Golf Course Review: Barefoot Resort And Golf [Love Course] | 8.5 Score
Location: North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Course architect: Davis Love III
Opened: 2000
Par: 72
Tee — Yardage l Rating / Slope:
Men
Platinum — 7,047 | 72.1 / 139
Black — 6,542 | 72.5 / 135
White — 6,055 | 69.8 / 123
Green — 5,643 | 67.9 / 119
Women
Gold — 5,346 | 71.1 / 124
Saturday morning green fee: $$$$ ($150-$199]
Caddie service: No
Walker friendly: No
Fairways: GN-1 Bermudagrass
Greens: Champion UlraDwarf Bermudagrass
THE REVIEW
Starter: Davis Love III was still in the prime of his professional playing career when he jumped at the chance to be a part of a new three-course development in North Myrtle Beach. Tom Fazio and Greg Norman were also designing golf courses at Barefoot Resort, which would also open in 2000. Love’s course is generally considered the most golfer-friendly of the three, with generous fairways and fewer hazards along the way. Pete Dye opened a fourth course for the resort a year later.
Play because ...: Enjoy the serenity of Barefoot Resort, no matter which of the golf courses you choose. There are only a few holes where private homes are visible. Conversely, Love recreated old plantation home ruins to create dramatic landscapes for holes Nos. 3-7, which are the most enjoyable and memorable holes on the course.
Takeaway: An entire golf vacation could be spent at Barefoot Resort and nothing that the Myrtle Beach area has to offer would be missed. There are four fantastic golf courses at the resort, which is home to the annual “Monday After the Masters” charity event and hosted an episode of Golf Channel’s Big Break. There are also fantastic eateries, both at the golf complex and at nearby at Barefoot Landing. Nightly entertainment is here too — at the Alabama Theatre and the House of Blues.
THE RATINGS [1 to 10 scale; 10 being the highest]
Food | Beverage: 9.0
Pro shop: 9.0
Clubhouse: 9.0
Difficulty: 8.0
Pace of play: 8.0
The par-5 eighth can lead to a birdie chance unless greed takes over along the way. The hole swings right to left from the tee, and there is plenty of room around the green. Just don’t be short.
(Barefoot Resort)
THE COURSE | Scorecard
Best par 3: No. 15 [228 | 172 | 154 | 154 | 127 yards]
Davis Love III took a page from Donald Ross in designing this turtle-back green that drops away on both the left and right. Being straight is most important for a middle-iron tee shot. The green slopes steeply from back to front and it can be hard to read. Do yourself a favor and take one more club, as this hole generally plays into the breeze and it is slightly uphill. Par is a good score here.
Best par 4: No. 4 [294 | 280 | 265 | 252 | 247 yards]
This hole is the most fun of any on the golf course. The hole’s short yardage entices going for the green, but you can also lay back with an iron off the tee and avoid the strategically placed bunkers, including a small one situated dead center in the fairway, just 215 yards from the white tees. The hole is dramatically accentuated by an old plantation wall just 10 yards behind the green. This is the best birdie hole on the course, but if a bunker is found off the tee, then consider bogey.
Best par 5: No. 8 [552 | 525 | 485 | 468 | 444 yards]
Don’t take on the large bunker on the left side of the fairway. Instead stay in the center or right side of the fairway and play the second shot short of the marshland. That will leave a wedge approach for a birdie attempt. Be careful to find the correct portion of the two-tiered green so you don’t leave a possible three-putt. Only the long hitters will consider flying over the marshland with their second shot. This hole is a beautiful design and playable for all level golfers.
INFO
Phone: 843.390.3200 or 866.638.4818
Website: www.barefootgolf.com
Facebook: @BarefootResortGolf
Instagram: @barefoot_resort
Twitter: @BarefootResort
Rater: Craig Smith