Thistle Golf Club - MacKay Course

This 27-hold layout has some breather holes but overall it is a legitimate challenge. Water is nearly everywhere but only is it put in your face on a few holes. Mostly you can manage it. Greens were super fast and it was only early spring. Contours on greens combined with speeds created some interesting situations. I was fortunate to have been able to play all 27 holes.

What a great course, conditions were a little wet but the course was awesome, a little tough so pick the right tees, play this course if you get a chance

It’s been very wet in Myrtle lately, so it was cart path only, and mud balls were the norm today. Course was playable, but due to rain most holes were cut on crowns to ensure they stayed dry. This made for, let me call it an interesting day with the putter.

Now if I take the wetness away, the layout is amazing. Some really pretty holes. Most greens were in great shape, fairways though wet, were green & healthy. Teeblocks were also in great shape. I’d love to play here again after the course dries out. They have a practice range, which looked good, but was closed due to wetness.

Staff was very friendly. Only issue we really had was at the turn we went in to get sandwiches, and this took a bit of time, as they had to make them as we waited (however they were worth the wait). Bag guys, starter were all amazing. Beer cart girl was around a few times, but looked disinterested as she looked cold.

I paired up with some guys who have a townhouse in North Myrtle, and they say Thistle is one of their favourite courses in the area. I know, if the weather improves, I’ll give Thistle another go.

Very nice course with great conditions for January. Greens rolled very nice and quick. Would recommend.

I have enjoyed my experience every time I play this course. It is rather wet in some areas, but the greens are firm and rolling true.

Great clubhouse, course was in excellent condition and great food. Played all 3 nines today and had a great time.

Greens were in great shape. Staff is friendly. Good lunch with full bar.

After weeks of rain up and down the Carolina coasts, we found Thistle to be absolutely playable. The fairways were a little long from not being able to mow but the greens were about as perfect as you can get for a mid November round. Thistle never disappoints. All other courses around were too wet to play.

First time playing at Thistle. Played Cameron and Stewart. Both were great layouts. Lots of memorable tee shots. Both courses had plenty of water and sand and required pretty accurate tee shots. Fairways. Tee boxes and greens were in great condition. I will play again when in the area.

Very good track. No tricks what you see is what you get.

Course was not real crowded due to the hot, humid day, so we moved around at a decent pace. Only hiccup was we came up on a 5 some of ladies, but were quickly waved through. Tees were a bit worn , but fairways and greens were in excellent shape. Good layout, with a mix of easier and more difficult holes. Would suggest at the prices they charge , range balls ought to be complimentary. Charging $5 for 25 range balls is a gouge.

We played at 1:00. There were a lot of golfers coming in but the staff was very organized and we got off on time. . The pace of play was fine . The course was in excellent shape and fun to play. Would definitely go back there. A little creepy having cameras in the bathroom right over the toilet

I have played many courses at the beach over the last 20 years. I have found my favorite. Everything about the Thistle is 1st class. from the time I arrived to I left it was incredible. The staff, the course, the restaurant/bar was the best. I don't know why I waited so long to play this course. I will be back Labor day weekend and I will be playing the Thistle.

We played the Cameron and Stewart courses. The course is in great shape with beautiful fast greens running around 11. Amazingly dry given the last couple of weeks of rain. The front 9 Cameron was great with great pace of play. On the turn we find ourselves as part of 4 groups on the fist hole of Stewart. One flight on green next, a 3some on tee in their late 20s, 3 much older gentlemen around my age waiting then us, ie myself and my in-laws 82 and 78 of age. The problem was the young guns thot they should drive to the green at 317yds and waited till the first group walked off the green. They ended up driving between 240 and 275 yds. The ranger drove by and i wave for him to stop. Before i could say anything the 3 older guys jumped in and said everything is fine followed by a quick chat between themselves as they know the ranger being regulars at the course.All 3 took their time teeing off. we ended up waiting a good 25 minutes before we could tee off. That is totally unacceptable. We ended up waiting 3-10 mins before each shot given the 3 old slow deer in front. The young guns caught up with the group in front of them hence the gap opening up in front of the 3 slow old slow deer. Look i am 61 playing with my in laws both older than the 3 old slow deer. I got to talk to the ranger again but he made no attempt to move the speed up given that he knew them well. I was told everything was playing at the right pace which was not right given that they were then 1 stoke n 2 putts behind the young guns. Yes we were all riding and not walking. We waited on every shot 3-5 mins. Every hole after we putted out we drove to the next tee only to have to wait 3-5 mins again since they continue their slow play and still teeing off at the tee box. On the par 5 we saw the gun guns walking off the green but only to find ourselves waiting for these 3 guys to tee off. For a course that prides themselves and hold themselves to a higher standard and refusing to acknowledge slow play of their regulars, Its totally unacceptable after all it cost about $90, including fees per person. It is sad for such a well maintained course

I created this profile just to add a review to the course. Your experience starts on the drive in to a beautiful clubhouse, running through a few of the holes on the Cameron 9. The greens were hands down the best greens I have seen in the myrtle beach area. We played the Cameron and Mackay courses and were in awe of the beauty and wildlife the entire time. It was cart path only, which we knew with the rain this week all courses would be, and it didn't take away from the experience one bit. This is a must play again course,

Course was in outstanding condition, greens were perfect!

Great course, a few greens have problems , remainder in great condition. First off, best the turn, 2 hour round

BEWARE ---"THISTLE RAIN CHECK POLICY".

My group was scheduled to play March 11, 2017, but due to Snow, Sleet, and Wind they closed the course. We were issued 31 Rain Checks for this event. This year we were scheduled on Monday, March 12th, with 25 Rain Checks (6 could not make it this year), and the forecast for the day was a 100% chance of Rain. When I arrived at the course asked Bill working the counter what was their Rain Check Policy. I was told 5 holes or less you’ll get 18 holes. If it was 6 to 12 holes you would get 9 holes. Anything over 12 holes would be nothing, which many would consider fair. The lead groups only got to the 4th hole, and we all returned to the Club House, due to 25+ mile an hour winds and heavy rain. When I asked for 25 new Rain Checks, we were informed they wouldn't issue a new Rain Check on a Rain Check. I was told we had a year to use them, which would have been fine if we lived in the area. However, this was an annual golf trip where everyone lives at least 11 hours away.

After discussing to several Pro's and General Managers at our other courses for the trip, they felt this policy was unfair in this instance.

They at minimum issued the old rain check, which would expire by the end of the week. They stated we could come back between 4:00 and 5:00 PM for the remainder of the week and they would ATTEMPT to get us out on the course. I informed them that would be extremely difficult and/or impossible for the entire group, because:

1. Having all afternoon Tee Times of 12:30 to 1:15 at other courses, plus travel time.

2. Mostly Seniors between 62 to 75 years old.

3. Night encroaching around 7:00PM, and with their estimate time getting out, only gives 2-3 hours to play 18 holes.

Six guys managed to rush around and barely get 9 holes in before night fell.

At $82.00 X 25 =$2050.00 not a bad RIP OFF on mostly SENIORS.

BOTTOM LINE IS WE DIDN'T GET WHAT WE PAID FOR.

Can't comment on Course never got to play it.