You know that feeling when you're watching the Masters on a Sunday and you think, "I could totally make that putt on 12"? Usually, that’s just the beer talking. Most of us will never sniff a locker room at Augusta National or St. Andrews. But World Tour Golf Links Myrtle Beach SC basically exists to let us play pretend for four hours. It’s a weird, ambitious, and surprisingly high-quality tribute to the cathedrals of the game.
It’s not just a golf course. It’s more like a playable museum.
Mel Graham, the guy behind the vision, didn't just want to build another 18 holes in a city that already has nearly a hundred of them. He wanted to recreate the specific stress of a Sunday at a Major. He literally traveled across the globe, measuring slopes, mapping bunker depths, and capturing the "vibe" of the world’s most famous holes. The result is a layout that feels like a fever dream for anyone who spends too much time on Golf Channel.
What World Tour Golf Links Myrtle Beach SC Actually Feels Like
Walking onto the first tee, you aren’t just starting a round; you’re starting a journey through three different "nations." The course is divided into the Championship, Open, and International nines, though most days you’ll play a rotation of two.
The first thing you’ll notice is the bridge.
The Stone Bridge on the "Open" nine is a dead ringer for the Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews. It’s the spot where everyone stops to take a photo, even if they’ve just sliced their ball into the gorse. Honestly, the replicas are shockingly detailed. You aren't just looking at a hole that "looks like" Winged Foot; you're playing a hole designed with the same yardage and elevation changes as the 10th at Winged Foot.
It's intimidating.
When you stand on the tee of the hole inspired by the 12th at Augusta (Golden Bell), the wind swirls exactly the same way. It’s a short iron, maybe a 9-iron or a wedge, but the psychological weight of that narrow green and Rae’s Creek—or the World Tour version of it—makes your hands a little sweatier than they should be for a Saturday morning in South Carolina.
💡 You might also like: Current Score of the Steelers Game: Why the 30-6 Texans Blowout Changed Everything
The Logistics of Playing a "Global" Course
A lot of people think World Tour is just a gimmick. It’s easy to dismiss it as the "mini-golf" version of real championship courses. That’s a mistake. The course is consistently ranked as one of the best-maintained properties in the Grand Strand area.
They don't slack on the greens.
The turf is usually manicured to a standard that matches the prestige of the holes it’s imitating. If the greens were slow and bumpy, the illusion would break instantly. Instead, they keep them fast. If you’re playing the hole modeled after the 11th at Merion, you’ll find the bunkers are just as punishing as the real deal in Pennsylvania.
Wait, is it actually hard?
Yes. Because these holes were chosen because they are the hardest or most iconic in the world. You’re essentially playing an "All-Star" team of hazards. There are no "breather" holes here. On a standard course, the architect gives you a few wide-open fairways to find your rhythm. At World Tour Golf Links Myrtle Beach SC, you are constantly under pressure.
- The Amen Corner Stretch: Playing the 11th, 12th, and 13th replicas back-to-back is exhausting.
- The International Flavor: You’ll hit shots inspired by Royal Troon in Scotland and Valderrama in Spain.
- The Clubhouse: It’s a 25,000-square-foot mansion that feels like a private club, which helps sell the "Elite Major" atmosphere they’re going for.
The Critics and the Reality
Not everyone loves this concept. Purists sometimes argue that a replica can never capture the soul of the original. And they're right, sort of. You aren't in Scotland. You're in Myrtle Beach. The air smells like salt water and BBQ, not heather and peat.
But for the average golfer? It's a blast.
📖 Related: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
Where else can you play the "Postage Stamp" from Royal Troon and then, twenty minutes later, try to survive the 18th at Inverness? It’s a condensed version of a golfer's bucket list. The critics often overlook the sheer engineering feat required to make these holes work in the flat, sandy soil of South Carolina. Bringing the elevation of a North Carolina mountain course (like the holes inspired by Pinehurst) to the coast isn't easy.
