Pawleys Plantation is Equal Parts Beauty and Beast

Ask anyone for a list of Myrtle Beach’’s most scenic golf courses and Pawleys Plantation is sure to be somewhere near the top. The Jack Nicklaus design features six holes that play along a saltwater marsh, combining natural beauty with significant challenge to create an unforgettable back nine.

The Pawleys Island layout celebrated its 30th birthday in 2018, and it’s a welcome addition to any Myrtle Beach golf trip.

As you make plans for your 2019 golf vacation, here is what you need to know about Pawleys Plantation.

— It’s worth repeating: the course is beautiful. People can argue about their favorite hole along the water – the vote here is for No. 16 – but taken collectively, it’s one of the most memorable stretches along the Grand Strand.

— Pack a lunch. The course is scenic, but you will have a few ugly numbers on the scorecard if you aren’t careful. From the 6,184-yard white tees, Pawleys has a slope and rating of 72.0/139, making the layout as challenging as it is scenic. That being said, your group will LOVE it.

— The hole everyone will be talking about? That’s easy – No. 13, a par 3 that plays to a peninsula green surrounded by marsh. The tee shot is typically less than 100 yards, and it’s the most daunting swing with a wedge you will take in Myrtle Beach. If there’s wind, which has an unimpeded path coming off the nearby Atlantic, the difficulty increases. When the tide is out, you get to see just how many people missed the green.

— We’ve talked a lot about the challenge, but there are opportunities to score, particularly on the opening holes of the back nine. The 10th hole is a 301-yard par 4 (white tees). The tee shot doesn’t need to be hit more than 215 yards and the landing area is generous. You will have to clear water on the approach to a well-protected and multi-tiered green, but there is no reason not to make par. A dogleg right, the 12th is a 331-yard par 4 that is the course’s easiest. Avoid the bunkers that runs from tee to green up the right side you might have, dare I say it, a good chance at birdie.

— If you want to play Pawleys Plantation – and if you are a serious Myrtle Beach golfer, it’s on the bucket list – the Prime Times Rewards package from MyrtleBeachGolf.net is the way to go. Groups can choose among 22 courses and everyone receives a $100 gift card good for use in the pro shop, food, beverages and same-day replays.