Florence, South Carolina, isn't exactly Myrtle Beach. You won't find eighty-plus courses jammed into a single strip of coastline here. Instead, you get a different vibe. It’s quieter. More honest. Honestly, if you’re driving down I-95 or I-20 and you’ve got your clubs in the trunk, you’re usually looking for one specific spot that locals have protected for decades.
That spot is Traces Golf Club Florence SC.
It’s a 27-hole facility that basically defines what "Pee Dee golf" is supposed to feel like. It isn't trying to be Augusta National. It isn't pretending to be a $300-a-round resort course with a fountain in every pond. It’s a place where the grass is green, the beer is cold, and the layout actually makes you think about your club selection rather than just banging a driver into a wide-open field.
The Three-Nine Layout: Why 27 Holes Beats 18
Most people are used to the standard 18-hole grind. You play the front, you play the back, you go home. Traces does it differently. They have three distinct nine-hole courses: The Meadows, The Woodlands, and The Creeks.
This setup is a lifesaver when the Saturday morning rush hits.
The Woodlands is probably the one that gets in people's heads the most. It’s tight. Like, really tight. If you have a slice that moves twenty yards right, you’re going to be spending a lot of quality time with the South Carolina pine trees. It demands accuracy. You’ll find yourself hitting irons or hybrids off the tee just to keep the ball in play.
Then you have The Meadows. It’s a bit more forgiving. You can breathe a little. The fairways open up, and you can actually see where you're going without squinting through a forest.
The Creeks? Well, the name gives it away. Water. It’s everywhere. It’s the kind of nine where you realize halfway through that you should have bought that extra sleeve of balls in the pro shop. But that’s the charm. Because you can mix and match these nines, the "18-hole" round you play today might feel completely different from the one you play next Tuesday.
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The Reality of the Conditions
Let's be real for a second.
Conditioning at any public course in the South is a battle against the elements. We’re talking about heat that feels like a wet blanket and humidity that makes your grip slip. Traces Golf Club Florence SC manages this better than most. They use Champion Bermuda greens. If you know golf, you know that stuff is hardy. It handles the sun. It stays relatively fast.
Is it perfect? No. You might find a brown patch in the rough during a July drought. You might see some wear and tear in the high-traffic areas. But the greens? They usually roll true. For a daily fee course, that’s the only metric that truly matters. If you can’t putt, the rest of the course doesn't matter.
The fairways are generally lush enough to give you a good lie, provided you aren't playing right after a week of South Carolina monsoon rain. When it rains here, it rains. The drainage is decent, but like any course built on the flatter coastal plain of the Carolinas, it can get "soupy" in the low spots. If it's been pouring, call ahead. Use your head.
A Club That Actually Likes Its Members
There’s a weird elitism in golf sometimes. You walk into some clubhouses and feel like you need to show a bank statement just to get a bucket of balls.
Traces isn't like that.
The staff usually knows the regulars by name. There’s a "membership" here, but it’s more of a community. They have leagues. They have tournaments. They have people who have been walking these fairways since the course opened in the late 80s and early 90s.
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It’s the kind of place where you can show up as a single and actually get paired with people who are fun to play with. You aren't just a tee time on a spreadsheet. You're a golfer.
The Logistics: Getting There and Staying Fed
Traces is located off West Murphy Road. It’s super easy to get to from the highway, which makes it a prime "halfway" point for golfers traveling from the Northeast down to Florida.
- The Grill: Don’t expect a five-star steakhouse. Expect a killer burger or a hot dog that hits the spot at the turn. The "19th hole" vibe is strong here. It’s where stories are told, and handicaps are lied about.
- The Practice Facility: They’ve got a full range. It’s not fancy, but it works. If you need to shake off the rust before hitting the first tee on The Creeks, spend twenty minutes here.
- Rates: This is the big draw. You can often play Traces for a fraction of what you’d pay thirty miles closer to the beach. It’s one of the best values in the region, hands down.
What Most People Get Wrong About Florence Golf
People think if it’s not on the coast, it’s just flat farmland.
That’s a mistake.
While Traces isn't mountainous, the architects (including the original design work that shaped these nines) used the natural undulation of the Pee Dee region quite well. There are elevation changes. There are forced carries over water. There are bunkers positioned exactly where your "good" drive usually lands.
It’s a strategic course. If you try to overpower it, Traces will humiliate you. It’s better to be smart than long here.
Why the "The Creeks" Nine is the True Test
If you want to test your nerves, make sure your 18-hole rotation includes The Creeks. It’s arguably the most scenic of the three nines, but it’s also the most punishing. The water hazards aren't just for show; they define the doglegs.
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On several holes, you're forced to make a decision: do I lay up or do I go for it?
Most people go for it. Most people end up in the water.
The par-3s on this section are particularly stout. You need to be able to control your ball flight, especially if the wind starts kicking up across the open spaces. It’s golf in its purest, most frustrating, and most rewarding form.
The Verdict on Traces Golf Club Florence SC
If you want a sterile, over-manicured experience where a caddie holds your hand, go elsewhere. Seriously.
But if you want a course that feels like South Carolina—raw, challenging, friendly, and affordable—this is it. It’s the kind of place where you remember why you started playing golf in the first place. It’s about the walk, the shots, and the people.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit:
- Check the Rotation: Since there are three nines, call the pro shop the morning of your visit. Ask which two are the "primary" 18 for the day. If you have a choice, try to get The Woodlands paired with The Meadows for a balanced round, or The Creeks if you want a challenge.
- Tee Time Booking: Use their online portal or a third-party aggregator like GolfNow, but honestly? Calling them often gets you the most accurate info on course conditions or upcoming small tournaments that might slow you down.
- Watch the Weather: South Carolina summers are brutal. If you’re playing between June and September, book a tee time before 8:00 AM. If you’re out there at 1:00 PM, you aren't playing golf; you're surviving.
- Equipment Check: Bring extra balls. The Creeks and The Woodlands are unforgiving to wayward shots. You’ll thank me later.
- Local Rule: Respect the pace of play. Traces is a popular spot for locals who play fast. If you're a group of four taking six hours, you’re going to hear about it. Keep up or let people through.
Go play. It’s worth the stop. It’s a piece of Florence history that still holds its own in a state famous for its fairways.