TPC Myrtle Beach, a Lanny Wadkins-Tom Fazio design, has hosted the Senior PGA Tour Championship, multiple NCAA events, and one of the nation’s premier high school tournaments. TPC even served as Dustin Johnson’s home course and is still the site of his namesake golf school.
It’s a great layout, but that just scratches the surface of what the TPC Myrtle Beach experience offers, so we wanted to take you inside a day at the acclaimed facility. Here are five things you need to know about a round at TPC:
Scariest Shot: There are several candidates, and this one won’t top every list but the tee shot on the par 4 third hole terrifies me. The view from the elevated tee box makes one thing clear – you are on a big boy golf course. The 410-yard par 4 (white tees) is as challenging as any on the course and that tee shot requires a 170-yard carry over wetlands. I know, 170 yards shouldn’t be overly taxing with a driver, but it’s one of the longest in the area and it’s visually intimidating. Given that the approach is uphill, you will be reaching for all you have on the tee, further complicating matters. Tough shot, tough hole.
Here is Your Breather: TPC might be one of the area’s stiffest challenges but the 277-yard, par 4 12th hole (pictured right) offers everyone a chance to score. Assuming you don’t pull the ball left into the trees, a manageable approach awaits and a good shot at par or better should be in the cards. Take advantage of the opportunity.
Photo You are Going to Share: The look up the 18th fairway with the clubhouse perched above the green is the most photographed spot at TPC Myrtle Beach, but it’s the picture of the par 3 17th I like to share. The peninsula green is surrounded by water on three sides and just begs golfers to take a picture to share with their envious buddies.
Greens Report: The putting surfaces are in excellent shape but that’s just the beginning. The course was built to challenge the game’s best players, and that means fast greens with multiple tiers. If you are consistently in the wrong spot a couple three-putts are inevitable, so have a plan on the approach, because the greens are a significant part of the challenge.
Arrive Early, Stay Late: TPC Myrtle Beach isn’t a garden variety golf course. The practice facility is the area’s best (so take advantage and warm up), and the clubhouse restaurant is excellent. That’s a long way of saying, enjoy the experience from beginning to end. Order lunch, have a drink on the deck overlooking the 18th green, and take a few minutes to look at the memorabilia Johnson continues to display at the course. It’s the perfect cap to a bucket list round of golf.