Still on the NC side of the state line, in a development called Ocean Ridge, resides a quartet of big cats (soon to be a quintet), four courses named after ferocious felines and all designed by Tim Cate (that’s “cat” with an “e”). The pick of this litter is Tiger’s Eye (73), which was carved out of a pine forest so nearly every hole is lined by tall trees but not so tight as to be overly intimidating. Along with the trees comes plenty of water (don’t cats hate water?), some steep elevation changes, and subtly sloping greens. You won’t feel clawed at the end of the round—it’s a good choice to kick-off a golf vacation—but you will get to use all your clubs, especially the irons, as the par-threes are good and full of variety.

You’ve no doubt heard courses described as simply having been dropped upon the land. So it is at Tidewater (41), which makes wonderful use of its flat, tree - and water - lined landscape, and is at the mercy of whichever wind happens to be blowing. Back across the line in South Carolina and nestled between the ocean and the

Intracoastal Waterway, this is natural golf, with a few trees cut down (creating some tight chutes to hit through) and that’s about it: Any mounds and slopes were in the land before the course was. Even the sand feels as if it belongs. Tidewater was the dream and design of Ken Tomlinson, who is also a tax attorney. I’m not sure how that prepared him to build such a good layout, but be glad he saved his tricks for the IRS.

The Barefoot Resort, in North Myrtle Beach, also features a quartet of big cats, in this case four star architects. Pete Dye and Greg Norman both have courses here, but it is Tom Fazio and Davis Love III who placed designs on the coveted list.

The Fazio Course (92) has everything you expect from Tom. It’s challenging but fair, enjoyable regardless of your score. Mounding subtly frames the fairways and usually redirects shots back into play rather than into trouble, a big reason his courses are popular with higher-handicappers. The greens are especially good—undulating, elevated, and bunkered so only a well-placed approach will finish close; but a mediocre shot might stay on the green and give some hope of sinking a long putt. I especially liked the long par-four 5th hole, with water down the right side, sand down the left, the wind off the right, and the green angled away. Determining where to place your drive—based on how much control you have in placing your drive—is critical, and part of the fun.

Next up: a "Love," a "Dune," and a "King"