Fazio Course at Barefoot Resort: Jay Leno Would Approve

The Course
The Fazio Course is one of four golf courses at Barefoot Resort and, truth be known, it is the fourth-best, behind the Dye Club, the Norman Course and the Love Course, in that order (and in this reviewer’s opinion). But do not let that fool you: all of its competition is quite stiff, making Barefoot a potential singular stop for a vacation’s worth of golf in Myrtle Beach.

All the Fazio hallmarks are here, from the clustered bunkering to the relatively tame greens to the putting surfaces which almost completely require aerial approaches. The first hole is a shortish and gentle par four but the teeth come out on the second, a 458-yard two-shotter. There are five par threes on the golf course but, somewhat unfortunately, they all play about the same distance—the third hole is the shortest at 170 yards from the tips and the 16th, the longest one-shotter, is 198 yards. No par threes that require a deft short iron or wedge and none where one must execute a fairway wood shot. A pity.

Nevertheless, there is a lot to like at the Fazio Course. The back nine, in particular, shines. A string of intriguing sup-400 yard par fours begins at the 13th, which has two separate greens. Playing straightaway to the right-hand green makes the hole very straightforward while the shallow, wide left-hand green is perched above a deep sandy quarry area and requires a touchy short iron or wedge shot. Happily, your humble reviewer got to play to the latter of the greens.

The Experience
All peripheral aspects of the experience at Barefoot are very good to excellent. The golf course was in very nice condition as always, the clubhouse is a role model for other resort facilities and the practice facility is top-notch. It does require a 500-plus yard ride by shuttle, but with three courses splayed around the main clubhouse (the Dye Club is off on its own, with its own excellent facilities), this is a minor logistical quibble. The staff at Barefoot are always friendly and knowledgeable. The carts have GPS!

The Verdict
If you’re coming to golf in Myrtle Beach and planning a golf itinerary based in the northern part of the area and don’t play at least once at Barefoot Resort, you’re missing out. The Fazio course may not be the best course on-property, but it will not offend you and you will prob

Posted 4/8/13

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