Score Well at Tradition: A Strategic Guide to an Underrated Design
Located in Pawleys Island, Tradition Club is largely overshadowed by high profile neighbors like Caledonia and Pawleys Plantation, but despite the lack of acclaim, the Ron Garl design is a very good golf course. It’s the type of layout that shows up on your itinerary as an unknown and quickly becomes a regular play.
The reasons for Tradition’s popularity are easy to understand. There are multiple holes that present risk-reward decisions, the layout provides a diversity of challenges, and Tradition always over delivers on value.
As you weigh your options for your next Myrtle Beach golf trip, here is what you need to know to score well on a layout that stretches to 6,875 yards.
Sharp Short Game = Good Day
Nearly every green on the course is protected by bunkers so no matter how well you are striking the ball, a trip or two to a greenside trap is almost inevitable. As part of your warmup, hit a couple shots out of the practice bunker as it may save you strokes during your round.
Read the greens carefully
Make sure you take a quick look at putts from all four sides. As a rule, the course’s greens aren’t super undulating, but the break can be subtle. Prime example is No. 11, which often gives the appearance of breaking to the left, but the ball typically falls right, vexing players. This isn’t a call to slow play. You can read a putt in an efficient manner, even if it means hustling to the green.
Scariest shot of the day is …
The approach shot on No. 7 to one of the course’s two island greens will cause sweat to start beading on your forehead. For starters, the length of the approach is dictated by the quality of your drive on the 377-yard (all distances from the white tees) two-shotter and the target appears perilously small. There is an argument to be had about whether the approach on No. 7 is the course’s toughest shot, but there is no doubting that it’s the day’s most frightening.
Your best chance at birdie arrives early
Tradition features a couple short par 4s among the opening holes, but your best shot at birdie comes on the 347-yard sixth hole. This straight-away par-4 features plenty of room and an inviting green, so uncork the driver and get ready to circle a three on the scorecard.
The challenge gets progressively harder
Tradition is a course you can score on, but you will want to get off to a good start. From the white tees, the front nine plays 3,062 yards and has three par 4s that are 347 yards or less. Conversely, the home nine plays 3,251 yards and holes 16, 17 and 18 present a formidable challenge down the stretch. Best to make hay early and hang on late.
If you are playing the Founders Group All-Inclusive package or the Hammock Coast Golf Trail offer, among many others, Tradition Club needs to be near the top of your list.