The Premium Designs of Myrtle Beach’s 8 “One-Stop Wonders”

During its boom years, there were architects who designed a career’s worth of courses in Myrtle Beach, but some of the area’s most prominent layouts are the work of architects who made just one stop along the Grand Strand.

For many golf course architecture aficionados, Tom Doak is the gold standard among contemporary course designers, and the Heathland Course at Legends Resort was one of his first works. Designed as a tribute to the links layouts of Ireland and England, Heathland features some of the area’s widest fairways and largest greens.

Roger Rulewich was Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s right-hand man for 34 years and when he sat out on his own, he designed Grande Dunes Resort Course, one of Myrtle Beach’s best and most popular layouts. Home to five holes that play along the Intracoastal Waterway, Grande Dunes is atop many must-play lists.

Tidewater Golf Club, featuring nine holes that play along either Cherry Grove Inlet or the Intracoastal Waterway, is one the most stunning designs along the East Coast and its architect is Ken Tomlinson, a former tax accountant. Tidewater is Tomlinson’s only design credit, and he is batting 1.000.

Robert White, a native of St. Andrews, Scotland, was the first president of the PGA of America and he designed Myrtle Beach’s first golf course – Pine Lakes Country Club. Pine Lakes oozes charm and is rich with history, thanks in large part to the work of White.

Davis Love III was one of the most popular golfers of his generation and his namesake design at Barefoot Resort is one of the area’s most acclaimed courses. Renowned for its playability and holes 4-6, which play around the faux ruins of an old plantation home, the Love Course is a gem.

The Norman Course at Barefoot is Greg’s only public design along the Grand Strand. The course complements the beauty of the holes playing along the Intracoastal Waterway with the area’s native vegetation, providing an experience that is as memorable as it is fun to play.

Legends Resort was the inspiration of Larry Young, and he paired the Heathland and Moorland courses with Parkland, a layout he is credited with designing. A more traditional American style layout, Parkland’s most popular hole is the short par-4 ninth, where everything from eagle to double bogey is possible.

Mel Graham designed World Tour Golf Links to allow golfers to play holes that replicate some of the game’s most famous challenges. From Amen Corner at Augusta National to St. Andrews, World Tour takes golfers on a trip around the globe.

Golfers can experience the work of architects such as Doak, DL3, Norman and others but they need to do so on these courses.