The Player’s Digest: A Course Inspired by the Land Down Under

The Player’s Digest returns with an episode from the Norman Course at Barefoot Resort & Golf! In this episode, Play Golf Myrtle Beach’s David Williams takes you around the key parts of this popular North Strand design. Enjoy the episode!

A few things before we get started here. Every yardage you hear in this video will be from the black tees. This is the yardage I would play it from, and it will help me talk about it in more detail.

From the black tees, the golf course plays 6,847 yards. The Norman Course is also unique in the fact that it does not turn at the clubhouse, similar to the Fazio Course at Barefoot Resort.

Let’s get into it.

The first three holes here aren’t the hardest, but one bad shot and these holes turn into a tough par or bogey. The 2nd hole poses the biggest test of the three. Playing just under 400 yards from the black tee, you need to avoid all of these bunkers. They almost always lead to a bogey.

The 4th hole is where you get your first look at some of the expansive waste areas that guard a lot of this golf course. The fairway bottlenecks pretty far up so the play is to lay back short of that to leave yourself a solid approach.

If you’re looking for your birdie, nake it on the 5th hole and then strap in for the meat of the golf course.

The hardest hole on the golf course is the 6th. Measuring out at 431 yards from the black tees, this hole is a beast. A forced carry is required for your approach shot and your miss here is right or short. That greenside bunker is a no go zone.

I love the look of the 7th hole here.

Another birdie chance awaits you on the 8th. This short 4 is the definition of “risk-reward.” The smart play is to lay back short of all these bunkers, but I’m not the smartest golfer in the world. If you ship it up there around the green and avoid those bunkers, you’re in great shape.

While 9 is a par 5, you need to tread lightly. Bunkers down the left, a creek down the right. It’s a forced carry to the green so many players, including myself, will layup. I’ve been in these bunkers before and they are not fun.

When you the make the turn on Norman it comes with a BANG (Shout out Mike Breen!). This par 3 is one of the most picturesque holes at Barefoot Resort. A solid 180 yard shot here is what you’re looking for, and it goes without saying, but the miss here is left of the green.

You come back to the waterway on the 14th. I’m not sure how this ranks as the easiest hole on the golf course because if you miss short right there almost no chance you make a par.

I love the 15th hole on Norman. Really because I never feel out of the hole. I always feel like birdie is in play (Spoiler: it rarely is).

Jumping ahead to talk about another par 5, the 18th. You can challenge the waste area on the left, but the safe play is out the right. The trouble on this hole is really around the green. For once, long is your miss here.

I’ve played Norman the most out of the Barefoot courses so it will always hold a special place in my heart. Make sure you give it a try on your next Myrtle Beach golf trip!