If you are looking for a golf community on the South Carolina border, your search has likely narrowed to two names: Crow Creek and The Farm. On paper, they look identical: both are in Calabash, both are minutes from the South Carolina line, and both are marketed as "golf course communities." But for buyers in 2025, there is a massive, often unspoken distinction between the two.

One has a thriving, active golf course. The other has a "ghost course" that is actively being turned into new subdivisions.

Here is the insider breakdown you won't find on a Zillow listing.

The "Ghost Course" Reality: The Farm vs. Farmstead

For years, Farmstead Golf Links was famous for having the only Par 6 hole in the region. Buyers flocked to the adjacent residential neighborhood, The Farm at Brunswick, for the golf views.

The Reality Check: Farmstead Golf Links permanently closed in late 2021. If you buy a resale home in "The Farm" today thinking you are getting a golf course view, you might actually be buying a view of a construction site. The former fairways have been sold to developers and are currently being transformed into new neighborhoods (like Coastal Club of the Carolinas).

The Verdict: The Farm at Brunswick is still a fantastic community with its own amenities (that famous red barn clubhouse and a great pool), but it is no longer a golf community. It is a residential neighborhood near other golf courses. If you want to drive your cart from your garage to the first tee, this isn't the place anymore.

Crow Creek: The Real Deal

In contrast, Crow Creek remains a true, active golf course community. The Rick Robbins-designed course is vibrant, well-maintained, and central to the neighborhood's social fabric.

The Lifestyle: Because the course is operational, the clubhouse restaurant serves as a legitimate social hub for residents, not just golfers. You’ll find neighbors grabbing lunch or a post-round drink together, creating a tighter community feel than in neighborhoods where amenities are purely recreational (pool/gym).

The Housing Mix: Crow Creek offers a mix of condos and single-family homes. The condos here are some of the best values in Brunswick County for second-home buyers who want a "lock-and-leave" base for golf trips.

The "Border Strategy": Why Buy in NC to Play in SC?

Both communities sit just seconds from the South Carolina state line. Smart buyers use this geography to hack their retirement budget.

The Tax Play: North Carolina has moved to a flat income tax (dropping to 3.99%), and significantly, Social Security is tax-exempt here, just like in South Carolina.

The Insurance Factor: While property taxes can be lower in SC, homeowners insurance along the Grand Strand (Myrtle Beach/North Myrtle) has skyrocketed. By living just across the border in the Calabash area (which is slightly inland and protected by the "buffer" of Sunset Beach), many of our clients find their insurance premiums are significantly lower than their SC counterparts.

The Best of Both Worlds: You get the lower density and quieter traffic of Brunswick County, but you are a 5-minute drive from the endless dining and entertainment of North Myrtle Beach. You live in peace; you dine in chaos (if you want to).

The Verdict

Choose Crow Creek if you are a golfer who wants the authentic "country club lite" experience where the course is the star of the show.

Choose The Farm (or the new communities replacing the course) if you prioritize a newer, larger home and a "resort pool" atmosphere over actual golf access.

Your Next Step

Buying near the border requires a guide who knows which "golf course view" is permanent and which one is about to become a row of townhomes. At Aspyre Realty Group, we track every development permit and zoning change in Calabash. We ensure you know exactly what you are buying—and what might be built in your backyard next year.

Confused about which Calabash community fits your retirement plan? Let’s tour both neighborhoods and compare the real-world costs and lifestyles side-by-side.