Bald Head Island Club
Bald Head Island Club
4
About
The Bald Head Island Club is a private country club located centrally on Bald Head Island, North Carolina. There are three restaurants on site and various resort amenities. The golf course is a George Cobb-designed 18-hole course where the front nine winds its way through a maritime forest and lagoons, and the back nine plays along the Atlantic Ocean coastline. Additional amenities include: tennis courts, outdoor pool, fitness center, and croquet greens. Guest Memberships are available for visitors.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
72 reviews
Excellent
39
Very good
16
Average
4
Poor
7
Terrible
6
Shane W
1 contribution
Aug 2020
I rented a Villa on the island that had a social membership at the club. I am a golfer and had I known that you cannot buy a week membership or upgrade the exisitng membership I would not have rented the property. The club was rigid in its approach. Policy is you cannot buy another or upgrade the membership that comes with the property. It is a poor business practice. Upgrading a membership and a couple of rounds of golf would have cost me, and benefited the club, at least $1,000. I checked the golf course usage and it was not overwhelmed.
The US flag at the front of the club is not illuminated as required by law. The gate staff said it has been like that for months. I am a veteran and take offense to managements indifference
The US flag at the front of the club is not illuminated as required by law. The gate staff said it has been like that for months. I am a veteran and take offense to managements indifference
Written September 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyager68692
18 contributions
Aug 2022
We’ve been coming to BHI for many years. Always, up until this year, temporary memberships for both clubs has been included. This is the first year that we’ve paid for both of the island clubs as an add ons.
The cost for a temporary weekly, M-F, membership is $400. Be aware ahead of time that temporary members are not allowed to use any of the services on the weekends (to include dining). For a family of 4, that’s means $80 for a daily pool visit. Also be aware that you have to sign up in advance for a specific pool time. There are 3 scheduled time slots during the day and one evening slot (free to all) from 6:30-8. You may only sign up for one slot per day.
We were actually ‘somewhat’ ok with these guidelines, however, it was the extreme rudeness from some of the pool staff that initiated me to write this review.
Our time was close to ending and we were finishing a beverage before leaving. A very friendly young guy circled the pool and told us we had 15 min left in our stay.
Less than 2 minutes later, a group of 3 young women (late teens/ early twenties) were walking around the pool picking up towels. They approached us and one of them (literally) said, “Your time is up, you need to go.” I replied and said, “Yes, we know. A guy who works here just told us we had 15 minutes left in our time.” She responded (in a very rude, raised voice), “Who said that? That’s not true. You need to leave now. Don’t you look at your watch?”
She clearly didn’t believe me and she was beyond rude. My whole family saw me talk with both people. My 11 and 13 year old kids were shocked that she was so rude to us, especially after the first guy said something completely different. I wish I'd have gotten her name to report her. I was so stunned by her complete rudeness and lack of customer service that I was actually speechless. Other patrons, still by the pool because they’d also just heard the 15 minute warning, had looks of disbelief on their faces because of her behavior.
Bottom Line - Don’t waste your time paying the extra $400 for BHI Club. It’s not worth it, and clearly temporary members are not as important as other paying members are.
The cost for a temporary weekly, M-F, membership is $400. Be aware ahead of time that temporary members are not allowed to use any of the services on the weekends (to include dining). For a family of 4, that’s means $80 for a daily pool visit. Also be aware that you have to sign up in advance for a specific pool time. There are 3 scheduled time slots during the day and one evening slot (free to all) from 6:30-8. You may only sign up for one slot per day.
We were actually ‘somewhat’ ok with these guidelines, however, it was the extreme rudeness from some of the pool staff that initiated me to write this review.
Our time was close to ending and we were finishing a beverage before leaving. A very friendly young guy circled the pool and told us we had 15 min left in our stay.
