Palmetto Greens Golf Club
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Reviewed: 03/19/2010
LONGS, SC (March 19, 2010) – “Only No. 2 is the same. Everything else is new. New bunkers. New greens,” Ricky Lyons, Director of Golf, proudly stated. “We’ve redone everything to meet USGA specifications,” Lyons continued.
Palmetto Greens Golf & Country Club is in fact a complete redo of Colonial Charters. Located on route 9, just a 10/15-minute drive west of North Myrtle Beach and a mile from Highway 31 Interchange the new layout reopened less than a year ago.
Although playing a brand new golf course does offer some excitement, it certainly doesn’t offer the security of playing a reputable, mature course. Frankly, with just a few growing seasons passed you wonder what kind of shape you’ll find the course. Of course the greens are always an area of anxiety.
Let’s put those concerns in the trash right now. The “Greens” in Palmetto Greens deserves to be in the course name. These L-93 Bent Grass greens were outstanding and they’ve only begun to return to their late spring lush color. All you can really ask for in mid-March is a true roll and an accurate break. These greens deliver and since it’s so early in the spring, you get plenty of speed, too. Late spring, summer and fall golfers are in for a treat.
The greens are outstanding, but as you might expect the course is still a work in process. Right now there isn’t a driving range, but you should plan to arrive in time to take advantage of the putting green. It represents the on-course greens very well. Yardage markers leave a little to be desired. Colored stakes along the cart path indicate yardages and appear to be accurate. The fairways were in good shape and as we get further into spring, natural plants will surely begin to blossom. The rough was certainly playable. Although both nines have holes with character, the back nine is more pleasing to the eye.
Palmetto Greens is not particularly long at only 6427 yards from the Blue Tees, 6033 yards from the White Tees, 5454 yards from the Gold Tees and 4764 yards from the Red Tees. Regardless of your skill level, you’ll find a comfortable length. The usual Par 36 on the front nine, turns to Par 35 on the back nine featuring three Par 3s, two Par 5s, but only four Par 4s. The addition of an extra Par 3 skews the overall length of the course.
Here your accuracy and ability to make a shot will really test your game. The fairways tend to be a little tight. However, what deceives you is the narrowness of the rough on many of the holes. A slight draw or fade can pull you off the fairway and quickly you’re through the rough and into an unplayable situation. It’s frustrating, but in all honesty it’s right in front of you. When you see the trouble, put the big stick back in the bag, or adjust your direction to fit the challenge.
Each of the Par 3s (remember there are five of them) is fairly unique and enjoyable. With the exception of No. 9 at only 137-yards from the back, each Par 3 has some length. No. 17 is particularly challenging at 235 yards from the Blue Tees, 199 yards from the White Tees. The hole is quite scenic and requires a tee ball to carry a marsh to a slightly tiered green. You’ll have about 20 yards from marsh to the greens front. A large mound behind and to the left of the green protects a wayward shot. The unusually high 4 Handicap for a Par 3 reflects the difficulty of this hole.
The Par 4s are fairly straightforward, but again shot making is the play of the day. No. 8 is a very challenging hole and deserving of the 1 Handicap designation. You’ll certainly need some length at 420 yards from the tips, but beware the water that borders the left side of the fairway. More importantly note the narrow rough. Any drive landing on the left quarter of the fairway with hook/draw has a good chance of running through the rough and into the water hazard. Play this one up the right side.
Each of the Par 5s presents an opportunity to score well. No. 3 is a definite birdie hole at 507 yards from the Blue Tees and only 469 yards from the White Tees. Any well-placed drive in the fairway presents the big hitter an opportunity for going in two, or the average hitter an easy lay up and chance for a short iron to the green. A relatively small, flat green is protected by water to the left. A pretty hole that gives even the high handicap golfer an opportunity for a good score early in their round.
Palmetto Greens is certainly a very playable golf course for all levels and is reasonably priced. It’s a good place to start your golf vacation, or catch an afternoon round that won’t beat you up. The clubhouse has the usual logo merchandise and club rentals are available. The other side of the clubhouse features a bar, snack bar, full size pool table and projection television. There are some nice amenities to the clubhouse, but one thing stands out.
Most of us have eaten our share of golf course snack bar food. From hot dogs and hamburgers to ham and cheese and egg salad sandwiches, we’ve probably tried it all. However, the home of the best barbeque sandwich in the Myrtle Beach golf course community is Palmetto Greens Golf & Country Club. Whether you come for the golf, the barbeque or both, your day will be enjoyable.
