By Joe Derus, North Myrtle Beach Online.com

JUNE 29, 2009 NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC ― A few days ago the Average Joe foursome played the Dye Club at Barefoot Resort. For those of you who aren’t familiar with North Myrtle Beach and “Barefoot” just find route 17 and head towards Barefoot Landing, The House of Blues, The Alabama Theater, Greg Normans’ Restaurant or any of the other attractions in the area that are familiar.

Look for the bridge over the inland waterway and, like the old song by Patti Page, “Cross over the Bridge.” Less then a quarter of a mile after the bridge, a sign on the right will point to The Dye Course.

The guard at the gate house will let visitors pass provided they have tee times.  Do as the Average Joe Golf Group and arrange your tee time through Myrtle Beach Golf Directors. They will get you the best tee times, and best prices.
 
The greens are L-93, a disease-resistant hybrid species of bent. The fairways are GN-1 Bermuda, developed by Greg Norman Turf and the approaches are TiFDwarf Bermuda grass.

When we first drove up the course a collective deep sigh was heard as we knew just from looking the course was going to be challenging. Fairway bunkers and lots of waste areas, natural grass areas and steep moguls line the fairways. The waste areas also and purposely serve as cart paths on many parts of the course.

So if your ball winds up on one of these “cart” paths, you play it from where it lies. Free drops from cart paths do not happen much here.  In addition, the Dye Course has a three tee box set up. Championship (blue), Member (white and Forward (gold). Two of us played the Member and two played the Forward. The Forward tee serves as ladies tee and senior tee also.

One of the Forward players mentioned his wife plays fairly well but she would not play this course twice. It is too difficult.

This is simply because the tee shots are a constant challenge. The course is designed to create wayward shots. The greens are smaller than on most course and are protected with deep bunkers and closely mown run off areas.

You must hit a good tee shot as the course is unforgiving. You can’t hit a bad one and recover with a good second. This course forces the golfer to play clear target golf.

The over all beauty of the course is mesmerizing. To do it justice you need a realtor’s camera, one that makes a virtual tour. I had difficulty photographing this course, and, because the GPS on the carts is how each hole is identified, I could not photograph the hole signs that help me keep my photography organized.

However Dye’s GPS on the cart works very well and is quite helpful. You always know exactly where you are and how you should hit your next shot. It is like having a caddie with you.

It is also like having a ranger with you at all times. When we ventured, unknowingly,  into an area we were not supposed to be the GPS informed us to “return to the fairway in 60 seconds or your cart will shut down.” That is just as effective as a ranger and we did not see one all day. Hummm . . . I wonder if the GPS saw that foot wedge I use to improve my lie.

There is a huge putting green and driving range and even a chipping area - amenities usually found on the better courses in the area.

The first hole sets the criteria for the course. It is a par 4, 359 yards from the Members (white) tee. Not too long, but it demands you find a good spot to land the tee short or you are digging your way out. We found the greens difficult to read and they all undulate as a rule.

The par threes are generally the most picturesque on most courses and The Dye Course is no exception.

Each of the par threes are in the 158 yard range. Each is well protected by bunkers, water and other hazards that put a premium on accurate tee shots.  Playing from the gold tees is a definite advantage on the par threes.

The average distance is 122 yards with number 17 only 105. However, yardage and distance on this course do not matter that much. The number one handicap is hole number 11, and that is only 366 yards long. It is difficult because of waste bunkers, fairway bunkers and steep moguls that create awkward stance and herky-jerky swings.

Probably one of the best things about the Dye Course is it keeps your mind on the game. Yes, it is a bit difficult but you really feel well when you par or birdie a hole. You know you have “done good” and that brings you back for more.

Don’t feel bad if you are 8 to 10 strokes over your game, you’ll want to come back to get even with those holes that ate you alive.