Everyone knows Myrtlewood – the 36-hole golf hub in the middle of Myrtle Beach. If you’ve ever driven down Highway 17, you’ve likely glanced over and thought, that looks like a fun place to play.
But do you really know the property, especially the Edmund Ault-designed Palmetto Course?
Palmetto was one of the first courses I played after moving to Myrtle Beach, it left a lasting impression.
Myrtlewood has a well-deserved reputation as a player-friendly facility. The customer service is great, and the PineHills Course gives you a chance to score. But Palmetto? That’s a different animal. It’s friendly – until it’s not.
So, on behalf of mid (to high) handicappers everywhere, let’s go beyond the scorecard and take a closer look at what you’re up against.
The First Thing You Need to Know: Play the Right Tees
For this guide, we’re talking about yardages from the white tees*, because that’s where most of us peg our tee.
(*Most golfers default to the whites, but at 6,000 yards, the gold tees might be a better fit.)
The Course: What You’re in For
Palmetto is one of the rare Myrtle Beach layouts that doesn’t loop back to the clubhouse after nine, which means no double tees and access to mid-morning tee times.
Ault routed the course beautifully. The opening three holes send you toward the Atlantic Ocean (which is just 1.5 miles away), then the course turns south before working its way back toward the clubhouse after No. 8.
At 7,015 yards from the tips and 6,516 yards from the whites, Palmetto has plenty of length. But don’t let that number scare you – generous fairways keep it from feeling overwhelming.
Seventeen of 18 greens are protected by bunkers, but they aren’t overbearing. You’re going to hit plenty of mid-iron approaches, and while there’s water on the course, you won’t have to carry it on a par 4 or 5. That’s a win in my book.
The Par 5s: Not for the Greedy
Every par 5 here is north of 500 yards, meaning for most of us, they’re three-shot holes. That’s not a bad thing. Play them smart, avoid trouble, and you’ve got a chance to walk away with par. Or, at worst, a bogey.
The Par 3s: Sneaky Good
Ranging from 153 to 190 yards, the par 3s at Palmetto are a joy – especially No. 17 (top photo), which plays from an elevated tee and gives you your first view of the Intracoastal Waterway.
But let’s be real: if you’re like me, you’ll spend more time figuring out how to try and get up-and-down than sizing up a birdie putt.
What You’ll Remember About Palmetto
The Grand Finale
Palmetto was the first Myrtle Beach course to incorporate the Intracoastal Waterway, and it saved the best for last. The par-4 18th plays along the water from tee to green, and it’s every bit as scenic as it is intimidating.
The Front Nine is Where You Score
There are no “easy” holes out here, but the front nine is less punishing than the back. The par-5 eighth, the No. 1 handicap, is a prime example; just don’t blow your tee shot through the fairway and into the water, and it’s not that difficult.
The Back Nine Roller Coaster
If your back-nine scorecard looks like an EKG reading, don’t worry – you’re not alone.
The 190-yard, par-3 11th? Gulp. The 345-yard 12th? Birdie time (if you’re lucky). And from there, it’s a wild ride.
Holes 14, 15, and 16—three straight par 4s—are the course’s toughest stretch. No. 14 is short at 366 yards, but with water lurking right and an elevated green that runs from back to front, it’s treacherous. Nos. 15 and 16? Just long and straight gut punches.
Second Shots Matter More Than Bombing It
Palmetto may look like a bomber’s paradise, but don’t be fooled—this is a second-shot golf course. Your approaches from 140-160 yards will make or break your round. Execute those well, and you’ll put yourself in position to score. Miss? Well… you’ll get familiar with Palmetto’s bunkers.
Bottom Line: Is It Worth Playing?
In a survey of Myrtle Beach area PGA professionals, Myrtlewood was ranked as the area’s 24th-best course. That feels about right.
Palmetto isn’t going to wow you with crazy elevation changes or demanding shotmaking, but it delivers an enjoyable, fair challenge with a couple of unforgettable holes. And for a mid-handicapper, that’s ideal for a Myrtle Beach golf trip.
Photos for this feature from our Instagram Account @MyrtleBeachGolfTrips
