The Most Unusual Golf Course Hazards in Myrtle Beach

The Paradox of Paradise: Unusual Hazards on Myrtle Beach Golf Courses

The Grand Strand of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a paradise for golf enthusiasts, providing a variety of lush courses, designed by legendary architects, against a backdrop of immaculate beaches and clear blue skies. However, these world-renowned courses also serve up a tantalizing array of unconventional hazards that bring an unexpected twist to the otherwise serene game of golf.

The Ocean Course at Grande Dunes

The Grande Dunes, with its award-winning Resort Club and the Members Club, houses one of the most beautiful yet challenging courses in Myrtle Beach. The Resort Club’s Ocean Course dramatically hangs over the Intracoastal Waterway, becoming a magnet for strong breezes that can toy with even the most strategically planned shots. In addition to the sprawling water hazards and the wind’s unpredictable gusts, golfers must contend with tricky sand dunes strategically lining the fairways. The result is a thrilling challenge even for seasoned golfers, where a golfer’s strategy and skill get truly tested.

TPC Myrtle Beach’s Alligator Alley

At TPC Myrtle Beach, golfers may find themselves teeing off with more than just fellow players. The course is home to an abundance of wildlife, the most famous of which are the alligators that can often be spotted sunning themselves near the water hazards. The stretch from holes 15 to 18—which winds around a large lake—has even been nicknamed “Alligator Alley.” It’s an unexpected encounter that makes every golf outing at TPC Myrtle Beach a uniquely engaging experience.

The Love Course at Barefoot Resort’s Ruins

The Love Course at the Barefoot Resort is famous not only for its beautifully maintained course but also for its unusual ruins in the middle of holes 4, 5, and 6. These structures are remains of an old plantation house that add an element of history and charm to your game.

Thistle Golf Club’s Pot Bunkers

While pot bunkers may not be uncommon in golf, their prevalence and strategic placement on the Thistle Golf Club’s course are uniquely challenging. These deep, circular sand pits are strategically scattered across the course, offering a true test of skill for any golfer. The 27-hole Scottish-themed course is known for its stunning scenic beauty, but don’t be fooled by the attractive layout, these pot bunkers could turn a promising round into a nerve-racking experience.

World Tour Golf Links Replicas

At the World Tour Golf Links, the unusual hazard is the course itself. The designers have replicated 18 of the world’s most famous golf holes, presenting golfers with a diverse set of challenges that span the globe. From the legendary island green of TPC Sawgrass’ 17th to the famous pot bunker on St. Andrews’ Road Hole, golfing here is like embarking on a worldwide golf tour in a single day.

Myrtle Beach golf courses are a display of creativity and ingenuity that extends far beyond their conventional allure. Each one frames the usual facets of the game within a medley of unique hazards that intensify the challenge, while elevating the overall experience. A round of golf here isn’t just about the skill or the score; it’s about embracing the surprise and delight of these unusual components, and remembering that in golf, as in life, it’s the journey—not the destination—that truly matters.