The 3 Best Holes at Carolina National Golf Club

December 6, 2010

Carolina National 064.jpgCarolina National Golf Club is home to 27 holes, many of them genuinely memorable.  We quizzed general manager/head pro Steve Beecroft about the facility’s best and after much angst (it’s not a course with just one or two standout holes, he pleaded), we got our answers.

The three best holes at Carolina National Golf Club, increasingly a Myrtle Beach golf vacation favorite, in the eyes of the general manager are:
 

Heron, No. 5, 203-yard, par 3: Carolina National’s most photographed hole, the green on the Heron’s fifth hole is almost completely enveloped by Lockwood Folly River marshland. The hole features two sets of tees and both require a forced carry, though the carry is much less substantial from the blue and teal tees.

“The two sets of tees have totally different angles into the green,” Beecroft said. “You are going to want to A) make sure you take enough club and B) going right is your friend, no matter which tee you are playing from.”

To Beecroft’s point, there is bailout room to the right, but shots that are hooked will be wet.

It's a hole you will be telling people about long after your Myrtle Beach golf trip is over.

Ibis, No. 4, 417-yard, par 4: Talk about a thinking man’s hole. The fourth hole on the Ibis has a split fairway with a big maple tree in the middle. The hole isn’t exceedingly long but the tee shot is uphill and the approach plays back down into one the course’s smaller greens.

“I would probably recommend (hitting to) the left side.” Beecroft said. “That’s the tighter side but that’s the shorter side. The right side opens things up and it’s easier to hit, but you’ve got a longer shot coming in.”

Egret, No. 4, 384-yard, par 4: Length isn’t a significant factor on the Egret’s fourth hole, but a large lake the runs from tee to green on the right side is. The green is well bunkered and large. A 200-yard tee shot positions players to succeed but the approach is vital.

The drive should be hit with the idea of putting your favorite short iron in your hands for the second shot.

What are you favorite holes at Carolina National?