Beginning in 1990, Legends Resort opened three courses in three years, bringing the traditional stay-and-play model to Myrtle Beach and adding a new dimension to the game’s most popular destination.
In the ensuing three decades, Heathland, Parkland and Moorland have remained among the Grand Strand’s most popular layouts. The three courses have distinct personalities. Heathland, an early Tom Doak design, is a nod to the great links courses of Britain and Ireland, while Parkland is a more traditional American layout, featuring tree-lined fairways and tighter landing areas.
Moorland, a P.B. Dye layout, is arguably the property’s most recognizable, based largely on the fact Golf Digest once ranked it among America’s 50 toughest courses. While Moorland isn’t “easy,” its difficulty is overstated. With an assortment of short par 4s and 5s, there is ample opportunity to score, though not without risk.
No hole better encapsulates the Moorland experience than No. 16, and here is a closer look at one of Myrtle Beach’s most recognizable challenges.
No. 16 – Hell’s Half-Acre
Yardage: 270 yards (blue tees), 223 (white tees), 202 (green tees), 186 (red tees)
Handicap: 14
Truthfully, the words “drivable par 4” rarely apply to us normal golfers, because most of us can’t hit the ball 250+ yards, despite what we want to believe. But a 223-yard par 4 from the white tees?
Now we are talking.
The 16th hole at Moorland is driveable for the vast majority of players who tee it up, but the hole didn’t earn its “Hell’s Half-Acre” nickname because it’s a pushover.
The green is elevated and anything landing short is swallowed by gnarly rough or pushed back down a hill into a deep bunker. Just getting out of the long watste bunker along the left is an accomplishment, never mind getting up and down.
Go long and the trouble only intensifies. A delicate recovery awaits to a green that runs away toward the bunkers below.
Conservative players can lay up with a 7-iron, leaving only a short wedge, but a dangerous approach still awaits.
If you are aggressive, there is room short and right to miss. Good luck finding it.
Moorland’s 16th is Myrtle Beach’s most drivable par 4, and one of its most dramatic tee shots.
