007: Emerald Isle Golf Course

Emerald Isle is a course I hadn't played since maybe 2019, and it has improved in every way. “The Isle,” as locals call it, has become more than just a golf course—it’s now a community hangout spot beyond just golf. It feels wrong to compare it to anything because it’s so unique, but Emerald Isle has a bit of a mini Goat Hill Park vibe. Goat Hill isn’t the only course making casual golf cool, but it has set a great standard for what golf should be, and Emerald Isle embraces that just as well. The course has a super fun layout where scores aren’t taken too seriously, and everyone sticks around for a couple of beverages afterward to talk about their best shots.

The course itself, despite being a short executive par 55, is surprisingly challenging, featuring elevation changes, water hazards, and a handful of tricky greens. I played on a dewy and slow morning, but under the right conditions, I’d imagine the greens can get slick and quite difficult. Most holes play up or downhill by 5–10 yards, ranging from 80 to 160 yards, with one short par 4. The green surroundings are typically hard-packed or covered in junk, forcing you to hit precise shots.

If you’re in the Oceanside area, I recommend The Isle—a great executive course that won’t bore you and will challenge you to hit creative shots.

-Hewgss