Wild Wing Plantation is tucked away in a quiet forest off Highway 501 just west of Myrtle Beach in Conway. It is home to 27 holes of golf that may strike some as off-the-beaten-path relative to some of the area’s other layouts, but once you visit, you’ll realize that the extra few minutes you may spend getting there are well worth it.
The centerpiece of the property is the 18-hole Avocet Course, designed by former American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) president Jeff Brauer, who worked closely on the course design with three-time PGA Tour major champion Larry Nelson. The Avocet Course opened in 1991 and has a fun, modern design full of risk-reward opportunities, as well as a number of holes and features you will not find anywhere else in the region.
My favorite hole at the Avocet, and one of my favorites in all of Myrtle Beach, is the potentially drivable par-four 14th, nicknamed “Double Dare.” A split fairway greets players, as does a rectangular green with a series of mounds running front-to-back across the middle. Keep in mind that attempting to drive the green may not be the wisest play, nor the best one for you. But that’s all right, because there are a half dozen different ways to play the hole, ranging from two safe mid-irons played up the left-hand fairway, to a drive and a pitch from the right-side fairway, to the aforementioned mighty swing at the green itself, plus some variations in between. Much of the strategy of the hole is dictated by the pin position, which means the hole will play differently each time — making the Avocet a course you might do well to consider playing multiple times on your trip. This is especially true since the course is well-known for its excellent conditioning and fast greens, which you will enjoy putting on.
The Avocet is not Wild Wing’s only golf attraction, however. There is also the Hummingbird Nine — which, by contrast, is geared for the enjoyment of beginners and time-constrained golfers alike. It is also perfect for a fun nine-hole game after you’ve taken on the Avocet Course. At just over 3,000 yards from the longest set of tees with a par of 34, the Willard Byrd design adopts the modern orientation toward fun and fast play for those looking for an affordable extra nine-hole round.
With one of Myrtle Beach’s most underrated 18-hole golf courses and a bonus fun nine-hole loop, Wild Wing Plantation should be near the top of your wish list for golf stops on any Myrtle Beach vacation.