The charm of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, isn’t confined to its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife; it’s also renowned for being the golf capital of the world. The city boasts over 100 golf courses, each with its distinct qualities. But what sets the Myrtle Beach golf scene apart are the challenging hazards on its courses. Here, let’s delve into some of the toughest course hazards.
TPC Myrtle Beach
Located in Murrells Inlet, TPC Myrtle Beach is the only course on the Grand Strand to have been given a five-star rating by Golf Digest. It’s known for its strategically placed bunkers, unpredictable water hazards, and fast, beautifully contoured greens. Hole 18, often deemed the toughest hole on the course, invites golfers to a daunting tee shot over a lake and a fairway flanked by bunkers, with an elevated green just beyond a pesky stream. This concluding hole tests even the most experienced golfers.
Dunes Golf and Beach Club
Designed by Robert Trent Jones, The Dunes Golf and Beach Club is regarded as one of the finest golf courses not only in Myrtle Beach but also in the country. The signature 13th hole, dubbed ‘Waterloo’, presents a dogleg right around Lake Singleton. The breathtaking, yet treacherous hole requires strategic play, forcing golfers to either cut the corner over a portion of the lake or play it safe around the water’s edge, adding to the length of the hole.
Caledonia Golf and Fish Club
Often listed among the top 100 public golf courses in the U.S, Caledonia Golf and Fish Club is a jewel on the south end of the Grand Strand. While the course is more about enchanting beauty than punishing difficulty, its ‘Carolina Carry,’ consisting of consecutive par 4s, each requiring a tee shot over a field of marsh, can prove challenging. The presence of extensive, region-distinct wetlands demands precision and control, especially at the 383-yard 16th hole.
True Blue Plantation
Sharing the same designer, Mike Strantz, with Caledonia, True Blue Plantation is laden with natural hazards. Immense sandy waste areas, vast undulating greens, and dramatic elevation changes are distinctive traits of this course. The par-5 fourth hole featuring an expansive sandy waste area that runs along the entire right side of the fairway demonstrates the natural hazard found across this course, making club choices vital for players.
Kings North at Myrtle Beach National
Arnold Palmer’s signature course, Kings North at Myrtle Beach National, is famous for its difficult fairway bunker complexes and water hazards. Its notorious ‘Gambler’ hole, a risky par 5, is replete with water hazards, challenging adventurous golfers to either safely navigate around Lake Singleton or attempt a risky carry over the water to reach an island fairway.
Long Bay Club
A Jack Nicklaus design, Long Bay Club displays signature Nicklaus’ environmental design touches. The course prominently features large, man-made mounding and vast, waste bunker-strewn fairways. The par-4 ninth hole is notable for its large sandy waste area that splits the undulating fairway, presenting an intimidating view from the tee box.
In conclusion, these challenging golf hazards ensure golfers leave from Myrtle Beach not just with memorable experiences but also improved strategic and technical skills. They manage to test the mettle of beginners and veterans alike, making every round calling for consideration, precision, and adaptability. Every course in Myrtle Beach provides a unique golfing experience that challenges convention and calls for innovation, making the city a golfing haven.