COURSE REVIEW

Wizard Golf Links offers Myrtle Beach golfers a touch of links magic

By Brandon Tucker,
Staff Writer

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The ruins of a fairy tale-replica castle greet golfers as they enter the Wizard Golf Links in Myrtle Beach, serving as a transport into the world of traditional links golf and the kind of golf course that's few and far between in the Grand Strand.

Online deals on Myrtle Beach tee times Map: Getting to The Wizard Golf Links Golf course review: Man O'War in Myrtle Beach Course review: The Witch Golf Links in Myrtle Beach

It took a little more than the touch of a magic wand to create such a unique look amongst flat Carolina land off Highway 501, however. To successfully create this links prototype, nearly 1 million cubic yards of dirt were moved to build dunes-type mounding surrounding much of the holes.

The Wizard is not the kind of Myrtle Beach golf course that is going to punish you on every shot. The course plays a modest 6,721 yards from the championship tees and 6,100 yards from the whites. It was designed with the intention that any golfer on a good day can rattle off a few low scores.

"We built the course in a way that if you are striking the ball well, you can possibly go on a little run," said owner Claude Pardue, who built the course with Dan Maples, architect of each of Mystical Golf's three courses.

The middle of the course is one of the best spots where you can go on the "roll" Pardue speaks of.

If you can avoid the burn running down the right side of the fairway and in front of the green on the short, par-4 eighth hole, you can set yourself up for a makable putt, and the 10th hole is the course's most straightforward. The fairway is set between large dunes on either side, but a straight tee shot puts you in great position to score with a wedge or short iron.

Holes no. 7 thru 12, as well, can yield some low scores with good shot-making. But around the 15th hole is where high scores can sneak up and bite you, thanks to the remainder of the course teaming up with the same 100-acre lake as the sister golf course, Man O' War. Suddenly water hazards are in the back of your mind on your swing on nearly every shot.

The long par-4 16th hole doglegs right around water, which is certainly in play for slicers. Trees guard the dogleg, too, so if you play it safe, you risk having to hit your approach over trees. The most stunning creation on the Wizard, thanks to the land moving, is the par-3 17th hole. From an elevated tee, it's all carry to an island green, up to 180 yards long from the championship tees. The course finishes with a second island green, this time a dogleg par 4 with water on each side of the fairway.

The Wizard Golf Links: The verdict

Though all built by Maples, Mystical Golf's three courses all take on very separate identities. The Witch Golf Links plays through 600 acres of dense, forested wetlands and Man 'O War, next door to the Wizard, features pine trees.

The Wizard is a solid links prototype, with created dunes and gorse-looking bushes lining many of the holes. It isn't horribly difficult, featuring a modest yardage, and most fairways leave a little room on either side to miss, so it's a good option for your golf group's first course to build confidence - or last course so you can leave Myrtle Beach with fuzzy memories.

It also has a reputation among golf packagers as one of the top conditioned courses in the Grand Strand, drains well thanks to the large 100-acre lake and is one of the few area courses that feature bent grass greens.

June 4, 2008

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.