MyGolfSpy’s 10 Most Wanted Golf Courses – South Carolina

For many of us on the east coast, South Carolina, and more specifically Myrtle Beach, is where we go to escape winter. Given the volume of golf courses packed into the Myrtle Beach area, it’s no wonder that the city features prominently on our list of the top course in the state.

Given how many of you have visited the state specifically to play golf, we expect they’ll be plenty of discussion about the courses on this list as well as some of the ones that didn’t make the cut.

To build our list of the Most Wanted Golf Courses in South Carolina we used our #Datacratic process and stats from our partners at the TheGrint, a golf handicap and stat tracking service, whose extensive database contains more than 120,000 golf course reviews submitted by average golfers like you.

Here are the 10 Most Wanted Golf Courses in South Carolina.

#1 Kiawah Island Golf Resort (The Ocean Course)

“Located on the eastern-most end of Kiawah Island, The Ocean Course has more seaside holes than any other course in the Northern Hemisphere – 10 right along the Atlantic with the other 8 running parallel to those. Although it was originally designed to sit behind the dunes, Dye’s wife, Alice, suggested raising the entire course to allow players unobstructed views of Kiawah’s beautiful Atlantic coastline from every hole. This improved view, however, made the course substantially more demanding as it also exposed it to the area’s brisk and unpredictable sea breezes.”

#2 Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

“The 6,526-yard, par-70 course has been described as having “18 signature holes,” with holes routed around majestic oaks and meandering streams. The picturesque 18th hole borders the Plantation’s old rice field, and requires a precise tee shot that sets up a difficult second shot: a forced carry onto a green at the foot of the clubhouse, where onlookers may be sitting in rocking chairs, betting on shots’ results.”

#3 True Blue Plantation

“True Blue Golf Club represents the class of the expansive golf offerings in and around Myrtle Beach. The dramatic, fun layout is known for its vast fairways, undulating greens and impressive elevation changes. The rolling terrain and native vegetation of this once thriving indigo and rice plantation makes for one of the most spectacular settings in golf. And with an 18-acre practice facility, fully-stocked pro shop and inviting grill room, True Blue is a must-play on any visit to Myrtle Beach.”

#4 Prestwick Country Club

“This scenic Pete Dye design features whispering creeks and small lakes serving as natural water hazards on the course, while man-made mounds and staggered bunkering serve as difficult obstacles in reaching the deep bulkhead greens. Surrounded by thick pine forests and sandy waste areas, Prestwick presents golfers with one challenge after another, requiring a steady eye and hand and patience when it comes to the many risk-reward opportunities golfers encounter.”

#5 Myrtle Beach National Golf Course (Kings North)

“King’s North features 18 of the most dramatic and picturesque holes you’ll ever encounter. The par-5 6th hole (nicknamed “The Gambler”) features an island fairway that offers a “risk-reward” shortcut to the green. If the island fairway is chosen it could leave a good chance at going for this green in two, thus the “Gamble.” However, a safe layup to the right and a short approach over water will always keep you guessing. The par-3, island green 12th hole creates a challenge of its own. A miss to the right and you could find the water, miss left and you could find the distinctive “SC” bunkers that would leave a delicate bunker shot. And don’t forget the par-4 finishing hole at 18, featuring an array of 40 bunkers escorting you to an exciting finish of an exhilarating round.”

#6 Grande Dunes Golf Club

“Its spectacular layout, a Roger Rulewich Group design, is positioned on a high bluff creating a spectacular view of the Intracoastal Waterway, Grande Dunes Marina and the four-diamond resort, Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. This Myrtle Beach golf course itself is known for its superior links-style design, which offers expansive Bermuda grass fairways with subtle undulations onto large, modestly contoured greens that feature brand-new Champion Bermuda.”

#7 Shaftesbury Glen Golf and Fish Club

“Inspired by Winged Foot and Augusta National, Clyde Johnston has delicately crafted a masterpiece of large, old-style rectangular tee boxes, wildly enjoyable wide open fairways – for love of the long ball – along with elevated, super-sized, immaculate Bent grass greens where balls run swift and sure and the short game is on.”

#8 Heritage Club

“The Par 71 Heritage Club, a Dan Maples design, follows the natural contours of the land, stretching out beside long abandoned and historic rice fields. Heritage features spacious, rolling fairways and large, undulating greens, surrounded by lush stands of crepe myrtle, camellias and azaleas. Heavily landscaped areas of wildflowers and flowering shrubs will maintain the beauty of this historical setting for generations to come.”

#9 The Legends Golf Resort (Parkland)

“Opened for play in October 1992, Parkland is modeled after the style of architects Alister MacKenzie, (Augusta National) and George Thomas (Riviera Country Club). Playing the unforgettably challenging fairway and green-side bunkering requires a deft touch off the tee and on the approach. From tee to green, strategy will be the order of the day on this stunning, par-72 playing field.”

#10 Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf Links

“One of the most talked about courses in Myrtle Beach golf, Glen Dornoch is a masterful tribute to legendary golf course designer Donald Ross. Set among spectacular centuries old live oaks with marsh and Intracoastal Waterway views in charming Little River, South Carolina, here each hole seems to have been crafted by nature rather than by man.”