Signature Golf PackagesOwned & Operated by PGA Professionals
Signature Golf Packages
November 11, 2011

Myrtlewood Palmetto

Bill Hickey and his group of eight concluded their recent Myrtle Beach golf trip at Myrtlewood’s Palmetto Course, and walking off the 18th green, which overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway, Hickey couldn’t have been happier with his trip-topper.

Like so many golfers since the Palmetto opened in 1972, Hickey found a course that emphasized good conditions and customer service, in addition to a memorable layout.

“The greens are wonderful,” the Knoxville, Tn., resident said. “It’s a very fair golf course and we really enjoyed playing it. Of the four we played this week, I’d say this one would rank right up at the top.”

The Palmetto’s closing stretch certainly sends players home on a high note. Holes 16 through 18 are are the layout’s best, capped by the par 4 18th that plays along the Intracoastal. As one of only seven courses on the Myrtle Beach golf scene that plays along the waterway, the 18th offers a stunning conclusion.

It’s the Palmetto’s longest two-shotter, but with a runway-wide fairway, it takes a herculean hook to find the water.

The par 3, 17th hole, which has a trio of stair-step tee boxes and ranges from 125 to 179 yards, introduces players to the waterway and is arguably as memorable as No. 18.

While the Palmetto’s closing stretch generates the most conversation, it’s well supported by the Edmund Alt design’s first 15 holes. A traditional layout, the Palmetto counts playability among its greatest strength.

“There is no trouble you can’t see off the tee,” head pro Rick Schultz said. “It’s a fair golf course and if you hit a stray ball, you can redeem yourself on the next shot.”

Redemption doesn’t typically follow a penalty stroke at the Palmetto. There is water on the course but there are limited forced carries, allowing players to swing the club with confidence.
“If you are an average golfer, you won’t lose a lot of balls,” Schultz said. “This is a good course to either start your week off or even play towards the end, because it can be a confidence builder.”

Take heed of Schultz’s words though. He said it can be a confidence builder. The Palmetto isn’t a pushover.

The first five holes comprise the course’s toughest stretch, highlighted by the fifth hole, a 404-yard, dogleg left. Playing the drive to the right side of the fifth fairway is the best option, but it lengthens the hole and brings OB into play. A drive to the left side raises the specter of trees impeding the path to the green.

Survive the first five holes in a score close to your personal par and a good day could await.

Players have the opportunity to pick up strokes on the par 5s, where hazards are limited, but they have to be earned. The Palmetto’s shortest par 5 is 529 yards from the tips and all four play 500+ yards from the white tees (6,516 yards).

Speaking of length, the wait for refreshments at the Palmetto is never long. Because the layout is a straight 18 – meaning players don’t return to the clubhouse until the round is complete – the course has a quarter house that players pass every couple holes. Golfers that run out of food or drink have only themselves to blame at the player-friendly facility.

The Verdict: A playable design, memorable holes and consistently outstanding conditions are the Palmetto’s calling cards. Additionally, Myrtlewood, located off 48th Avenue, enjoys the area’s most convenient location. The Palmetto is an outstanding course to include as part of your next Myrtle Beach golf package.

September 22, 2011

Man O’ War

When Man O’ War Golf Club was under construction, nothing was left to chance. The subsoil under the greens sites was customized to each location and wind studies were conducted to maximize air flow around the course.

Part of the exhaustive research owner Claude Pardue oversaw revealed that even though the property didn’t have any native water, it did have an unusually high water table, a discovery that led to the construction of one of the most unique Myrtle Beach area courses.

“We found this property in 1993 and it didn’t have a square inch of water on it,” Pardue said. “But if we dug a four feet deep hole, it was a foot under water, and that gave us the opportunity to build a course around a lake.”

As a result, Pardue built a 107-acre lake that is Man O’War’s centerpiece. Architect Dan Maples then sculpted a one-of-a-kind design from the land.

