My first stop on my Myrtle Beach Golf Adventure was the Tidewater Golf Club which opened to public play in February of 1990. That very year it was named “Best New Public Course In America” by "Golf Digest". It has continued to earn honors ever since. So it was no wonder I was excited to make this my first round ever in the Myrtle beach/ Grand Strand area.
Tidewater Golf Course Review
From the minute I drove through the gate I could tell I was in for something special. After dropping off our clubs I checked in to the clubhouse and had a great chat with Chris Cooper the GM at Tidewater Golf Club. He talked about Tidewater not over-seeding this year as well as cutting down some pine trees and planting some oak trees around the course. After our chat I was ready to get out and hit my first tee shot of the year. Not so fast!
The lads were very friendly and helpful when we picked up our cart. They answered all our questions being our first time to Tidewater. From there my buddies and loosened up on the Tidewater range which was perfect to get a little rust off our Winter golf swings.
You read so much online about all the world-class courses in the Myrtle Beach area including Tidewater. I felt I had to harness my emotions going into the round. This is after all my first round in the Great Myrtle Beach Golf Mecca.
Right from the get go I realized my round at Tidewater would be a tough one. From the tips it plays 7,044 yards for me playing from whites a solid 6323 yards. Although the first is a straight away par 5 and #15 handicap hole. My one putt managed to solidify an opening par. Great way to start a round.
From there we were off as the course meanders through tall pines and oaks. When you get to hole #3 you kind of take a deep breath. Here's the first of Tidewater's Par 3s. A great hole with four deep bunkers that guards this green. If your a right handed golfer that draws the ball be careful on this hole you may easily roll off this two-tired green as the green slopes right to left towards the waterway. A fun hole that will test all aspects of your game including chipping.
The par 4 dogleg #4 Hole at Tidewater might remind you your on the West Coast at Pebble Beach. It could be reminiscent for toughest. I'm usually not a fan of doglegs but this hole is just plain exciting with the waterway down the left side your going to want a good drive to be able to hit a shorter iron into this hole. Stay below the hole as deep trouble and high scores will await you if you go long here. Three and four two of my favorite holes at Tidewater.
The front nine ends with #8 and #9 a good combination of a birdie-able par 5 and some what tough par 3. The par 5 8th hole has many of Tidewater 90+ soft sand bunkers but if you stay out of them and with a good drive a good score can be found on this picturesque hole.
Hole #9 will take you back to the clubhouse and another of Tidewater's special par 3s, a strength at Tidewater. A manged a par on this hole but with marsh on the left side and a sloping green this hole can be quite tricky. In the wind even more so.
After the turn the 10th Hole is one of 12 holes at Tidewater with water in play. Get it over the water with a good drive to the middle of the fairway you'll only have a wedge into this green.
Hole #12 is another grand par 3 at Tidewater. All three in our group managed to put it in the water. Not a long hole at 145 yards but it really makes you think about iron selection. Don't think to long as its better to pick a yardage and go for it. Long here is again deadly like most holes at Tidewater so have fun on one of the most scenic holes at Tidewater
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Your next hole at Tidewater is one of my favorites. A challenging narrow straightaway par 5 with amazing views. You'll definitely take lots of pictures so be sure and bring along your iPhone/camera. You even get a view of the ocean from the #13. The thirteenth green has a plethora of strategically-placed bunkers so if your like me and managed a par. Be happy as you've just parred a really tough par 5.
The back nine at Tidewater I seemed to score better on. I even had my first birdie of the year on the #8 handicap hole #14 where I drained a nice 20 foot putt. Tough hole with your second shot over water to a back to front sloping green. No easy task.
The 18th hole, handicapped 4, is a long par 4 which had me guessing after my second shot. My drive ended up on the right side of the fairway which made the hole that much longer. I didn't realize how much the marsh carried onto the fairway and landed my layup shot in the water. My 75 yard third shot ended up being my fourth. A tough finishing hole where I ended up with a 6.
Conclusion
Tidewater Golf Club was a great course to play for my first ever round in Myrtle Beach. It was scenic with great views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Marshlands. An extremely challenging test of golf for all levels of golfers (5 sets of tees). The greens were quite fast and firm so that added to the challenge. Customer service at Tidewater was great from the time I arrived til the time we left. Be sure and stop in at the Clubhouse and see Denise at the Restaurant her recommendation of the Tidewater Club was spot on for a after round meal.
Tidewater Club
6 oz. Rib Eye Steak
Chicken Breast
Bacon
Provolone Cheese
Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle and Bun
Can you say perfection!
An interesting rule at Tidewater is that the golf course has no out-of-bounds. So if your ball lands in the backyard of any of the many Tidewater Plantation homes you may drop back in play without penalty. This rule was great for my buddies as it kept them from being frustrated as they are beginner golfers. Plus it kept the pace of play perfect for the day.
Rates vary at Tidewater from close to $200 with cart during peak season and around $100 during low season. All carts are equipped with GPS. Also be sure and check out deals at Myrtle Beach Golf Specials and Myrtle Beach Golf vacation packages.
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