Accompanying the latter type of list this year: a secondary, Grand Strand-specific list called “Myrtle Beach’s Perfect Round.” As the name suggests, the list comprises a dozen and a half of the area’s holes that stand out as particularly strong or memorable (all on the South Carolina side of the region, of course).
The panel also compiled their list to mimic a regulation golf course, by choosing four par threes, ten par fours and four par fives. The list contains a good mix of Myrtle Beach’s perennial “signature” holes as well as a few choice, under-the-radar gems.
With those two categories in mind, here’s our rundown of the list:
Par 3s
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, hole #11
Status: Signature
This hole leaves an impression with its long, angled, undulating green fronted by a winding creek.
Dunes Golf & Beach Club, hole #12
Status: Under-the-radar
With a tiny tee box that can make this hole play 245 yards, all carry, over marsh, it may be one of the toughest par threes in the world when the wind is blowing.
Grande Dunes Resort Club, hole #14
Status: Signature
Of Grande Dunes’ half dozen holes that overlook and/or play along the Intracoastal Waterway, this is the most scenic, with the narrow, angled putting surface seemingly creeping up to the canal’s edge.
Tidewater Plantation, hole #12
Status: Signature
Tidewater’s unique location is such that it boasts holes with both east- and west-facing marsh views, with this par three facing east toward Cherry Grove Beach and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
Par 4s
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, hole #18
Status: Signature
This medium-length hole requires a brave approach over water to a large but tricky green, with other golfers usually looking on from the back porch of the clubhouse.
Dunes Golf & Beach Club, hole #11
Status: Under-the-radar
The two succeeding holes tend to overshadow the 11th a little bit, but this challenging two-shotter brings the golfer to the marsh expanse that characterizes this part of the course.
Tidewater Plantation, hole #4
Status: Under-the-radar
The fact that this hole comes so early in the round sometimes works against its fame, but it is a lovely hole with long-range views across to Cherry Grove Beach.
TPC Myrtle Beach, hole #3
Status: Under-the-radar
This long par four plays slightly uphill and requires a confident swing off the tee, as the forced carry over marsh to the fairway can measure more than 200 yards.
Heritage Club, hole #14
Status: Under-the-radar
Navigating this hole is all about confident ball-striking: with water down the left, it sets up for a right-to-left ball off the tee, followed by a left-to-right shot into the green.
Barefoot Resort (Dye Club), hole #9
Status: Under-the-radar
This behemoth has tees that stretch it past 490 yards, and if that’s not enough, a lake laps at the entire right side of the green.
Willbrook Plantation Golf Club, hole #1
Status: Under-the-radar
It’s unusual for a course’s opening hole to stand out, but Willbrook’s is no “gentle handshake,” but an intriguing challenge where a par is well earned.
Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club, hole #18
Status: Signature
Framed by marsh on the left and live oaks on the right, this long par four at this Jack Nicklaus Signature course offers one last, stern test before players reach the clubhouse.
Prestwick Golf & Country Club, hole #18
Status: Signature
Pete Dye-designed courses tend to finish with a bang, and this effort by Pete and son P.B. is no exception, as a lake lurks to the right side of the entire hole.
True Blue Golf Club, hole #18
Status: Signature
Like its sister course Caledonia, this spectacular Mike Strantz closing hole requires the golfer avoid water on the approach, all while the clubhouse looms just beyond the large, sloping green.
Par 5s
Dunes Golf # Beach Club, hole #13
Status: Signature
Possibly the most famous single hole in Myrtle Beach, “Waterloo” is a massive three-shot test that curls clockwise the entire way around a lake.
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, hole #10
Status: Under-the-radar
Every visitor to Caledonia enjoys a slow, reverse introduction to this reachable three-shotter as they make their way down the course’s live oak-lined entryway.
Prestwick Golf & Country Club, hole #9
Status: Signature
This risk-reward hole with a fascinating green complex plays along the opposite side of a lake as the distinctive 18th.
TPC Myrtle Beach, hole #18
Status: Signature
Tom Fazio and Lanny Wadkins saved their best for last here: a gambler’s-delight of a hole where scores from eagle to X are possible to close the round.
Remember: you can play all of these courses and their standout holes by booking your tee times at MyrtleBeachGolf.com.