Myrtle Beach National, home to 54 holes, is on the shortlist of the Grand Strand’s most recognizable facilities. Newly renovated King’s North is the star at MBN, and everyone loves the West Course and the opportunity to go low, which leaves SouthCreek as the proverbial middle child among the trio of Arnold Palmer designs.
As is often the case, this middle child may not attract the attention of its siblings, but it’s no less worthy of your time when planning a Myrtle Beach golf trip. As you weigh your options, here are five things you need to know about SouthCreek.
No Excuses
The West Course has a reputation for being player-friendly, but SouthCreek provides the opportunity to post a good number too. Water comes into play on six holes, and it’s only a significant threat on holes 5 and 10, so any penalty strokes should be very limited. From the tips SouthCreek plays 6,416 yards and 6,089 from the white tees, meaning you won’t be overwhelmed by length. If you don’t score well, only the man (or woman in the mirror) will be to blame.
What’s the biggest challenge at SouthCreek?
Narrow fairways. Given the length, you don’t have to hit driver every hole, but finding the shortgrass is a prerequisite for success. If you are hitting it crooked, the fairway bunkers are manageable, but a trip into the abundant pine trees will mean chipping out and likely making bogey at best. Hit it straight and good things will happen.
Don’t Be a Sucker
SouthCreek’s greens are small, so don’t fire at every pin, especially when the flag is in the back. The greens aren’t super undulating either, so a shot to the middle of the green will almost always leave you with a good look at birdie. Be patient, play smart, and you will be rewarded.
Where Disaster Lurks
Don’t let all the talk of scoring mislead you into believing there is no danger at SouthCreek. The par 5 10th hole (top photo), a nearly 90-degree dogleg right that plays around a lake will cause your palms to sweat. Water menaces throughout the 532-yard hole, and the second shot is particularly daunting. Everyone must decide how much of the lake they want to challenge to set up a shorter approach and hopeful birdie putt, but the challenge is complicated by how narrow the fairway is the closer you get to the green. This isn’t the place to get greedy. Par is good.
Here is Your Birdie Hole
Your best chance at birdie is the 335-yard seventh, a dogleg right. If you hit it into the dogleg, amidst trees and water, there is potential for trouble, but there is no reason to flirt with danger. A 220-yard tee shot up the left side of the hole will leave a wedge into a green that runs from back to front. Play the ball below the hole and make your putt before heading to the long par 3 eighth hole.
More than anything, what you need to know is that SouthCreek is fun to play. When it comes time to plan your next trip, don’t overlook this Palmer design.
Photos for this feature from our Instagram account @MyrtleBeachGolfTrips
