Step up to the tee box and back in time at Litchfield Country Club, where tradition and history run deep and the sport of golf is treated as a gentlemen's game of true skill.
Located in the “arrogantly shabby” town of Pawleys Island, about 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach, Litchfield Country Club was one of the eighth original “grandfather” courses on the Grand Strand, which now hosts and boasts more than 100 layouts. Litchfield Country Club was also the first course on the south end of the Strand.
Built in 1966, Litchfield Country Club is situated on land that was once one of the largest rice and indigo plantations on the South Carolina coast during the 18th century. Steeped in Southern culture, charm and hospitality, Litchfield Country Club offers golfers the unique experience of playing on an estate from the Colonial Era.
From the antebellum-style clubhouse to the Lowcountry scenery of swamps and tidal creeks on the course, Litchfield Country Club features a dynamic and challenging layout to go with the unique experience of playing the first golf course on the historic Waccamaw Golf Trail. A round of golf is as much a stroll through history and nature.
The 18-hole, par-72 course measures 6,752 yards from the championship tees and is the handiwork of famed architect William Byrd, who designed many of the top courses on the Grand Strand and throughout the Carolinas. Well versed in the landscape of the Lowcountry, Byrd built this course to merge seamlessly with its scenic surroundings.
Weaving through the dense woodlands and alongside the pristine wetlands that make up the coastal terrain, Litchfield Country Club presents a championship-level challenge for golfers of all skill levels. It's not uncommon for players to use every club in their bags to get around this course unscathed, and even then there are no guarantees.
Featuring narrow, tree-lined fairways, tight doglegs and natural water hazards scattered throughout the course, this design requires a deft touch, patience and the wisdom to know when to take advantage of the many risk-reward opportunities that present themselves. Go for the smooth-rolling Bermuda greens when you get a birdie chance but otherwise proceed with caution and know when it's time to play it safe.
Approaching its 50th birthday, Litchfield Country Club is immaculately maintained and well preserved. The historic setting also comes with all the modern golf amenities and player-friendly features, such as green-side cart paths for easy access and GPS technology to give golfers a visual lay of the land from the tee box and an accurate reading on distances. It's this combination of the old and the new that draws rave reviews from golfers.
Among the many accolades Litchfield Country Club has received over the years are a 4.5-star rating in Golf Digest’s “2008 Places to Play” and Conde Nast Traveler’s “World’s 50 Best” in 1996, just to name a few. It's also one of the most affordable courses on the Waccamaw Golf Trail, and a limited number of tee times are available for non-members at the semi-private club.
Guests at the adjoining Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort receive special access to the course, and there are package deals available that will save you money on both golf and accommodations. Packages with other courses on the Waccamaw Golf Trail make it worth your while to stay and play on the South Strand. For more information about tee times or special packages for Litchfield Country Club or any other courses on the Grand Strand, visit myrtlebeachgolf.com.