Longs, South Carolina
Long Bay Club delivers everything you expect from a Jack Nicklaus Signature—bold visuals, relentless strategic tests, and greens that keep you thinking. Its recent renovation has elevated playability and aesthetics, making it a serious must-stop for any Myrtle Beach golf trip.
After your round, check out the new stream feature and reshaped green at the 4th—it’s become a favorite local photo spot post-renovation.
Long Bay Club is classic Nicklaus: broad visual cues, sculpted bunkers, strategic use of water, and green complexes that force you to plot your way around the course. The routing leverages South Carolina lowcountry terrain to create a series of visual and tactical tests—some subtle, others jaw-dropping. The original 1988 design set out to challenge all skill levels, and recent renovations have expanded greens, modernized bunkering, and brought back both the teeth and nuance to the putting surfaces. The result is a course where every par is earned, and each hole tells a distinctive story.
Jack Nicklaus’s vision is everywhere—in the bold bunkering, in the testy approach angles, and in the demand for sustained strategic thinking, now restored by the 2023-2026 renovation initiatives.
A brawny par 4 that tests nerve and execution, now featuring a renovated green complex and stream accentuating the approach. The dogleg shape encourages players to bite off as much as they dare from the tee, but deep bunkers and water wait for any lapse in judgment. Most leave the green knowing they've survived one of Myrtle Beach's toughest non-par-5s.
Hit a demanding drive for position, then attack the newly shaped green with a mid-to-long iron—conservative play is often rewarded.
Aggression off the tee brings water and bunkers into play; miss left and the stream or deep traps will torpedo par.
Well-maintained resort turf, new TifEagle greens, ongoing improvements.
Typical Myrtle Beach public pace; expect 4:20–4:40 rounds—quicker early and late.
Relaxed, visitor-friendly, with group-trip energy—not stuffy or overly formal.
Standard golf attire (collar, no denim); no extra enforcement beyond public/resort norms.
Recent green expansions mean dialing in chipping and putting touch is a must for scoring.
Peak rounds fill fast; early and late slots enjoy less traffic and more relaxed pace.
Wind and summer heat can vary—bring layers and sun protection during Myrtle Beach high season.
With water and new bunker work in play, even good swings can get penalized if you take on risky lines.
Course designed by Jack Nicklaus Signature Design and opened to play.
Ranked #19 'Best in State' by Golf Digest.
Ranked #8 'Best Public Course in South Carolina' by Golf Digest.
Hosted major charity tournament supporting Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina.
Greens restored to original size and regrassed with TifEagle bermudagrass.
Phase-one bunker and feature renovation for improved playability and drainage.
As one of only two Myrtle Beach-area courses authored by Jack Nicklaus, Long Bay enjoys an elevated local status—every visit is an encounter with the Golden Bear’s shotmaker’s legacy. Its reputation consistently draws design devotees to see how Nicklaus shaped Carolina lowcountry for challenge and drama.
In 2023, Long Bay completed a signature renovation—restoring and expanding its greens to Jack's original specs and resurfacing with TifEagle. This change brought back wild new pin positions and forced regulars to rethink approach angles.
Mid-2020s work has focused on the club’s white sand bunkers, with bunker edges reshaped for both beauty and playability. Hole 4 in particular received dramatic tweaks—a newly defined stream and reimagined green setting now make it a true stand-out on the course.
With its blend of challenge and birdie chances, Long Bay is a favorite for amateur tournaments, such as the Golden Bear Masters Classic. Its closing stretch repeatedly decides titles and casual bets alike.
The greens were expanded from 66,000 to 110,000 square feet during the 2023 renovation.
Long Bay is one of only two Myrtle Beach-area courses designed by Jack Nicklaus.
The club's white-sand bunker shapes are instantly recognizable on flyovers.
Long Bay’s 16–18 stretch is famed locally for flipping match results.
Bunker and feature work are ongoing into 2026, so every return trip may offer something new.
Legendary Lowcountry setting and pure golf atmosphere.
Bold design, dramatic visuals, fun for all skill levels.
Strong finishing holes and premium visitor experience.
Historic centerpiece of Myrtle golf culture.
Coastal marsh vistas and strong ranking among Myrtle public-access options.
North Myrtle Beach or central Myrtle Beach for easy access to Long Bay and top-tier area courses.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. The Olympic Club Lake Course a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Long Bay Club.
Why it matches: Oak Hill Country Club - East is a natural next stop after Long Bay Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: If Long Bay Club is your kind of course, Pound Ridge Golf Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
PGA Tour and iconic coastal design
Another top Nicklaus track in the region
Brutal and scenic tournament test
Community Sentiment
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