NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The Grand Strand might lack ocean views from its 90-plus golf courses, but there are still dozens of scenic spots.
And many of those magical moments come along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The construction of the waterway, which runs through natural harbors, inlets, rivers and man-made sections, dates back to the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1909 by Congress. Today, it spans roughly 3,000 miles, from its most northern point in the Manasquan River in New Jersey all the way to the Gulf of Mexico and Brownsville, Texas.
Golfers playing seven Myrtle Beach golf courses can gaze at boats and yachts of all sizes meandering down what looks like a canal in many spots. These idyllic settings provide therapy for the soul.
The best view of the waterway comes on the gondola ride to the Waterway Hills Golf Club. This tram takes golfers on a journey 100 feet above the waterway, connecting the parking lot to its 27 holes.
No. 1 on both the Oaks and Ravines nines play along the water. The best of the holes along the waterway might be pretty, but give them they're due respect, too. Here's the best of the bunch:
No. 14: Resort Club at Grande Dunes
No Myrtle Beach has more good holes on the waterway than the Resort Club at Grande Dunes, a Roger Rulewich design.
The best of the seven might be 14, a monstrous, 244-yard par 3. When the wind blows, it's a beast, playing over a marsh and a massive front bunker. The 469-yard ninth hole, the no. 2-handicap, comes in a close second with its views of the nearby marina.
No. 10: Norman Course at Barefoot Resort & Golf
Seven of the holes on the back nine on the Norman Course at Barefoot Resort & Golf flirt with the Intracoastal.
A large bunker sitting on the front left side of the par-3 10 steers players to miss it right into the water. The waterway running the entire right side of the par-4s at nos. 14 and 17 catches plenty of slices.
No. 16: Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf Links
It's tough choosing the best waterway hole at Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf Links, a Donald Ross tribute course.
Sixteen -- a demanding, 431-yard par 4 -- requires a precise drive of roughly 250 yards to the crest of a hill but short of an elongated bunker. The second plays downhill to a small green with trouble lurking everywhere.
The par-3 17th hole is another strong candidate, playing 212 yards to a green flanked by water on two sides and six bunkers.
No. 8: Tidewater Golf Club & Plantation
Although there are more beautiful holes at Tidewater Golf Club & Plantation (Nos. 3-4-11-12 all play along the Cherry Grove Inlet), the risk-reward, par-5 eight is the best of the four holes along the waterway.
The waterway runs up the entire left side of the fairway and pinches a narrow green. At 475 yards from the blue tees and 457 yards from the whites, the hole tempts players into going for it in two.
No. 18: Palmetto Course at Myrtlewood Golf Club
Palmetto Course at Myrtlewood Golf Club's 468-yard, par-4 18th was the region's first hole built along the Intracoastal. It's a great way to finish the round, teeing off above a super-sized fairway with water running along the entire left side.
No. 5: The Waterway nine at Arrowhead Country Club
The dreaded hook off the tee will end up sinking fast on five at the Waterway nine at Arrowhead Country Club. At 387 yards, it's not long, although three fairway bunkers and four greenside traps create resistance to scoring.
