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Lion's Paw at Ocean Ridge Plantation
Rating Snapshot
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 |
Hot Deals at Lions Paw
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Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
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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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Photo submitted by u835220769 on 07/17/2026
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Photo submitted by u950416169 on 05/16/2026
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Photo submitted by u950416169 on 05/16/2026
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Photo submitted by u950416169 on 05/16/2026
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Photo submitted by logancriss on 04/13/2026
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Photo submitted by logancriss on 04/13/2026
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Photo submitted by logancriss on 04/13/2026
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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
Nice course
I enjoyed my round at Lions Paw. Overall the course was in good shape for early March but there were some weeds coming up on the greens that made putting a challenge. Not an overly difficult course but a few holes required proper course management for success.
Needs work
Looked forward to playing this course but we were disappointed. The greens were infested with long sprouts of Poa that made it almost unplayable. Fairways were thin with lots of dry areas just off. Cart paths were atrocious.
Greens need treated
Overall a pleasant golfing experience. The greens have weeds coming in which prevents a smooth putting experience.
Thank you for the nice Four Star review of Lion's Paw. We really appreciate it. The greens are being treated heavily to control any invasive grasses such as the Poa Annua you mentioned on some of the greens. This condition is improving daily and will be completely eradicated very soon. We hope you will visit us again and see our continued improvement and progress.
Course condition
From the last time we played the course, they did a great job on there bunkers, but the greens were a bit worse. Two of the greens were so bumpy you couldn’t putt them.
Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to Lion's Paw. We agree, the course is much improved, including the bunkers, with the exception of the current Poa Annua that is starting to come through in the afternoons on some of the greens. We are treated this issue very aggressively and it will be completely eradicated very soon. We hope you will come visit us again and see our continued progress.
Thank you very much for the awesome Five Star review of Lion's Paw! We truly appreciate it and we hope you will come visit us again soon. Be sure to check out the other three Big Cats courses as well. Thanks again!
Fairways Ok Greens Slow
Fairways were in ok shape. The greens were really slow and a different type of grass has sprouts coming up making them bumpy. Wait at least to April to play so the greens improve. I have played here before and they were in good shape
Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to Lion's Paw. Regarding the greens, there is a remnant of some Poa Annua that has been aggressively treated and will be quickly dissipating as we move forward. This condition will be improving daily and should be no issue for spring golfers. Thanks again and we hope you will come visit us again soon.
Poor conditions
The greens were horrible!! I get that it’s Feb but wow, every putt bounced thru the fungus or as my buddy called pieces of broccoli on most parts of the greens. Greens need LOTS of work. Fairway not too bad. Will not play there again til possibly Spring.
Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to Lion's Paw. We greatly appreciate your patronage! The remnants of Poa Annua that you referenced have been aggressively treated and will now dissipate quickly. This condition should be rapidly improving as we move forward and should not be an issue for spring golfers. We hope you will come visit us again.
Thank you for the nice review. We hope you will come visit us again soon!
Thank you very much for the nice Four Star review of Lion's Paw. We hope you will visit us again soon and be sure to check out the other Big Cats courses as well.
Thank you for the nice Four Star review of Lion's Paw. We really appreciate it and we hope you will visit The Big Cats courses again soon!
Not good
One of the best layouts I have ever played but course conditions are not good. Staff friendly.
Thank you for taking the time to review your recent visit to Lion's Paw. We appreciate the Excellent rating for our course layout and staff friendliness! Regarding the classification of Fair for course conditions, we apologize we fell short of your expectations on this visit. January is not the ideal time to play bermuda grass courses in our region and we had two consecutive weekends of brutal icy conditions, including on the day prior to your visit, which can further contribute to less than ideal conditions in the immediate aftermath. That is why the cost to play is much lower this time of year than in the warmer seasons. Overall conditions will improve rapidly as we move into the early spring and the bermuda courses will be in excellent condition as the warmer weather allows. We hope you will come back and visit us again.
Thank you very much for the nice Four Star review of Lion's Paw. We truly appreciate it and we hope you will come check out the other Big Cats courses as well!
Thank you very much for the great Five Star review of Lion's Paw! We are so excited for 2022 and beyond! Be sure to come check out the other Big Cats courses as well.
Lions Paw Shoutout
My first time on Lions Paw will not be my last. Interesting layout. Course in good shape. Friendly staff.
Shout out to Rick and Rick Jr whom I was paired with. Great guys and made for a terrific day.
There is some over seeding going on but in general, the course is in good shape. They have several sets of tees which helps for all skill levels.
Thank you very much for the nice Four Star review of Lion's Paw. We are so happy to hear you enjoyed your visit and we look forward to seeing you again soon! If you get the chance, be sure to check out the other three Big Cats courses. All of them are moving in a very positive direction and we are excited about the coming year and beyond!
Great pace of play
Mid morning tee time on a holiday and the course was crowded. Got paired up with a very nice guy. Sent off the back 9. Finished round right at 4 hours. Course in good condition. They overseeded for winter, greens ran true., traps could use some attention, of course I could avoid them if I was more accurate with my approach shots.
Thank you for the very nice four star review of Lion's Paw. We have been working very hard on all of the Big Cats courses and it is so great to see all of the positive feedback! Be sure to try the other three Big Cats when you get a chance. Thanks again!
Thank you for taking the time to review your recent visit to Lion's Paw. We appreciate the nice four star review and we we hope you will come visit us again soon.
Great course for the money!
Course condition has improved greatly since playing here a year ago.
Greens were a little slow but in great shape.
All I dreamed…..
Been awaiting my chance to play this for years and iit was great.
Thank you so much for the nice Five Star review! We agree, Lion's Paw, the original Big Cats course, is still one of the favorite layouts of many longtime golfers. We hope you will come visit us again soon and check out the other Big Cats!
Keep it in the fairway
Course is in good shape considering the storm that came through a few weeks ago. Greens roll true , but are a little spongy (soft) feeling. Ruff is just that! Ball sets down and hard to find if your off track. Very friendly staff !! Cart paths are in very bad shape so stay up the side of the fairways. Will play here again
Thank you very much for the great Five Star review of Lion's Paw. We truly appreciate it! We have been working diligently to continue to improve all of the Big Cats course and we are glad to hear all the hard work is paying off! We also had planned to address the cart path issues last year, but the pandemic-related difficulties have caused this project to be delayed. We expect to resume that restoration process very soon. We hope you will return soon and see our continued progress.
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Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to Lion's Paw. We just wanted to let you know the issues you mentioned are all being addressed at this time, including extensive work on the cart paths that should be completed in the coming weeks. From tee boxes to greens, the original Big Cat course is much improved over the past year and we expect that trend to continue as we move through 2022 and beyond. We hope you will come visit us again and see our continued progress.