Course Review: A Quality Round Awaits at Meadowlands Golf Club

“We try to work on making the course as playable as possible,” head pro Mac Hood said. “It’s our job to make the game fun.”

Meadowlands succeeds in making the game enjoyable. The course measures just over 7,000 yards from the tips, but it has four set of tees between 5,041 and 6,591 yards, giving men and women an opportunity to score.

Most men play the heron (6,591 yards) or egret (6,080 yards) tees, and Meadowlands has generous landing areas and large greens. Players don’t have to split the middle of the fairway to have a reasonable approach, but don’t swing wildly as water is in view on 17 of 18 holes.

Meadowlands also has a pair of women’s tees (cardinal – 5,041 yards and hummingbird – 5,512 yards) and has been ranked among the Top 100 Women-Friendly Courses in America. Throw in a newly added set of “family” tees that are typically about 200 yards from the hole, and the course offers a good time for everyone.

While many layouts allow players to ease into the round, architect Willard Byrd challenges players from the opening tee. The first three holes at Meadowlands are demanding par 4s, capped by No. 3, a 480-yard whopper that requires a pair of carries over water.

Even from the heron (455 yards) and egret (408 yards) tees it’s a long hole and the approach over water is a demanding one, though Byrd left bailout room. It’s unquestionably the toughest hole on the course.

Meadowlands relents after the opening holes. The fifth is a short par 5 (484 yards from the tips), and the remaining par 4s offer birdie chances, particularly the seventh and 17th holes, both relatively short.

If you need to pick up a stroke down the stretch, the par 3, 15th hole is the place. The hole is 160 yards from the tips and the green is large and relatively flat. Take dead aim off the tee and on the green.

After your round, Meadowlands features a clubhouse that pays homage to the area’s historic roots in the farming industry. A rough, wood exterior welcomes players into a clubhouse that features a homey feel and it has an expansive back porch overlooking the course and water. It’s a great way to cap a round.

The Verdict: If Meadowlands is on your itinerary, it’s typically an indicator your group leader has done a good job.  Players will find a good course, conditions, customer service and value. It’s a recipe for happy golfers and Meadowlands has been serving it for 13 years, much to the delight of players that do their homework.

Have you played it? Help out your fellow Myrtle Beach golfers and share YOUR review on the Meadowlands page!