Myrtle Beach Golf Hole of the Week: River Hills Golf & Country Club, No. 17

​With more than 40 feet of elevation change, the Tom Jackson design enjoys terrain that sets it apart from most coastal golf courses. 

The layout has no parallel fairways and is popular among locals due to the consistency of its conditioning. With tees that stretch from 5,030 yards to 6,918, River Hills, which has hosted numerous mini-tour events, can challenge the best of players. 

Our Myrtle Beach Golf Hole of the Week spotlights the most significant challenge at River Hills. 

No. 17
Par: 5
Yardage: 526 yards (teal tees), 491 yards (garnet), 454 yards (orange), 397 yards (Carolina blue)
Handicap: 1

A double dogleg, the 17th has earned the distinction of being the No. 1 handicap hole at River Hills. Water looms as a threat from tee to green and must be carried twice. 

Is the green reachable in two? Yes, kind of. If you are a long hitter and willing to challenge the dogleg (and the extension by the water) off the tee, you can reach the green in two, but the dangers of that approach are abundant. 

Play to the right side of the fairway off the tee and it immediately becomes a three-shot hole, but that is the best course of action. This is a difficult hole no matter how it is played, so there is no reason to double down on the challenge by trying to cut off too much of the water. 

Due to the placement of three bunkers (think of an upside-down triangle) that run just off the front of the green, players almost have to hit the green on the fly. 

Make no mistake, the 17th at River Hill is tough, but it’s fair.