Thistle is located in a residential development in Calabash, just north of the State line near Sunset Beach.

There are three link-style nines: Cameron, MacKay, and Stewart. The layouts have large, open fairways with huge rolling greens, both guarded by numerous sand bunkers with water in play on almost every hole. It's a scenic setting without homes or development, surrounded by hills covered in heather and wildflowers. There are five sets of tees overall; the Stewart/MacKay rotation plays to 74.3/137, course/slope ratings from the tips: MacKay/Cameron 74.9/136, Cameron/Stewart 73.4/137. It was designed by Tim Cates and opened in 2000.