The Wizard Golf Course--Myrtle Beach, SC

My final stop in Myrtle Beach this early spring found me at The Wizard Golf Course.  A beautiful Dan Maples design located in Conway, SC, The Wizard Golf Course was a great way to finish up my vacation.  From the stunning clubhouse designed like a castle to the rolling mounds separating the fairways, The Wizard is definitely a must-stop while in Myrtle Beach.

The course opens with a dogleg right Par 5 with a lake on the right side.  Cut off as much as you think possible to make this a reachable par 5, but beware of  the water to the right.  The second hole is a short, yet scenic Par 3.  A Par 4 follows that boasts an approach shot to a tiered and elevated green.  The fourth and fifth holes are a Par 3 and 4, respectively that give you a breather before heading to hole six.  Hole six is my favorite Par 3 on the course.  A long tee shot awaits you over long fescue grass and two bunkers guard the undulating green.  A bail-out area lies short and right of the hole, but anything long will find even more long fescue.  The Par 5 seventh is a long, straight par 5 that offers my only complaint of the entire course.  I would rather see trees or bushes planted all along the right side instead of looking at an old, rundown school bus company.  The front nine finishes with a par 4 that plays shorter than the listed length and a good drive can find yourself close to the front of the green.

The back nine begins with a nice par 4 that runs straight away from the clubhouse.  The first par 5 on the back follows.  This par 5 requires a drive short of a dry creekbed that runs through the middle of the fairway.  A good drive means a long iron or wood into a wide landing area near the green.  Do not miss right, however, since the thick fescue means a guaranteed lost ball.  The next par 3 is a fun little hole with a short iron over a bunker.  A straight away par 4 follows.  The final par 5 on the course is also reachable with two good shots.  Right is safer here since left of the fairway are fescue-covered mounds and a road.  My favorite par 4 follows, as hole 15 is a short dogleg right par 4.  Any shot right of the fairway, however, spells trouble, and fairway bunkers right and left will eat up any mishit tee shot.  A par 4 with water right follows.  The 17th hole is an island green par 3 that can play up to 180 yards.  There is area short of the green, but a bunker lurks to eat any shots that may not be hit flush.  The final hole on the course is a par 4 that plays right back to the clubhouse.  The fairway is surrounded by water, making for a tough drive and approach.  The green is cut over water and plays almost like an island green as well.

At 6700 yards, The Wizard has enough length to test even the best golfers.  And the course is as well-manicured as you will find.  I recommend playing The Wizard and its sister course, Man O' War, if you decide to make a trip out to Conway during your vacation.

Here are some pictures from The Wizard Golf Course.

The Wizard Clubhouse

17th Green at The Wizard

The Second Hole at The Wizard

The 4th Fairway and Green at The Wizard