Down & Up: Pine Lakes’ 14th Hole
Elevation, water represent prevalent challenges on No. 14
Pine Lakes – the first course built in Myrtle Beach – embraces golf’s historic past with a par-70 layout that is traditional yet challenging. One hole perfectly encapsulates this balance: No. 14. Here’s what you can expect to encounter on Pine Lakes’ second-most-difficult hole when you play it with MyrtleBeachGolf.net:
No. 14 is a long, straight par 4 measuring 438 yards from the back tees. The challenge from the tee box is to hit one far and, most importantly, straight, as out of bounds comes into play quickly down the left side while a sizeable forest, which blocks players’ views of the green, guards the right side of the fairway.
Meanwhile, another prominent feature of the hole is the “U”-shaped elevation change, with a severe downhill slope off the tee, to a second shot played into a raised green complex. If you don’t hit it far enough off the tee, you won’t make it to the bottom of the “U,” leaving an awkward downhill lie for your second. But be careful! You don’t want to hit it too far off the tee either. There’s a small lake placed some 100 yards before the green.
With an optimal tee shot played to just before the lake at the bottom of the “U,” a mid- to short-iron into the elevated green awaits. Barring some sort of real disaster (don’t hit it fat!), the lake isn’t a huge factor for the second shot, but you’ll want to avoid the two bunkers which guard the green, one to the left and right.
The green itself is a tricky one, undulating and sloping prominently back toward the lake and the bottom of the “U.” Your best chance of finding a straight, makeable putt is to fit it in there just below the flag, but not too far below or your ball may roll off in front.
The challenge at Pine Lakes’ 14th hole is traditional and complex. It’s a great hole you should look forward to on your next MyrtleBeachGolf.net vacation.