Beachwood Golf Course

Beachwood Golf Course carries the lowest slope rating of any full-length course on the Grand Strand: 120 from the back tees, dropping further from the forward positions. Gene Hamm's 1968 design in North Myrtle Beach was built for playability rather than punishment, and fifty-plus years of operation have confirmed the wisdom of that approach. Beachwood fills a specific and important role in the Myrtle Beach golf ecosystem: it is the course where beginners can play without intimidation, seniors can walk comfortably, and budget-conscious golfers can play quality turf without financial strain.

The design is straightforward in the best sense. Fairways are wide, hazards are visible, and greens are accessible from multiple angles. Five sets of tees allow players to match the course to their ability rather than struggling through a layout calibrated for a different skill level. From the forward tees, Beachwood plays as a genuinely comfortable experience for newer golfers. From the tips at 6,844 yards, it provides enough length to keep experienced players engaged without the penal features that slow pace on harder courses.

Hamm avoided water hazards on most holes and used bunkering sparingly, which means errant shots typically find grass rather than sand or liquid. This design philosophy accelerates pace of play and reduces the ball-loss frustration that can define a beginner's experience on more demanding layouts. A group of mixed abilities can complete a round at Beachwood in under four hours on a quiet day, a rare achievement on the Grand Strand during peak season.

The North Myrtle Beach location puts Beachwood in the Barefoot Landing corridor, convenient for groups staying in the northern stretch. The surrounding area offers dining and entertainment without the density and traffic congestion of central Myrtle Beach. The course itself is flat and walkable, though carts are available and widely used.

At $40 to $79, Beachwood sits at the entry level of Grand Strand pricing. The lower end of that range appears during afternoon and twilight windows, where a round can cost less than dinner at a mid-range restaurant. This pricing makes Beachwood practical as a second round on a day when the morning was spent on a more expensive course, or as the daily-play option on a trip where one or two premium rounds anchor the itinerary.

Conditioning reflects the volume and price point honestly. Greens are maintained to a standard that supports enjoyable putting without aspiring to tournament speeds. Fairways are grassed and playable throughout the season. The course does not pretend to offer a premium experience at bargain prices; it offers a pleasant, accessible round at a price that removes financial barriers to playing golf on vacation.

For the golfer who measures a round's success by enjoyment rather than difficulty, Beachwood delivers consistently. It does one thing well, and it does it at a price that makes golf accessible to everyone visiting the Grand Strand.