Different Strokes: Five Myrtle Beach Golf Courses That Bring Variety, Distinction

A significant part of Myrtle Beach’s appeal to traveling golfers lies in the diversity of its offerings. Whether you want to play a course designed by an architectural legend, a links-style layout or experience a design that highlights the area’s coastal beauty, Myrtle Beach has something for everyone.

As you make plans for your next trip to the Golf Capital of the World, here are five courses that offer distinctive experiences.

Rees Jones’ first solo design, Arcadian Shores opened in 1974 and was ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses at one point. The design is reminiscent of one of Rees’ legendary father’s (Robert Trent Jones Sr.) finest courses, The Dunes Golf & Beach Club. One hole players never forget is the par-4 13th, which plays over water to a green ringed by azaleas.

Shaftesbury Glen, a former Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year recipient, was always an area favorite, but the layout went to another level following a renovation that added more than 500,000 square feet of waste bunkers. Don’t be frightened by the sound of that much sand. The bunkers are flat, and they dramatically improved the visual appeal of the Clyde Johnston design.

Wild Wing’s Avocet Course is one of the area’s most creative designs. The Jeff Brauer-Larry Nelson layout has everything from the drivable, par-4 14th hole – it’s only 265 yards from the white tees – to double greens and dual fairways. Avocet offers risk-reward decisions and challenges players to hit a variety of shots, and that’s at the heart of the layout’s considerable appeal.

Myrtlewood Golf Club has a pair of courses that offer contrasting but equally enjoyable experiences in the heart of the town. The PineHills course with its new bunkers, courtesy of a 2024 renovation project, and intimate routing, provides a chance to score. Palmetto is one of just a handful of area courses that don’t turn at the clubhouse, offering a traditional out-and-back experience. Palmetto is the longer of the two layouts and if you have a good day with the driver, a quality score should await.

A Myrtle Beach golf trip offers a variety of challenges, and Arcadian Shores, Shaftesbury Glen, Avocet and the PineHills and Palmetto courses at Myrtlewood highlight the variety of the area’s appeal.