The Myrtle Beach golf scene spans 60 miles of Carolinas’ coastline and includes more than 80 courses, but if a group wants to keep driving to a minimum, it’s easy to do. For those who are willing to travel the extra mile, the entirety of the Grand Strand golf experience is available to them.
As you make plans for a spring trip in 2025, here are five layouts that are more than worth the drive, delivering a quality round of golf and great value.
River Club
With water on 15 of 18 holes, this Tom Jackson design is one of the area’s quiet stars, challenging players with risk-reward decisions, island greens, and the unforgettable par 5 18th hole. The unforgettable finisher, which requires a nervy carry over water, is one of the Myrtle Beach golf scene’s most memorable holes. (River Club pictured right)
Willbrook
Built on land that dates to the 1700s, Willbrook features fairways lined with majestic live oaks draped with Spanish moss, adding lowcountry charm to an already memorable Dan Maples design. Willbrook opens with a daunting par 4, but the challenge is balanced by ample scoring opportunities. Willbrook is dripping with history and beauty. (Willbrook top photo)
River Hills Golf Club
Another Jackson design, River Hills features elevation change not often found in coastal layouts. Following a 2023 greens and bunker renovation project, the River Hills experience has never been better. If you are accurate off the tee, a good day should await.
Shaftesbury Golf Club
Architect Clyde Johnston drew inspiration from the work of A.W. Tillinghast and Shaftesbury features large greens and generous fairways. The course has more than 500,000 square feet of waste bunkers, but that sand sounds more difficult than it plays. This is a fun layout that is worth the trip west to Conway.
Founders Club
Myrtle Beach’s southernmost course, Founders Club at Pawleys Island offers a non-traditional experience, challenging players with elevated fairways framed by rugged waste bunkers. This Thomas Walker design keeps players on their toes with a varied layout and an unrelenting challenge. This is a course that pleasantly surprises groups that give it a chance. (Founders Club pictured right)
If you don’t mind a few extra minutes in the car, River Club, Willbrook, River Hills, Shaftesbury Glen and Founders Club will add to the good times of your next Myrtle Beach golf trip.
(Photos for this feature from our Instagram Account @MyrtleBeachGolfTrips)
