At Wachesaw East Golf Club, the final three holes can make or break your round.
Located in Murrells Inlet and part of South Carolina’s Hammock Coast Golf Trail, Wachesaw East Golf Club has long been one of the area’s most recognizable layouts. Designed by Clyde Johnston, Wachesaw East has a rich tournament history, having hosted four nationally televised LPGA Tour events from 1997 through 2000, with champions including Karrie Webb and Grace Park.
Today, Wachesaw East remains a popular stop for golfers looking to experience a challenging layout that places a premium on accuracy, course management and smart decision-making.
And nowhere is that more evident than over the final three holes.
Nos. 16, 17 and 18 are ranked as the sixth, fourth and second most difficult holes on the course, respectively. That’s a demanding closing stretch by any standard, especially when you consider that all three holes can punish a wayward tee shot.
From the white tees, the yardages aren’t necessarily intimidating. But don’t let the numbers fool you. Each hole presents its own set of challenges, and a good round can unravel quickly.
No. 16 – Par 4, 370 Yards | No. 6 Handicap
At 370 yards from the white tees, the 16th might look like a manageable par 4 before heading into the final two holes.
Think again.
This slight dogleg right is one of those holes where placement off the tee matters far more than distance. Out of bounds runs along the left side, and the hard pine straw beneath the trees can send a bouncing ball farther offline than you might expect. Miss too far right, and the wetlands and water comes into play.
The result is a relatively narrow landing area that demands your attention off the tee.
The fairway also features subtle movement and undulation, making it important to find the proper angle into a well-protected green. Water guards the right side of the approach, while a large bunker complex adds another challenge. With the left side offering a little more room for error, the smart play is to favor the left-center of the green rather than take on a tucked pin near the water.
The takeaway: Find the fairway, give yourself a comfortable approach and take your chances with the putter.
No. 17 – Par 5, 470 Yards | No. 4 Handicap
If there’s one hole on this closing stretch that perfectly illustrates how quickly things can change at Wachesaw East, it’s the par-5 17th.
At 470 yards from the white tees, it certainly doesn’t appear overwhelming on the scorecard. In fact, a well-placed tee shot can leave you with a legitimate opportunity to reach the green in two.
But there’s a reason this hole ranks as the fourth toughest on the course.
Accuracy off the tee is critical. The fairway is partially split, with an elevated section and a lower fairway area to the left. Trouble runs along the entire left side of the hole, while a large tree creates another challenge for golfers who miss the upper section of the fairway. From that position, the tree can obstruct even a layup shot, making it difficult to advance the ball to a favorable spot for your approach into the green.
A good drive, however, changes everything.
Suddenly, you’re looking at a chance to reach the green and potentially make birdie or better. But this is where the 17th can become particularly frustrating.
The green features a false front that slopes toward the water hazard guarding the approach. An otherwise solid second shot that comes up just short can roll back into trouble, turning what appeared to be a birdie opportunity into a scramble to save bogey.
It’s the kind of hole where you can feel like you’re in complete control one moment and be staring at a double bogey the next.
If you decide to lay up, choosing the right landing area is just as important as the tee shot. Leave yourself a comfortable yardage and angle into the green rather than simply advancing the ball as far as possible.
And if you’re going for it in two, don’t be afraid to take an extra club.
The takeaway: The 17th rewards a well-executed plan but can punish even a small mistake. Be precise off the tee, respect the false front and don’t assume a reachable par 5 means an easy birdie.
No. 18 – Par 4, 400 Yards | No. 2 Handicap
Wachesaw East saves one of its toughest challenges for last.
The par-4 18th is rated the second-hardest hole on the course, and depending on how you’re playing that day, there’s a pretty good argument that it might be the most difficult.
The challenge begins with the tee shot.
The ideal line is toward the right-center of the fairway, providing the clearest approach into the green. Drift too far left, and the trees can block your line, leaving you with little choice but to manufacture a recovery shot or lay up.
That’s a difficult position to be in when you’re trying to finish your round on a positive note.
Even after finding the fairway, the work is far from over.
The green is somewhat elevated, with water guarding the left side of the approach and a series of bunkers protecting the putting surface. Finding the right distance and avoiding trouble is critical, but the challenge doesn’t end once you’re on the green. The putting surface can be difficult to read, meaning even a well-played approach doesn’t guarantee an easy two-putt.
Depending on the pin location, finding the correct portion of the green can be the difference between a legitimate par opportunity and a stressful finish.
It’s a fitting conclusion to a closing stretch that demands your attention on every shot.
The takeaway: Favor the right-center of the fairway, prioritize a clear approach and don’t underestimate the difficulty of the green. A par here is a very good way to finish.
Three Holes That Demand Your Best
With handicap rankings of sixth, fourth and second, these aren’t just three difficult finishing holes. They’re three of the toughest tests Wachesaw East has to offer, all waiting at the end of your round.
And if you can navigate them without giving away a few shots, you’ve earned a good feeling walking off the 18th green.
