August 2008 Archives

Written by: Matt

I recently played the very familiar Palmetto Course at Myrtlewood and was treated to another solid round of golf.  I say that the Palmetto Course is very familiar because the course (and the second course at Myrtlewood - Pine Hills) is located smack dab in the middle of Myrtle Beach on 48th Ave N and 17 Bypass, and I have had the opportunity to play the course a number of times due to its close proximity to the office (save the emails to my boss - we occasionally squeeze in 18 holes after 5 pm during the summer, or at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!).

The Palmetto Course is the more challenging of the two Myrtlewood courses, and measuring just shy of 7000 yards from the tips, it can provide a fair challenge to a skilled player while being a very playable course from shorter tees for higher handicaps.  Upon reaching the bag drop at Myrtlewood, you are instantly struck by the view of the Intracoastal Waterway which is located directly behind the clubhouse, and as you will find out later, frames the 18th hole beautifully.

There is a fair mix of long par 4's (#18 stretches over 460 yards from the back tees) and short par 4's (#12 plays a short 360 yards that can be shortened even further by cutting off the dogleg with a well placed drive) and while the majority of the course is fairly flat, you will be provided an opportunity to hit a variety of shots with most, if not all of the clubs in your bag.  Both par fives on the back nine are very reachable in two shots for a skilled player and the longest hitters will make a go of each of the par fives on the front side,

My favorite holes begin at the par 4 14th hole, as hole 14 and 15 surround a lake (as seen above) that allows for wind gusts that you likely haven't faced earlier in the round.  Where 14 is a relatively tight driving hole, 15 is fairly open off of the tee but a very long 439 yards.  It seems like the wind is usually working against you on the long par 4, making the hole that much more challenging.

After the dogleg right 16, the last two holes certainly make for a fantastic climax for the round.  The par three 17th measures 179 yards from the back tees, but the downhill tee shot allows you to drop down one club.  As you ponder your tee shot and take aim at the green you can't help but to admire the creek that filters into the Intracoastal Waterway, which is followed by the realization that the green below appears to be fairly shallow and makes for a very challenging approach.  As noted earlier, the 18th makes for a great end to the round with its beautiful location on the Intracoastal Waterway.  I always enjoy playing Palmetto in the afternoon because you generally get to see a few more boats and jet skiers later in the day, but no matter....whenever you play 18 it is a gorgeous finishing hole.

A recent change that I spotted the last time I played the course has to do with the course not returning to the clubhouse after nine holes.  There used to be a "halfway house" snack bar between holes nine and ten where you could replenish your  fuel when it was open.  That snack bar has been moved to the higher traffic area central to the 5th, 13th and 15th greens and is now called the "Quarter House".  As it was not uncommon to get nine holes in and find the halfway house closed, the quarter house apparently allows the course to offer food and drink to more golfers and it is generally open anytime there is significant play on the course.

In the end you wouldn't confuse the Palmetto Course at Myrtlewood with The Dunes Club or Grande Dunes, but for a reasonable price and convenient location it's tough to do better than this course.  After playing the course a number of times it's still a thoroughly enjoyable course, and being only two miles from both The Caravelle and the popular Broadway at the Beach there isn't much of a drive to worry about after the round, which makes it all the better.