If you had to pick one. No top three. No top five. Simply the best golf course in the Myrtle Beach area. Could you do it? One thing is for sure. It would be a lot of fun to go on a golfing tour of each course trying to make a decision. There are so many top 100, top 10, courses-you-can-play lists out there that eventually course rankings get watered down. The best way to really judge the best courses is by playing them, but we all have our own opinions of what makes a course the best, so even then it gets a little bit fuzzy.
In order to narrow it down and make a decision, let’s take a look at seven of the courses that are consistently at the top of those golf lists.
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club – Caledonia is an awe-inspiring golf course. Natural beauty and southern charm surround you. If you hit a bad shot here, it’s hard to stay upset for long when you’re in such a gorgeous environment.
The Dunes Club – History is on your side at The Dunes Club. One of Robert Trent Jones signature designs, the course, built in 1948, has undergone recent lengthening treatments to pair the course’s classic layout with today’s modern standards. With a lake fully affecting your decision-making, the 13th hole is the best of 18 awesome holes.
True Blue – This sister course to Caledonia certainly matches up well with any course in Myrtle Beach. The course was built on an indigo and rice plantation. The landing areas are relatively generous throughout the course, but there is plenty of length and danger as well. You have to be ready to play from the outset, as the first hole is a massive 624-yard par five, from the back tees.
Tidewater Golf – Up the road in North Myrtle Beach, Tidewater offers natural marshes, undulating fairways and overall amazing golf. The 12th hole is one to remember at Tidewater. It’s a 189-yard par 3 with water and five bunkers guarding the front of the green.
Heritage Club – Situated on a former rice plantation, Heritage presents a timeless golf course that sits among towering ancient oak trees. Often considered as a value southern lowcountry experience when compared to Caledonia.
Wachesaw Plantation Club – A private club that offers tee times to non-members, this Tom Fazio design is meticulously groomed. While most Grand Strand area golf courses are relatively flat, Wachesaw takes advantage of a number of elevation changes. This is especially true on the 18th where golfers hit from an elevated tee over water, with the Waccamaw River in full view.
TPC Myrtle Beach – No best of Myrtle Beach list would be complete without TPC Myrtle Beach. Golfers get the opportunity to experience the pro golf world at this pro-style layout. Holes 17 and 18 will remind some of the finishing holes at TPC Sawgrass.
So which course is the best? If you ask 10 golfers you may get 12 different answers. It’s that hard to decide. If I had to choose my favorite, I’d probably choose Caledonia. There’s something about the southern hospitality when you step onto those grounds. It’s something every golfer should experience. As a matter of fact, every golfer should experience all of these courses. It’s time to get to Myrtle Beach and judge the best of the best for yourself.
(posted 8/27/14)