Burning Ridge is Getting Better With Age

When Burning Ridge head pro Steve Ubl and his staff talk about teeing it up at the course, the conversation typically turns to decision making. Play smart and reduce your chances of making big numbers, or play aggressive and try to go low?

You probably don’t hit the ball as far as a PGA pro, so your version of aggressive will likely look a little different, but the point holds: Burning Ridge provides the risk-reward decisions players enjoy.

If you are considering Burning Ridge on your next trip, here are few things to you need to know:

Drive For Show (and Dough)
If you hit the driver well, a good day at Burning Ridge likely awaits. At 6,465 yards from the blue tees and 5,907 yards from the whites, the course isn’t overwhelming long, but you will have every opportunity to hit the driver, provided you want to assume the risk. Prime example is the short-ish, par-4 sixth hole, which plays 359 yards from the blue tees. The 150-yard marker is short of a bunker on the left side and is the ideal position to land the ball. Do you play short of the sand, leaving a potential mid to long-iron approach, or do you try and bust the driver 240 yards over the trouble, leaving you in position to make birdie? You can make that decision on the tee.

Better With Age
Founders Group International took ownership of Burning Ridge several years ago and the result has been a dramatically upgraded golf course. The Gene Hamm design has always been a quality layout, but FGI’s presence insured a commitment to conditioning that has greatly benefitted golfers. “FGI has focused on putting resources into the course and it shows. Conditions have been fantastic,” Ubl said.

You’ve Been Warned
No matter the side you are starting on, arrive ready to play. Burning Ridge’s hardest hole is the par-5 first, a 571-yard (blue tees) bear. Unless your last name is Woods or Johnson, it’s a three-shot hole and water crosses in front of the green, compounding the danger. It’s arguably the most difficult opening hole in Myrtle Beach. The 11th, a 453-yard par 4, is at least as daunting. If you don’t find the fairway the green is almost unreachable in regulation.

Rewards Never End
If you want to play Burning Ridge, I’d start by looking at the Rewards Package – offered by several great providers, including Ocean Reef Resort. The 4-night, 4-round deal allows you to choose among 22 courses and provides a $100 gift card that can be used at the course for food and beverage, pro shop merchandise and afternoon replays. The offer starts at $367 and a layout like Burning Ridge will help insure a good time.

To Avoid Being Grumpy, Go Here
When the final putt drops and you are on your way back to the beach, stop by the Grumpy Monk. The happy hour appetizers and sushi are outstanding and the craft beer menu is among the area’s most extensive.