Featured Course:
The Back Nine at the
Heritage Club Sparks
Signature Hole Debate

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

MYRTLE BEACH - Maybe you've read Sebastian Junger's thrilling bestseller, "The Perfect Storm" - a gripping account of a meteorological phenomena that was heretofore thought of as impossible by scientists, sailors, and local fisherman.

While playing the back nine at the Heritage Club may not require a Coast Guard rescue effort, the sea of tranquility that was the first nine at this Dan Maples designed track quickly gives way to some of the toughest holes on the South Strand.

• The Heritage Club Offers Up Plantation Golf at its Finest • Front Nine at the Heritage Club: The Calm Before the Storm

Once you have reached the 365 yard, par 4 12th hole, consider the head reared.

"With number twelve, you look at the scorecard and say what is the big deal," says Head Professional Pete Hymes. "The big deal is that you have to cross over water to get to the fairway, and the water goes all the way along the right side of the fairway up to the green."

If you can get down with a small number on the 12th, then the hole that many consider the signature hole of the entire course awaits. According to Hymes, the par 3, 13th can make or break a round.

"The 13th plays anywhere from 175 to 230 yards, and it is one hundred percent carry over water," says Hymes. "For the average golfer it a total risk reward hole. The only bailout is long."

Hymes breaks down the truly memorable holes of the back nine:

"The par 4, 14th was at one time rated one of the toughest holes on the beach. I think it is our most difficult hole, but it is rated the No. 2 handicap hole. But people will say that the 14th is the toughest on the course 9 out of 10 times. The drive for men is completely over water. It is angled so you can take off a lot of water. Homes have grown up around it and now the far side of the fairway is OB. The water creeps back in on your second shot. It is a brutal golf shot for amateurs - they should play it like a par 5.

"The par 4, 16th is one of the sneakingly beautiful holes on the course. It sports a wide fairway . . . 70 yards wide, and funnels down into smaller landing area. There is a pond you must carry up by the green. The hole used to always stay wet because of the low lying area, so they dug out the pond in front of the green. It is an unassuming hole with not a lot of flash or teeth. But you can make a big number if you are not careful.

"The other signature hole of the course is the par 5, 18th. The hole is a dogleg left. It plays anywhere from 490 to 530 yards for the men. Trees and out of bounds border the left side of the fairway. The ideal shot here is to hit a draw or even a little hook. A peninsula green with water virtually surrounding it welcomes you home. It is an easy three shot par 5, but a really hard two shoter."

The 18th is one of the great risk/reward finishing holes in Myrtle Beach. Even if you find yourself on the green in two, a two tired green that is according to Hymes, "bigger than most people have ever seen," awaits the overconfident golfer.