Hound Ears Club
Hound Ears Club offers an 18-hole mountain golf experience marked by dramatic elevation changes and breathtaking views of Grandfather Mountain. This private course blends strategic demands with natural beauty, welcoming golfers seeking both challenge and serenity in North Carolina’s High Country.
Course Overview
Set against the rugged peaks of North Carolina's High Country, Hound Ears Club presents an 18-hole private golf course that challenges and rewards players amid a landscape defined by its mountainous contours and striking elevation changes. This mountain-style layout requires thoughtful shot-making, where each hole offers a unique interplay between strategic positioning and the natural terrain. Elevation shifts frame the fairways, inviting golfers to consider wind direction and club selection in every stroke.
The course stretches approximately 6,855 yards from the back tees, with a par of 71 that balances demanding uphill climbs with sweeping downhill approaches. Greens are often protected by rocky outcrops and well-placed bunkers, which keep players alert and encourage precision around the putting surfaces. Though the routing is crafted for skilled players seeking a challenge, it remains accessible enough to engage golfers of varied experience, offering alternative tee placements suited for multiple skill levels.
Surroundings amplify the experience, with panoramic views of Grandfather Mountain and dense forest canopy framing fairways and tees in deep shades of green. The fresh mountain air enhances every moment, giving the game a lively edge that contrasts with more traditional parkland or links courses. The setting’s natural features become active participants, where breezes can test tempo and downhill shots reward calculated aggression.
Hound Ears Club features a recently renovated clubhouse that blends rustic charm with modern comfort, including dining options that overlook portions of the course and mountain vistas. Amenities extend beyond golf, with walking trails weaving through the property’s preserved wilderness, and fitness facilities that complement the active lifestyle embraced by this private community.
For those planning a visit, walking is encouraged, though the terrain can be demanding in places; comfortable golf shoes with good traction are recommended. The club maintains a policy of member access only, ensuring an intimate and exclusive environment where the service is attentive, and the pace of play considerate. Golf carts are available but walking remains popular among members who enjoy the physical challenge and immersive mountain setting.
Hound Ears Club embodies the essence of mountain golf with an assured balance between test and enjoyment, making it an unforgettable destination for those seeking refuge in the Carolinas’ scenic highlands.
Course Highlights
The course is distinguished by its mountain-style layout with considerable elevation changes, strategic bunkering around greens, and sweeping views of Grandfather Mountain. Its rocky features and natural streams provide unique obstacles. The well-maintained greens and tees reflect a commitment to quality, while the integration with the surrounding wilderness offers a distinctive golfing atmosphere in a private community environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Boone Dog
A great top 100 golf course, with magnificent views, fantastic greens, tees and fairways. This community has a fantastic hiking trail, offering 2.42 miles of beauty, with a true unspoiled wilderness experience. This private club and community supports an annual world class Bouldering Event each fall that is a must see. The club and community is surrounded by a class 3 trout stream, which the club stocks. I've seen 30" trout pulled out of this river. A great Dog Park, Community Garden and a beautiful residential community with a golf course that is fun to play, as enjoyable as it is beautiful. The staff are fantastic, professional and friendly. This private gated community has one of the best Security Teams found at any private high end community. They are always friendly, helpful and welcoming. Outside guests are welcome with Clubhouse Inn Reservations or as an invited guest of a member. What great views of Grandfather Mountain. The clubhouse recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation and updated its dining and clubhouse facilites. The club offers memberships for residents and non residents. They also offer golf instruction for non-members, as the golf professionals invited guest. Hound Ears is a great place where you can feel the difference because of the friendliness of the residents, members and employees. The former COO and General Manager retired after 8 years of dedicated service. He built a great team of caring professionals.
Cheryl Johnstone
Great location between Boone, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock. Easy 2 1/2 hour drive from Charlotte. Beautiful golf course, hiking trails, pool and tennis courts, and gorgeous clubhouse -restaurants. It is so fun to take kids for golf cart rides every day. My husband also loves fly fishing on the Watauga River which flows through the development. We liked it so much that we bought a summer home in Hound Ears.
Nanoranger22
Company doesn't respect hunters and fisherman
Karlyle
What an awesome place to be and relax, play golf and enjoy the Mountain Views!
Michelle Raines
What a beautiful spot in the mountains!! The accommodations at the club (3 suites and one bedroom style) are warm and inviting. It reminded me very much of staying at home-just that kind of cozy and well appointed and clean throughout. The staff was very helpful and welcoming. There is 24/7 access to the snack/continental breakfast room with a lot to choose! The club restaurant fed us one of the best meals we’ve ever eaten out. All in our party of 5 were thrilled with our choices-beef stroganoff, sea bass, trout, steak…and the buffalo cauliflower-better order two! Club Pie - it’s delicious and enormous- two slices satisfied our entire party. They also have a well appointed gym and beautiful pool in the surrounding neighborhood, complete with a waterfall and snack bar. It’s really a special community in the mountains.
David Dennis-Leigh
My experiences are from the mid 1990's but may serve as some historical insight. My wife and I visited Hound Ears twice.....Both times over the Christmas holiday. We had to make reservations months in advance as at the time they had a very small number of guests who were there and as I recall, they were only open for 2 weeks or so during that period of time. At any rate, the experience as a whole, or viewed individually, as culinary, service, facility, staffing and/or atmosphere all received the same rating from both myself and my wife. 5 Stars. While there we met some incredible people who had come from all over the world to stay there only over the Christmas holiday. Of course I don't want to exclude the owner of several Ford dealerships from our home town, Ft. Lauderdale FL who we met the first night there. To give you an idea of the service, as we sat down in front of the huge fireplace and watched the mountains through the beautiful windows overlooking part of the golf course (closed at this time) my wife ordered a drink a portion of which included whipped cream on the top. As the service person delivered the drink, a Chef in immaculate white uniform and tall starched hat came up the spiral staircase at a fast clip with a genuine goat or sheep skinned piping bag, full of freshly made whipped cream which he expertly applied to my wife's beverage. And......the whipped cream, regardless of the presentation was EXCELLENT! We're going back up there this week to look around and see if anyone we knew from our prior two trips still works there. I hope we find it as we left it. Mixed with the heavy snow that occurred both times we were there and the wonderful staff, facility and other guests, this is a remarkable place that was perfectly able to provide you with incredible experiences you might remember for a lifetime.
Oscar Hernandez
Amy Cichoski
Hound Ears is such an amazing place! We love coming up to “High Country” from SoFla during the summer months. It is a great escape from the heat. The staff memebers at the club are courteous and kind and the food in the dining room is delicious. The golf course is great, the state of the art fitness center has a picturesque view of Grandfather Mountain, and the hiking trails are beautiful! We also enjoyed a casual lunches at the Tee House! We love this mountain community!
Feroz Louis
Dwayne Stafford
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Course Details
Access & Location
328 Shulls Mill Rd, Boone, NC 28607, USA
Recently renovated clubhouse featuring dining with mountain views and comfortable lounges.
Walking is encouraged; the mountain terrain can be moderately demanding. Players should wear shoes with solid traction for uneven ground.
Member invitation required. Guest play typically arranged through member sponsorship or clubhouse lodging reservations.
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