Pawleys Island is renowned for the quality of its golf, with top 100 caliber layouts like Pawleys Plantation, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue attracting much of the attention, but there is more to the area than its high-profile offerings.
Often referred to as the Hammock Coast, Pawleys Island is home to some of the region’s most underrated courses, a contingent highlighted by Willbrook Plantation, River Club, Tradition Club and Litchfield Country Club. What makes this quartet of courses so vital to the Myrtle Beach and Hammock Coast golf experiences?
A lot actually.
While the media and social influencers understandably spend a lot of time extolling the virtues of Pawleys and Caledonia, here is a look at what makes four of the Grand Strand’s quiet stars shine so bright.
● If Caledonia is one of your favorite layouts, you need to play Willbrook. The Dan Maples design plays through a stunning piece of Lowcountry property, showcasing the sprawling live oak trees draped in Spanish moss and natural beauty the area is renowned for. Willbrook is criminally underrated, delivering an experience golfers recall long after returning home. (Willbrook pictured right)
● Beginning with one of the area’s best practice facilities and extending through the memorable par 4 18th hole, Tradition Club offers a round of golf whose quality never wavers. The Ron Garl design doesn’t enjoy Willbrook’s scenery, but the layout is outstanding. Be prepared to hit every club in the bag on this quality test.
● Pawleys Island’s first golf course, Litchfield Country Club should never be overlooked. This is an “old school” design in all the best ways, challenging players to think their way around the course as opposed to mindlessly bombing driver. This is a layout that gives everyone a chance to score, and the challenge is as enjoyable as it is varied.
● The headline at River Club is “water on 15 of 18 holes,” but your risk of losing balls isn’t as great as it might seem. The water isn’t overwhelming, instead adding fun to a layout that is creative. River Club is one of Tom Jackson’s most memorable courses, highlighted by the risk-reward par 5 18th hole. Players can get home in two on No. 18 but it’s a shot that requires both nerve and skill, bringing your round to an unforgettable end. (River Club pictured top and right)
Willbrook, Litchfield, Tradition and River Club can be played as part of many packages, including the Hammock Coast Golf Trail and Founders Group All-Inclusive offers, which are among the beach’s most popular.
(Photos for this feature from our Instagram Account @MyrtleBeachGolfTrips)
