 PAWLEY'S PLANTATION GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (843-237-6200)
Myrtle Beach Golf Course Review
Pawley's Plantation Golf & Country Club (about 40 minutes south of Myrtle Beach) is a 4-1/2 star (Golf Digest Places to Play) championship course that was designed by Jack Nicklaus. In jack's words, the course was designed for the golfer who plays intelligently - a fun course with a variety of challenges for all skill levels. The layout captures the essence of the natural terrain, enhancing the beauty of the salt marsh and low country, with beautiful panoramic vistas.
Luxury accommodations with stay and play packages (also ideal for family vations and business meetings/conferences) are available in what Travel & Leisure magazine calls "one of the best lodging facilities in Myrtle Beach. Visitors can find information by clicking on this weblink www.pawleysplantation.com or calling their toll free number at 800-367-9959. First time visitors are advised to pick up a yardage guide booklet and make good use of it - as Mr. Nicklaus himself provides personal tips on how to play each hole in this informational guide - complete with hole diagrams.
On property is a full service clubhouse with pro shop, snack shop and 2 restaurants plus lounge (breakfast, lunch and dinner are available), along with banquet/outing facilities that can service up to 300 people. There also is an outdoor patio and locker rooms with showers for members and guests. Pawley's Plantation is known for its specialized service - every guest is treated like a member, from the moment they appear at the bag drop to the time they leave. No stone is left unturned to provide the best care in customer satisfaction. We were truly impressed! Golfers will also appreciate the comprehensive practice facilities that include a targeted grass range, short game area with sand bunker plus putting green.
The course features tree lined fairways (some tightly so) with several challenging doglegs in the mix, and with design shapes defined by water hazards and sand bunkers as well. There are just 33 white sand bunkers situated along the landing zones or greenside, but it seems like much more as the traps and waste areas are often sprawling. Water, in the form of ponds and marsh areas, come into play on 11 holes, with several forced carries that are reasonable in length. The back side has some especially memorable water features, with the par four tenth featuring an approach over water with a green defined by a wooden retaining wall. The par three 13th features an island green with little room for error, and number 17 is visually stunning (and also quite intimidating) as thick wetlands is all that rests between the tee boxes and green complex. This section of the course is one of the most unique in the Myrtle Beach area, with cart paths sculpted through the surrounding natural area.
The terrain at Pawleys is mildly rolling, with perimeter mounding near the landing zones and greenside. The putting surfaces are medium in size with mounds and swales on the sides and backs - but are generally open in front. Five sets of tee boxes afford golfers of all skill levels with an opportunity to choose a set that matches their game. The tips play to 7026 yards with a daunting slope of 146 (especially challenging on the par three 13th and 17th over marshlands), while remaining tee boxes measure in distance and slope: 6522 yards/137 slope, 6127 yards/130 slope, 5534 yards/123 slope for men and 131 for women, and 4976 yards with a slope of 124 for ladies hitting from the red tees.
On course the cart paths and fairways have 100, 150 and 200 yard markers, and sprinkler heads are also measured to the center of the green. Color coded flags indicate the day's front, middle or back hole locations. This is a highly recommended golf experience - as this course usually makes everyone's list of the top 20 courses to play in the area. For more info, visit our page for the course, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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