Myrtle Beach Golf News

The construction of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway was authorized by Congress in 1919, and the 1,900-mile waterway spanning the East Coast has done much good, providing safe passage to commercial and civilian boats in times of trouble.

An unintended benefit of the Waterway was the backdrop it provided golf course architects.  The Intracoastal runs the length of the Myrtle Beach golf scene and some of the game’s biggest names utilized the Army Corps of Engineers’ handiwork, creating some of the area’s most stunning visuals.

Numerous courses play along tributaries that empty into the Waterway, but there are only seven Myrtle Beach golf courses that play along the Intracoastal, here is a quick look at each.
 

Arrowhead Country Club – Arrowhead is home to 27 holes, the aptly named Waterway Nine being of interest in this case. The Intracoastal comes into view on the fourth hole, and the 387-yard, par 4 fifth plays along the water. It’s the signature hole at Arrowhead with good reason.

Glen Dornoch – As much as any Myrtle Beach golf course, Glen Dornoch is defined by its proximity to the Intracoastal. The clubhouse offers a stunning view, and the closing holes on each nine are some of the area’s prettiest. In particular, 16, 17 and 18 are challenging and memory inducing in their beauty.

Grande Dunes – Grande Dunes is ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses and having five holes that play along the Intracoastal is certainly part of the reason. The Waterway figures into holes 8, 9, 10, 14 and 15 and it’s visible on 11 and 16. Grande Dunes offers some of the area’s most striking Intracoastal views, and the 14th is among the area’s most popular par 3s.

Norman Course at Barefoot Resort – Appropriately, Greg Norman, The Shark, built the teeth of his only Myrtle Beach golf course around water. Seven of the nine holes on the backside of the Norman Course offer views of the Intracoastal and six play along the water. The one you absolutely won’t forget is the par 3 10th, which plays to the water’s edge.

Palmetto Course at Myrtlewood – The Myrtlewood clubhouse offers an immediate view of the Intracoastal, providing a hint of what is to come. The 18th hole on the second of Myrtlewood’s two courses, the Palmetto, snuggles up to the Intracoastal. All 468 yards play along the water. It’s a great finish at one of Myrtle Beach’s Golden Oldies. The view from the par 3 17th is equally appealing.

Tidewater – One of the most decorated Myrtle Beach golf courses and one of Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, Tidewater is home to several bodies of water, including the Intracoastal. Four holes at Tidewater play along the Waterway, including eight and nine, which send players into the clubhouse with a smile on their face.

Waterway Hills – The Grand Strand’s best view of the Intracoastal comes on the way to Waterway Hills. Golfers park on the east side of the Waterway and take a tram that rises more than 100 feet across the water, providing a panoramic view. On the course, the opening holes on the Oaks and Ravine nines play along the Intracoastal, getting your round off to an outstanding start.

If you can’t get enough of the Intracoastal, the area is home to an eighth course that doesn’t play directly the water, but provides ample scenery. The third hole on the Fox Nine at River Oaks overlooks the Waterway and the drive to the 4th tee runs parallel to the water.

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