Golf - Private Course · 18 Holes · Par 72
Myrtle Beach, SC
Website
The Dunes Golf & Beach Club is one of Myrtle Beach’s premier private clubs with a world wide reputation and rich history. Designed by Robert Trend Jones, The Dunes was established in 1948 and was the second golf course built in Myrtle Beach. Everyone we talked to during our week long vacation in Myrtle Beach said that The Dunes is a “must play” and one of, if not the best course in the Myrtle Beach area. The Dunes is one of the most highly rated courses in the Myrtle Beach Area:
And the course has been home to a number of tournaments including two USGA National Championships as well as the PGA Tour Qualifying School. We felt very lucky and special to be able to play it. It is a private club but available for play with reciprocal rights and limited tee times are available through affiliated resorts and hotels.
Built on a rolling land studded with majestic live oak trees, The Dunes Club, though not a true seaside course, has some views of the Atlantic Ocean, plays by some tidewater marsh areas, and is buffeted by sea breezes. It is a classic Robert Trent Jones layout with tree lined fairways, long tees, well-defined fairway bunkers, and elevated greens guarded by small to huge steep and deep bunkers. In 2001 the course underwent a $6 million renovation and in 2003, Rees Jones, Robert Trent Jones, restored and redid all the greens with bent grass, which were in near perfect condition when we played. The greens were about average size, at tad slow thanks to a recent aeration (normally they run about 10), and have minor slope and undulation. Most of the greens are elevated, requiring you to club up, and are very well protected by bunkers that we want to do everything you can to avoid. For example, number 16 was a bear with a small 27 yard deep odd shaped two tier green surrounded by 7 bunkers. Make sure you practice your sand shots before you head out to play The Dunes. Once you do get on the greens, you’ll find that they hold well, are true, and not that difficult to putt.
The Bermuda fairways are ample, pretty traditional and straightforward, gently rolling and contoured. In most cases you can see the pin but there are a couple of hidden hazards that can add a stroke to your round if you’re not careful. The fairways were in great condition and lined with stately oaks with Spanish moss, crepe myrtles, tall magnolias, and pines. The rough was cut thicker than normal but playable and when we did spray it to the pine needle beds under the trees we were able to chip our way back to safety.
The Dunes has a slope ranging from 130 to 144 and a rating of 68.7 to 75.7 – we didn’t think it was quite that challenging, but it is long, has strategically placed deep bunkers, well guarded elevated greens, some forced carries, and water. Typical of most Robert Trent Jones designs, you are going to encounter some bunkers, 76 to be exact, of all shapes and sizes (small pot bunkers to some real monsters) which are strategically placed in the fairway or guarding the greens and most of which are steep and deep with soft thick sand.
It’s easy to say, but if you pick the right tee boxes for your handicap, can keep the ball in the fairway, avoid most of the bunkers, and putt, you’ll have a good score and a memorable fun round.
For risk takers and long hitters, you’ll have a couple good opportunities to test your nerves, particularly on the infamous
The Dunes Golf & Beach Club is home to some fantastic holes and beautiful par 3s, like:
What makes playing The Dunes Golf & Beach Club enjoyable is it's rich tradition and history, fun and challenging holes, near perfect conditions, excellent pace of play, and unequalled service. A must play if you're in Myrtle Beach.
Tee Box | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|
Black | 7,195 | 75.7 | 144 |
Blue | 6,175 | 70.6 | 135 |
White | 5,790 | 68.7 | 130 |
Gold | 6,565 | 72.6 | 138 |
Red | 5,345 | 71.4 | 131 |
Service is outstanding, the pro shop is well stocked and one of the best, and the club house is first class. Practice facilities are also excellent - spend some time practicing getting out of the bunkers!
Here's How Texas Outside Determines the Scorecard RatingThe Texas Outside rating scale ranges from 1 to 10 – a perfect 10 course would be something like this: links along a cliff overlooking the Pacific ocean and bordered by tall trees; lush fairways on rolling hills with lots of natural hazards; water (which is crystal clear) on most of the holes; immaculate greens (but they are undulating and tough); lots of variety and character (each hole is completely different and includes blind shots, elevation changes, doglegs, and significant challenges); perfectly manicured traps with the whitest and prettiest sand you’ve ever seen; a nice club house with great food and a 19th hole; a GPS; plenty of beverage carts or your own cooler and ice; and it only costs $40 bucks! What this means is that you probably won’t find any 10s in Texas – try Cabo San Lucas, Pebble Beach, or some of the Hawaii courses!
All of the above determines the overall score for the golf course. In other words, we like courses that are pretty, fun, very challenging with a lot of variety, and fairways and greens in excellent condition – all for $40. We also tend to play the courses that are affordable for the masses, which means in the $30 to $80 range. We rate hard and we haven’t found a 10 in Texas yet – don’t worry we haven’t given up and we’re still looking.
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