Tidewater Golf Club: A Review with a Focus on Water Features

Title: Tidewater Golf Club: A Review with a Focus on Water Features

Tidewater Golf Club, Myrtle Beach’s expansive golf oasis, flawlessly integrates the elements of Southern beauty, sophisticated design, and challenging golf terrain. As a local, I have witnessed how it has grown into one of the most celebrated golfing destinations in the region, attracting enthusiastic golfers from all over the world. For this review, I wish to spotlight an essential part of Tidewater’s allure—the water features that complement the scenic canvas surrounding them.

Characterized by a delightful blend of natural and man-made aquatic showcases, Tidewater’s water features create a captivating experience for any golfer. The proximity of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and the scenic Cherry Grove, paired with the golf club’s intricate water traps, not only provide a vivid backdrop for the game but also enhance the challenge that draws golf purists.

Much of what transforms Tidewater into a golfer’s paradise can be traced back to its developer, Ken Tomlinson. A Myrtle Beach local and an enthusiastic golfer himself, Tomlinson envisioned a course where every hole would evoke both awe and strategy. The result is an array of holes designed around the natural lay of the land and the existing water bodies, setting a stage where each swing becomes part of a picturesque narrative.

The course begins modestly with comparatively few water features, allowing golfers to gain confidence and a feel for the course. It brilliantly builds anticipation for the remarkable water-laden golfing challenge that awaits.

Where Tidewater truly parts ways from typical beach layouts is from the third hole onwards. Aptly called “Water’s Edge,” this hole introduces the first significant body of water on the course. A delightful Par 3, the hole requires a well-judged shot over an ominous lagoon that guards the green. It’s a first taste of how water plays a vital role in shaping the Tidewater experience.

As we move forward through the course, the exposure to Tidewater’s water features only escalates. The seventh hole is a signature Par 3 with an expansive lake nestled between the tee and the green, offering staggering views of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Mistimed shots are punished as balls often find their way into this tempting water hazard.

The twelfth hole, known as “Island Green,” is undoubtedly the zenith of Tidewater’s water feature spectacle. As the name suggests, the green floats like an island in a sea of sparkling blue water. It’s a hole that demands precision and guts, often utilizing the water to intimidate even the most seasoned players.

The water features also serve an ecological purpose. They provide habitats for local fauna including fish, turtles, and a multitude of bird species. Golfers can often spot ospreys and herons gracefully skimming across the water bodies, adding an extra layer of serenity to this seaside golfing paradise.

But the water features at Tidewater are more than just physical obstructions that make the game challenging; they form an integral part of the rhythm of the golfing journey. One moment they offer the exhilaration of a well-earned Par after a precise shot; the next, they mete out a dampening blow, almost mocking a poor swing. To me, they disclose Tidewater’s unique personality—one that inspires admiration, demands respect but always promises a genuinely engaging game.

In conclusion, Tidewater Golf Club is a testament to superlative golfing architecture that has carefully harnessed the natural water bodies of Myrtle Beach and integrated them into its aesthetics. The water features stand out, as both stunning natural spectacles and tactical gameplay elements that allure golf enthusiasts of varying levels. With its blend of breathtaking beauty and artful challenge, a round at the Tidewater is an experience not just to play, but to behold. The course truly encaptures the heart of any golfer who ventures onto its inviting greens to face the dance between precision, power, and the ever-present, shimmering blue.