Willbrook Plantation Golf Club – Played October 2021
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 426 Tidewater Circle, Pawleys Island, South Carolina
- Year: 1988
- Architect: Dan Maples
- Course Access: Semi-Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Blue: 6,722 yards, Par 72, 72.5 Rating/136 Slope
- White: 6,292 yards, Par 72, 70.5 Rating/133 Slope
- Gold: 5,829 yards, Par 72, 68.6 Rating/123 Slope (Men’s), 73.2 Rating/132 Slope (Women’s)
- Red: 4,981 yards, Par 74, 64.6 Rating/110 Slope (Men’s), 68.3 Rating/120 Slope (Women’s)
We did a trip down to the beach with some friends this past October. Admittedly, golf was not the focus of the trip but we got some on the itinerary anyway. Enter Willbrook Plantation.
The coast of South Carolina has so many good golf options that I honestly just picked one for our round. Let’s get right into this one.
Hole 1 – 400 yards – Par 4
The first hole is no easy start. Playing into the sun adds to the challenge.
Hole 2 – 360 yards – Par 4
The right side of the fairway gives you the best angle to approach this green.
Hole 3 – 520 yards – Par 5
This hole bends to the right around sand and water. Most of us will be well-served playing it as a three-shot hole.
Hole 4 – 155 yards – Par 3
There’s no frills on this medium length par three. Try to get on the green and make one.
Hole 5 – 369 yards – Par 4
You’ve got to play target golf on this hole because the fairway is encircled by water.
If you find the fairway, the approach is a green light special.
Hole 6 – 127 yards – Par 3
Water invades your eye line here, but with the short yardage and big green, you need to put it out of your mind.
Hole 7 – 324 yards – Par 4
The sensible play here is something 200 yards to give you a short approach. If you have the length, give it a go.
Hole 8 – 501 yards – Par 5
This hole doglegs hard to the right. The temptation is to cut the corner, but you need to make sure you’re in the left side of the fairway. Otherwise, trees block your second shot.
Hole 9 – 355 yards – Par 4
You’ve got to fit your drive between the trees here. The hole bends slightly to the right.
The approach is complicated by the elevated green.
Hole 10 – 356 yards – Par 4
There is a hazard running up the right side, but most people should be able to carry it easily.
You want to be in good position for your second shot because this hole has another tree in an interesting spot.
Hole 11 – 329 yards – Par 4
Water factors in all along the right side on this short hole. A solid shot to the left side of the fairway is all you really need.
Hole 12 – 180 yards – Par 3
Your longer irons get a test on this hole. The green isn’t a big target so you must be precise. Luckily there is no water to deal with.
Hole 13 – 342 yards – Par 4
Straight and sandy are the two descriptors that come to mind for this hole. I don’t recommend a massive pull off the tee.
Hole 14 – 380 yards – Par 4
This hole might look benign, but water is lurking along the left and all around the green.
Hole 15 – 538 yards – Par 5
Your drive will determine everything on this left bender. A hazard must be carried on your second shot. It should be easy with a good drive.
Hole 16 – 381 yards – Par 4
A hazard and sand await you up on the left side of the hole. A drive up the right side take all of that mostly out of play.
There is some good internal slope on this green.
Hole 17 – 160 yards – Par 3
On the penultimate hole we have a provocative tree. It towers over the left side. The only options are over or around it. I may not agree with the placement, but it livens up the hole.
Hole 18 – 515 yards – Par 5
The trees envelope you for the beginning of this hole. This one bends to the right.
The hole opens up as you get closer to the green.
The final green at Willbrook Plantation is a big target.
You can see from the photos that Willbrook Plantation is not the best course in the world. However, if you’re looking for a relaxing round on a beach trip, you could certainly do worse. Go ahead and check it out for yourself!