Myrtle Beach Golf Hole of the Week: No. 3 at Meadowlands

​One such course is Meadowlands Golf Club, located just across the state line in Calabash, N.C. Meadowlands has quietly emerged as a golf package favorite, providing outstanding conditions and, just as importantly, a chance to score. 

Golf is a challenging game under any circumstances, but Meadowlands has always placed an emphasis on playability, highlighted by a 2012 renovation project that softened two of the layouts most difficult holes. Our Myrtle Beach Golf Hole of the Week – the par 4 third – was one of the two holes that underwent a facelift. 

Now, we are going to give you an inside look at how to play the signature hole at Meadowlands. 

No. 3
Par: 4
Yardage: 480 yards (raven tees); 455 yards (heron tees); 408 yards (egret tees); 351 yards (hummingbird tees); 298 yards (red tees). 
Handicap: 1 

The course’s most memorable hole, No. 3, had a lake that many mid to high handicappers were able to reach off the tee, forcing a layup that often left an approach that was to long for comfort. With that in mind, part of the lake was filled in during the 2012 renovation, allowing players more room to drive the ball, which in turn sets up a more manageable approach.

All the being said, the third hole deservedly remains the No. 1 handicap hole. The hole plays 408 yards from the egret tees – Meadowlands’ version of white tees – which provides plenty of distance. 

If your drive stays to the right, you can hit the ball as far off the tee as you would like, but the water begins encroaching much earlier on the left side of the fairway. Optimally, you would hit a 250-yard drive up the right side, leaving a 150+ yard approach that minimizes the length of the carry over water to the green. 

The reality is most people can’t hit the ball that far on command. There isn’t a lot of room between the edge of the lake and the front of the green, so the best piece of advice is to play smart. If your drive isn’t great and you have a 180-yard approach that is on the outer limits of what you could reasonably expect to do, use your head.

Don’t be afraid to layup and play the hole as a par 4.5, if that’s what your tee shot dictates. Bogey is much better than what you will likely record if you hit the ball in the drink. 

Meadowlands is one of the area’s most playable layouts, but you better bring your ‘A’ game to the third tee box.

Have you played Meadowlands? How have you fared on this hole? Tell us in the comments below!