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3.9
403 Reviews (403)
5 Stars
88
4 Stars
181
3 Stars
77
2 Stars
32
1 Stars
25
Conditions
3.6
Value
4.1
Layout
4.5
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.1
85.0%
Recommend this course
314 out of 403 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
24 Reviews (24)
5 Stars
11
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.9
Value
4.3
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.7
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.7
87.5%
Recommend this course
21 out of 24 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
81 Reviews (81)
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
42
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
4
Conditions
3.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.5
84.0%
Recommend this course
68 out of 81 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 7003 yards
Slope 132
Rating 74.0

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.

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Lions Paw
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Course Details

Year Built 1990
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens MiniVerde Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Willard Byrd (1990) Nai Chung Chang (1990)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Restaurant

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2021 #16)
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Reviews

3.9
403 Reviews (403)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 183
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/16/2022

Thank you very much for the nice Four Star review. We really appreciate it and we hope you will visit us again soon.

Played On
Reviews 72
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Excellent golf outing

Other than the course being a little dry and hard the whole experience was excellent. It’s worth trying.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/16/2022

Thank you very much for the nice Four Star review. Now that the area-wide drought that has plagued us for most of the spring seems to finally be breaking, the courses are greening up quickly and will continue to improve as we move forward. We hope you will visit us again soon and see our progress and improvement.

Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/06/2022

Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to Lion's Paw. We apologize we were unable to meet your expectations on this visit. The course is definitely a little off color right now as we transition from winter rye to warm weather bermuda and the lack of rain in our area certainly hasn't helped. But we are working hard daily to continue to offer our guests a fun and memorable golf experience. We hope you will visit us again in the future and see our continued progress.

Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Beginner
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Awesome for beginners

I thought this was going to be way to much for myself playing as a beginner. It proved to be challenging but also very open for my driver to be used. Bang for the buck was great and I can’t wait to get back there.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/06/2022

Thank you for the very nice Four Star review of Lion's Paw. it is definitely a fun course, but with enough "bite" for more experienced golfers, if they want to take on the back tee boxes. We hope you will come check out the other three Big Cats courses as well.

Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Lions Paw is a Pro Level Course

Upon entering, the staff was friendly and helpful., Excellent layout but could use more watering. Greens were quite fast but true.. Every hole very challenging.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/02/2022

Thank you for taking the time to review your recent round on Lion's Paw. We agree, it is an excellent layout. You are also correct in that we could use some more rain! In addition, this is the transition time between winter rye and warm weather bermuda grass n the fairways, tees, etc and we have sprayed out the rye grass to help speed this transition along. Therefore the courses will be a little more off color for a few days and then begin the rapid green-up for the rest of the year, until winter dormancy comes again. WE hope you will come visit us again soon and see our continued progress.

Played On
Reviews 56
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course has lost it's lustre, sadly.

Greens were full of growing weed tufts. Some of the fairways were dried up & patchy, and lacked consistency.

Sand traps were short of rakes.

Cart paths were very rough in many spots.

Only play this golf course at a steep discount.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/25/2022

Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to Lion's Paw. We apologize we were not able to meet your expectations on this visit. The cool weather poa annua has been treated and is dying out quickly now. It will be completely gone soon. We actually just put out a significant number of new rakes, so that issue has been addressed as well. Finally, we are in the process of an extensive cart path repair program for Lion's Paw and Panther's Run that will make a significant difference in the overall experience of playing these two courses. We hope you will visit us again and see our continued progress.

Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Fun time at Lion's Paw

First I have to thank the guys in the clubhouse who got me out early so I could play ahead of two large groups since I was playing as a solo. The cart attendant was also extremely helpful. I have always had a great experience with all of the staff at the Big Cats courses and believe that goes a long way to making it a great day. Doesn't cost anything to be nice and these guys were all super friendly.

The course itself was in very good shape overall. There is still some winter weeds on the greens, but that did not detract from a great day. Very fun course and challenging layout. Will definitely come back!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/18/2022

Thank you very much for the nice Four Star review of Lion's Paw. We agree, this original Big Cat is in very good condition and getting even better daily now that the weather has warned up. Any lingering winter weeds have been treated aggressively and will be completely gone very soon. We hope you will come visit us again soon and see our continued progress.

Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great course

The staff was very accommodating, first time playing Lion's Paw., gave helpful tips. I will definietely play this course again. Given a few more weeks and the course shou.d be in great shape. Just enough of a challenge. But not so difficult that you get frustrated. Enjoyed

my round,

Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 76
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/18/2022

Thank you for the nice Four Star review of Lion's Paw. We truly appreciate your patronage and your feedback. Be sure to check out the other three Big Cats courses as well! Thanks again.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fair value

We enjoyed the course. Pace and conditions were good.

Thank you…

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/11/2022

Thank you for the nice four star review of Lion's Paw. We are so glad you enjoyed your recent visit. Be sure to check out the other three Big Cats courses as well. Thanks again.

Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Lion's Paw golf

Interesting layout with challenges. Course well maintained and generally in good shape. Greens are quick and subtle.

Definitely a course to play.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/11/2022

Thank you for the nice Four star review. We agree, Lion's Paw is a unique and fun layout and we are working hard every day to provide nice playing conditions for all our guests. We hope you will come visit us again soon!

Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great Course layout

Was a single with only one group of Members in front of me. Caught them on the 3rd hole. No one in front of them and they were all over the place. Finished 9 behind them. Went to 10th hole they still wouldn't let me through. I turned around packed my clubs in the car and left. ATTENTION MEMBERS. There's a reason it's open to the public. AFTER YOU PAY YOUR MEMBERSHIP IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO RUN THE PLACE. That's why it's open to the public. Is a nice course but I don't like playing behind people with no golf etiquette.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Just a terrible course overall.

Since we got a decent deal on GolfNow, we decided to play Lion's Pawn Monday April 4th. What a bad decision it was. The greens are a mess and the tee box are also in a bad shape for most of them. Just go play somewhere else, it's not worth it until they really fix that course.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/11/2022

Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to Lion's Paw. We are very sorry we were not able to meet your expectations on this visit. I will check with our maintenance staff to see if there was some particular issue on the day you played, as reviews of our course conditions have been generally quite positive during the same time period your round was played. Again, we apologize and we will do everything we can to address your concerns. We hope you will visit us again and see our progress.

Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/04/2022

Thank you fro taking the time to review your recent visit to Lion's Paw. We appreciate the very nice four star review. We hope you will visit us again soon and be sure to check out the other three Big Cats courses as well.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0

We were put on Panthers run due to a tourney on lions paw. It was great. Course was in good condition for this time of year. Definitely recommend.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/04/2022

Thank you for choosing The Big Cats courses of Ocean Ridge and we truly appreciate the great four star review as well. We hope you will come visit us again soon!

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/29/2022

Thank you for the nice Four Star review of Lion's Paw. We agree, it is a great layout and we are working hard every day to make sure the course is in good condition for all our guests. We hope you will come visit us again soon!

Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 70
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Not recommended

No grass on several spots on fairways, greens are not nice.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/29/2022

Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to Lion's Paw . We apologize we fell short of your expectations on this visit, but we are working hard daily to make all four Big Cats courses among the best on the Grand Strand. The bermuda grass is just breaking dormancy for the spring and everything is greening up quickly. We hope you will visit us again soon to see our continued progress.

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