The Parkland Hand-Off
As the resort prepared to round out its trilogy, Mike Strantz is said to have stepped in to help complete Parkland. His touch may be found in a few of the bolder flourishes and angled challenges across the routing.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Legends Resort – Parkland Course
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Established
1992
Architect
Larry Young (with creative completion credited in part to Mike Strantz; inspiration from Alister MacKenzie & George Thomas)
Access
Public
Par
Par 72
Length
5,370 – 7,108 yds
Green Fees
$
More at Legends Resort
The verdict
Strategy-Driven Southern Standout
Modeled after American classics and refined by regional lore, Parkland delivers a demanding test and a dash of history. It’s a must for Myrtle Beach golf trippers seeking substance and style—without the bucket-list crowds or national spotlight.
Course DNA
Difficulty
84
Scenery73
Conditioning69
Shot Variety80
Walkability62
Green Complexity76
Wow Factor70
Design Quality76
At a glance
Quick facts
Slope/Rating (Back Tees)
74.9 / 136
Grass Type
Bermuda fairways and greens
Practice Facility
Expansive range and short-game area
Typical Tournament
Hosts World Amateur and Father-Son
Signature Inspiration
Augusta National, Riviera, Pine Valley
Multi-course Resort
One of three courses at Legends
The design
The architecture
Legends Resort’s Parkland Course is the region’s tribute to the Golden Age of American golf design—heavy on strategic values, framed by heritage trees and subtle land movement. Every hole is crafted to demand thoughtful angles off the tee and precise second shots, reflecting the schools of MacKenzie and Thomas, with hints of Strantz’s flair subtly woven in. The course leans on classic parkland elements: sculpted bunkers, sloping greens, and risk-reward par fives. Hazards are usually placed to confront the bold, not the cautious, rewarding disciplined play over wild aggression. The routing ensures a strong mix of shorter risk-reward and long, bruising tests, with the back nine serving as the toughest gauntlet.
Larry Young signed the course, but its identity is rooted in MacKenzie/Thomas classicism with a memorable finishing touch from Mike Strantz.
Defining features
- Classic tree-lined fairways
- Bunkering inspired by MacKenzie/Thomas
- Strategically demanding par-4s and long par-3s
- Elevated and sloped green complexes
- Mix of reachable and three-shot par-5s
- Strong risk/reward decisions throughout
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
The Early Gauntlet
PAR
4
YARDAGE
456
This lengthy par 4 sets the tone from the start, demanding both distance and placement with a long, well-defended approach. A controlled tee shot short of trouble is key to hitting the slightly elevated green. Bogey often beats trying to play hero this early in the round.
Play it smart
Aim for the fat part of the fairway; resist aggressive lines left. Set up a manageable long iron in.
Where it bites
Deep fairway bunkers right and a difficult up-and-down if you miss the green short.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approach into 2nd green (long par 4)
Favor the front left third and play for par; right-side miss is especially penal.
Laying up on par-5 8th
Resist going for the green unless the tee shot is ideal—smart layup leaves a full wedge.
Tee shot on par-3 13th
Club up, aim safe, and ignore the back right pin.
Second shot on par-5 15th
Take your medicine—lay up short if any doubt, avoid fairway bunkers and water long.
Tee shot on par-4 17th
Keep the driver in check; hitting fairways is points, not yards.
Putting on contoured greens
Read extra break on the longer putts; many greens have more tilt than you read.
Watch
See it before you play it
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Generally solid resort conditions, with some variability during heavy play or summer renovation periods.
Pace
4.5+ hour rounds are possible in peak season; early tee times yield a smoother flow.
Vibe
Laid-back Myrtle Beach resort energy—friendly for groups, tournament players, and travelers.
Dress code
Standard golf attire (collared shirt encouraged), no extreme formality.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial in the Driver
Practice accuracy—Parkland’s fairways reward finding the right side over brute force.
02
Long Iron Reps
Several par-3s measure well over 200 yards, so brush up on hybrids and long iron accuracy.
03
Expect Variable Greens
Morning greens tend to be smoother; late afternoon may play grainier after lots of rounds.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1992
Parkland Course opens at Legends Resort
- 1999
Earns Golf Digest 4-star 'Best Places to Play'
- 2003
Receives 4.5 stars and Outstanding Service award from Golf Digest
- 2007
Repeated 4-star ranking in Golf Digest Best Places to Play
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Strategy Over Power
Ask any local and they’ll tell you: Parkland is a placement course, where brains beat brawn. Navigating doglegs and approach angles trumps pure muscle here.
Back-Nine Bravado
With three of the toughest holes packed into the final six (including two mean par 3s over 225 yards), Parkland’s finish is not for the faint of heart or the feeble of long iron.
A Real Myrtle Beach Gathering Place
More than forty tournaments a year—including the famed World Amateur—bring thousands of players through Legends’ doors, cementing Parkland’s place as a social and competitive hub.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Parkland was the final course added to the Legends trilogy, completing an ambitious 1990s golf development.
2
The course is a mainstay tournament venue, with over 40 competitive events held annually.
3
Architectural inspiration comes directly from Augusta National and Riviera—legends among Golden Age designs.
4
Mike Strantz’s contribution in completing Parkland gives it a subtle creative edge and local lore.
5
Despite regional acclaim, Parkland has never cracked a major U.S. national top-100 list.
Build the trip
If you’re making a Myrtle Beach golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
TPC Myrtle Beach
Public/Resort
Top-tier tournament-caliber and highly regarded by better players
Grande Dunes Resort Course
Public/Resort
Highly ranked and very playable riverside resort layout
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Public
One of the region’s signature, most beautiful experiences
True Blue Golf Club
Public
Memorable layout with bold design and strong par-5s
Oyster Bay Golf Links
Public
Classic Myrtle Beach resort round with different scenery
Stay at Legends Resort or anywhere along the Carolina Forest / Highway 501 Myrtle Beach corridor for convenient access to all courses.
Course DNA
If You Like Legends Resort
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.2
The Preserve at Jordan Lake
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaDifficulty
Why it matches: What links these two? Brings a comparable level of challenge — a familiar feeling, expressed in The Preserve at Jordan Lake's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.8
The Fort Golf Resort
Indianapolis, IndianaDifficulty
Why it matches: If Legends Resort – Parkland Course is your kind of course, The Fort Golf Resort is worth a look because it brings a comparable level of challenge.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Royal New Kent Golf Club
Providence Forge, VirginiaDifficulty
Why it matches: What links these two? Brings a comparable level of challenge — a familiar feeling, expressed in Royal New Kent Golf Club's own setting.
The architect's other work
More from Larry Young
Legends Resort – Parkland Course
Myrtle Beach, SCFlagship classic-inspired course
Community Sentiment
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