Golf Digest Top 100 Public Courses in the US: July 2008 Archives

It has been awhile since my last bit on golf here in Myrtle Beach. Out of state weddings, work, the heat and the fact that most courses aerate their greens in June are all contributing factors. I have been playing some, but it is not fair to judge a course during the maintenance time of the season.  My buddy Brad and I played King's North at Myrtle Beach National on the 4th of July. The last time I played out there was a few days after aeration so I was expecting it to be in good shape. Boy was I right.

Now, I am not the longest off the tee around, but I felt pretty good being over the green in 2 on the par 5 1st hole. Solid drive and a nice hybrid club over the back. I am thinking birdie, as would we all being in that position. Then I discovered the biggest problem going from aerated greens to quick greens: Judging speed. A really bad chip and rotten lag putt left a testy 6 footer to save par. Well, let's just say I was lucky and the hole got in the way and still made par.

The rest of the front 9, I scraped it around a bit, but still managed to shoot a respectable score. (I have made it a point not to post scores on here until I start shooting scores that make me happy.) Nothing really that good and nothing really that bad. I am still struggling with the driver off the tee but I am getting really good at recovery shots.

The back nine was a little more of the same. Good drives lead to some good scores. Bad drives lead to me scratching my head and big numbers. Not until the 18th hole did anything interesting happen. For those of you that have not played King's North, 18 is a par 4 with more bunkers on the one hole then some courses have on the entire course. If you spray it off the fairway, you will probably find one of the 40+ bunkers. I pushed my drive, but was far enough left to be away from most of the bunkers. I am left with about 110 to the green, so I pull my sand wedge and take a full swing. As soon as I make contact, my hands come flying through to a high finish and I hear this metal on concrete 'tinging' sound. Sure enough I am left holding the grip of what is left of my 56 degree wedge while the rest is about 20 yards behind me. Darn thing snapped just below the grip! Not only that, I came up short in the bunker. Talk about adding insult to injury!

Overall, King's North was just in amazing shape. The greens were the best I have played on since I can't remember when. Nate and the rest of the people in the pro shop are great. If you are coming down, but this one near the top of your 'Must Play' list.