Possum Trot Offers Much More Than a Memorable Name

Whether you’ve played the course or not, Possum Trot is recognizable to Myrtle Beach golfers. How many courses have a possum with a hat on his head and a golf bag slung over his shoulder as a logo?

But it takes more than a memorable name and logo for a course to celebrate its 50th birthday, as Possum Trot did this year. If your group is considering a round at the North Myrtle Beach layout, here is what you need to know:

— Names can be misleading. Mention a possum and most people conjure up images of an animal unafraid to bare its teeth, but this is one of Myrtle Beach’s friendliest layouts. The staff places a premium on a creating a welcoming environment, and the course, with a slope of 118, is the easiest in the area, according to USGA metrics. If you want a chance to score well, this is the place to do it.

— Possum Trot is a golf course. It’s not a housing development built around a course, which adds to the experience at a layout that plays 6,343 yards from the white tees. It’s just you and the game.

— Water is on 14 holes but most of the danger is on the periphery. Generally speaking, if you hit it in the drink, you deserve to lose the ball, but Possum Trot’s signature hole at the par-3 13th does require a carry. Playing at 163 yards from the white tees, a lake separates the tee box from the green, making it the day’s most sweat-inducing shot. Take a deep breath and trust your swing.

— Because everyone asks, Possum Trot’s name has nothing to do with the animals that inhabit the land. The reason is much simpler. Golf Digest held a contest prior to the course’s opening to determine the name, and readers chose Possum Trot, a decision that has stood the test of time.

— If you want to play Possum Trot (and the combination of value and the chance to score well are a winning combination), the Ultimate Glens Stay and Play available through Myrtle Beach Golf Wizard is the way to go. The three-night, three-round package includes lodging and golf at Possum Trot, Glen Dornoch and Shaftesbury Glen. Did we mention free afternoon replays are included in a price that starts at $293?

Every Myrtle Beach golfers needs to play Possum Trot at least once.