As a proud Myrtle Beach local and an enthusiast of the green, I have had the opportunity to experience many of the golf courses this town offers. Being a magnet for golfers worldwide, Myrtle Beach boasts over 100 courses, each with its distinct challenges and scenic landscapes. Here are the top five most challenging golf courses in Myrtle Beach that I encourage every seasoned golfer to try.
The Dunes Golf and Beach Club
This Robert Trent Jones designed course is heralded not only for its beauty but also its high level of difficulty. The par-72 layout spans 7,450 yards of lush greenery peppered with challenging fairway bunkers and water hazards. Its most notorious hole is the par-5 13th, famously known as “Waterloo.” This dogleg right wraps around Lake Singleton, testing the golfer’s shot-making skills. Waterloo has been recognized by Golf Digest as one of America’s best golf holes, being both beautiful and challenging.
Caledonia Golf and Fish Club
The par-70 Caledonia Golf and Fish Club stretches 6,526 yards, offering tight fairways and small greens that demand accuracy and control. The course’s beauty, draped by live oaks and flower beds, gives an illusion of serenity that often betrays the golf challenges that lie ahead. The 18th hole is the pinnacle of Caledonia’s challenge: a 383-yard par-4 with water running the entire right side and a green protected by four sand bunkers.
TPC Myrtle Beach
Designed with the objective of hosting a PGA Tour event, Tom Fazio’s TPC Myrtle Beach is nothing short of demanding. Its 18 holes offer water hazards, strategic bunkering, and changes in elevation escalating its challenge. The par-72 course stretches 6,950 yards from the Championship tees. The 17th and 18th holes, played along the water, form a spectacular, yet tough finishing stretch that leaves even skilled golfers on edge.
True Blue Golf Club
Sister course to Caledonia Golf and Fish Club, True Blue features vast fairways, undulating greens, and intense waterfront penalties. The par-72 course spans 7,126 yards featuring water hazards on 9 out of its 18 holes. Its most challenging hole, the 8th hole, is a par-4 that doglegs left around a lake and has a green surrounded by sand — demanding strategic play from the golfer.
Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club
This Jack Nicklaus Signature Course extends 7,026 yards with several holes framed by the salt marsh of the Pawleys Inlet. Massive waste bunkers and encroaching live oaks add to the difficulty level. The back nine of the course is particularly challenging due to forced carries over marshland. The signature hole, the 13th, is a 145-yard par-3, entirely played over marsh, making it the ultimate test of precision and nerve.
As golfers, we seek out new challenges as they not only test our skills but also make for memorable experiences. These five Myrtle Beach courses, renowned for their degree of difficulty and design, will undoubtedly provide a diverse range of challenges for even the most seasoned golfers.