Man O’War is renowned for its back-to-back island greens on holes 14 and 15. It’s believed to be the only course in the world with consecutive island greens, but they are far from the only memorable holes.

The middle part of the course is its strength. Man O’War regulars refer to the par 5 eighth and the par 4 ninth and 10th holes as Amen Corner. It’s a tough but fair stretch.

The ninth -an island hole, is another unique Maples creation. After teeing off on the mainland, golfers take a bridge to the fairway and don’t exit until they cross the bridge coming off the green.

It’s classic Man O’War – unique, scenic but not overly penal as the fairway is the course’s widest.

Water is visible nearly everywhere but it isn’t overwhelming, assuming you don’t allow yourself to be psyched out. The fairways at Man O’War are among the widest on the Myrtle Beach golf scene, and long, forced carries are at a minimum.

The abundance of water also nearly removes two longstanding problems for golfers – woods and pine straw. There are a limited number of trees at Man O’War and the course is mowed from wall-to-wall.

The set of tees players opt to play from is an important consideration. Man O’War has four sets of tees though the vast majority of golfers don’t play from the tips (7,000 yards).

That leaves men with the option of playing the 6,400-yard regular tees or the 5,729-yard senior tees. Most men are loathe to move up, but if you are a 20-handicap, do yourself a favor and play from the senior tees.

The test remains significant and you won’t have to over-swing in an attempt to reach greens.

Speaking of greens, Man O’War’s are among the area’s best and largest.

Pardue spared no expense in preparing his course for great bent grass greens. When Man O’War was built, he brought in a specialist from the University of Massachusetts to create a unique subsoil for each green, insuring prime growing conditions.

“My idea was to make it as perfect an environment as you could make in Myrtle Beach for bentgrass,” Pardue said.

Mission accomplished.

Part of the plan also included greens that average 10,000-square feet and are as large as 13,000-square feet. The size of the greens gives the course multiple pinning areas which helps reduce wear.

The Verdict: Man O’War is creative, it’s fun and it’s always well maintained. The water might seem intimidating, but it’s abundantly fair. The course is visually appealing and a lot of fun to play. There is always plenty to talk about in the clubhouse after a round at Man O’War. If you don’t believe us, try it!

 

September 20, 2011

Rivers Edge-Excellent Condition

Arnold Palmer, the Shallote River and excellent service led us to River’s Edge Golf Club this week. Located 30 minutes north of Myrtle Beach in Shallote, North Carolina this Arnold Palmer design is a treat to play. With 5 sets of tees to choose from I played from the 6033 yard white. My playing partners 20 to 25 years younger than I played at the 6440 blacks.

River’s Edge was in superb shape, especially the new paspalum greens. They had plenty of grass on them and were rolling nicely! What a beautiful, sunny afternoon and the views of the river and ajoining marsh land are spectacular.

Let me know how you played #9 the Signature par 5.

September 9, 2011

Heron Point Golf Club

There’s a New Bird in Town, And It’s Not Like the Old One!

 

Heron Point is an affordable course that offers a lot of GREEN for your green! Recent renovations in 2010-2011 have made Heron Point a new favorite amongst golfers, and the word is quickly spreading. Who says golf has to be expensive? Heron Point offers more value for less money than any other Myrtle Beach area golf course! The well-maintained greens, pristine landscaping, friendly staff, an inviting Southern Antebellum clubhouse and of course the LOW economical price are just a few of the things that make this one of the most enjoyable courses on the Grand Strand!

Voted “Best Bang for your Buck” by Golf Magazine!

Good Course…Good Price…Good Service…GREAT DEAL!

 

August 30, 2011

Legends Parkland

With its tree-lined fairways, natural waste areas and deep bunkers, the Parkland Course is a classic, American-style layout, which makes it the exception to the rule at Legends Resort.

