10 Questions with Arrowhead Country Club’s PGA Head Golf Professional Jake Benton

Why is Arrowhead ALWAYS green? What do you need to do to score well at the 27-hole property, and what’s the fastest way to improve your game? We go inside one of the Myrtle Beach area’s most popular courses with its head golf professional, Jake Benton

What is your favorite hole at Arrowhead Country Club and why?

For me I always go back and forth between Cypress #2 and Waterway #5. I’ll go with Cypress #2 (pictured right). It is a long Par 5, which very few people can reach from the back tee, but more reachable for long hitters from the White Tees. It is a unique hole because you have to drive over a canal that runs along the hole and then on your approach shot, you come back over that same canal. The mounding in the fairway is especially unique to the area as well, with rolling hills the entire length of the hole. It is one where, if you play it right you can walk away with a birdie, but if not, it can make even the best players struggle.

What is one thing about Arrowhead that will surprise people?

That the course will be completely green at all times of the year. Every fall at Arrowhead we overseed wall to wall, giving a completely green look through the winter and into the spring golf season. It is beautiful to see especially in the early spring!

Best advice for a good round at Arrowhead

The best advice for playing here at Arrowhead is to pick the right club off the tee. It is not a course where you have to bomb it all over the place. There is a lot of water out here in places, so it is important to find the right spots on the tee, and from there you can score well.

Other than yours, what is your favorite Myrtle Beach-area course and why?

I really enjoy playing at True Blue. It is a unique course with huge fairways and greens. I need all the help I can get finding the fairway off the tee so it definitely suits my game. It is a great piece of property and a really fun course.

What is the biggest misconception people have about the golf industry?

Definitely that people who work in the industry play all the time. The opportunity is there and during parts of the year may be true, but often times is not the case.

What is your best round ever and where was it?

My best round is a 70 at The Dunes Club on a few occasions. I went to Myrtle Beach High School, and our team played there so I have been fortunate to have a few shots at it. My putter usually holds me back from taking it low!

Quick advice on how someone can improve their golf game

Right where I said I struggle in my previous response. The quickest way to improve your game and your score is to work on your short game. If you take the time to practice, and can improve your wedges and your putting your scores will go down.

Favorite Restaurant in Myrtle Beach

My favorite restaurant here would have to be New York Prime. The Oysters Rockefeller and the steaks are phenomenal!

If I wasn’t a Golf Professional I would be a…..