Dunes Golf and Beach Club

[Evan_Green]

I am headed down to Myrtle Beach next week and while there will be playing at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.

I have heard it is one of the better RTJ courses- any opinions on the course?

In any case the weather should be very nice down there  

[Mike_Cirba]

100+ golf courses later, THe Dunes is still the best place for a game in town.  It is my very favorite RTJ Sr. Course I've played, and features interesting greens and bunkering that is the right scale for the environment.  There are a number of strategic considerations and heroic holes, and it's generally grand.  

I believe Doak gave it a "7" on his scale, which is apt.  

[Dan Grossman]

Having played the Dunes for the first time last week, I would have to say that it was NOT my favorite golf course in Myrtle.  I liked Debordieu and Caledoniamuch better than the Dunes.  

I didn't hate it though.  I thought it was a "6".

[JakaB]

I have never understood why people who take the time to visit this site and post even waste their time going to Myrtle Beach.   The obvious choices of Pinehurst, Kiawah Island and Hilton Head in close proximity seem to make more sense.  This site has exposed for the guy who truly gives a damn about good golf the many hidden gems that seem to cover both Carolina's.  Myrtle Beach just seems to reek of a Mcdonald's mentality...I would rather rub my blue max and travel to better destinations.  The untapped quality of golf in that part of the country seems to be limitless,  so why should those of us that know better settle.

[Evan_Green]

Jaka-

I do understand your point. As a matter of fact for pure golf considerations, I would much rather play at any of those places you mentioned. However I am going to Myrtle Beach for the primary reason of seeing some friends who have a house in the area (who aren't golfers). So I figured that while there I may as well try to play the best course in M. Beach.

Mike- I'm glad to hear you liked it so much- ill be sure to give my opinion when i return from Myrtle.

[JakaB]

Evan,

Yea...and I turn up the volume on Muskrat Love...but I don't ask my friends if they like it.

[Scott_Burroughs]

JakaB,

Myrtle Beach is the #2 vacation destination in the east, that's why people go there.  It's a great family destination that also has golf.  Also, many people who go to Myrtle to play golf go with others (buddies) who don't give a hoot about architecture.  

I also recommend the Dunes.  My fave in the Grand Strand, and you can walk!

[Dan Grossman]

JakaB -

I have already been to Pinehurst, Kiawah and Hilton Head.  Plus, I was down there with a bunch of non-golfers as well.

However, I thought that Caledonia, Dunes, Debordieu and Legends (Heathland) were really good golf courses.  If the architectural merits of those golf courses aren't worth discussing, I'd like to know why.  I think those would be fantastic golf courses regardless of where they are located.

[schoeller]

The Dunes and Caledonia are my personal nos. 1 and 2 in Myrtle Beach.  The Dunes is classic RTJ with large, long tees, big fairway bunkers and large greens.  Its the best RTJ Sr. course I have ever seen, although I think the Gold Course at the Golden Horseshoe is close.

On the topic of Myrtle Beach generally, its OK and a fine place for a trip with the guys.  However, many golf destinations in the East provide much better quality golf than Myrtle Beach.  Bottom line, if you are going to Myrtle Beach anyway, definitely play The Dunes.  If you have a choice of Myrtle Beach or somewhere else, consider going to Pinehurst, Kiawah/Charleston, one of the Allegheny resorts (Homestead or Greenbrier), Hilton Head, or even Williamsburg before booking a trip to Myrtle Beach.

[A_Clay_Man]

Evan- The course will not disappoint as long as you don't expect too much. It is a good test of golf. Being at sealevel the added club is recommended. As I recall the course is mostly a parkland feel but does have some welcomed deviation.

[Scott_Burroughs]

Here's a preview from above.  The best stretch of holes is 10-
13, along the right side.  11 is the best Cape I've ever played
(not saying much).  Two current features missing from this slightly dated aerial, the '19th' (extra) hole sandwiched
between 13 and 14, and the alternate tee on 18, making it a
slight dogleg LEFT.

[JakaB]

Myrtle Beach was conceived by Satan's non-golfing brother.  Is there any other place that strives to destroy everything good about the game in a more bland way.  Too much of everything ...soft ...green ...cartbally ...hey look at johnny take practice swings ...fair bunkers ...loud talking dinner eating vest wearing tour bag carrying callaway clones.  Each course like the next...no originality for originalities sake...come back next year play the new course...stay this year play at reduced rates...shoot your best score...tell your friends...by God I'm gonna be good this year...why is that...its not cause your better...its crap...crap for the masses...disco golf....postitution fellacio...can't get enough of it but won't admit you have to pay for it...its the devil's work...plain and simple.

Go to Pinehurst #2 where angels sit on the porch and whisper in your ear...Go to Kiawah Island Ocean where the Satan himself plays...do better and do it often.

As a matter of clarification I have never been to Myrtle Beach.

