If you’re planning a golf trip in North Carolina, Rivers Edge golf course deserves a spot on your list. Set along the Shallotte River in Brunswick County, this Arnold Palmer Signature Design has welcomed golfers since 1999. Riverfront views, noticeable elevation changes, and a strategic layout give the course a distinctive feel from the first few holes.
Before you book your tee time, it helps to know what to expect from the layout, which holes stand out, and where the biggest challenges might come during your first round at Rivers Edge.
What makes Rivers Edge Golf Club special
Rivers Edge is an Arnold Palmer Signature Design that makes full use of its riverfront setting. The course winds along the bluffs and tidal marshes of the Shallotte River, with seven holes framed by river and marsh views.
As your round moves through wooded areas, tidal creeks, wetlands, and elevated sections of the property, the scenery changes along with the type of shots you are asked to play. That variety is a big part of Rivers Edge’s character.
It’s also a course that rewards patience. Distance certainly helps, but choosing the right line and leaving yourself a manageable next shot can matter just as much.
What to expect from the Rivers Edge course layout
Rivers Edge measures 6,635 yards from its longest set of tees, but yardage alone does not tell the whole story. Natural hazards, elevation changes, sightlines, and landing areas all influence how you approach the course.
Scenic holes along the Shallotte River
The Shallotte River is a big part of the Rivers Edge experience, especially as you move through the back nine. Several holes bring you close to the water, with wide views across the river and surrounding marshes.
It is the kind of scenery that can easily grab your attention between shots, but the water isn’t just there for the view. On several holes, it also affects how aggressively you can play and where you want to leave the ball.
Marshes, elevation changes and natural hazards
One thing that may surprise you during your first round is just how much the elevation changes. Rivers Edge doesn’t feel like a typical flat coastal layout.
You will come across uphill approaches, downhill tee shots, marshland, tidal creeks, and a few landing areas that are not completely visible from the tee. If you’re playing the course for the first time, checking the yardage and taking a moment to understand the hole before choosing a club can make a real difference.
The finishing stretch from 16 through 18
The final three holes bring the Shallotte River back into the picture and give the round a memorable finish.
Starting at No. 16, accuracy becomes especially important. The river comes into play, and the closing stretch asks you to keep making smart decisions even late in the round. Add in the riverfront scenery around the final holes, and it is a great way to wrap up your first round at Rivers Edge.
Hole 9, “Arnie’s Revenge”: the hole to know before you play
If there is one hole worth understanding before your first round, it is No. 9.
Known as “Arnie’s Revenge,” this par 5 is one of the course’s signature tests. From the back tees, it can stretch to 570 yards, with the Shallotte River marsh influencing multiple shots and a narrow peninsula green waiting at the end.
The second shot presents the biggest decision. Going aggressively toward the green can leave you with a chance to score, but the tight target and surrounding marsh leave very little room for error. The safer option is to position your second shot and leave yourself a shorter approach into the narrow green.
Choosing the right tees for your game
Your tee choice can make a big difference in how much you enjoy Rivers Edge.
The course offers five sets of tees, with total yardages ranging from 4,525 to 6,635 yards. This gives you several options depending on your distance, experience, and comfort with forced carries and longer approach shots.
Rather than choosing tees based only on what you usually play elsewhere, consider how comfortable you are with those carries and approaches. Playing a slightly shorter set can give you more opportunities to enjoy the strategic side of the course instead of spending the day trying to clear hazards from uncomfortable distances.
For your first round, choosing a manageable yardage is usually the better way to learn the layout.
Rivers Edge Golf Club course yardages and scorecard
Rivers Edge is a par-72 course with five tee options. The scorecard below compares the front-nine, back-nine, and total yardages for each tee, along with the available course ratings and slope ratings.
| Tee | Front 9 | Back 9 | Total | Rating / Slope |
| Gold | 3,472 | 3,163 | 6,635 | 72.7 / 142 |
| Black | 3,264 | 2,975 | 6,239 | 70.8 / 137 |
| White | 2,999 | 2,760 | 5,759 | Men 68.8 / 125, Women 74.6 / 145 |
| Green | 2,668 | 2,508 | 5,176 | Men 66.0 / 117, Women 71.0 / 127 |
| Blue | 2,393 | 2,132 | 4,525 | Men 63.4 / 111, Women 67.4 / 119 |
Rivers Edge Golf Club reviews and accolades
Reviews of Rivers Edge Golf Club are generally positive, particularly when it comes to the scenery, course design, conditions, and staff.