Parkland completed the triumvirate at Legends, providing an ideal complement to the Moorland and Heathland layouts, which are wide open, more links-style courses that place an emphasis on the short game.
One of Tom Doak’s first efforts, Parkland is a modern design, challenging golfers with length and well bunkered greens. A 4-star layout, according to Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play guide, Parkland has been popular with players since its 1992 opening.

With vast waste areas the course enjoys the benefit natural and architectural beauty. Holes are framed by native pines, hardwood trees and Doak-designed mounding, creating a layout that allows players to see the challenge in front of them.

The biggest test at Parkland is driving the ball straight. The course’s fairways are sufficiently generous but many feature out-of-bounds on both sides, which means stray drives can lead to penalty strokes.

Just as importantly, Parkland features more than 100 bunkers, including many of the cavernous variety, so a well positioned drive helps avoid the traps, particularly those around the greens.

Speaking of the greens, Parkland’s are large and feature substantial undulation. Despite the presence of the sand, the greens aren’t exceedingly difficult to hit because of their size.

Hitting them in the proper spot is another story. Due to the size and undulation of the greens, the opportunities to bait players into challenging difficult pins are numerous. When hitting an approach shot at Parkland, don’t come up short and don’t miss to the short side of the green.

“The center of the green is your friend,” Matt Biddington, the head pro at Legends, said.

While Parkland is a stiff test, the course offers opportunities to score. The eighth and ninth holes are vulnerable, giving players the chance to close the front nine with a flourish.

The eighth, a par 5, is Parkland’s easiest hole, according to the scorecard. A creek that dissects the fairway makes it difficult for all but the longest of players to reach the green in two, but three solid shots can lead to a par or better.

The ninth is the shortest par 4, a dogleg right that plays 340 yards from the tips and dares players to try and drive the green, which brings trouble on both sides into the equation. Playing it safe off the tee should lead to a relatively easy hole, assuming you avoid the bunker in front of the green.

Parkland is arguably the most difficult course at Legends, but it’s tough in a good way. The course isn’t tricked up, it’s fun to play, and the challenges are manageable for players playing at the proper distance.

The layout also offers the benefit of the Legends Resort experience. The facility was a springboard for the entire Myrtle Beach area when it opened in 1990, and it’s Scottish themed clubhouse remains one of the area’s most recognizable.

The Verdict: Parkland is the longest of the three courses at Legends and it equals the experience offered by its sister layouts. Parkland has thrived for nearly 20 years on a good layout, good conditions and great value. It’s a recipe for success for traveling golfers and one that won’t be changing.

August 30, 2011

Indigo Creek Golf Club

Indigo Creek is in the very heart of the Grand Strand’s “Low Country” plantation area in Murrells Inlet, just 10 minutes south of Myrtle Beach. The back nine is set among giant oaks and flowing creeks. Golf Digest’s 1998 Places to Play gives Indigo Creek 3 Stars. Willard Byrd’s design has lots of water and wildlife. It has been said that Indigo Creek Golf Club is as enjoyable to look at as it is to play. Next time you and your group start planning your golf vacation be sure to include this low country jewel, and you will be coming back year after year!

 

 

August 30, 2011

True Blue Golf Plantation

In an area with more than 100 golf courses, it’s challenging for a layout to separate itself from the pack. But True Blue Golf Plantation isn’t an ordinary course.

Everything about the Pawleys Island layout is oversized – the fairways, greens, bunkers and most importantly, the experience.

The Mike Strantz design has distinguished itself from its peers locally and nationally since its 1998 opening. The uniqueness of True Blue’s design is a tribute to the late Strantz, the iconoclastic architect who also designed Caledonia.
A golf course was as much a work of art as architecture for Strantz, who was more concerned with creating a memorable layout than he was conformity. The result at True Blue, which has five par 5s and five par 3s, is one of Myrtle Beach’s boldest designs.

Golf Digest has ranked the layout among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, it’s a 4.5-star facility, and Golf Magazine ranked it as the second best course in the South.

