Waterway Hills Golf Club: A Myrtle Beach Golfing Gem
Location and Background
Waterway Hills Golf Club is located in the heart of Myrtle Beach, a haven for golfers, along South Carolina’s picturesque intracoastal waterway. Designed by the renowned architect Robert Trent Jones, Waterway Hills Golf Club is acclaimed for its distinct character and design precision. This established course set in a mature and scenic landscape offers a unique and challenging golfing experience to golfers of all levels.
Design and Layout
Waterway Hills Golf Club boasts three 9-hole courses – The Lakes, The Oaks, and The Ravine. Each offers a unique flavor, but they all share Jones’ signature touch, as he seamlessly blends holes into the natural terrain. The three nines masterfully utilize the existing landscape’s rolling hills, water hazards, and natural vegetation to offer a challenging and thrilling game.
The Lakes Course
As the name suggests, The Lakes is characterized by strategic water hazards. Players will need to display accuracy and sound judgment when navigating across the various serene lakes and ponds that dot the landscape, significantly coming into play on five holes.
The Oaks Course
The Oaks Course, surrounded by majestic oak trees, is best known for its tight fairways and small undulating greens. With the backdrop of shimmering waterways, the course’s beauty often lulls players into a sense of tranquility, making the intricate challenges it offers even more surprising.
The Ravine Course
With the most elevation changes among the three, The Ravine offers players panoramic views and a demanding, but fair, test of golf. Specifically, the approach shot into the green on the 4th hole, named “Devil’s Island,” requires long precise shots over a gaping ravine that even the most seasoned golfer finds challenging.
Facilities
To complete the golfing experience, Waterway Hills Golf Club offers an array of facilities for its patrons. The clubhouse welcomes guests with warm service and amenities, including a fully-stocked pro shop, where golfers can find the latest gear and apparel. Golfers can also warm up or fine-tune their swing at the driving range and practice green before tackling the course.
For those wishing to perfect their game, professional instruction is available. The teaching professionals at Waterway Hills offer customized training and clinics suitable for beginners and advanced golfers alike, focusing on various aspects of the game, including swing mechanics, short game strategies, and course management.
Overall Experience
The Waterway Hills Golf Club offers an unrivaled golfing experience in Myrtle Beach. With scenic views, a diverse and challenging course layout, and top-tier facilities, it provides golfers an engaging encounter with the sport in a uniquely picturesque environment. The merging of beauty and challenge in this course truly personifies Robert Trent Jones’s philosophy that “Every hole should be a hard par but an easy bogey.”
As you embark on your golfing journey in Myrtle Beach, be sure to put Waterway Hills Golf Club on your bucket list. Whether you’re an ambitious golfer seeking to refine your skills or a golf enthusiast searching for a memorable golf experience, Waterway Hills Golf Club has something for everyone. Lastly, remember to enjoy the stunning views as you navigate the waterways and ravines present in the serene, natural beauty of this timeless course.