This Myrtle Beach golf course was just named the best in South Carolina

With nearly 100 championship courses, Myrtle Beach offers plenty of golf. But this year one course took home top honors not only in the Grand Strand, but the entire Palmetto State.

Prestwick Country Club won the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association’s 2025 South Carolina Golf Course of the Year. The award looks at course quality, ownership and management, contributions to the community and contributions to the game of golf to determine the best course in the Palmetto State.

“Our greens are probably known for some of the fastest on the beach and some of the best conditioned and very consistent,” said Prestwick general manager Jay Smith.

Designed by acclaimed course creators Pete and P.B. Dye, Prestwick Country Club offers picturesque dunes, water hazards, pot bunkers and railroad-tie accents.

“It is a challenging layout. We have six sets of tees, meaning the golfer can basically pick … what kind of yardage they want to play from,” Smith said. “I would say, most people would say it’s pretty tough, but if you pick the right [equipment], it can play nicely for anybody.”

Although the course first opened more than 35 years ago, Smith says Prestwick Country Club has benefitted from regular upkeep. The greens, clubhouse and restaurant have all been renovated in recent years.

“They just constantly are reinvesting in the facility, which keeps it fresh,” said Smith.

But the course wasn’t just recognized for its facilities. Beyond raising money for local schools, teams and charities, Prestwick has hosted the Socastee High School golf teams without charge for decades. And, as of three years ago, the course is home to the Horry County Special Olympics golf team.

“The golf course is an avenue that is used in the community as well,” Smith said.

Before winning state recognition, Prestwick Country Club was named the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association’s 2025 Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course of the Year over the summer.

As the winner of the 2025 South Carolina Golf Course of the Year, Prestwick Country Club’s owners and management hope national accolades will follow. The course was submitted for the National Golf Course Owners Association’s award, which will be announced in Orlando, Florida, in January.

Regardless of whether the course is honored nationally, Prestwick Country Club will remain a golfer favorite for Grand Stranders and visitors alike.

“Golfers, they know they’re going to get treated in a nice manner, and they’re going to get value for their dollar that they pay for golf,” said Smith. “Because they know the golf course is going to be a challenge, it’s going to be fun to play, and it’s going to be in good condition.”