Title: Hidden Fairways: The Unheralded Golf Courses Near Pine Lakes
Myrtle Beach, lauded with the tag of the Golf capital of the world, has an impressive line-up of championship courses. While the top-tier courses like Pine Lakes steal the limelight, the lesser-known courses around Myrtle Beach, often tucked away from the hype, present a distinct charm and a true golf enthusiast’s treat. Today, we’ll journey across five of these hidden treasures that blend superb golfing with a tranquil setting, beckoning golf lovers who crave the path less traveled.
First, a quick drive away from Pine Lakes lies the world-class Arcadian Shores. Rees Jones’s first solo design, Arcadian Shores ingeniously draws beauty and challenge into a harmonious blend. It’s a sturdy test of one’s metal with bunkers strategically placed around the lush Bermuda grass fairways and well-maintained greens. The serene setting around the 100-year-old Cypress and Oak trees invites players looking for a session of pure leisure golf.
The second unsung beauty in the vicinity of Pine Lakes is the River Oaks Golf Plantation. Boasting 27 holes of undulating greens and waterways ready to swallow wayward shots, the plantation promises challenge and variety for both seasoned and amateur golfers. Three 9-hole configurations—Fox, Otter, and Bear —ensure a versatile playing experience. The verdant layout, along with the view of the Intracoastal waterway, makes River Oaks a golfer’s delight.
Undisputedly, one cannot discuss the undercover golf spectacles near Myrtle Beach without citing the Diamondback Golf Club. Nestled in the secluded woodlands of central Carolina, this Diamond in the rough stands out for its Walden-inspired tranquillity. The course is carved out of a virgin forest, which makes each round a game of golf and a nature excursion rolled into one. An amalgamation of scenic beauty and the immaculate design by the architect Russell Breeden make this course a must-play.
Indigo Creek, the fourth hidden wonder, once the home of a thriving Indigo plantation, now serves as golfing heaven with rich green fairways and verdurous southern trees. Its layout is conducive to golfers of all ability levels and elevated T-boxes add a little excitement to the otherwise serene ambiance of this course. However, water hazards loom around tight fairways, adding to the strategy game within the beautiful greenscape.
Last, but not least, is Whispering Pines. Distinguished as the first golf course of Myrtle Beach, it shares a border with the Myrtle Beach airport. Despite its central location, visitors can enjoy a round of golf removed from city hustle. Whispering Pines, true to its name, doesn’t have any residential area disturbances, making it an oasis of green and silence in the heart of the busy city.
Each of these off-the-radar golf courses presents a delightful surprise for every golf lover who steps onto their greens. Arcadian Shores and its design genius, River Oak’s sweeping waterways and scenic beauty, Diamondback’s tranquil woods, Indigo Creek’s traditional charm, and Whispering Pines’ quiet city presence; all are less-celebrated treasures near Pine Lakes.
Their unobtrusive serenity, picturesque settings, and commitment to golfing excellence make them desirable destinations deserving of wider recognition. Allow these hidden gems to challenge your skill, rekindle your love for the game, and amaze you with their tranquil beauty. After all, golf is as much about the environment as it is about the game. So, next time you’re around Pine Lakes, ensure you tee-off at these off-the-radar courses for a quintessential golfing experience.