The Player’s Digest: The Dunes Golf & Beach Club

David’s been champing at the bit for this one! Join PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com’s David Williams as he takes you on a dynamic, guided aerial tour of the Grand Strand’s preeminent design at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club. As David shares his insights, Dunes Club Head Golf Professional Dennis Nicholl chimes in with his thoughts along the journey.

David Williams:
I’m very excited for this one! Slick greens, deep bunkers, plush fairways … alligators!

I’m getting ahead of myself. Roll the intro!

As the second-oldest course in Myrtle Beach, The Dunes Golf & Beach Club is second to none on most golfers’ lists. This classic design is a championship-style golf course that’s hosted multiple professional and college events over the years.

One thing that has kept The Dunes Club at the top of so many lists is its commitment to its product. The first hole at The Dunes Club showcases what you’re in for that day. From the tee, your eyes are drawn to the bunkers guarding each side of the fairway. Either thread your tee shot through them or blow your tee shot over them. Either way, you will want to avoid them. Use the contours of this green to help feed the ball toward the pin.

This bunker short right of No. 2 green will give you nightmares. Trust me, I know from experience.

The par-5 4th is the first scoring chance of the round. A tee shot of about 260 yards will clear the dogleg and the traps guarding it, leaving you with a 200-yard shot in over water. You need to find the right section of the green. Look at the contours around this pin!

One of the largest bunkers on the course sits left of the par-3 5th. If you miss here, you’d better pray that pin is on the right side of this green.

You get your first look at the ocean on the 9th green. In my eyes, what makes the 9th so special are the bunkers.

My favorite hole on the course is the 10th. It’s not just “whale on a driver and flip a wedge into a flat green.” It requires you to think. A 250-yard shot will leave you short of the pond in the middle of the fairway. It will also leave you no more than a 100-yard shot depending on where the pin is. This is the most dramatic elevated green on the course, in my opinion. Avoid all the bunkers around this green too; they are death.

The 11th hole marks the beginning of the most famous three-hole stretch in Myrtle Beach, “Alligator Alley.” Framed along the marshland, the 11th hole is a tough par four that doglegs back toward the marshland. Do not leave yourself with a bunker shot facing the marsh.

The 12th hole is a beautiful par three covering the outer edges of the marsh. Your miss here is short left.

The final leg of the alley is the tough par-5 13th. If you can find the fairway, going for it is an option. Missing the fairway will more than likely lead to a layup. This is a great green complex that requires your full attention.

The 18th at The Dunes Club is no joke. This long par 4 forces you to carry your tee shot to the top of the hill. This will give you a clear look into this green. This green acts as a funnel. If the pin is up front, you can use the contours around this hole to setup a great birdie look. Don’t get too aggressive, or you’ll end up in that back bunker!

A day at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club is a day you will not forget. Take on this historic track on your next Myrtle Beach golf trip!