Myrtle Beach, affectionately known as the “Golf Capital of the World”, is a veritable Mecca for golf enthusiasts, sporting over 80 golf courses that cater to every skill level. But today, we shall navigate the fairways less taken and dive into the most challenging greens this captivating coastal city has to offer.
The Dunes Golf and Beach Club
Dubbed the “Grande Dame” of Myrtle Beach, The Dunes Golf and Beach Club offers not just a stunning vista of the Atlantic Ocean, but also a formidable test of golfing skill. What makes this green particularly challenging is the famed “Watson’s Revenge”, the par 5 13th hole, which stretches to a mammoth 640 yards from the championship tees. Coupled with a sharp dogleg to the right around Lake Singleton, this hole can quickly rack up your score if you’re not careful.
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Located on a former rice plantation, the Caledonia Golf & Fish Club course is the work of architect Mike Strantz, known for his knack for wild undulations and complex green structures. The final hole, a daunting par 4, demands a strategic approach. It requires a precise second shot to an elevated, multi-tiered green with water on the right and a collection of cavernous bunkers to the left.
TPC Myrtle Beach
A Tom Fazio masterpiece, TPC Myrtle Beach, is the only course in the Grand Strand to have received a five-star rating from Golf Digest. The 18th, a 538-yard par 5, is the main attraction here – a daunting closing hole with water bordering the entire right side of the fairway and the green, daring players to risk it for the chance of a closing birdie.
True Blue
Another Mike Strantz design, True Blue, is as beautiful as it is challenging. The holes are lined with vast waste bunkers and massive, undulating greens. The par four 4th hole showcases Strantz’s imaginative design with a broad fairway that narrows dramatically closer to the green, which itself is guarded by deep bunkers.
King’s North at Myrtle Beach National
Arnold Palmer’s signature course presents hazards unusual to the flatlands of the Grand Strand. The highlight is undoubtedly the 6th hole, known as “The Gambler”. It’s a risk-reward par 5, where golfers can choose between the safe route or opt for an island fairway, a daring shortcut to a green bordered by water.
Barefoot Resort’s Dye Course
Devised by Pete Dye, the Dye Course at the Barefoot Resort is a true test of a golfer’s mettle. The course is typified by painstakingly crafted fairways and greens, distinctive mounding, and abundance of water hazards. The 9th hole, a 471-yard par 4, offers a complex puzzle of a green flanked by sand and water.
Navigating these greens can test the patience of even the most composed golfer, but ultimately that’s what makes Myrtle Beach an exceptional golfing destination. Whether one is a seasoned veteran or an eager novice, every hole offers a unique blend of challenge and charm that keeps the golfing spirit alive. So, on your next golf trip to Myrtle Beach, venture into the enticing labyrinth of these unforgiving greens and elevate your golfing prowess in the process. After all, taming the beast is part of the fun!
I’ve played TPC Myrtle Beach a few times and that 18th hole is a killer for sure. Still, there’s nothing better than sinking that final putt and having a cold one at the clubhouse afterwards, regardless of your score.
You’ve certainly piqued my interest about Caledonia Golf & Fish Club. Those complex green structures sound like a delightful challenge!
I appreciate this insight into some of the more challenging golf courses Myrtle Beach has to offer. I like that you added some tempting descriptions of the courses and their individual holes. I’ve yet to try out King’s North at Myrtle Beach National. Has anyone here managed to take the daring shortcut on ‘The Gambler’?
Great read! As a seasoned golfer, I know all too well the challenges (and beauty) that The Dunes Golf and Beach Club has to offer. Watson’s Revenge has tested me many times, but I keep coming back for more!
Haha, great read. ‘Taming the beast is part of the fun’, indeed! But the beast has definitely tamed me more times than I’d like to admit, especially at the Barefoot Resort’s Dye Course. Next time, I’ve got you, hole 9!
The Dunes Golf and Beach Club sounds insane! Watson’s Revenge… 640 yards?! I thought my home course’s par 5 was tough at 520 yards. Good to know where to go if I’m looking for a true challenge.
Great tips on the tough holes. Been meaning to take a golf trip to Myrtle Beach and this is the push I needed. Question though, any advice on battling the coastal winds?
True Blue breaks my heart every time, those undulating greens can be a real nightmare. But I keep going back, it’s a love-hate relationship.
Been to Myrtle Beach a number of times, but always stuck to the easier short courses. The ‘Gambler’ at King’s North has always scared me. After this read, I think it’s finally time to face my fears, haha!
Quite excited about the Caledonia Golf & Fish Club. The former rice plantation scenery sounds absolutely lovely. Fingers crossed that the daunting par 4 doesn’t ruin the view for me!