River Hills Golf & Country Club Sends Players Home Happy

November 7, 2013

“Some areas allow you to spray the ball, but you have to be able to keep your ball in play,” head pro Harris D’Antignac. “The words we hear most often about the course are that it’s challenging but fair.”

D’Antignac could have added enjoyable as well.

River Hills is outstanding from the jump. The par 5 second hole, a 90-degree dogleg right, isn’t overly long at 531 yards from the tips, but it’s a three-shot hole for the majority of players, and that means an approach over a large sand trap where dreams of par go to die. It’s not a particularly difficult hole, but the approach is a knee-knocker.

The fifth hole, a 448-yard par 4, is the course’s toughest. A slight dogleg left, the fifth hole requires everything you have from tee to green. While water isn’t really a factor (if you find if off the tee, you deserve the penalty), bogey isn’t a bad score here.

The signature hole is the par five 17th that requires players to cross water on the first two shots. It’s the hardest hole on the back nine but if you don’t get to aggressive challenging the water off the tee, it’s manageable at 526 yards from the tips.

The back nine is the beneficiary of the rolling topography as the 14th and 16th holes feature unexpected elevation change, adding to the course’s charm.

The Verdict: River Hills is a great addition to any Myrtle Beach golf itinerary. The layout is fun and the lack of parallel fairways is a definite plus. Ultimately what makes the layout so appealing is the care taken to maintain it. The entire property is impeccably landscaped and golfers can confidently arrive the stately all brick clubhouse knowing that good conditions await. River Hills is a quality course and a great value.