With its list of accolades, players expect a memorable round and True Blue delivers.

Due in large part to the judicious use of waste bunkers, True Blue is one of the area’s most visually stunning layouts. The fairways, most of them framed by white sand, are upwards of 100 yards wide.

Strantz’s bunkering can create visual deception but there is always ample room to land the ball.

“Golf is a game of targets and the possibilities to move the ball around on this course are endless,” True Blue’s director of golf, Bob Seganti, said. “If you don’t keep your focus there is intimidation with the waste bunkers.”

Seganti’s advice: pick a target, commit to it and take a big rip because True Blue encourages players to use the driver.

Players enjoy even more latitude off the tee when one takes into account the room provided by the waste bunkers (regardless of your score, you shouldn’t lose a lot of balls). But the size of the landing areas are complemented by the course’s gargantuan greens, and therein lies much of True Blue’s challenge.

Hitting greens isn’t difficult, but navigating the long, breaking putts that follow is a stern test. Players that minimize their three-putts should score well.

Speaking of challenges, Strantz opted to test players immediately. The course’s first four holes are its toughest stretch. The opening gauntlet includes a pair of par 5s and an island green par 3, so spending a few minutes on the facility’s 16-acre practice facility is recommended.

Some of the difficulty relents after the first four holes, and Strantz gives players the opportunity to close the opening nine in style.

True Blue’s easiest hole is the double dogleg, par 5 ninth hole. The doglegs aren’t extreme and players that can carry their drive to the bottom area in front of the waste bunker on the right (cutting part of the dogleg) can get home in two. No hole at True Blue has yielded more birdies and eagles.

There aren’t nearly as many red numbers surrendered but the 18th is an outstanding finishing hold. With the clubhouse and its distinctive blue roof overlooking the green, the final hole at True Blue leaves players with a memory befitting a course of its stature.

The Verdict: Expectations are high for players at True Blud and it always delivers. The course is big and so is the challenge, but True Blue is one of the best courses in Myrtle Beach and America for that matter. If True Blue is on your next trip itinerary, you can count on a superior round of golf.

August 30, 2011

River Club

Greetings from Myrtle Beach.

We have been playing some golf here in Myrtle Beach this summer. The weather has been hot, but, the golf is as good as ever. This past weekend we played the River Club in Litchfield about 10 miles south of Myrtle Beach. The course was closed most of the summer to install new greens and opened up Friday Aug 19th. Our group went out Saturday and found the course in excellent condition. The fairways were lush and they have re-done 7 or 8 tees with fresh sod.

The greens are really what stood out. The club put in new Champion Bermuda grass that is more heat tolerant than the previous bent grass surface. As many of you know, bent grass has trouble holding it’s consistancy through the hot summer months. The new champions bermuda was a treat. The putting surface looked and played as well as any in the area.

You’ll find the course challenging with some elevated greens and two “risk/reward par fives. The par 5 18th measures 518 yards from the tips

(493 white) and lets you more aggressive knockers try a 225 carry over water to make the large green reachable on the second shot.

Enjoyable day!

August 26, 2011

Azalea Sands Golf Club

As a lifelong Myrtle Beach resident, Craig Kenley knew all about Azalea Sands Golf Club long before he took over as Head Golf Professional.

Now, Kenley and the rest of the members of Signature Golf Group, who recently took over management of the property, are looking to build on the course’s solid reputation, especially for the price.

“The average golfer who plays out here will love it. It’s an affordable place to play golf”

Outside of a favorable price tag, Azalea Sands offers something many courses in the Myrtle Beach area can’t-a lack of housing units surrounding its holes. The player-friendly course has not been overrun by homes and condos.

When Signature Golf Group took over the golf course in the fall of 2009, a renovation project took place which allowed them to fully promote the golf course again.

“We have put a lot of time and effort to change the perception of the course,” Kenley said.