• Blog Home
• Course Spotlight: River Hills

Course Spotlight: River Hills

Nestled in Little River, South Carolina, River Hills doesn’t come with the brand recognition of some of the other courses in Myrtle Beach.  Opened in 1989, the course has undergone very little transformation over the years other than the occasional moderate change of a tee box here or there.  Overall, the course is still very similar to the one award the “Best New Course” distinction by Golf Digest back in 1989.

What makes River Hills special is the appropriate mix of tough holes that require a good amount of skill and the amount of scenic holes that look a lot tougher than they play.  The 12^th hole is a good example of the latter.  Set amidst a salty marshland, the 200 yard par 3 will immediately bring fear to many players’ minds.  While the green is not a true island green, there is still plenty of water to give that illusion.  A poor hit tee shot will end up wet while a steady mid-iron will likely find the putting surface, giving the player a great look at a birdie opportunity.

However, the true beauty of River Hills comes from the challenging par 4’s scattered throughout the course.  The 8th hole is a tough 393 yard par 4 that forms almost a right angle in its design.  A 200 yard drive is all you need from the back tees to set yourself up with a good look for your 2nd shot.  Go too long or too short and you’ll likely have to deal with several trees standing between you and the green.

The 14th hole is tight dogleg left that bends around a natural lake forcing players to aim towards the right side of the fairway.  Depending upon the placement of the first shot, players will need to tread carefully on their approach as the green is well guarded by the pond to the left, a sand bunker to the right, and a tight tree-line nestling against the green from the back.  It takes two quality shots on this hole to have a chance at birdie. 

While the par 4’s are unique and fun to play; the par 5’s really add a sense of challenge to this course.  The 17th is the perfect example of a hole that is both scenic and challenging.  Standing on the tee box, you’ll aim down a wide fairway in between two natural ponds.  From there, your 2nd shot will fly over the water and land just shy of a large pot bunker about 50 yards from the green.  From there it’s all about executing in the short game to make par. 

River Hills is a perfect blend of modern and traditional, which is no surprise since architect Tom Jackson is known for blending concepts from multiple golf eras.  Overall, the course is well designed and well-kept, proving golfers with pristine conditions.  With a two story clubhouse, a large practice area, and numerous on-site amenities, River Hills will likely be a repeat destination for you in the future.

Related Entries