Pine Lakes Country Club – Played May 2024
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 5603 Granddaddy Drive, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Year: 1927
- Original Architect: Robert White
- Additional Work By: Craig Schreiner
- Course Access: Semi-Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- 4: 6,675 yards, Par 70, 72.5 Rating/135 Slope
- 3: 6,305 yards, Par 70, 70.8 Rating/129 Slope
- 2: 5,756 yards, Par 70, 68.2 Rating/123 Slope
- Combo: 5,520 yards, Par 70, 66.8 Rating/121 Slope
- 1: 4,758 yards, Par 70, 67.8 Rating/114 Slope
Pine Lakes Country Club was the first golf course to open in Myrtle Beach. That’s not the only history it boasts. The course was designed by Robert White, a Scotsman who was the first president of the PGA of America. Its clubhouse is on the National Registry of Historic Places, was the birthplace of Sports Illustrated, and is home to the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame. It’s no wonder that the place is known as The Granddaddy.
With all of that good history, the club has also been resilient in weathering the Great Depression and going through a renovation in 2021. That renovation resulted in the course I saw back in May. Let’s get to the tour.
Hole 1 – 332 yards – Par 4
Pine Lakes is not long on the scorecard, but it’s only a Par 70, so it will feel slightly longer. A short shot to this green awaits if you avoid the left hazard and find the fairway.
Hole 2 – 183 yards – Par 3
The water provides more scenery than challenge here. The green is a big target but there is ample room to the left.
Hole 3 – 426 yards – Par 4
The starter warned us about this hole and I can see why it would trip up golfers. However, the fairway and green are big targets. You need to hit two solid shots.
The water lurks very closely on the right and the contouring will repel shots that miss on that side.
Hole 4 – 334 yards – Par 4
With a dogleg left here, you must avoid going through the fairway. If you succeed, the approach plays fairly straightforward to a flat green.
Hole 5 – 498 yards – Par 5
This short par five, the second consecutive dogleg left, offers a great birdie opportunity. Cut the corner as much as you can to shorten the second shot.
Playing up the right side of the hole gives you a clearer look at the green.
Hole 6 – 382 yards – Par 4
This hole moves slightly to the right as it rises and then falls. A pesky little pond guards the left side just in front of the green.
Take note of the ample slope in the back left section of this green.
Hole 7 – 370 yards – Par 4
Break out the power fade if you’ve got it. Good drives set you up to attack an undefended green.
Hole 8 – 187 yards – Par 3
This might look like a nondescript hole from the tee but through a combination of pin positions and green contouring, it gets interesting.
Hole 9 – 350 yards – Par 4
Long drivers can attack the left side of this hole to drastically shorten it. There’s no shame in a bunt to the center of the fairway though.
Hole 10 – 529 yards – Par 5
The wind direction will determine if this hole is gettable. If it’s downwind, go ahead and send it. The hole is dead straight and is dotted with bunkers.
It’s much easier chipping from in front of the green.
Hole 11 – 145 yards – Par 3
The water is a real hazard on this short hole. If you miss short or left the ball is likely lost.
There’s a surprising amount of slope for what looks like a flat green from the tee.
Hole 12 – 391 yards – Par 4
The tee shot is pretty open but the approach is pinched in by water on the left and a bunker on the right.
Despite the hazards on each side, the green is still a fairly large target.
Hole 13 – 424 yards – Par 4
You want to pound your drive up the left side of this fairway to get the best angle for the approach. If you succeed, the greenside bunkers are largely out of the way.
Hole 14 – 425 yards – Par 4
The skyline provides the backdrop here but take a minute to focus on where to hit this tough tee shot. The green is nestled among mounds and provides an inviting target.
Hole 15 – 365 yards – Par 4
Your preferred line for the tee ball is over the bunker on this dogleg right. If you miss left, the approach becomes much harder.
The green slopes hard as you can see below.
Hole 16 – 171 yards – Par 3
Right pins are dangerous with the encroaching hazard. Hit it to the center of the green and try to make a putt. Threes are always good on the scorecard.
Hole 17 – 380 yards – Par 4
With a wide-open fairway, this is a green light to pound the driver. The only real trouble is way to the right.
Be sure not to miss short, left with the false front.
Hole 18 – 413 yards – Par 4
The wide fairway makes things a little easier on this longer finishing hole. Favor the left side for the best angle.
Focus on your line into this large green. Missing long is not advisable.
Pine Lakes has a long history and has stood the test of time in Myrtle Beach. I can certainly see why! It doesn’t look like many traditional beach courses and has that old-style parkland feel. It was a very enjoyable round and a place I’m happy to recommend.