The third annual Myrtle Beach Classic is nearly upon us, and once again the spotlight will shine on the Dunes Golf & Beach Club, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. classic that has earned rave reviews from PGA Tour players.
The event’s first two winners, Chris Gotterup and Ryan Fox, won’t be in the field this year, having moved on to the Tour’s signature events. But the game’s best young players and potentially a few prominent veterans, are heading to Myrtle Beach in search of victory.
Whether you’re attending in person or watching from home, here’s part one of our Dunes Club scouting report, breaking down the three holes that gave PGA Tour players the most trouble.
One caveat: these may not be the three hardest holes for you, but based on scoring data, they proved to be the toughest tests for the pros.
No. 8 | 475 yards | Par 4 | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.22
The eighth plays as a par 5 for us mere mortals but it’s a brute of a par 4 for the pros, and the toughest test on the course. No. 8 yielded just 34 birdies and two eagles, while producing 104 bogeys and nine doubles or worse, the highest total of any hole during the tournament.
A relatively narrow fairway and a well-defended green are at the heart of the challenge. The putting surface features significant undulation, sloping hard from left to right, putting a premium on both approach accuracy and distance control.
No. 14 | 500 yards | Par 4 | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.20
No surprise to see this beast near the top of the list. A gentle dogleg left that plays into the prevailing wind, No. 14 demands both length and precision off the tee as the fairway tightens in the primary landing area.
From there, players face a typically diabolical green that only adds to the difficulty. The numbers tell the story: just 28 birdies were made here all week, the fewest of any hole on the course.
No. 9 | 219 yards | Par 3 | 2025 Stroke Average: 3.16
Wind is always a factor on this demanding par 3, which plays back toward the nearby Atlantic Ocean. The green is much wider than it is deep and is guarded by four deep bunkers, leaving little margin for error.
Over the week, No. 9 yielded 33 birdies, 274 pars, 92 bogeys, and three doubles or worse, making it a grind for even the best players in the world.
Stay tuned for part two of our Dunes Club scouting report, where we’ll spotlight the easiest holes on the course.
Photos for this feature from MyrtleBeachGolfTrips Instagram Account (Top photo Kevin Kisner tees off on the par three 9th)
