Ask the Pros: 3 Best Holes, 3 Most Unique Things at Prestwick
It’s a course so nice they chimed in twice!
This edition of “Ask the Pro” expands to “Ask the Pros,” as we lead off with Prestwick Country Club Head Golf Professional Ryan Wilkinson weighing in on his choices of the three best holes at this popular Pete and P.B. Dye design. They include:
Hole 5 – This par 3 can play up to 215 yards from its black tees and in Wilkinson’s mind is one of Prestwick’s most memorable holes. “Along with its length, the green complex is one of a kind,” says Wilkinson. “And this two-tier green can make or break a good round.”
Hole 9 – This par 5 resembles the 18th hole at TPC Sawgrass, with a massive lake to the left of the entirety of the hole and OB on the right. “The famous Pete Dye bunker by the green makes for a very demanding third shot into the green,” adds Wilkinson. “If you land in the bunker, you will face a difficult shot as it’s a deep bunker, fast green sloping away from you, and anything (from the bunker) hit long of the green will find the water.”
Hole 17 – “This par 5 is just beautiful,” says Wilkinson. “It’s only 500 yards from the White tees but there’s a stream that runs from the tee box and flows into a pond by the green. It makes for a very demanding third shot, as anything that lands on the left side of the green has the possibility of rolling or spinning into the water.
“If you want to take a picture with your playing partners, this is definitely a beautiful hole to do it!”
For good measure, Prestwick General Manager Jay Smith offered up three things about Prestwick that make it unique within the Myrtle Beach golf scene:
1. Though Pete Dye’s name rides solo at The Dye Course at Barefoot Resort, Smith points out that “Prestwick is the only Pete and (son) P.B. Dye-designed (public) course along the Grand Strand.” Their names may appear together on the private South Strand design at Debordieu, but Prestwick offers the only opportunity for the public to experience their jointly presented magic.
2. Smith is quick to remind us that Prestwick recently accomplished the special feat of not only being named 2025 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year by the Myrtle Beach Golf Course Owners Association, but having that honor pave the way for statewide recognition with its 2025 South Carolina Golf Course of the Year Award.
3. Prestwick is frequently lauded for having the smoothest and fastest greens in the market on a year-round basis.
