The Witch - South Carolina - USA

The Witch is a Maples design and unlike most Myrtle Beach courses there are not many houses around it. The first is a long par four that leans right. Aim at the left fairway bunker and the green is protected by a bunker front right. The 2nd is also a long par four that leans right, this time with a fairway bunker right. Aim down the middle of the fairway, which is much narrower than the first. Additionally, a water hazard encroaches on the right side and the green is protected by bunker front left and one right. Not sure why this hole is rated easier than the first. The first par three is short with a bunker left and gunch in front of the green. The 4th also leans right, two fairway bunkers right and water hazard left. From the tips you are in trouble if you hit it more than 260. A decent drive will give you a wedge to the green. The first par five is an inverse S and I advise playing it as a three shotter. This hole has a narrow fairway. There is a right fairway bunker about 250 off the tee, be short and left. From there hit your 2nd shot about 200 yards to the furthest right apex of the fairway and this should leave you a short iron in. The 6th is the longest par four straightaway with a fairway bunker right about 250 out. Water hazard right and greenside bunker left. The 7th is a mid-length par three, small water carry and bunker in front. The 8th is the longest hole and is a big slinger right. There are two fairway bunkers on the inside elbow that are about 250 out. For your second shot aim at the left fairway bunker. The green is protected front left and right with bunkers. This is deservedly the number one handicap hole, you need to hit three good shots to give yourself a chance. The 9th is the shortest par four and a dogleg left with two swamp carries. The fairway runs out about 100 yards from the green that has two bunkers front right.

The back starts with a par four that leans right. The fairway bunker left is not 250 out! The 11th is a straightaway par five. Two fairway bunkers left and a large one greenside left. The 12th is a mid-length par three with no bunkers. The 13th is a par five. Favor the right side off the tee. Possible to get home in two, but the green is left behind a water hazard. The 14th is the shortest and the easiest hole on the course. The 14th bends left with two bunkers on the outside elbow. The fairway runs out just inside 150 yards, so consider laying up. The 16th is a dogleg right. Favor the left off the tee, I actually hit a straight drive down the right side and was blocked out. The 17th is a forgettable mid-length par three. The 18th bends left and there is a fairway bunker right about 250 out. The green is surrounded by three bunkers.

The course was not in great shape when I played there. Hopefully, that has been rectified as that was several years ago.

Fun, forested course on the way in to MB.

According to folklore, the “Lady of the Lake” gave King Arthur his infamous sword Excalibur. Viviane was a tale of two personalities – the evil and deceitful villainess and yet a kind and benevolent maiden who raised Sir Lancelot as if he were her own son. Mystical Golf owner Claude Pardue commissioned renowned Architect Dan Maples to create a trio of golf courses with three different personalities and unique challenges as these characters. And each clubhouse is as unique as the courses themselves. When I spoke with Mystical Golf owner Claude Pardue he assured me that “there aren’t historical references to the names of the three Mystical Golf courses”, but I am not convinced. The Witch Golf Club was their first course and has been awarded 4 ½ stars by Golf Digest. From the moment I arrived I was graciously greeted at their ominous clubhouse complete with a wraparound deck and roof that eerily resembles a witch’s hat. Claude told me the “The Witch was named due to the swamp it plays through in that, it’s cool and spooky as you go through the wetlands and secluded areas.” Making it even more unique is that every tee block is a hardwood stump recovered from the property to resemble a witch’s face. Right away I knew I was in for a unique experience. The Witch is daunting sometimes even evil but definitely the most enchanting of the three courses. It was if Arthur used Excalibur, the finest sword there ever was, to thrash his way through 500 acres of eerie black water wetlands, undisturbed woodlands and cypress groves. Just like Viviane, there are two personality traits here. The front nine is tight and very well treed whereas the back nine is more forgiving with rolling hills and elevated tees. You may never see another golfer in the course but you could run across alligators, black bears, cranes, bald eagles and deer so don’t be looking for your errant golf ball for too long. My most memorable hole is probably the 9th, a dog leg left where strategy and placement off the tee is essential to have any shot at the green however holes 16 through 18 will certainly get your attention. With over 4,000 feet of bridgework, The Witch is one of the most photogenic and difficult courses you will find in Myrtle Beach. A few words of caution, keep it straight and their Bermuda greens are deceiving slow. To read more about golf in South Carolina visit http://golftravelandleisure.com/category/united-states/south-carolina/