Playing 36 holes a day isn’t easy – at least for us older folks – but it’s good to do at least once on every Myrtle Beach golf trip, especially with the right combination of courses.
If you are looking for the perfect 36-hole day – playing different layouts in the morning and afternoon – Myrtle Beach, with its plethora of courses, is the place for you, and here are five ideal two-course pairings:
New Greens, Waterway Finish = Great Day
Playing PineHills (top photo) and Palmetto (pictured right) at Myrtlewood is a win. Both layouts are nearly always in outstanding condition, their location in the heart of town is convenient, and there is no travel to get from one course to the next. PineHills and Palmetto have had new greens installed in the last five years and both will provide the chance to score. Try to play Palmetto in the afternoon because its 18th hole, playing along the Intracoastal Waterway, offers an idyllic finish.
Bring Extra Balls and a Camera
You aren’t likely to shoot your lowest round ever playing Glen Dornoch and then Tidewater, two of the area’s prettiest courses, but you will take plenty of pictures and have stories to tell. The Intracoastal Waterway comes into play on five holes at Glen Dornoch, including 16, 17, 18, a memorable finishing stretch. Tidewater, home to nine holes that play along either the waterway or Cherry Grove Inlet, is a bucket list Myrtle Beach course. Consider yourself warned: danger lurks on both these courses, so bring a couple extra balls.
Low Profile, Big Fun
Caledonia, Pawleys Plantation, TPC Myrtle Beach and True Blue cast a long shadow over the South Strand, leaving quality layouts like Litchfield Country Club and
Willbrook Plantation (pictured right) underexposed. But that’s not your problem. If you want to play 36 holes that are long on value, start your day at Litchfield, where you can challenge the classic Willard Byrd design. In the afternoon, the lowcountry beauty of Willbrook awaits. Soaring live oak trees draped in Spanish moss, the occasional alligator, and natural beauty are an ideal end to a full day at Willbrook.
Barefoot Beautieslovearrow
Barefoot Resort is one of South Carolina’s premier multi-course properties, so why not play two of its four courses? Given the demands of a 36-hole day, the vote here is for the Norman and Love courses. With seven holes along the Intracoastal, Greg Norman’s signature design provides ample beauty, most memorably on the par 3 10th hole. Meanwhile, the Love Course, which has been ranked among the nation’s top 100 public layouts, is highlighted by holes 4-6, which play around the ruins of a faux plantation home. You can enjoy lunch at the clubhouse between rounds and grab dinner at Putter’s Pub afterwards, a memorable day that requires no travel.
From Amen Corner to Arrowhead
If you have a late flight out (or are staying in Myrtle Beach), doubling up with a round at World Tour (pictured right) followed by 18 at Arrowhead Country Club is the way to go.
Inspired by some of golf’s most famous layouts, World Tour gives players a taste of what it’s like to play the Old Course in St. Andrews, Amen Corner at Augusta National and the iconic 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. Meanwhile, Arrowhead, located just a few miles from Myrtle Beach International Airport, is always among the area’s best conditioned courses. The 27-hole property, designed by Tom Jackson and Raymond Floyd, enjoys a convenient location and a layout PGA professionals ranked among the area’s best.
A 36-hole day isn’t nearly as daunting when you are playing these golf course combos.
