The Best Links Style Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach

July 20, 2017

Heathland is one of Myrtle Beach's best links style golf courses

The rolling fairways, pot bunkers, native grasses and unpredictable bounces hold a certain appeal to everyone that loves the game. Replicating the game’s most storied courses is nearly impossible, but if you want a taste of links golf, a Myrtle Beach golf trip offers more than a few appealing options.

Without further ado, here are five of the best links style courses a Myrtle Beach golf vacation has to offer.

Legends Resort – Heathland Course

The Heathland Course at Legends Resort was one of the first links style courses built on the Grand Strand. Designed by Tom Doak, Heathland features huge fairways, large undulating greens (a possible 162-foot putt awaits on 17) and ample pot bunkers. The greens are open in the front, allowing for creativity. Combined with the Scottish-inspired clubhouse at Legends, Heathland will take you on a trip to the old country.

The Wizard Golf Links

With mounding, native grasses that grow unchecked, and expansive fairways, the Wizard delivers a taste of Scotland. The fairways are expansive, the smallest green is more than 10,000 square feet, and pot bunkers, including some hidden just off the fairway, dot the course. The first 15 holes at the Wizard are as links-y as any in the area.

Thistle Golf Club

Thistle was named in tribute to the Thistle Golf Club in Leith, Scotland and it does its namesake design proud. For starters there is an outstanding memorabilia collection from the “original” Thistle that dates back to 1812, and the 27 holes of golf at “our” Thistle are even better. Take the time to play this Tim Cate designed beauty.

Prestwick Country Club

A P.B. Dye design, Prestwick Country Club is less than a mile from the Atlantic Ocean, so wind is a significant factor on a layout that features rolling fairways surrounded by ample mounding and some of the gnarliest bunkers on the beach. Prestwick is one of the most underrated courses in Myrtle Beach and a touch of links golf makes it all the better.

Heather Glen (Permanently Closed)

Heather Glen is another 27-hole Scottish-inspired facility. It features more tree-lined fairways than the other links style courses you can play on a beach golf vacation, but it’s a great test of golf and encourages players to use their imagination, unless you end up in a pot bunker, where prayer might be a more effective option!