Greg Norman likes his waste bunkers! Watch out for this one on hole 7.

The Barefoot Norman Course in North Myrtle Beach underwent a nice renovation this past summer. The greens were switched from Bent grass greens to Champions Ultra Dwarf Bermuda.  With the weather in the high 60`s a week before Christmas (yes, I’m rubbing that in), I had to get out and play to see the work that was done and give it an ole’ MBGolfPro (that’s me) golf course review.

I took the student with me and gave him a rematch in our “Teacher vs Student” golf match. (See the results below.) The Par 72 Norman Course has 5-sets of tees and will challenge any player of any level.  The course measures just under 5,000 yards from the forward tees and just over 7,000 from the championship tees.

Barefoot Norman – The Front 9

Keeping his own playing philosophy in his design (Greg Norman, of course, World Golf Hall of Famer), the “Bump and Run”, he gives you a chance to make the up and down, on nearly every hole, even with a green miss. Barefoot Norman course features huge green complexes. The average green size is 6,300 square feet and includes only 60 acres of mow-able grass! Waste bunkers and native grasses line nearly every hole.

Let me explain the “Bump and Run” real quick.  Norman’s philosophy is to get the ball rolling on the ground without getting it airborne when you are close to the green.  The higher you chip, the likely it is you will lose control or stray “off course,” no pun intended. This, of course, is only applicable if you don’t have anything between you and the green.

Hole #9

Finishing out the front is the tough par-5, the 9th hole that can make or break your front nine score.  The 9th hole is lined with bunkers down the left side. To make matters a bit more difficult, wetlands extend the entire length of the hole on the right side of the fairway and cross about 50 yards in front of the green.  If you can avoid the bunkers or wetlands, it gives you a perfect opportunity to lay up around the 100-yard marker. This leaves your third shot into a green that slopes severely right to left.  Making par on the 9th hole will win you the front nine 60% of the time.

Barefoot Norman – The Back 9

As you approach the 10th tee, you get your first glimpse of the IntraCoastal Waterway. The Barefoot Norman course is the only one of the four courses at Barefoot Resort & Golf that has Waterway views. Not only does this hole have Waterway views, but six of the eight holes after it as well. The par 3, 10th hole is guarded with the waste bunkers and the waterway on the right side. There is a bailout to the left of the green (not visible from the tee, this is where the GPS on the carts comes in) that goes back into the Greg Norman “Bump and Run” philosophy if the green is missed.

Hole #10

Overall the course is one of the more underrated courses on the strand. With the new greens, Barefoot Norman will climb up every ranking category and should be on everyone`s playlist.

Oh, and back to the Teacher vs Student….

The teacher closed out the Student 5 and 3 with a two-putt birdie on the par 5, 15th hole.

FUN FACT:  Greg Norman not only designed this course, but he designed the grass for the tees and fairways as well, a hybrid called GN-1, made by Norman’s own turf company.

FUN FACT #2: Not only is this course unique because it’s the only golf course in Myrtle Beach with the architect’s own grass, but Norman also has his own restaurant here, just across the Waterway from Barefoot Resort.

Long Bay’s Signature 10th Hole

A few Myrtle Beach area golf directors and area club professionals were invited to play The Long Bay Club (one of Myrtle Beach National’s gems) on July 7th and I must say, I was very impressed.  After a short drive to the Northern End of the Grand Strand, I found myself being welcomed by a Rocky Balboa styled statue of Long Bay Club course architect Jack Nicklaus at the entrance of the clubhouse. (Quick hint, as you travel through the Long Bay community to the clubhouse,  pay close attention on your left where you can sneak a peek at the pin placement of one of Myrtle Beach’s most visually challenging par 3’s, hole number #13, which exhibits an island green.)

Powering down a quick lunch at the full-service restaurant we headed over to the practice facility.  Hands-down, it is one of the nicest and well-groomed practice facilities in the area. (This explains why many LPGA, Nationwide, and Hooters tour players practice here.)  It also sports a target-laced driving range, and a chipping and practice green with Champion Ultra-Dwarf Bermuda grass. From the practice green to the 18th hole, the greens were in tip-top shape, even considering the lack of rainfall the Myrtle Beach area has had this summer.

We immediately noticed (like all Nicklaus designs) the course was open off-the-tee, but still had a barrage of bunkers and well-bunkered greens.  If you want to challenge yourself you can always play this course from the Champion Black Tees at a shade over 7000 yards, or choose from one of the other 4 sets, including the Forward Tees, at just under 5000 yards.  After making your way through some risk reward holes on the front side, do not lose focus, because you face a beautiful but tough hole to start the back nine.  Long Bay Club’s signature hole #10, a short par, can easily get you in trouble if you are too close to the green. It’s best to play defensively and hit your ball just before the end of the fairway to leave you 100 or less yards into the green.  (You will find this is true for other holes as well, like #3, #6, and #14. )   Also, an investment in a yardage book will quickly play for itself if you are a 1st timer on at this course, not to mention you will have the upper hand to win a skin off your buddies.

The Long Bay Club, located in Longs, South Carolina, is one of Myrtle Beach’s nicest, and if you don’t take my word for it; try it yourself this fall for as low as $32 per golf if you are an early bird.

I was able to squeeze in an emergency 18 at Long Bay Club this week. A true test of golf at one of three, Jack Nicklaus designs on the Grand Strand. Measuring over 7,000 yards from the back, Long Bay is a Semi Private golf club with a slope of 140!

The golf course from tee to green was in excellent condition! Long Bay is one of the most famous courses in Myrtle Beach, staking its claim with the HUGE man made mounds boarding Highway 9, that everyone has passed one time or another on their way to North Myrtle Beach since its opening in 1988.

The Golden Bear, started designing this course after his 1986 Masters win. However, thats not the main reason Long Bay is one of the most famous courses in Myrtle Beach. This Nicklaus design has hosted tournaments like the Carolinas Open, the Myrtle Beach Open, NCAA regional championships and the U.S. Senior Open qualifying just to name a few.

Long Bay also has four holes that have been voted as the “The 100 Greatest Holes along the Grand Strand”. No. 7, 10 (Pictured below) , 13 and 18

The Par 3 #13, which features an Island Green could be another one of many signature holes at Long Bay. The scenic Par 3 has a huge green. Depending on pin placement and wind will determine your club selection. That seems to be the trend at the Par 72 Layout, which features big undulating Tiff Dwarf greens, fairways guarded by waste areas which double as carts path and a well conditioned facility with a fully stocked Pro Shop.

The Golden Bear has designed 265 courses open for play worldwide. The Long Bay Club in North Myrtle Beach, SC is one of his best.

LONG BAY CLUB

350 Fox Tail Dr

Longs, SC 29568

Phone: (800) 344-5590