Take It from the Locals: Tradition Club is Golf Course You Want to Play

There are a lot of reasons Myrtle Beach is golf’s most popular destination, but at the top of the list are courses like Tradition Golf Club.

In a destination with so many top 100-caliber courses, why single out Tradition?

The answer is simple. The Pawleys Island course flies under the radar, often escaping attention, until groups play there.

Golfers love to walk off a course thinking, “Wow, this is a place I have to tell people about.” Tradition Club is that place along the South Strand, and the greatest testament to the quality of the design is its popularity amongst locals.

Here are the reasons Tradition Club is so good:

— As the name suggests, the design is a traditional one, testing every aspect of a player’s game. Don’t confuse traditional with boring. Sure, there are tree-lined fairways and doglegs, but there are also a pair of island greens and risk-reward par 5s. This is a layout that keeps golfers on their toes.

— The key to scoring resides in good course management. Tradition doesn’t take the driver out of your hands, but it does present other possibilities. A prime example is one of the layout’s most photographed holes, the par-4 7th, which features an island green. Playing just 377 yards from the white tees, long hitters could drive the ball in the water, so a 3-wood or hybrid played to the proper distance might be a better decision than trying to squeeze every inch out of your tee shot.

— Speaking of island greens, the par-3 15th Hole plays to one located 157 yards from the white tees. Given the size of the greens complex and bunkers to the left, it’s not exceedingly difficult to hit but there is a mental hurdle to clear with the water. Generally speaking, the course’s par 3s offer the opportunity to score.

— As if the design work of architect Ron Garl wasn’t enough, Tradition Club underwent a greens renovation project that has been met with rave reviews. The course installed new Sunday Bermudagrass and restored the putting surfaces to their original size during the summer project. The result is a course that is at its best this fall.

— If your group wants to play Tradition, let us recommend the ever-popular Prime Times Rewards package available through numerous providers, including Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations.  The Rewards Package allows you to choose among Founders Group International’s 22 courses and includes a $100 gift card.