Tradition Golf Club

Exceptional for the money. In great shape, have fun.

Very nice golf facility. Clubhouse and practice area very good. Grass practice area with large putting green.

Tee boxes were good with nice turf.

Fairways were good not great. Looks as if they will fill out once the weather warms up. Not a problem with the lie just not an even turf.

Bunkers were good with hard packed sand. Not fluffy type sand but consistent from hole to hole.

Greens were excellent. Firm and rolled nicely.

Course played long from the white tees due to rain and wet course. I enjoyed the layout and I look forward to playing here again soon.

Played this course on Sat 10/5, it was very windy, gusting to 20mph. The course seemed to be set up hard, as the tees were back and several pins were tucked. A majority of holes seemed to be playing into the very strong gusting wind, making approach shots very difficult. Par 3's were strong playing between 170-200 yds against the winds. Would like to play again with less wind as the overall course layout was very good. Staff was friendly and helpful.

Course was in amazing condition!! We played right after the World Am, and the conditions couldn’t have been better. Fairways were mowed to perfection. Rough was deep enough to add another challenge when playing from it. Bunkers were in very good condition. And the greens were true and quick. Best condition of the season!
Course layout is always a challenge! #9 is my personal nemesis hole with that waste area and its magnetic pull for my ball.
Pro shop and snack bar are always well staffed with friendly personnel.
I’m a local, so I can’t wait to play it again soon!!

We were delayed starting because the group in front arrived late for their tee time. By the middle of the front 9 they were now over 2 holes behind the group ahead. This together with the players not racking any bunkers. .. 3 of the 4 in the green side bunker on the 1st par 3 and the one who picked up the rake used it as a crutch to get out!
Clearly this is a problem on this course as theirs weren't the only foot prints.
Beautiful course unpoliced.

Very good course for the money as we have played it off and on for last 25 years. Greens were in good shape along with the fairways. pace of play was best we had all week

The course was great. The shot values we're awesome and the greens rolled awesome. The pace of play was terrible, 5 hrs to play 18 holes is way to slow. We seen one ranger the whole day.. We actually called the club house about it. A ranger did come out but it didn't matter.

We make an annual golf trip to the Myrtle Beach area every year and Tradition is always on our list. They have one of the friendliest staff I’ve come across in all my golf travels. The staff was very accommodating and knowledgeable. From the bag drop guys, to pro shop staff to the lady on the beverage cart, everyone was first class. The course itself is always in great shape and this year was no exception. We are already looking forward to next year!

If you have the opportunity to play at Tradition and you don’t, you’re truly missing out on one of the best courses. Every year we come to MB for a week of golf and this course is right up there with the best around. Absolutely perfect condition from tee to green, well-maintained despite poor weather, and an accommodating staff that was genuine and fun to talk to. Can’t wait to play this one again - we’ll be playing Tradition every time we come back!

For more than 20 years, Tradition Golf Club on Pawleys Island has been playing host to both local golfers and those that converge on the Myrtle Beach area during peak golf seasons. This Ron Garl design is built on the site of a 16th century rice plantation and opened for play in 1996. Tradition Club has received numerous accolades, including South Carolina Golf Course of the Year in 2001, and has been awarded 4.5-stars by Golf Digest as well as voted “Top Fairways” for 1998 by Golf for Women. Tradition Club was also nominated as Best New Public Course by Golf Digest in 1996. It is truly one of the most prestigious golf clubs with public access in the Myrtle Beach area.

Also on property is an impressive practice complex. These are becoming a Ron Garl trademark and one that he has duplicated at several of the other courses he has designed/redesigned around the world. It includes a spacious full-length driving range, a massive chipping green and a putting green with multiple elevation changes so that you can get an idea of the breaks you will encounter during your round. With over 6,800 yards of golf course in front of you at Tradition Club, arrive early and take full advantage of this wonderful practice facility.

Tradition Club is located in the same general area as several other Waccamaw Golf Trail Courses: Willbrook Plantation, River Club and Litchfield Country Club. Five sets of tees provide playable distances for any level of golfer. The Tournament Tees play 6,875 yards and carry a course rating of 73.2 and a slope of 134; a fitting test for low handicappers. The Men’s Tees weigh in at 6,313 (70.8/125) while Ladies have the choice of two distances, the Gold (Senior/Ladies’) play 5,728 (73.1/124 for the ladies’) or the Red (5,189/70.4/120). There is also a ‘junior” set of tees that plays 4,106 with a course rating of 63.5 and a slope of 105.

As you make your way around Tradition Club, you will see how the course communes with nature. Meticulously maintained fairways wind their way through maritime forests and pristine wetlands. Many fairways are lined with live oaks and towering pines, yet there is ample room off the tee to swing away and go for broke.

Ron Garl seems to be a big fan of island greens and Tradition Club does not disappoint. In fact, you’ll have two opportunities to test your mettle on Number 7 and Number 15. Number 7 is a par 4, so you can’t use a tee on your approach shot. Water is present on about 9 holes but is really only a factor on 4 of those, two of which are the island greens.

The bunkers at Tradition Club are well maintained and filled with fine sugary sand. Most are low-lipped and don’t provide any added penalty. A number of holes feature large waste bunkers that are well groomed and add to the overall beauty of the course.

As nice as the course is, Tradition Club is defined by its well-conditioned Bermuda greens. Some have gentle undulations and subtle breaks while others are well-sloped from back to front. All roll fast, true and consistent.

