Most golf courses in Myrtle Beach remain open, but the COVID-19 pandemic has much of the country confined, which makes this an ideal time to unveil our Dream 18, comprised of all par 4s.
The only caveat with our Dream 18 is that each hole on our “course” has to correspond with its actual number on the scorecard, and we are taking just one hole per layout, hence several outstanding par 4s won’t appear on the list.
Without further delay, here is our Dream 18 (feel free to debate its merits):
No. 1 Willbrook, 428 yards – The Dan Maples design starts with a dogleg right that is among the area’s most difficult opening holes. Beginning with the oak trees that line the right side of the tee box, it’s a kick-start your round.
No. 2 Pawleys Plantation, 452 yards – On a course renowned for holes that play along a saltwater marsh, the second hole at Pawleys – a rolling, land-locked two-shotter – provides a taste of the challenge to come.
No. 3 Pine Lakes, 463 yards – This is a doozy at Myrtle Beach’s first course. The approach to a green flanked by water on the starboard side is as daunting as it is fun.
No. 4 Tidewater, 430 yards – The gentle dogleg left, which plays along Cherry Grove from tee to green, is the Myrtle Beach golf scene’s prettiest par 4.
No. 5 Fazio, 499 yards – Unless you have a tour card, you shouldn’t be playing this hole from 499 yards, but it remains a mammoth 441 from the white tees. With water in play off the tee and an uphill approach, a par here is as good as a birdie on most any other hole.
No. 6 Norman Course, 448 yards – Framed by waste bunkers and natural wetlands, No. 6 is one the Shark’s best on his Barefoot layout.
No. 7 King’s North, 389 yards (pictured above) – The Gambler gets all the attention at King’s North, but the par 4 that follows is pretty darn good, too. The dogleg isn’t long but positioning off the tee for an approach to a green with water along the left side is vital.
No. 8 Blackmoor, 371/290 yards – This might be the best risk/reward hole in Myrtle Beach. Golfers can play it as a standard dogleg right or play the chute through the trees and try to drive the green.
No. 9 TPC Myrtle Beach, 472 yards – On a course capable of challenging world class golfers, the ninth hole sets the standard for TPC’s par 4. The fairway offers plenty of room but miss this green at your own peril.
No. 10 Long Bay, 352 yards (pictured right) – Short par 4 features a fairway surrounded by a waste bunker and an elevated green. It’s fun to play with everything from birdie to double bogey reasonably possible.
No. 11 Dunes Club, 430 yards – The first hole of “Alligator Alley” features the Dunes Club’s most scenic approach. Drives that favor the left side of the fairway will minimize the danger as Singleton Swash comes to the edge of the 11th green.
No. 12 Heritage, 367 yards – Length isn’t an issue. Make sure you play to a distance that is comfortable on the approach and, whatever you do, don’t push the ball to the right, lest it will find a watery grave.
No. 13 Arcadian Shores, 408 yards – There is nothing unlucky about this downhill par 4. When the azaleas that ring the green are in bloom, they provide a beautiful backdrop for a putting surface fronted by water.
No. 14 Wild Wing Avocet, 308 yards – Stepping to the tee with a legitimate shot to drive the green is a great feeling, and 14 at Avocet provides it. Playing just 265 yards from the white tees, many players can reach the green with the aid of a slight breeze, helping make this one of our favorites.
No. 15 Grande Dunes Resort Club, 468 yards – The 15th provides the last of Grande Dunes’ stunning Intracoastal Waterway views. It’s a picturesque way to say goodbye to the waterway, highlighted by the downhill approach.
No. 16 Moorland, 270 yards – “Hell’s Half-Acre” is another drivable par 4 but the elevated green is surrounded by trouble. Great risk-reward decision on a hole that is a delight to play.
No. 17 True Blue, 449 yards (pictured right) – This most certainly isn’t a drivable green. Long-hitters must be aware of water on the right and a meaty second shot, over a pond, awaits all players. The 17th is in the heart of a great finishing stretch at True Blue.
No. 18 Caledonia, 383 yards – This is the Grand Strand’s most famed finishing hole, requiring a carry over the waters of the Waccamaw Neck to a green that resides in the shadow of an antebellum style clubhouse. It’s the perfect finish for our Dream 18.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know which holes you think we left out!
