Wicked Stick Let’s Golfers Grip It and Rip It

A golf vacation to Myrtle Beach presents unique experiences not found at other destinations. One of the qualities a trip to Myrtle Beach offers is a who’s who list of PGA Tour players who have left their signature on the Grand Strand.

Arrive in Myrtle Beach and you can challenge a course designed or co-designed by major championship winners like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ray Floyd, Greg Norman and Davis Love III. There is even a major titleholder, who along with nationally-renowned architect Clyde Johnston, designed his only layout, Wicked Stick Golf Links, in Myrtle Beach: 1991 PGA champion and 1995 British Open winner John Daly.

Wicked Stick features the blue collar admired “grip it and rip it’’ Daly approach. The course is forgiving with a wide open appeal entrenched in a links style theme.

But Wicked Stick is plenty long, playing 7,001 yards from the tips. In fact, the par-3 seventh lists as long as 265 yards and a couple of the par-5s are close to 600 yards.

Some holes have designated “Daly tees’’ severely stretching the yardage to express the two-time major champion’s affection for the long ball. Players don’t have to be overly concerned about leaving the driver in the bag. Fairway borders are free of tall overhanging limbs knocking down would-be long drives, and only two are true dogleg challenges. If the course is part of your next golf trip itinerary, you can feel comfortable swinging away.

Wicked Stick, meanwhile, has its share of challenges especially on the back nine. Awaiting are punishing pot bunkers, dunes-like mounding, water hazards and golf-ball swallowing love grass.

After completing the round at Wicked Stick players can check out some of Daly’s memorabilia in the clubhouse before ordering lunch or dinner off the “Long Ball’’ lounge menu. There is a lighted driving range for those who can’t get enough of the Wicked Stick experience on their Myrtle Beach golf trip.

Another player-friendly aspect about Wicked Stick is it’s one of the closest courses to Myrtle Beach International Airport, making it convenient for golfers who arrive in the early-afternoon or have a late-afternoon or evening departure.