Old-School Design Delivers Big-Time Fun at Litchfield

The layout requires a wide variety of shots and rewards those who think their way around the course. With greens that are open in the front, players have options but the putting surfaces are small by modern standards, demanding precision if you want to get close.

Litchfield, which opened its fairways in 1966, was the South Strand’s first course, paving the way for its fellow Waccamaw Golf Trail layouts. Set amidst the expansive oak trees so closely associated with the area’s Lowcountry terrain, Litchfield is beautiful and extremely well maintained.

When we went in search of our Myrtle Beach Golf Hole of the Week, the options were many. Litchfield’s par 3s are stern and its par 5s offer the chance to score, but we settled on the closing par 4.

No. 18 – Litchfield Country Club
Par: 4
Yardage: 406 yards (blue tees), 386 yards (white), 359 yards (gold), 303 yards (red)
Handicap: 8

This is a perfect finish to your day at Litchfield. The 18th isn’t exceedingly difficult, but the dogleg right makes you earn your score. Water comes into play along the left side, and drives that come to close the dogleg could have their path to the green impeded.

All of which is a long way of saying, finding the middle of the fairway is essential to your success.

Water interrupts the fairway inside of 100 yards to the green, but the threat is cosmetic. If you dump the ball in the water there, you deserve to lose it. Hit a straight drive and be ready for a longish approach, given the hole plays 386 from the white tees.

Because the green is open, coming up a little short shouldn’t be fatal to your chances of making par. The 18th is tough but fair, and that is all you can ask for.