Myrtle Beach Golf Hole of the Week: Sandpiper Bay, Bay Course – No. 8

Home of the Bay, Sand and Piper nines, the facility delivers a consistency of experience that group leaders covet, and a 2015 renovation project that included new cart paths, bunker work and tree removal has kept the course atop many must-play lists. 

With 27 holes from which to choose, narrowing the list for our Myrtle Beach Golf Hole of the Week at Sandpiper Bay Golf Club was difficult, but after careful consideration, we made a decision. 

We went to the Bay Course, which plays 3,450 yards from the tips and features water on all nine holes. 

Bay Course – No. 8
Par: 4
Yardage: 432 yards (black), 397 yards (white), 346 yards (gold), 311 yards (red)
Handicap: 5

We are spotlighting the longest par 4 on the Bay Course – the dogleg left eighth hole. While playability is at the heart of Sandpiper’s appeal, No. 8 has teeth.

At 397 yards from the white tees, it has plenty of meat but isn’t overwhelmingly long. The challenge lies in avoiding the hazards. Some combination of water and wetlands (sometimes both) threaten from tee to green, and the landing areas are tight in spots. 

For the average player, a 397-yard par 4 is lengthy, but don’t take unnecessary chances. If your drive is a little short of where you would like and you face a 175-yard approach, play a smart shot, even if it means you will have to chip up and hope to one-putt for par. 

The eighth hole isn’t an unconquerable monster, but it isn’t one you are likely to take advantage of, so avoiding a big number should be the goal. Your decision-making and swing will be tested on the penultimate hole of the Bay nine. 

What is your favorite hole at Sandpiper?