Short Par 4s, Island Greens, Dramatic Finishes: Long Bay Has It All

A golf course is a living organism — albeit a large one with many moving parts — and like any being, it occasionally faces health challenges.

At Long Bay Club, that challenge came in the form of its greens. But those problems are now firmly in the rearview mirror for the Jack Nicklaus design, much to the delight of General Manager Jason Jackson.

“The greens have come a long way,” Jackson said with a smile. “The course itself is in beautiful shape.”

Long Bay’s TifEagle putting surfaces have been restored to their original size, expanding from 68,000 to nearly 100,000 square feet.

“If you haven’t played here in a couple years, the greens are much larger than you remember,” Jackson said. “It gives us a lot more opportunity for pin placements, and there’s plenty of undulation as well.”

The return of Long Bay’s greens has energized interest in a layout long considered one of Myrtle Beach’s most underrated. Nicklaus transformed a flat piece of land into a visually engaging, shot-maker’s test, using bold mounding and a creative mix of waste and traditional bunkers — 35 on each side — to produce both beauty and challenge.

Beyond the improved putting surfaces, the green surrounds are being cut tighter, rewarding players who show imagination with their recovery shots. Bulkhead work on the course will begin this fall, and the Long Bay clubhouse is undergoing a multi-phase renovation, ensuring the entire experience continues to improve.

What has never wavered at Long Bay is the quality of Nicklaus’ architectural work, especially on a back nine that ranks among the most memorable in the Myrtle Beach area.

It begins with the 315-yard 10th hole, a short par 4 where birdies and bogeys (or worse) are handed out in equal measure. The hole’s fairway, framed by a distinctive horseshoe-shaped bunker, makes it Long Bay’s most photographed, but the island-green 13th — a 123-yard par 3 that allows players to be aggressive — might be the most popular.

A round concludes with the 368-yard 18th, an intimidating dogleg right that winds around a lake from tee to green. Both the drive and approach require nerve, delivering a dramatic finish to any match.

As golf groups plan their next Myrtle Beach trip, Long Bay is once again a must-play, offering the combination of a Nicklaus design, revitalized conditions, and the value that makes the Grand Strand golf’s premier destination.

(Long Bay 9th hole top photo, 13th pictured right, 18th left)

Photos for this feature from our Instagram Account MyrtleBeachGolfTrips