The Most Underrated Hole on the Myrtle Beach Golf Scene Is …

There are more than 1,800 holes along the Myrtle Beach golf scene, and one of the game’s leading travel writers believes he has found the most underrated test on the Grand Strand.

In his third annual Travelin’ Joe Awards, Golf Magazine travel editor Joe Passov, in an entry titled “Most Underrated Hole (Myrtle Beach Division),” recognized the 14th hole at Grande Dunes, writing:

“I thought I knew Myrtle pretty well, but I hadn’t played Grande Dunes until August. Architect Roger Rulewich did an excellent job and totally surprised me with the pulse-quickening 220-yard, par-3 14th. Downhill tee shot, massive green, gargantuan bunker, superb interaction with the Intracoastal Waterway – impressive.”

Who are we to argue with Passov, who has played more than 1,500 courses around the globe?

Passov’s assessment of the 14th is spot-on. Mercifully for those of us who don’t play the game as well as Travelin’ Joe, the hole plays a much more manageable 158 yards from the white tees. It’s an outstanding hole and the tee shot is the most dramatic on a course full of them.

The Intracoastal comes into play on six holes at Grande Dunes and is visible on two others, adding stunning scenery to an elite design.

The course opened in 2001 and immediately took its place among the area’s best, delighting players with not only its views but the challenge of a layout strong enough to co-host the 2014 PGA Professional National Championship.

In addition to being ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest, Grande Dunes was named National Golf Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners Association in 2009.