The tee shot sets the tone for each hole and how golfers will play it, even if the opening shot isn’t always predicative of score.

There are more than 1,600 holes along the Myrtle Beach golf scene and here are five that should reduce the stress players feel when making their way to the tee:

— The fourth hole at Barefoot Resort’s Love Course is Myrtle Beach’s shortest par 4, and the area’s easiest tee shot. Often times, short par 4s are fraught with danger, but this hole is mostly devoid of trouble. There are a couple smallish bunkers and water (way) to the right, but players have plenty of latitude. Matter of fact, there is enough room that you shouldn’t consider laying up as the risk of significant penalty is low.

— The Open 9 at World Tour begins with a replica of the first hole at St. Andrews (pictured above) and concludes with the ninth on the Old Course. The links inspired challenge features a seemingly endless double fairway. While you imagine yourself in Scotland, you can do so comfortable with the knowledge you will be playing your approach from the short grass.

— This one is going to surprise folks, but players should step to the first tee with confidence at True Blue. Yes, I know it’s the number 1 handicap hole on a layout known for being challenging, but the fairway is 100 yards wide. Sure, a drive that drifts right will make the hole play longer but who cares? You can’t miss this fairway. Seriously.

— Grande Dunes is another “big” layout and that includes the 18th fairway. The holes along the Intracoastal Waterway attract attention but golfers that have put together a good round can approach the 18th tee with a little breathing room. There is a tree line on the right side of the fairway, but there is ample landing room on the 373-yard par 4.

— Golfers that don’t allow themselves to be intimidated by distance will find the tee shot on the 767-yard, par 6 18th hole at Farmstead to be among the area’s most forgiving. The fairway is almost as wide as the hole is long, so take a relaxed swing to begin play on a challenge that tees off in South Carolina and finishes in North Carolina.