My “Starting Nine” of the Top 9th Holes in Myrtle Beach Golf
By Jim Maggio
For years, most courses in the Myrtle Beach golf market have relied on a “double tee” system to offer its golfers both better control of pace of play, and a wider selection of desirable tee times. So starting your round on hole 10 makes hole 9 the finisher that leaves the final impression you’ll have of that course experience.
“The Golf Capital of the World” has no shortage of ninth holes that create indelible, enduring memories for visiting golfers time and again. Here are my “Starting Nines,” in no particular order: my favorite ninth holes in Myrtle Beach golf.
True Blue – Beyond its sheer beauty, this hole was Mike Strantz’s opportunity to add a compelling risk/reward element to the front nine’s final hole. If you bomb it off the tee and find the end of the fairway in front of the waste area, you’re reachable in two for a chance to wrap the nine – or round – with a birdie or better.
Heritage – The moss-draped oaks and classic Lowcountry scenery escort you to a green backed by a majestic clubhouse overlooking the Waccamaw River.
TPC Myrtle Beach – Several beauties at this Tom Fazio/Lanny Wadkins design, but No. 9 here is a beast. Carding a par on this long, challenging par four will have you coming back for more.
Prestwick – What would any showcase of ninth holes anywhere be without including at least one with Pete Dye’s name attached? Pete and son P.B. Dye teamed up here at Prestwick, one of two Dye courses along the Grand Strand with ninth and 18th holes dramatically wrapping both sides of a large lake. The other?
The Dye Course at Barefoot – Come out from behind the clubhouse, and your first sight of Holes 9 and 18 here set the stage for your final impression (and a whole lot of adventure in between).
The Dunes Golf & Beach Club – The home of the PGA TOUR’s Myrtle Beach Classic showcases the most dramatic par three in Myrtle Beach golf, with the Atlantic Ocean as its stunning backdrop.
Grande Dunes Resort Course – No. 9 is one of five holes here that plays into or along the Intracoastal Waterway. This one’s a roller coaster ride you’ll always remember.
Glen Dornoch – This hole, and No. 18, share one thing in common besides an Intracoastal Waterway escort: the same elongated green. Just keep your approach on the near side of it, and enjoy the views and peaceful boat traffic slowly passing you by.
Rivers Edge – OK, I lied. I saved the best for last. “Arnie’s Revenge” is a ninth hole you’ll not only never forget, but one that will have you more determined to conquer it than any other hole in Myrtle Beach golf. And the view? Simply breathtaking.
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Click an icon below to browse photos of Jim’s choices for Myrtle Beach golf’s top 9th holes!