Less than 2 minutes later, a group of 3 young women (late teens/ early twenties) were walking around the pool picking up towels. They approached us and one of them (literally) said, “Your time is up, you need to go.” I replied and said, “Yes, we know. A guy who works here just told us we had 15 minutes left in our time.” She responded (in a very rude, raised voice), “Who said that? That’s not true. You need to leave now. Don’t you look at your watch?”
She clearly didn’t believe me and she was beyond rude. My whole family saw me talk with both people. My 11 and 13 year old kids were shocked that she was so rude to us, especially after the first guy said something completely different. I wish I'd have gotten her name to report her. I was so stunned by her complete rudeness and lack of customer service that I was actually speechless. Other patrons, still by the pool because they’d also just heard the 15 minute warning, had looks of disbelief on their faces because of her behavior.
Bottom Line - Don’t waste your time paying the extra $400 for BHI Club. It’s not worth it, and clearly temporary members are not as important as other paying members are.
Written August 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Passport48623653473
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
Bald Head Island and the BHI Club, in prior 2005-2017 visits, exuded casual hospitality and geniality. When you rented a house with a club membership, the amenities of the club, golf course, fitness center, restaurant, pool, tennis courts etc, were available to everyone in the house. Being a fairly serious golfer, the only one in the family, it was great to be treated just as I am at my home club. I would play early, with members or other vacationers, hit balls and make good use of an excellent practice facility. The family often went to the pool, in the afternoon, after a morning on the beach. At least once per visit, we would all get “dressed up” and go to the club for a sit down dinner. All available with the rental of an appropriate house. In 2024, even though we had rented a house with a club membership , the club was only available to those of us who purchased a $120 guest membership. That adds up pretty quickly when you’re in a house with 8 family members. I’ll focus on golf, as that was the saddest revelation. Instead of buying 3 rounds for $200 or so and hitting $5 buckets, whenever I liked, the reality in 2024 was $160 per round (even though only 9 holes were open, due to aeration), $45 per day for range usage and “guests” could not play before 1:00pm Monday-Friday, at all on Saturday and only after 4:00pm on Sunday. The beaches remain amazing and the turtles charming but the heavy handed elitism of the current generation of Bald Head Island’s stewards left me disgusted and never to return.
Written July 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pdr123
Princeton, NJ40 contributions
Aug 2021
Below are the things I wish I knew prior to paying $525 for the 'privilege' of accessing the BHI Club.
1. You must make pool reservations in 2 hour increments. For same day reservations, guest members must either come in person to check availability. If you are enjoying your pool time... too bad, it's only 2 hours.
2. The restaurants are really booked. With the exception of availability at Horizons, each time I tried to book another restaurant, it was full. I finally got into the Palms. The scheduling and attempting to make dinner plans was as taxing as the pool.
3. Golf: For $525, I got the opportunity to pay $195 to play. With that said, the course was really nice.
4. Ray, who helped us with Croquet, was awesome.
So, for $525, I receive a lot of no's, staff that was really low in empathy, and sub-par experience. It was a total waste of money and time... not to mention detracted from the fun and relaxation of a vacation. I do recommend the Shoals Club as an alternative (though, they do not have golf). The pool was available, staff friendly, and a relaxed atmosphere.
1. You must make pool reservations in 2 hour increments. For same day reservations, guest members must either come in person to check availability. If you are enjoying your pool time... too bad, it's only 2 hours.
2. The restaurants are really booked. With the exception of availability at Horizons, each time I tried to book another restaurant, it was full. I finally got into the Palms. The scheduling and attempting to make dinner plans was as taxing as the pool.
3. Golf: For $525, I got the opportunity to pay $195 to play. With that said, the course was really nice.
4. Ray, who helped us with Croquet, was awesome.
So, for $525, I receive a lot of no's, staff that was really low in empathy, and sub-par experience. It was a total waste of money and time... not to mention detracted from the fun and relaxation of a vacation. I do recommend the Shoals Club as an alternative (though, they do not have golf). The pool was available, staff friendly, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Written September 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott S
Hickory, NC202 contributions
Sep 2022
The main club dining room was not good. We had to send one of the dinners back twice and ended up just not eating it at all. Beef Wellington was a special and the beef was cold, they said they would bring a new one but just brought half of the old one back with the crust burned up. Sad. Sushi app tasted frozen as well. It was expensive as well, even by Bald Head standards.