Things You Might Not Know About the Layout
The course has gone through some changes over the years. Originally, there were 27 holes. They recently scaled back to a focused 18-hole Championship/Open rotation. This actually helped the pace of play and allowed the grounds crew to focus all their resources on making those 18 holes absolutely pristine.
One of the most underrated parts of the experience is the "International" influence. Most people come for Augusta, but the holes inspired by the English and Scottish links are often the most technical.
The bunkers are different here.
They aren't just sand traps; they are strategic "pot bunkers" that require a genuine explosion shot to escape. If you’ve never played true links-style golf, the "Open" nine will be a rude awakening. You can’t always fly the ball to the hole; sometimes you have to learn the "bump and run," just like they do at the British Open.
Planning Your Visit to World Tour Golf Links Myrtle Beach SC
If you're booking a trip, don't just show up and expect a casual round. This is a "bucket list" course for many, so tee times fill up months in advance, especially during the peak spring and fall seasons.
- The Best Time to Play: Mid-April. The azaleas (yes, they planted them to mimic Augusta) are usually in bloom.
- The Cost: Expect to pay a premium. It’s one of the higher-tier courses in Myrtle Beach, often sitting in the $100-$180 range depending on the season.
- The Gear: Bring extra balls. Seriously. If you’re playing replicas of the hardest holes in the world, you’re going to lose a few in the "tribute" water hazards.
Real Talk: The "Augusta" Experience
Let’s be honest, the main draw for World Tour Golf Links Myrtle Beach SC is the back nine. Playing the replicas of holes 11, 12, and 13 from Augusta National is the closest most of us will ever get to the Masters.
👉 See also: Cowboys Score: Why Dallas Just Can't Finish the Job When it Matters
Does it look exactly like it? No. The pine trees aren't quite the same, and the grass is different. But the geometry is there. When you stand on the 12th tee, looking at that sliver of a green across the water, the intimidation is real. You realize why the pros collapse there. The margin for error is non-existent.
The 18th hole at World Tour is a replica of the 18th at St. Andrews. Crossing that bridge and heading toward the clubhouse feels special, even if the "clubhouse" isn't the R&A. It’s about the respect for the game’s history.
Actionable Insights for Your Round
If you want to actually score well here, you have to stop acting like a tourist and start acting like a strategist.
- Ignore the Signs: Each hole has a plaque explaining which famous hole it’s imitating. Read it after you hit. If you think too much about the history, you’ll tighten up. Treat it like a normal par 4, not "The Road Hole."
- Check the Wind: Because the course is relatively open, the wind can play havoc on the replicas of inland courses. A hole that was designed for the woods of Georgia plays very differently in a 15-mph coastal breeze.
- Use the Practice Green: The greens at World Tour are notoriously tricky. They have massive undulations—especially on the holes modeled after Oakmont. Spend 20 minutes getting the speed down before you head to the first tee.
- Photo Etiquette: Take your photos on the bridge or the monuments, but keep it moving. This course can get backed up because everyone wants to be a photographer. Be the person who plays fast and takes their selfies while waiting for the group ahead to clear.
World Tour Golf Links remains one of the most unique properties in the United States. It’s a love letter to the game’s greatest architects—Ross, Tillinghast, MacKenzie, and Jones. Whether you think it’s a brilliant tribute or a high-end novelty, there is no denying the thrill of hitting a pure shot on a hole you’ve seen on TV since you were a kid.
Pack your bag. Grab a dozen balls. Go see if you can handle the "Greatest Hits" of the golfing world. Just don't expect the ghosts of the legends to help you with your putting.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the current aerification schedule on the official World Tour website or through a local provider like Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. Playing on freshly punched greens can ruin the "replica" experience, so timing is everything. If you're staying in the central Myrtle Beach area, this course is conveniently located off River Oaks Drive, making it an easy first or last round for your trip.