[Evan_Green]

Scott

Thanks very much for the great picture from the air. As they say a picture is worth 1000 words

[JakaB]

I agree a picture is worth 1000 words...that so called cape hole is not a cape hole at all...its just a 90% dogleg with a lake that is so far from the green it only comes into play for a winterized pushed approach.  This is a perfect example of crap resort golf...create an illusion of difficulty without really being difficult.  Now if the green hugged the water like a real cape it would be a good hole and somewhere else.

[Scott_Burroughs]

JakaB,

Are you talking about hole #13 at the top of the picture wrapped around the lake?  I'm talking about hole #11 (I specified so) in the middle right of the picture, jutting out into the marsh, with the water right up to the side of the green.  Looks pretty Cape-y to me.

[Evan_Green]

Jaka- Just out of curiosity have you ever played Mauna Kea? Same architect and built for a resort (unlike the Dunes which is a private club and was built before Myrtle was a tourist attraction)- did you not care for that course either? Personally I dont care for resort golf either, but there some courses that were built for resorts which arent "resort courses" in the sense that we are talking about (i.e. many of the other courses in Myrtle Beach)- I think Mauna Kea is a very good golf course and I have enjoyed playing there on several occasions.

[Evan_Green]

Let me clarify something on the previous post:

Many of the other courses in Myrtle Beach are the "resort courses" which we dont like-

I give Mauna Kea as an example of a course built for a resort that doesnt fall into this category

sorry for the confusion i see that my previous post would have caused- my english teachers would be proud

[Hod (Guest)]

Gentlemen
As a first time poster, let me say what a great site I stumbled on to. It's almost been a guilty voyeuristic pleasure being an outsider reading the great discussions here. On this topic, though, I feel the need to join the fray.

For two years I worked as a professional at the Dunes. It not only offers no "illusions", it may be as honest a test of golf as there is (especially in Myrtle Beach). JakaB, as a resident of the "Redneck Riviera", I agree with your perception of the town, but must disagree with your assessment of the golf course, especially the description of #11, which was redesigned in, or around, 1991. The green was actually moved further back and right toward the water (bringing it more into play not only short but now right and long). I only hope the vast number of 6s I made there were "illusions".

Overall, the golf course has a great variety of par 4s, both short and brutally long, decent par 5s (including the overrated 13th), and solid par 3s. Add in the ocean breezes, and you got in the words of Dan Jenkins, a golf course that's "stronger than cat food"

Guys, again thanks my allowing my intrusion. I feel like the kid at his parent's dinner party dying to participate in the adult conversation. Now that I've said my peace, I'll go back to my room.

[JakaB]

Hod,

You are a man of virtue and intelligence whose skills should not be wasted by only lurking...I bow to your knowledge of the Dunes and admire anyone who could be a resort pro for any length of time...truly a difficult job.

Evan,

I have never commented on Hawaii golf because I hate the state with such disdain that I can not gather a logical thought about any design on the Island.  I do think the location is so freaky and the potential clientele such a waste of flesh that it should really never be discussed outside of cocktail parties.

Scott,

You are such an icon...you deserve better than me...but I don't even see 11 as a true cape...while playing craps this evening I was thinking there must only be 5 true redans in the country yet every sloped green is now called a redan...sorry but the same must be said about capes...I don't know whats a redan or a cape...I just know I've got to start hitting shags and give up the dice....the're killing me.

[Evan_Green]

Jaka- I am surprised by your negativity regarding Hawaii. While you could make the argument that M. Beach, SC isn't that great of a place, I don't see how you can say that about Hawaii. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world, period.

If you don't care for the golf there thats fine, but I still say there are some very good courses there.

BTW when was the last time you were in Hawaii and which courses did you play? Did you get a chance to play at Mauna Kea, Kapalua (Plantation), Princeville, Kauai Lagoons (Kiele) or either of the coures on Lanai? I would be surprised to hear that you didn't think any of these courses have merit. And furthermore how many other places in the world can you sit on the beach and drink a mai-tai after your round?

[JakaB]

Evan,

Please do not think that I don't like South Carolina...I love the Kiawah Island Ocean Course and spent one of the best days of my golfing life there recently.   I am a product of NASCAR country myself and while I don't have three black teeth in a tribute to DALE...I do love fast cars and big breasted women.

I visited Hawaii a couple of years ago and stayed at the Four Seasons on the Big Island...The hotel had a Nicklaus course that had hosted some pro events but I don't remember the name of it...I didn't take my clubs then and I don't think I will take them on the return trip I have promised myself not to make...It takes me 14 hours to fly to that little rock and I can drive to Pinehurst #2 in 12...I will trade mai-tai's on the beach for a beer on the porch everyday...I have been married 20 years and its the same in a boat on the beach or in a cheap hotel...I don't travel for love.

[Evan_Green]

Jaka-

Fair enough.

[ChipOat]

Myrtle Beach - what life would be like if wives didn't exist.

[Bill_McBride]

Hod, where are you on the "Redneck Riviera?"  I'm here in Pensacola - drop me an email.  billmcb1@hotmail.com

Bill McBride

[Andy Hodson]

Bill

I misspoke, or mistyped. I was once on the Redneck Riviera, but since have moved back to my native Texas, though I did spend alot of time at the opposite end of your state...in the Keys.