Carolina National, Fred Couple's Gem of The Carolinas

The 3 Best Holes at Carolina National Golf Club

By

Chris King

  on December 6, 2010 10:30 AM | Comments (0)

Carolina National Golf Club has 27 holes, many of them memorable.

Carolina National Golf Club is home to 27 holes, many of them genuinely memorable.  We quizzed general manager/head pro Steve Beecroft about the facility’s best and after much angst (it’s not a course with just one or two standout holes, he pleaded), we got our answers.

The three best holes at Carolina National Golf Club in the eyes of the general manager are:

Heron, No. 5, 203-yard, par 3: Carolina National’s most photographed hole, the green on the Heron’s fifth hole is almost completely enveloped by Lockwood Folly River marshland. The hole features two sets of tees and both require a forced carry, though the carry is much less substantial from the blue and teal tees.

“The two sets of tees have totally different angles into the green,” Beecroft said. “You are going to want to A) make sure you take enough club and B) going right is your friend, no matter which tee you are playing from.”

To Beecroft’s point, there is bailout room to the right, but shots that are hooked will be wet.

Ibis, No. 4, 417-yard, par 4: Talk about a thinking man’s hole. The fourth hole on the Ibis has a split fairway with a big maple tree in the middle. The hole isn’t exceedingly long but the tee shot is uphill and the approach plays back down into one the course’s smaller greens.

“I would probably recommend (hitting to) the left side.” Beecroft said. “That’s the tighter side but that’s the shorter side. The right side opens things up and it’s easier to hit, but you’ve got a longer shot coming in.”

Egret, No. 4, 384-yard, par 4: Length isn’t a significant factor on the Egret’s fourth hole, but a large lake the runs from tee to green on the right side is. The green is well bunkered and large. A 200-yard tee shot positions players to succeed but the approach is vital.

The drive should be hit with the idea of putting your favorite short iron in your hands for the second shot.

 

Carolina National Golf Club: 5 Things You Need To Know

By

Chris King

  on December 6, 2010 10:16 AM | Comments (0)

Carolina National Golf Club features beautiful scenery.

If you are looking for an under-the-radar Myrtle Beach gem, Carolina National Golf Club is a good place to start. The Fred Couples design has been a quiet standout on the north end of the Grand Strand and it’s worth getting acquainted with. Before you take your group to the 27-hole facility, here are five things you need to know:

1. Stunning Scenery Awaits: Carolina National is a beautiful layout, highlighted by six holes that play along the Lockwood Folly River. Couples’ use of the property’s natural elevation change and imaginative bunkering give Carolina National a unique look beyond the river holes as well.

2. Say Goodbye: When your group tees off, say goodbye to your friends. Carolina National Golf Club doesn’t feature an abundance of parallel fairways and you won’t need to worry about yelling “fore” after an errant shot. Each nine goes back out and comes back in on its own.

3. How the Nines Got Their Names: Carolina National is an Audubon-Certified Sanctuary Golf Course, making it one of the Grand Strand’s most environmentally friendly layouts. With an abundance of wildlife on the property, the three nines – Egret, Heron and Ibis – were named after indigenous birds.

4. First or Last: Located on Highway 17, Carolina National is an ideal course to play for players driving in from in the north or even the Raleigh-Durham area. It is a memorable way to begin or end a golf trip.

5. One of a Kind: Carolina National is the only Fred Couples design in the area, and the former Masters champion’s work has been very well received. Some architects force their vision on a piece of property, but Couples wisely takes the opposite tact, adapting his creativity to the land. Couples’ vision and the quality of the property were perfect complements.