Dan Maples’ “Great 8” Signature Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach Continue to Dazzle

Did you know Dan Maples is Myrtle Beach’s most prolific golf course architect? The North Carolina native has eight Grand Strand courses to his credit, including some of the area’s most popular tracks.

From top 100 layouts to hidden gems, Maples has something for every Myrtle Beach golfer, and here is a look at each of his Grand Strand courses.

– Located in Pawleys Island, Heritage Club is one of the area’s most memorable layouts. Playing through a stunning piece of Lowcountry property, Heritage offers natural beauty and some of the Grand Strand’s most daunting greens complexes. Golf Digest has ranked Heritage among “America’s Top 100 Greatest Public Courses,” and it won’t take you long to figure out why.

– All 18 holes at Man O’ War play around a 107-acre lake. That’s right, there is water on all 18 holes, including back-to-back island greens, but rest easy, Man O’ War isn’t nearly as difficult as it sounds. This beauty will provide ample opportunities to score and it’s a treat to play. The word unique is often inappropriately used but not in this case. Man O’ War is a one-of-a-kind layout.

– Featuring five holes that play along Calabash Creek, the Maples Course at Sea Trail Resort combines natural scenery with the quality of Maples’ design work to create an unforgettable round of golf.

– Oyster Bay was Maples’ first area design and Golf Digest named it America’s top new resort course upon its 1983 opening, making Dan a sought-after architect along the Grand Strand. The layout plays along the Calabash River and is highlighted by a diabolical set of greens.

– Home to 27 holes, The Pearl is one of the area’s most underrated tracks. Showcasing six holes that play along the Calabash River, including the monster, 604-yard par 5, The Pearl offers a little bit of everything and golfers love it.

– Sandpiper Bay is just a Jon Rahm drive away from The Pearl and it also offers 27 holes. A former Myrtle Beach-area golf course of the year, Sandpiper is a player-friendly design that is ideal for the opening day of a trip.

– Located in Pawleys Island, Willbrook Plantation is another Lowcountry beauty designed by Maples. Playing through soaring live oak trees draped in Spanish moss, Willbrook is unforgettable.

– The Wizard, Man O’ War’s sister course, is a links-style design, offering players a taste of the Olde Country in the form of native grasses, pot bunkers and some of the area’s largest greens. The Wizard will also provide you a chance to go low.

If your next Myrtle Beach golf trip features a Dan Maples design, good things await.