Located in Sunset Beach, just west of Myrtle Beach proper, Sea Trail Resort – Maples Course is renowned for its Southern charm and numerous water features. This vigorous yet captivating course offers golfers of all skill levels an experience to remember.
Design and Layout
The Maples Course was designed by Dan Maples, the architect crediting his design ethos to his father, renowned course architect, Ellis Maples. Upholding that lineage, the Maples Course is a true testament to the beauty found in Carolina-style golf. The course spans over 6,700 yards and is composed of 18 holes, each designed less to punish and more to challenge, keeping a golfer’s attention while providing a fair game.
Scenery and Aesthetics
Framed by lush landscapes, the Maples Course tends to be visually stunning. It is amply lined with oaks, pines, and maples, interwoven with beautiful waterways and natural waste areas. The surrounding scenery complements the architectural design, serving as an evocative backdrop to the beautifully manicured fairways and greens. Golfers often comment on the peacefulness the natural surroundings offer, allowing an immersive golfing experience in tranquility.
Golfing Experience
The Sea Trail Maples Course is renowned for its strategic diversity. It challenges the golfer to utilize every club in their bag, providing different strategic paths to the pin across its various holes. The front nine is heavily wooded, flat, and places the emphasis on accurate drives and approach shots. Conversely, the back nine opens up with water in play on six out of the nine holes, demanding precise shot selections.
The Maples Course is also known for its medium-sized Bermuda greens that are considered some of the finest surfaces around Myrtle Beach. The greens are well maintained and quite fast, creating a putting challenge that adds to the overall experience. The fairways are quite wide, inviting to players who like to hit the driver, but accuracy is still essential due to the well-placed hazards and undulating greens.
For the players seeking a challenge, the course has multiple tee locations. This feature allows players of various skill levels to find their comfort zone, whether they’re novices or seasoned golfers. Some holes also feature a double fairway, offering players with alternative routes to reach the green enhancing the strategic flavor to this course.
Facilities and Services
The Sea Trail Resort extends its Southern hospitality beyond the Maples Course. The resort is equipped with a full-service clubhouse including locker rooms, a pro shop, and a grill where players can relax and refuel after their round. Golf lessons from professionally trained instructors and club rentals are also available for those seeking to improve their skills or without their equipment.
Conclusion
Whether you are a serious golfer aiming to test your strategic skills, or on a leisure trip seeking a relaxing round in a serene location, the Sea Trail Resort – Maples Course is a must-visit. There is an ideal blend of traditional design, modern challenges, and impeccable maintenance, all in a picturesque setting. Its fairways offer a journey through Carolina nature at its finest, it’s a golf experience that is as rewarding and enriching as it is challenging.
This course looks absolutely stunning – Southern charm and golf at its finest! In particular, the tranquility offered by the natural surroundings sounds ideal – just what I need to distract me from my disastrous short game. I just hope the water features don’t mean I’ll spend half my time fishing balls out of the pond!
Great review of the course – definitely made me even more eager to play there next summer. Looking forward to some strategic play and the challenges of the back nine with the water hazards! Question though – is club rental pricey at the Sea Trail Resort?
Really informative review. I was glad to hear the course isn’t all about punishing golfers with brutal layouts but actually offers a fair and strategic game. Love the fact that the Maples Course is so well maintained as well, nothing worse than poor greens affecting putts! Can’t wait to get out there and test my game.