Anchored By Avocet Course, Wild Wing Is Still Plenty Good

The shuttered layouts were good ones, no doubt, but It’s time to stop worrying about what Wild Wing was and instead focus on what it is. Currently home to 27 holes, including the Hummingbird nine, the facility is now anchored by the Larry Nelson-designed Avocet Course, a 4-star layout.

Here is what you need to know about the course as you make plans for your 2018 Myrtle Beach golf trip.

Size doesn’t matter
Everyone loves a good, short par 4, and Avocet has one of Myrtle Beach’s best. The 14th hole plays 308 yards from the tips and just 265 from the white tees, so with a slight tailwind and a perfect shot, you might have a chance to drive the green. With four bunkers, swales and a three-tiered putting surface, No. 14 doesn’t give away birdies, but standing on the tee knowing maybe, just maybe, you will have an eagle putt is one of the day’s highlights.

Double the fun
Speaking of putting, your group won’t forget the double green No. 6 and No. 17 share. The 17th green has some undulation but isn’t overly complicated; the side the 6th hole uses leaves many begging for mercy. The three-tiered putting surface is flanked by a large bunker on the right and swales on the left. Every golfer has a bit of masochist in him or her and the sixth will scratch that itch, as it is Avocet’s most challenging hole. If a double green isn’t enough, the ninth hole has a dual fairway with the preferred landing area separated by pot bunkers.

Room to breathe
The fairways are tree-lined but not exceptionally tight, giving players some margin for error. As someone who occasionally struggles with a wayward driver, I appreciate forgiveness, and the guys in your group likely will, too. For low handicappers reading this, rest easy, there is plenty of meat on the bone from the blue tees (72.7/131).

Earning its name
What’s the best package that features Avocet? The appropriately named Rewards Package is the winner for my money. You get choose among Founders Group International’s 22 courses, including the likes of TPC Myrtle Beach, Grande Dunes, Pawleys Plantation and King’s North, and everyone in your group receives a $100 gift card for use on food and beverage, replays and a pro shop merchandise. The Rewards package starts at $331 and is difficult to beat.

Where are you going to celebrate?
Where are you going after the final putt drops? Try Handley’s Pub & Grub in Carolina Forest. You drive by it on the way back to the beach, the food is good, beer selection is varied, and happy hour prices might keep you around longer than expected. Handley’s is less than a half-mile off Hwy. 501 and absolutely worth your time to find.

I get it, Wild Wing used to be a more prominent facility, but its downsizing didn’t impact the quality of the Avocet Course, which is an asset to any golf trip.