Willbrook Plantation — Local services in South Carolina

Willbrook Plantation – A Top Grand Strand Track and The Ladies Choice in Myrtle Beach When Willbrook Plantation opened in 1988, golf course architect Dan Maples referred to it as “One of my best”. The ladies seem to agree. In fact, Golf Digest named Willbrook Plantation as one of America's Top 50 Courses for Women in 2010. Golf for Women Magazine has ranked the course as high as 25th in the US for women. However, all the guys I spoke with describe it to be a challenging layout, as well. In 2006, Golf Digest awarded Willbrook 4.5 stars in their "Best Places to Play." Willbrook Plantation is built on land that was once two Carolina plantations, dating back to 1798 as evidenced on their logo. As you make your way around the course, you’ll see several historical markers denoting the various historic points of interest. One tells about the mounding built by slaves in the 1700s that served as the property lines between plantations. All kinds of non-golf related facts that add to the round’s enjoyment. Willbrook Plantation plays 6,722 yards from the back tees with a rating of 72.4 and 133. The White Tees at 6,292 yards (70.3/129) provided a great test for me. Ladies play from 4,981 yards (68.3/120). Pick the right set of tees and when it doubt, do what Jack says and play it forward. The golf course at Willbrook Plantation weaves its way through lowcountry marshes, and natural grasses. Along the way you’ll encounter centuries-old oak forests and a blend of wildlife you don’t see at other venues. It’s not uncommon to see the occasional deer, hawk or alligator during your round. The course is very player-friendly, especially for those that have never played the course. Water hazards that may have gone unnoticed, are marked with large yellow flags, so the “I didn’t know there was water there” defense is no longer valid. Water is very much a part of the action at Willbrook Plantation; you’ll see it in some form or another on at least 14 holes, although it only comes into actual play on about half of them. There are several holes at Willbrook that could be considered “signature-worthy” but here are my choices: Most Memorable Hole: Number 6, Par 3, 127 yards (White Tees). A challenging island green gets your attention on this short par 3 hole. A large bunker guards the left side of the green and two grass swales guard the far end, so if you miss the green left, up and down becomes an arduous task. Last Word: It’s easy to see why Willbrook Plantation is consistently ranked one of the top courses in the Myrtle Beach area. Accuracy is at a premium, especially when avoiding large trees. It’s not the longest course on the Strand, but it is going to make you think your way around it. It’s also very peaceful and serene on the course; I think this is what Mark Twain was talking about when he said, “a good walk spoiled.” In addition to the course, Willbrook has a great practice area and a grill that is popular with both visitors and locals. In fact, when I asked several players on the course which hole was their favorite, the majority said it...

On vacation with friends and Willbrook Plantation was listed as a top 100 course for women so I booked via Myrtle Beach Network.

The website (and starter at course) made a point of saying there is water on 16 of the 18 holes but really it isn't in play very much from the red tees. Yes, there are holes with water and forced carries but a lot of the "water" is well off to the left or right of the fairways.

It's a very pretty course, it was in excellent condition considering the night before the course got 2 inches of rain (it was 90 degree except for one hole which was cart path only).

The staff was excellent and very friendly.

Course was a fair test for women from the red tees. The only hole that was really long was the 15th (Par5), 436 yards. It's long because the second shot is a forced carry over a marsh/tall grass area so for women that don't have a decent distance w/driver they may need to layup.

A few tips: (1) This was from the Pro at check-in. A lot of the holes have false fronts so it is good to club up and make sure your ball gets on the green. This was a great tip especially on a wet course with not much roll. (2) The 6th hole is the signature Island green, under 100 yards from red tees so not difficult to carry water but if you miss, miss right side of green (cart path side).

The reason I did not give a 5 start rating is because the carts were older with NO GPS and for prices close to $100 (a.m. tee time) I was surprised; and I asked if they had a yardage book and they "were out of them." So not a big deal but I compare this to courses closer to home at $40 to $60 with new carts w/GPS. Anyway, you can use a phone to see the layout of holes and a range finder (or watch) for yardages.

Overall, I would play the course again just based on the layout of the course and enjoyment...

I guess I'll start at the beginning, we pulled into the front gate and were behind 2 landscape trucks the first was held up for a number of minutes, so we pulled over to the other gate and we were told in undcertain terms to get back in line, extremely rude beginning. Next, thru the hot months of the year, i bring dish type towels that I soak in in ice water, to keep cool. The counterperson said you can't bring your own beer on the course..... I explained the towels thing I assured them the small trash can was for towels, they said we can give you a cup of ice. I even offered to pay for ice understanding the demand was great, we come to find there were very few golfers today unless they had a big group coming in after 3:00 and were bogarting (old school term) the ice for later use. Finally the course, nice layout, well placed traps, a few beach size traps that you drive the cart thru, pretty cool but only cosmedic? Dried grass that can only be described as enough mowed grass piles were just short of bales, as in hay. Moving on. Aprons were weed, the greens had been recently aerated, (which i know is a nessacery evil) no maintenance had been done in, I would say 2-3 weeks, it was like putting on a large broiler pan, either along the pans ribs or , even more exciting adventure across the ribs! No attempt to whip the sand down or even roll them. There's more but, bottom line, until you have a great track, great conditions and just overall great experience outside the clubhouse, that would refer to gate and golf. And inside tbe clubhouseally understand youve been around since 1900, but that does not hold frozen water, in the emencly competitive golf business. It brings to mind the book "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer...