Another Fantastic Four: The “Sleeping Giants” of Myrtle Beach Golf Courses

Ask someone to list Myrtle Beach’s best courses and there are a handful of layouts – Caledonia, TPC Myrtle Beach, Grande Dunes and True Blue, among others – that always come to mind, but the area’s roster runs deep.

There is a long list of courses that can make a convincing case to be ranked among the area’s best, including a quartet of designs that are sleeping giants. If you are looking for a course to anchor your next Myrtle Beach golf trip, here are four to consider.

King’s North at Myrtle Beach National is one of the area’s most recognizable courses, and the buzz surrounding the layout is only growing with architect Brandon Johnson overhauling the front nine in the summer of 2024. The course is slated to reopen on October 1 with new greens, new bunkers, and a new look. Johnson is providing a facelift on one the most popular designs of his mentor, Arnold Palmer. If you can get a tee time at King’s North this fall or next spring, grab it. Johnson and his team will overhaul the back nine in the summer of 2025.

Few properties enjoy the history of Pine Lakes Country Club, the Myrtle Beach area’s first course. Designed by Robert White, a native of St. Andrews and the first president of the PGA of America, Pine Lakes was the birthplace of Sports Illustrated, and the Golden Age design is a must-play for serious Myrtle Beach golfers. Located less than a half mile from the Atlantic Ocean, the back nine plays along an undulating piece of land with the beachfront skyline providing a memorable backdrop.

A Jack Nicklaus design, Pawleys Plantation is better than ever following a 2023 greens, bunker and clubhouse renovation project. The restoration of the greens to their original size and specifications netted nearly 40,000 square feet of additional putting surface. The bunker work, which included the replacement of sprawling bunkers on 10 holes with native areas and fairway traps, enhanced the course’s playability for mid to high handicappers without reducing the challenge for more skilled players. Of course, Pawleys is still defined by those stunning marsh views on the back nine.

World Tour, which features recreations of golf’s most famous holes, has long been a bucket list experience, taking players around the globe in 18 holes. From Amen Corner at Augusta National to St. Andrews and beyond, golfers can imagine themselves playing some of the game’s most storied challenges. Just as importantly, the 18 holes provide a cohesive experience, ensuring everyone has a good time.

When making plans for your next Myrtle Beach golf trip, King’s North, Pine Lakes, Pawleys Plantation and World Tour are all capable of serving as anchor layouts.