Horizons was a different story - great views and the food was excellent.
Horizons was a different story - great views and the food was excellent.
Written September 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane locklear
1 contribution
Feb 2019 • Couples
My husband and I got a temporary membership when we got our vacation house which wasn’t exactly cheap, but we got it anyways because my husband wanted to golf. This was the first and last time we came to Bald Head Island Club. The restaurant looked nice and clean for the most part, the lobby looks very elegant. The hostess was very nice and upbeat and our server was very attentive I was starting to realize why the membership was so expensive because the place was so nice until we ordered our food. My husband got the soup of the day and I got crab bisque when my soup got to the table I could immediately smell ammonia and it was so strong it made me sick to my stomach, by how strong the smell was I knew the cooks had to know it was rotten and smell it to, I mean the smell was just overwhelming. My husband and I were disgusted but chose not to say anything, because we figured by the smell of it they already knew. I hesitated on whether or not I would write this review, but before you spend a bunch of money buying this membership ask yourself if you want to be served spoiled food.
Written February 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holly R
Arlington, VA15 contributions
If you can pick between the Shoals Club and BHI Club pool, go with the shoals club. BHI club has dated facilities, unhappy employees, and just isn't fun. The food is good though.
Written August 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JPH7916
Chicago, IL145 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Played here in early May and loved it. First time at course and it didn't disappoint. Lots of great views and lots of wind coming off the ocean. Watch out for that monster gator on 18. He looked like at least a 12 footer I would love to go back and play. Was 80 dollars for the round
Written May 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael S
Hickory, NC18 contributions
Sep 2015 • Family
Bad Expiereice told 5 min wait with 2 families ends up 20 min late for seating. 820 pm finally seated 7 hungry people waiter told Orders taken salads and soups take an hour. We watch the place empty out. Order screwed.up. $400 bill. I say get your stuff together. Don't be Tacking on my 20 percent tip at 1030 at night. Management really??? Experience bad, got it management? Worse part, when management told he wanted to believe it was about the 20 min. Wait before we were seated that was the problem not the sevice.
Written September 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MissyB479
Durham, NC4 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
Had an unfortunate incident at the pool, where the umbrella came out of the stand and my husband grabbed it, with a lot of black gunk all over his shirt which never came out. Waiting for them to call back so we can get reimbursed for it. Towels were wet at the pool(guard said at least they were clean), and lifeguard could care less about kids in pool, but was checking out her tan lines and talking with other employees.
Written June 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anyone been at BHI Club lately? They now apparently require pool reservation and restaurant reservations which is somewhat of a turn off especially re:the pool since we don’t really know when we want to use the pool - are you able to make reservations day of? Also, is it worth it for teenagers? Is there beach access directly from the club?
Written July 2, 2024
Would anyone like to share which club they prefer between The Bald Head Island club and The Shoals Club and why? Thank-you!
Written June 6, 2016
If you have small children and want to get a wonderful view of Frying Pan Shoals, visit The Shoals Club. Just don't eat dinner there. It has been terrible for years. The Bald Head Island Club is much better for golf obviously, but for the food, and has all the amenities for all ages. Hands down, it's better. Many Shoals Club members sold(gave back) their memberships and lost their butts.
Written April 6, 2017
What activities is there in Bald Head Island? Is there a beach? What's the name of the golf course? How do you get there?
Written June 25, 2015
For a travel info:
Download the BHI island guide app by searching for everything BHI. It is the app with the photo of the lighthouse. Version 3.0.
Written June 26, 2015
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