course presents a lion's share of adventure and breathtaking scenery.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 72 | 7003 yards | 74.0 | 132 |
| White | 72 | 6457 yards | 71.3 | 128 |
| Gold | 72 | 5872 yards | 67.5 | 118 |
| Gold (W) | 72 | 5872 yards | 71.0 | 126 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5363 yards | 69.0 | 121 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 73.5/137 | 417 | 517 | 204 | 428 | 415 | 228 | 402 | 520 | 386 | 3517 | 400 | 202 | 383 | 527 | 418 | 445 | 384 | 185 | 542 | 3486 | 7003 |
| White M: 71.0/131 | 387 | 477 | 178 | 385 | 399 | 175 | 364 | 495 | 352 | 3212 | 375 | 188 | 372 | 493 | 396 | 408 | 353 | 154 | 506 | 3245 | 6457 |
| White/Gold M: 69.2/126 | 351 | 477 | 128 | 385 | 366 | 136 | 364 | 495 | 352 | 3054 | 375 | 172 | 322 | 493 | 393 | 382 | 353 | 131 | 506 | 3127 | 6181 |
| Gold M: 67.3/115 W: 72.7/133 | 351 | 433 | 128 | 361 | 366 | 136 | 332 | 478 | 336 | 2921 | 349 | 172 | 322 | 431 | 393 | 382 | 319 | 131 | 457 | 2956 | 5877 |
| Red M: 64.2/108 W: 68.8/124 | 335 | 416 | 108 | 326 | 353 | 125 | 303 | 455 | 305 | 2726 | 307 | 110 | 300 | 413 | 321 | 366 | 286 | 121 | 406 | 2630 | 5356 |
| Handicap | 1 | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 18 | 12 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 1 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 18 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 16 | 6 | 14 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, Grill, RestaurantAccolades
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Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2021 #16)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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72 year-old with good swing form! Photo submitted by PKStamm2418 on 01/18/2026
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Carlos was a great welcoming committee Photo submitted by james9852821 on 10/14/2025
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Photo submitted by u000007843074 on 06/13/2025
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Photo submitted by u000007843074 on 06/13/2025
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Photo submitted by u000007843074 on 06/13/2025
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Photo submitted by Richard1399167 on 05/16/2021
Fun layouts
My group booked the 7:45. We had a frost delay until
9:15 but the food and hospitality was great. For the time of year the course was in good shape and I really enjoyed the layout. We ended up playing a second 18 to finish the day on Panthers Run with the carts in by 5 o’clock.
Not in great shape
Weeds on the greens in some places and even portions of the green missing any type of grass. But we played in a twosome very early and were done in 3 hrs.
Staff very frienfly, except for one!
Played the course esrly afternoon and the starter/bag guy, Joe was funny and very Nice. Very Nice course, good conditions. I forgot me cell phone and should up to retrieve it. It had not been found. Inside the lady at the pto shop was helpfull taking my information but posssibly the pro or director of golf showed up and gave me a speech on how to not do this again, in a very condescinding way. Warned me to not check in the carts! I guess a 56 yeard old retired police officer looked like à criminal. Not impressed.on the very positive note, going outside one of the starter, an african american, sorry I did not see his name, took the time to call my cell on 2 occasions and found it. Extraordinary service!! He should get is bosses job, or at least SHOW him how to treat People with respect.
Better than was expecting
Read the greens were terrible, not so. Very fast and playable. Bunkers need a little TLC. Overall a fun layout. Will play again
Back after a few years…
Was back after a few years following a previous positive experience. Pace was terribly slow and course was pretty dried-up with no maintenance of the sand traps.
very nice course
great views, course condition was great, staff was exceptional
Lions Paw Needs a Drink
Enjoyed playing Lion's Paw of the Big Cats. It was very firm, both the greens and the fairways. They could each use some softening up. It was very difficult to assess yardage as there were only markers embedded in the fairways, and it seemed like not on every hole. Thanks to an extra discount from GolfPAss it was a very good value.
Lions Paw is back
I played with my son and his best friend and was surprised how nice the conditions were. Tees and fairways were very good and the greens were in very good shape. Well worth the money and a great and challenging golf course.
Thank you very much for the nice Four Star review of Lion's Paw. We truly appreciate your patronage and we hope you will come visit us again soon.
Customer service is impeccable
From arriving at Lions Paw and being greeted by the attendants (all were amazing!) to speaking with the starter who didn’t talk down to you to stopping for water before our round to stopping for a sandwich at the turn to getting a cold one afterwards (btw Chrissy is wonderful).. this is a great place to golf.
Holes are well maintained. Some high grass areas probably due to it being so wet. This is now our favorite place to golf in The Sunset/Ocean Isle area - hands down!
Thank you very much for the awesome Five Star review of Lion's Paw. We are so happy you enjoyed your visit. We have been working diligently to provide our guests with a fun and memorable golfing experience and we certainly appreciate the feedback. Be sure to visit the other Big Cats course as well!
Thanks again!
Thank you for the nice Four Star review of Lion's Paw. We are very happy to hear you enjoyed your visit and we look forward to seeing you again soon!