Tradition Golf Club

A REVIEW BY AN AVERAGE GOLFER NAMED JOE Share

Joe Derus, March 22, 2011

Please ride the fairways was the starters instructions to us as we began our round at this appropriately named golf course.

Tradition is located just a short drive south of the Myrtle Beach area. We drove South on Route 31 to 544 East to 17 South and in just a bit we were making our right turn off 17 to the Tradition Golf Club. The sign to Tradition and other courses on Willbrook Blvd. is large enough but may be difficult to see because of obstruction by some trees. Tradition is not only appropriately named but lives up to the image one has of a five star golf course. From the minute you arrive you are visually treated to stately club house and lush views of the course. You feel as if you are playing country club golf because of the quality of the course as well as the friendly staff. One of our group forgot the starters instructions to ride the fairways, not the rough, and was gently reminded by a marshal of their error. Fairways were ridden the rest of the way, our apologies.

The course itself was in superb condition. The tee boxes were like walking on a soft green carpet that accepted tees without needing a hammer, to get them in. I also like the placement of the tee boxes so all players have an equal chance off the tee. More than once good tee shots from each of the tee boxes, white, yellow and red, balls were aligned across the fairway. That makes playing the most fun for everyone. Do you think our group was happy when everyone parred the 13th hole? It was because of tee placement.

Another nice aspect of this course is that it does not have any hole that screams at you. You know some courses think it is necessary to have a super different hole. “This hole is unlike any other hole in the world. It’s a dog leg left and right with and island green that made of sand” You get the point . Golfing at Tradition is just that, very traditional holes that require sound shot selection. Pay attention, however to the granite hole layouts as a couple of holes have some hidden water and island type greens that may not be visible from the tee This course requires consistency and a real fine putting stroke. The greens look slow because of the even color and softness but are nearly “pro-fast” whatever that is.

Lots of waste bunkers that are in play abound throughout the course. There are quite a few sand traps also, but the consistency of the sand in each one at least gives you an even chance to get out cleanly. Tradition maintains the beauty of the course by driving carts on the fairway only and asks you to please stay out of the rough. This info is printed on your score card. Is it any wonder why Tradition has a 4.5 star rating by Golf Digest as well as award winning fairways. Also take advantage of a free drop from landscape areas, should you happen to hit one there.

I asked our group for a word to describe this course… Tranquil, Serene, Elegant and of course Traditional.