The 8th Hole on the Heathland Course has Distinct Scottish Flavor

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - A famous man once said, "if its not Scottish, its crap." In terms of golf courses, we need not go that far, but the Heathland Golf Course at the Legends stands kilt and bagpipes above any links style playing experience on the Grand Strand.

This Tom Doak designed layout snuggled comfortably off the gridlocked confines of Highway 501 is an island unto itself - a complete immersion in Scottish links style golf without leaving the semitropical charms of South Carolina.

So you might expect the signature hole on the Heathland Course to be a "Carnasty-like" par-4 with a Bern running through it, a sniper sitting over it, or a wheat farm growing around it. But as assistant pro Andy Bemis explains, smaller is better on the Heathland.

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Let's go inside.

The Hole: The par-3, 8th Hole at the Heathland Golf Course. The hole plays 150, 130, and 90 yards from the tips, middle and forward tees, respectively.

Architect: Tom Doak

The Layout: The shortest par-3 on the golf course, the 8th hole is not necessarily a par in the bag if the typical Legends winds are "a blowing." The trademark links-style scrub grass dots the hole to the right, to the left of the green and in front of the tee boxes. There are two bunkers on the hole, left and right of the front the green.

The Strategy: Is totally dependent upon wind conditions and hole placement. A forward placement will bring into play a severe contour at the front of the green that will send any shot with a little "action" on it back down the slope.

The Average Golfer: Can afford to miss the green short, and still play the traditional Scottish bump-and-run shot between the two greenside bunkers.

Don't Play: A snap hook to the left. There is plenty of bailout area to the right, and there is nothing dangerous about being short or a little long. But an area of Scottish style weeds jets out to the front left of the green, leading a player to mix in a weed whacker with the next shot.

Play the Hole: In the middle of the day, when the Ole winds are a howling, if you like a challenge. Or in the morning or evening when the winds are calm - if you are sane.

Inside the numbers: The 8th Hole is the No. 17 handicap hole at Heathland

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