
Pawleys Plantation Course
Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club



About this course
Pawleys Plantation, carved into the heart of South Carolina's historic Lowcountry, recalls a time when golf course design prioritized strategic thinking over sheer power. This Jack Nicklaus Signature course, while not among the Golden Bear's most heralded, nonetheless provides a thinking man's game. Set amidst the tidal creeks and salt marshes of Pawleys Island, the course features a distinct blend of open fairways and strategically placed bunkers. While the terrain isn't dramatically undulating, Nicklaus employed subtle mounding and cleverly positioned water hazards to demand thoughtful shot selection. Known to favor faders off the tee, this course often presents challenging approaches into well-protected greens. The par-3 13th, playing across a tidal marsh, often proves to be the course's most memorable – and demanding – hole. While Pawleys Plantation has not hosted any major professional championships, it serves as a popular destination for golfers seeking a classic, challenging round in a serene setting. Many local members often convene after their rounds at the clubhouse, discussing the day's play while enjoying the club’s signature shrimp and grits, a Lowcountry staple.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in SC
Quick facts
- Location
- Pawleys Island, SC, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1988
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,031 yards
- Difficulty
- 75.7/148
- Course Vaults score
- 7.7
Getting there
The journey to Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club begins at Myrtle Beach International Airport, a straightforward hour's flight from most eastern hubs and just thirty minutes north along the coastal corridor. From the terminal, the drive south on Highway 17 traces the edge of the Lowcountry, where salt marsh and tidal creeks gradually replace the commercial bustle of the Grand Strand. As you cross onto Pawleys Island - one of the oldest summer resorts on the Atlantic seaboard - the road narrows beneath canopies of live oak and Spanish moss, and the entrance to Pawleys Plantation appears quietly on the inland side, a serene counterpoint to the barrier island's historic charm.

FAQ
Common questions about Pawleys Plantation
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Pawleys Plantation has a Course Vaults score of 7.7 out of 10 based on 102 logged golfers.
Pawleys Plantation was designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Yes. Pawleys Plantation is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Pawleys Plantation is 72.
Pawleys Plantation plays 7,031 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Pawleys Plantation is 148.




