With the Ryder Cup looming, match play is set to enjoy its biennial turn in the spotlight. While the format makes for compelling television, it’s also the go-to choice for many Myrtle Beach golf trips, negating any long-term impacts from our inevitable blow up holes.

While match play is appealing no matter the venue, some courses contribute to the fun. Risk-reward decisions, the opportunity for heroic shot making, and outstanding greens complexes are among the traits a great match play course offers.

Planning your next Myrtle Beach trip? Here are five layouts that feel like they were built for head-to-head competition:

Grande Dunes Resort Club
Grande Dunes is great in any format, but match play adds extra tension. Birdie chances abound, especially on its risk-reward par 5s, but danger lurks on every hole. The stunning, par-3 14th which plays along the Intracoastal Waterway can shift the tenor of your match with one loose swing. (Grande Dunes 9th pictured right)

Dunes Golf & Beach Club
The same ingredients that make the Dunes Club a PGA Tour stop make it a perfect match play venue. The drama of “Alligator Alley,” as holes 11-13 are known, is the high point of the round, culminating with No. 13, a 90-degree dogleg that is one of the area’s most recognizable challenges.

Wild Wing – Avocet
Avocet is one of Myrtle Beach’s most underrated courses, and its match play potential is off the charts. From dual fairways to double greens, this Jeff Brauer design keeps things interesting. The short par-4 14th, which stretches just 265 yards (white tees), is an ideal match-play hole.

King’s North at Myrtle Beach National
King’s North is made for match play. The drivable par-4 third hole dares players to be aggressive, and “The Gambler,” as the famous par-5 sixth is known, forces bold decisions with water everywhere. Slated to reopen this fall following a back-nine renovation, this Arnold Palmer design belongs at the top of your next trip list. (King’s North 3rd pictured right)

Prestwick Country Club
At Prestwick, no lead is safe, which is exactly what you want in match play. Ranked the area’s sixth-best course by PGA professionals, this P.B. Dye design is relentless, with every hole capable of flipping the momentum. The dramatic par-4 18th ensures the pressure doesn’t let up until the final putt drops. (Prestwick 13th top photo)

You can have a great match anywhere, but the right course heightens the drama. This quintet gives your group the best chance for unforgettable head-to-head showdowns on your next Myrtle Beach golf trip. 

Photos for this feature from our Instagram Account MyrtleBeachGolfTrips