As group leaders plan a Myrtle Beach golf trip, they do so knowing not every round will be at TPC or Grande Dunes. While the anchor courses create the most anticipation, the supporting layouts also impact the overall experience, and that’s where Aberdeen Country Club shines.

The Tom Jackson design won’t appear on any Top 100 lists, but it delivers a good round at a great price. Conveniently located on Highway 9, Aberdeen is easy to reach from the beach, making it an ideal choice for a day-of-arrival or departure round.

“It’s a fun track,” Aberdeen general manager Steve Shaffer said. “You’re not going to lose a lot of golf balls, and if you’re hitting it well, you can make a lot of birdies. It’s challenging enough for a scratch player, but very playable for seniors, ladies, and high handicappers.”

A Story of Perseverance
Aberdeen’s history is one of resilience. The course opened in 1989 as Buck Creek, a 27-hole facility with the Highlands, Meadows, and Woodlands nines. After closing in the wake of Hurricane Floyd, it reopened in 1999 under the Aberdeen name.

(According to local lore, the change from Buck Creek to Aberdeen came at the suggestion of a marketing guru who wanted it to be the first name people saw when searching the phone book for a Myrtle Beach golf course. For younger readers: yes, phone books were once a real thing. The story can’t be verified, but it does have a ring of truth.)

In 2020, Aberdeen transitioned to 18 holes, combining the Highlands and Meadows nines. The change allowed the staff to focus resources on fewer holes, resulting in a better experience for golfers.

The Course
On the Highlands (aka the front nine), players find generous fairways and bold putting surfaces, highlighted by the massive, three-tiered green on No. 3, a short par-3 that is one of Shaffer’s favorites.

The Meadows nine begins with two short but tight par-4s wrapped around the 494-yard par-5 11th. Playing from the white tees, both the 306-yard 10th and 300-yard 12th present birdie chances, provided you find the short grass off the tee. Shaffer also singles out the demanding par-4 15th and the risk-reward par-5 16th among his favorites.

A Course Built for Everyone
Aberdeen’s greatest strength may be its balance. Golfers who want to pound driver can do so, but low handicappers who prefer a more strategic game, will have plenty of options off the tee.

“It’s not going to beat you up too bad, and you can play it a bunch of different ways,” Shaffer said. “That’s what makes it such a good course for groups. Everyone walks off the course feeling like they had fun.”

If there’s one area players should tune up before arriving, Shaffer suggests it’s wedge play. Aberdeen’s greens feature plenty of undulation, and the ability to control distance and trajectory can turn a good round into a great one.

Aberdeen may not boast the prestige of Myrtle Beach’s headliners, but it consistently overdelivers on value and fun. For group leaders in search of a course that makes everyone feel good about their game, Aberdeen is a proven winner.

Photos for this feature from MyrtleBeachGolfTrips Instagram Account