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Rating Index Rating
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3.8
443 Reviews (443)
5 Stars
97
4 Stars
196
3 Stars
86
2 Stars
36
1 Stars
28
Conditions
3.4
Value
3.9
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.1
78.5%
Recommend this course
342 out of 443 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
40 Reviews (40)
5 Stars
9
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.1
Value
3.5
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.2
70.0%
Recommend this course
28 out of 40 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
77 Reviews (77)
5 Stars
21
4 Stars
30
3 Stars
13
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
5
Conditions
3.3
Value
3.8
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.3
74.0%
Recommend this course
57 out of 77 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
The staff at Lions Paw earns high praise for friendliness, and the wide-open fairways offer a well-designed layout that keeps golfers coming back. Solid pace of play and strong value for money make this Big Cat course a worthwhile booking.

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.

Book a Tee Time at
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

3.8
443 Reviews (443)
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Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
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Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Used cart

Worst greens in the Myrtle Beach Area

Cost was the same as other Cats courses but the greens were HORRIBLE > I will make sure to tell you and all my friends DONT PLAT THERE

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 144
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the Five 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 19
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thanks for taking the time to review your visit to Lion's Paw. We do appreciate your patronage and feedback. We are working hard daily to provide our guests with a fun and memorable golf experience. Be sure to check out our other three Big Cats courses. Thanks again!

Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

GolfNow great value.

Course was in a reasonably good condition considering we had a 45-minute frost delay. Absolutely would play there again

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the awesome Five 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 30
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the 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 28
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the 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 Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to Lion's Paw. We truly appreciate your patronage and feedback. We are working hard daily to provide our guests with a fun and memorable golf experience. We hope you visit again soon and see our continued progress. Be sure to check out our other three Big Cat courses as well. Thanks again!

Played On
Reviews 91
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing

Nice day on the golf course

Nice day on the golf course. The staff inside and outside the clubhouse were very friendly and the pace of play was good for a weekend. We finished in under 4 1/2 hours. The only negative thing was most of the greens if not all of them had issues which looked like at hydraulic leak on some golf equipment, which scarred the greens but they are starting to come back. Course layout is good with plenty of opportunities to use different clobs in the bag. You don’t always have to use driver off the tee. I would recommend anybody in the area to give this course a try as I think most people would enjoy it.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the 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 Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the 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 Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the Five 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 38
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Excellent Course, Challenging

Excellent course with good conditions and quality layout. Greens are true and well kept. Fairway grass is excellent for this time of year. Alligators are friendly....

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the awesome Five 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 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the 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 20
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Jacks review

Starters eere great. We teed off prior to our starting time. Played in less than 4 hrs. Course in great shape for this early in the year.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/04/2026

Thank you for the wonderful five star review of Lion's Paw. We do appreciate your patronage and feedback. Be sure to check out the other three Big Cats courses as well.

Thanks again!

Played On
Reviews 12
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the Five 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 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

Course was in excellent shape, very nice course to play. Lots of water though. Saw 2 alligators while playing.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the Five 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

Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the Five 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 14
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Lions Paw

I’ve played this course several times and it never fails to be challenging for me as a beginner player. For the price it’s a great course to play.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the 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 31
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the 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 45
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Value Golf

Lion’s Paw is one of the best golfing values in the area. The course was in excellent condition with several challenging yet fair holes for any level of golfer. Greens were fast and tricky due to subtle undulations. Some greens had invasive grasses but not to the extent in the prior year. Overall, I would recommend this course for an enjoyable golf experience.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 03/18/2026

Thank you so much for the Five 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

Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/12/2026

Thank you so much for the Five 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 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played

Wrong course

This is the second time I’ve done a tee time for lions paw and was forced to play panthers run. I will not go back to play at this location.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 41
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Nice round on Ocean Isle, SC

Played in the sunshine after a frost delay of 1 hour, yet still finished as a foursome in 4:15 - just before sunset at 5:15 pm. Not bad for January 17th! Very nice layout, but LOTS of watery graves, typical for any SC Coastal course. We will be back!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 02/12/2026

Thank you so much for the Four Star review of Lion's Paw! We truly appreciate your patronage and your feedback. We work hard daily to provide our guests with a fun and memorable golf experience. We hope you visit again soon. Be sure to check out the other three Big Cats courses as well. Thanks again!

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