Thistle Golf Club - MacKay Course

Thistle is the best golf course in the North Myrtle Beach area. I play it regularly Because of it’s good condition, great cart paths and challenging holes..

I played here last week during the World Amateur and found the course conditions to be excellent, kudos to the Superintendent and his crew for a job well done. The clubhouse is great, beverage cart service is good as well. The pace of play was disgusting to say the least, 5:40 for 18 holes! And the rangers, absolutely useless! All they did was drive around, write down the cart number you were riding in and just just start talking to you while the groups were piled upon on the tees waiting to hit. Why the heck are they even out there, must be for the free golf. Utterly useless!

If you love Golf, nature and a beautiful Golf course Layout and Clubhouse, then Thistle Golf Club is a must play for you!

With three distinct nine hole tracts to challenge any golfer, offering so much natural beauty and nature to make your day all the more special, you simply can’t go wrong with this selection.

The Superintendent and his team are always on top of the course conditions and you’ll find the staff from the Bag-Drop to the Pro-Shop and the Wait-Staff in the Clubhouse very respectful and accommodating. Whenever planning to be in the area, or if you’re living nearby, make it a point to get out to play Thistle Golf Club. It will not disappoint!

I entered a 4some in the Labor Day Scramble,, which had to be the best organized tournament that I have ever played in.

1. First they requested prepayment prior to the tournament, which eliminated the check in problems and delays, in the pro shop..

2. The cart staff had the carts organized and our clubs were placed immediately upon arrival.

3. he fee did not include range balls, but they were conveniently located by the cart check in.

4. The tournament started on schedule, and even though it was a scramble , with mulligans, and A and B groups on some holes, we played in under 4 hours.

5. Lunch was included , buffet style in the beautiful clubhouse and the staff was excellent and courteous. The food was also better than the typical hamburgers, or hot dogs, serving chili and pulled pork sandwiches along with the usual beans, cole slaw etc.

6. It took a little while for the later groups to wander in which delayed the awards, somewhat (we failed to place in the top 3) so I do not know what the top teams rec'd.

7. And it finished with the raffle prizes which included a number of Callaway clubs, from wedges, putters, fairway woods and drivers and a Callaway bag.

Now in regards to the course it was in excellent condition, from tee boxes, to fairways and especially the greens. Thank goodness it was a scramble as the greens had very slight undulations by most pin placements, which made the first putt very difficult if over 6 or 7 feet away. I think our 4some only made 3 of our first putts.

And a final comment the golf carts are probably the nicest carts on the grand strand, and so are the on course bathrooms.

When these reviews ask if you would recommend this course to friends, not only are we doing that we are playing with 2 friends tomorrow, who have never played this course !!! I've even recommended this course to strangers !

Best course in the Ocean Isle area. Pristine condition

Best golf course in Calabash/NMB. The course is in excellent condition. Must play!!

Had a great time. Course in great condition and staff was friendly.

Perfection from tee to green, and then some. Every aspect of Thistle was 5 star. Bag drop staff, pro shop staff, starter, beverage cart and rangers were all friendly and concerned about our enjoyment.

Conditions were perfect. Despite recent rain, the fairways, rough, bunkers, fringes and greens were in perfect condition. Greens were soft but fast.

Nature areas abound and were all spectacular. Lots of wildlife visible on several holes.

Course can play tough for being short, so pick correct tee box. Lots of thought required on most holes, especially the par 5’s.

Wife loved red tee box positions that were properly placed for her game.

First class operation, from bag drop to starter all were very friendly despite the hectic pace of the full morning tee sheet. The course Stewart/ Mackey combo was great design and greens were perfect.