FEATURE STORY

Barefoot Resort: Myrtle Beach multi-course golf facility dazzles with Dye, Fazio, Love III, Norman

With more than 100 golf courses, Myrtle Beach is an outstanding golf destination. There are also several multi-course facilities there, including Barefoot Resort & Golf, boasting courses crafted by Tom Fazio, Davis Love III, Pete Dye and Greg Norman.

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In Myrtle Beach, golf tends to come in bulk form. As one of the top golf destinations on the planet, this Carolina wonderland has more than 100 courses to keep duffers busy.

To make it even better, however, there are a plethora of multi-course golf facilities available - places where you can have the option to play multiple, diverse runs. And few multi-course facilities do it as well as Barefoot Resort & Golf.

Taking advantage of the natural beauty of the lowcountry, the unique subtropical climate and vicinity to the Atlantic Ocean, Barefoot Resort is the classic multi-course facility. Featuring four championship courses by four of the great names in golf history - Tom Fazio, Davis Love III, Pete Dye and Greg Norman - Barefoot Resort is a must play for Grand Strand golfers.

Golf Digest has named Barefoot Resort one of its "Best Places to Play." Here's a look at the four courses that draw raves at this marvelous Myrtle Beach multi-course facility.

Tom Fazio course

Just the name Tom Fazio is enough to give many golfers goose bumps, and the famed architect lived up to his reputation here. Playing to 6,911 yards from the tips with a Fazio-wicked 139 slope rating, it's a course that will have players dazzled. A demanding golf course, it also has four sets of tees to give high-handicappers a chance to enjoy their round.

Diverse water features can be seen on 15 holes, though many are in out-of-play areas, to keep the course ferocious, yet fair. The elevation changes the lowcountry is known for are a highlight, while bunkers and waste areas, which can be monumental and imposing, keep players on their toes.

"Good holes come at you one after another on the Barefoot Resort Fazio. What showy stretch will you love best? Nos. 6-8, with the two long-carry par 3s? The just-hang-on 12-15 run?" Chris Baldwin wrote in a review of the Fazio golf course. "The plethora of memorable holes makes this a must-play on any Myrtle Beach search for high-end excellence."

Love course

Faced with designing a course alongside such world-renowned golf architects as Fazio and Dye, Love not only came through with flying colors, he outdid his peers, in the view of many.

Playing to more than 7,000 yards from the back tees, the Love course is a dream for golfers, as it presents endless chances to let rip with your driver, as well as numerous risk-reward opportunities. Like Davis Love the player, Davis Love the designer gave players a course that is both power and intellect.

Visually stunning, the Love course was given a high honor when it was voted the No. 1 golf course in Myrtle Beach in TravelGolf.com's first-ever Top-10 list of courses in the Grand Strand.

"Love is a Carolina native and his love for the area comes alive in this 7,000-yard homage to the lowcountry: elevated greens, tree-lined fairways, challenging par 4s and the recreated ruins of an old plantation home that runs along holes three to seven," wrote Tim McDonald in explaining why the Love course achieved its lofty position. "In addition to the scenery, it's a fun course to play off the tee, with its wide-open fairways and easy-to-hit landing areas."

Dye course

The Dye course at Barefoot Resort only adds to the already sterling reputation of the famed golf course architect. It also added to his reputation as a taskmaster - from the tips, the Dye course plays to a nearly surreal 149-slope rating.

"This is by far the most difficult of the four Barefoot Resort courses, not surprising given its designer, the dark lord of golf architecture," wrote McDonald in selecting the Dye course as the sixth-best on the Grand Strand.

The only semi-private course at the facility, Dye gives golfers all they can handle at a course known as much for its visual beauty as for its difficulty. Strategically placed bunkers and difficult greens are just part of this challenging round of golf.

Norman course

The Shark takes advantage of a prime piece of land in creating the stunning Norman course at Barefoot Resort. With seven holes alongside the Intracoastal Waterway, the course is a scenic delight. More than that, however, the course gives players diverse and interesting challenges throughout.

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Playing to nearly 7,200 yards with a 136 slope rating from the back tees, the Norman course combines vast waste areas alongside stunning natural vegetation to give golfers a challenge unlike the others they'll find at Barefoot.

As with the Love course, the Norman course was designed like the player who created it. Golfers will be faced with several risk-reward opportunities and will need every shot in their arsenal at a course that gives them plenty of bump-and-run and other interesting shot opportunities.

August 7, 2007