Rivers Edge holds a 4.5-star rating on Google and a 96 percent recommendation rate on Facebook. The course has also received recognition from several well-known golf organizations, including:
- Two appearances in Golf Digest’s Top 100
- Golf Course of the Year honors from the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association
- A place on the NC Golf Panel’s Top 60 Courses You Can Play
Those accolades add to the course’s reputation as a memorable Brunswick County layout known for its Shallotte River setting and strategic design.
When is the best time to play at Rivers Edge Golf Club?
The best season really depends on the type of golf trip you are planning.
Spring and fall are popular times for Myrtle Beach-area golf because temperatures are generally comfortable for spending several hours outside. They are also busy golf travel seasons, so booking ahead is especially important if you are traveling with a group or trying to fit several specific courses into one trip.
Summer can be warmer and more humid. A morning tee time can make the round more comfortable and leave your afternoon open for another activity.
Winter can offer cooler playing conditions and a quieter trip, although temperatures and weather can vary more from day to day.
Whatever season you choose, it is worth checking current course conditions and any planned maintenance before finalizing your schedule.
Rivers Edge Golf Club tee times and booking tips
Booking ahead is a good idea, especially if you are traveling with a group or putting together a full golf trip itinerary. A few tips to keep in mind when reserving your Rivers Edge Golf Club course tee times:
- Book early if you are traveling with more than a couple of players
- Leave enough travel time if you are playing another course the same day
- Confirm current rates and any booking policies before you finalize your reservation
- Think about your whole trip, not just one round, when picking tee times
- Ask about Rivers Edge golf club packages if you plan to play multiple rounds during your visit
Coastal Golfaway can help organize your tee times around your travel dates, group size, and the other courses you want to play.
Is Rivers Edge worth adding to a Myrtle Beach golf trip?
Rivers Edge works well for golfers who want to explore beyond the courses around central Myrtle Beach. Its Brunswick County location also makes it easy to pair with other nearby courses.
You get a different kind of round here, with river views, marsh carries, changing elevations, and a closing stretch that keeps the challenge going right to the end.
For groups planning several rounds, Rivers Edge can bring some variety to the trip while still fitting naturally into a northern Grand Strand or Brunswick County itinerary.
Book Rivers Edge Golf Club with Coastal Golfaway
Planning a multi-round golf trip is easier when you consider the entire itinerary. Your course choices need to work with your accommodations, travel time, preferred tee times, group size, and the pace you want for the vacation.
Coastal Golfaway has been helping golfers plan coastal getaways since 1986. We can build your trip around Rivers Edge and the other courses on your list. Reach out today to start arranging your tee times, accommodations, and complete golf getaway.
Frequently asked questions
Who designed Rivers Edge Golf Club?
Arnold Palmer designed Rivers Edge Golf Club. The par-72 course opened in 1999 and is recognized as an Arnold Palmer Signature Design.
Is Rivers Edge Golf Club open to the public?
Yes. Rivers Edge Golf Club is open to the public, and visiting golfers can book tee times directly through the course.
How much does it cost to play Rivers Edge Golf Club?
Rivers Edge Golf Club course green fees can vary depending on the date, season, and time of day. Check live availability and current pricing when you’re ready to book rather than relying on older published rates.
Does Rivers Edge Golf Club have practice facilities?
Yes. The course has a driving range, putting green, and short-game area, giving golfers several options to warm up before their round.
What is the most famous hole at Rivers Edge?
No. 9, known as “Arnie’s Revenge,” is the signature hole. The par 5 brings the Shallotte River marsh into play and finishes at a narrow peninsula green.
Does Rivers Edge Golf Club have food and drinks?
Yes. The Double Eagle Grille serves breakfast and lunch, and its patio overlooks holes 9 and 18, as well as the Shallotte River.