Member’s Favorite Holes: I spoke with a number of members who had varying opinions on their favorite hole, so we narrowed it down to two.

Number 5: Par 3, 179 yards (Men’s Tees). A challenging par 3 that’s got it all – in the way of hazards. From the tee, you need to carry both water and sand; there’s more sand right of the green if you push your shot. The green is shallow – only 29 yards deep, so distance control – and a good putting stroke on this well-contoured green - are essential if you want to score well. Walk away with a par and be happy.

Number 7: Par 4, 377 yards (Men’s Tees). One of two island greens on the course; only you can’t use a tee to reach this one. Long ball hitters will find it best to leave the driver in the bag here; you run out of fairway at about 300 yards from the back tees. You’ll need superior distance control on your approach shot into this island green with a large bunker left. A back-right pin can be a challenge with all of the mounding.

Writer’s Favorite: Number 10: Par 5, 510 yards (Men’s Tees). A long dogleg left that just seems to keep on turning. There’s a large waste bunker all the way down the left side of the fairway, so favor the right side off the tee and with your approach shot. The large fairway bunker of the right side can’t be seen off the tee and shouldn’t come into play. A good drive followed by a well-placed layup will leave a short pitch into a green that slopes severely from back to front and is protected on the left side by the waste bunker. Mounding in the fairway can produce some interesting lies!

Pro’s Pick: Number 1: Par 4, 323 yards (Men’s Tees). A short, yet trying par 4 to get your round under way. A gentle dogleg right with a large waste bunker on the right side. Find this bunker off the tee and not only will you have to deal with a sand shot of about 100 yards, you’ll have to carry it over several large oak trees. Playing down the left side of this well-mounded fairway leaves a cleaner look into the green with only a single bunker on the left side to contend with.

The other island green is worth mentioning as well. Number 15 is a par 3 that plays 157 yards from the men’s tees. Clear the water onto the largest green on the course with trouble on all sides. Another short hole where par is a good score.

Last Word: To score well at the Tradition Club, you need to have your complete game together. Out here, it’s all about shot placement: how far to hit it and where to put it. For the most part, the greens are well protected by sand and/or water. If your approach shots are not dead on, you could be in for a long day. Being able to work the ball – left or right as well as trajectory – is a big plus too. The greens run fast and true, so a consistent putting stroke is a big plus. Most are raised and feature modest undulation. The two island greens add some excitement to an already fun round of golf. You should be able to get around the course in about four hours, which is nice. The course also drains very well so if other courses in the area are closed after a good rain storm, give Tradition Club a call. There’s a good chance they are open and playable. And not cart path only!

After your round, stop by the grill room for some traditional clubhouse food and all of your favorite post-round libations. Tradition Club also has one of the best stocked pro shops in the area with all kinds of logoed apparel from all of the top names. Be sure to browse around and take home a memento. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and always willing to help.

Course was a lot of fun. Played 3 others this trip and by far this was best. Area had lots of rain 24 hours before and Course drained well. Especially compared to others. Greens were awesome and fairways were not too far behind. Definitely give this one a go!

One of the worst courses I've played in Myrtle Beach. The layout of the course was poor. Can't hit driver on most of the par 5s, there are trees in the middle of most fairways, and there is just as much sand on the greens as in the bunkers. Do yourself a favor and play another course.

Good course for the money. Not blown away but I would play it again.

Extremely nice golf venue. Shot a nice score, plenty of trouble to get in to. Greens are medium fast, played the day after a heavy rain. Some forced carries, plenty of sand, lots of water. Going to be one of my MB favorites. Staff was very helpful, friendly, and accommodating.

Played here on New Years and the weather wasn't the best I've ever seen but the course was great. It was about 58 degrees and there was lots of rain. The parking lot was not very busy but the course was filled with experienced and nice locals from Litchfeild Beach area. The plants and clubhouse where very nice with great staff friendlyness.

Like I said the weather wasn't exactly the best weather but it was ok and the course just nailed it. The drainage system was nice and esorbed all the water that was standing in the grass. The putting green was a little small but the driving range was nice and the Marshall at the first hole was really chill and didn't really care if we hit mulligans of one.

The course itself was in fantastic shape for the winter and really enjoyed the fact that the greens where running true and where fast. The course wasn't overly long and doesn't eat you alive, which gave me lots of birdie opertunities. This also gives the average 10 handicap a chance to break 85. There was a good amount of water and a lot of good holes on the course which I appreciated.

Overall I really enjoyed the course and would definitely recommend the course.

Played this course as the first of 3 courses during our Pawley's Island golf trip. The course was in terrific shape. The greens were on the slower side because they had been over seeded but they rolled nicely. The staff was friendly. Great course if you are visiting the area.

T-Storms in the forecast limited us to nine holes. Played the back nine. Course was in excellent shapes. T-Storms were in the vicinity when we made the turn so we decided to ask for a 9 hole rain check which the club gave to us without any hassle. Very accommodating staff. Can't wait to go back.

Great round. Had not played there in about 10 years until this summer. Played with a friend and a local. The local gave great information about the course. Greens had a few rough spots but they kept pins away from those areas. course was in great shape. Huge fairway bunkers. Stay out of them.

The Tradition Club is an excellent course and was in very good condition. The tees, fairways, and greens were all very good. Greens were running at 10-10.5 on the stimp meter the day I played. I was paired up with another single. This is a solid test of golf on Pawleys Island and I highly recommend this course.