Tidewater Golf Club has been ranked among America’s top 100 public courses, and with nine holes playing along either the Intracoastal Waterway or Cherry Grove Inlet, it’s among South Carolina’s most dramatic layouts.

Given its reputation, golfers don’t need much prodding to play the Cherry Grove course, but everyone has questions, and here are the answers to the most frequently asked Tidewater queries.

Which holes are the course’s prettiest?
Most courses would kill to have one hole along the water; Tidewater has nine. Ask golfers what their favorite hole is, and you will get a lot of different answers. While the Intracoastal views are great, especially when a sailboat goes floating by, the four holes along Cherry Grove – 3, 4, 12 and 13 – are on another level. The tidal body of water provides a beautiful backdrop, and there is a credible argument to be made for any of the quartet, but the nod here goes to No. 4. The rolling 400-yard par 4 (white tees) plays along Cherry Grove every step of the way, combining incredible visuals with a great design. (Tidewater 12th pictured left)

Who designed this course?
Ken Tomlinson, a tax attorney by trade, is the architect of record. Tomlinson must be the only architect in golf history to have his debut course named best new public layout in America by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. There might be more to the story than the name on the design credit. Rumor has it that legendary architect Rees Jones did much of the design and routing before a disagreement of some sort led to the removal of his name from the project, which Tomlinson finished up. Regardless of who did what, Tidewater is a gem.

What tees should I play?
The course has six sets of tees and here are the details for each:

Black – 73.9/148, 7,044 yards
Blue – 72.6/144, 6,771 yards
White – 70.6/135, 6,323 yards
White/Green – 69.8/132, 6,071 yards
Green – 68.6/126 (M), 73.2/143 (W), 5,734 yards
Red – 54.1/119 (M), 68.8/122 (W), 4,648 yards

Is Tidewater difficult?
The short answer is yes. If you are a mid-handicapper, don’t be afraid to play the green/white combo tees at 6,071 yards as there is still plenty of challenge. There are six forced carries, including the unforgettable par 3 12th hole, but even more than water lurks on seven other holes. The challenge is never unfair, but it is significant.

Hardest hole?
We mentioned the beauty of No. 4 earlier, and it’s not just a looker. It’s also the course’s toughest test. It’s long at 400 yards from the white tees and you will need to play a gentle draw off the tee (there is OB right). Even the best of drives often leave an approach to an elevated green off a downhill lie. The green is ringed by bunkers. No. 4 is as daunting as it is pretty.

Mercy, please. Where can you make birdie?!
All this talk about challenge might make you nervous, but fear not, there are scoring chances. No. 7 is a 300-yard par 4 with minimal trouble off the tee, and No. 8 is a 457-yard par 5. Keep it away from the Intracoastal on the left and you’re staring at birdie.

Where does Tidewater rank?
Tidewater is on the short list of the Myrtle Beach area’s best public courses. In a poll of Myrtle Beach area PGA professionals, Tidewater was ranked as the area’s fourth best layout. This is a must-play Myrtle Beach golf course.

How can I book a round at Tidewater?
There are numerous ways to book a round at Tidewater, but the easiest is through MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com.

Photos for this feature from Tidewater Golf Club