The Arnold Palmer designed Birkdale golf course, is a public facility with a "private club" atmosphere. Located on 200 acres of rolling terrain, carved between tall pines and natural streams, Birkdale is a challenging 7,013 yard, par 72 course made up of Bermuda fairways and Crenshaw bent grass greens offering a true test of golf skills.

Birkdale has received a good deal of acclaim, being voted one of the top five public golf courses in North Carolina. When it opened in 1997 it was voted The Best New Golf Course in North Carolina and was named Charlotte's Best Public Course in 1998. Four sets of tees allows golfers of all abilities to enjoy the layout at Birkdale. The course features a number of elevation changes, which are appealing to the eye and add to the challenge. Well placed water hazards require players to use every shot in their bag.