Tidewater sits on a strip of land between the Intracoastal Waterway and Cherry Grove Inlet, at the northern end of North Myrtle Beach. The club says nine of its holes play along the tidal inlet. When it opened in 1990, Golf Digest and Golf Magazine both named it the best new public course in America, and it ranked 39th in Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses for 2023–24. It is a public course inside the gated Tidewater Plantation community, run by KemperSports. The views over the salt marsh are the reason to go, and the 148 slope from the black tees is the reason to choose your tees with care.
Tidewater Golf Club green fees and tee times.
Book online through the club’s tee-time system, which it says has the most current availability and best rates, or call the golf shop on 843-913-2424. Walk-ins are accepted, but the club says Tidewater often sells out, so book ahead. Cancel at least 72 hours before your tee time. Juniors 16 and under play free all year with a full-paying adult. Book the adults online and call to add the junior, or book the whole group by phone. Nine-hole times are limited and only offered by phone, same day or next day. Prices are not published as a rate card; the online system shows the current rate for your date.
The round, in perspective.
Ken Tomlinson routed the course past the Intracoastal Waterway, salt marsh and stands of Carolina pine. It is a par 72 of 7,044 yards from the black tees, rated 73.9 with a 148 slope, and every hole has a name on the scorecard. The 3rd, Stranded, is a 160-yard par three. The 4th, Futch Site, a 430-yard par four, is stroke index one. On the back nine, Wishing Well (the 12th, 189 yards) and Wicked Wind (the 17th, 208 yards) are the par threes, while Ocean Isle and Bridge Abutment are long par fives. The club notes 8.5 miles of cart path, frequent forced carries and a target pace of four hours and 45 minutes. All the greenside bunkers were recently renovated.
Know before you go.
Carts
Course carts only; no private carts
Cancellation
72 hours before the tee time
Juniors
16 and under free with a full-paying adult
Rider fee
US$40 for non-playing passengers
Dress
Collared shirts preferred; no denim, tank tops or sandals
Pace of play
4 hours 45 minutes
Make the trip work.
Pick your tees by slope rather than yardage. The white tees, at 6,323 yards, carry a 135 slope, and the combined white and green set, at 6,071, is a sensible middle ground. Range balls come with your round, and the range opens around 7am. It closes on Tuesdays from about 10am to 11:30 for maintenance, and golfers with tee times get priority at busy hours. Every player needs their own clubs, so reserve a Callaway rental set ahead if you fly without. Outside alcohol and coolers are not allowed, but Bogey’s Grab-N-Go opens at 7am and sits at both turns.
Tidewater is at 1400 Tidewater Drive, off US 17 in the Cherry Grove section of North Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach International (MYR) is about 25 miles south, roughly 40 minutes in normal traffic. Wilmington (ILM) in North Carolina is about 60 miles north and can work for trips that combine the Brunswick County courses with the north Strand. The North Carolina state line is only a few miles away.
There is no hotel at the club. Cherry Grove and the rest of North Myrtle Beach have oceanfront condos and rental houses a few minutes away, and Little River, with its waterfront restaurants, is just to the north. Groups who want a resort setup can stay at Barefoot Resort, about 20 minutes south, and play both. Joey’s Clubhouse Grille, inside the Tidewater clubhouse, is open to the public daily from 11am.
Make a trip of it.
Barefoot Resort’s four courses are about 20 minutes south on US 17, making a natural north-Strand week with Tidewater. Grande Dunes and The Dunes Golf & Beach Club are about 40 minutes away in central Myrtle Beach. Off the course, Cherry Grove Pier has fishing and inlet views. North Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Drive section is the home of the shag, the dance South Carolina adopted as its state dance.
Find your season.
Spring and autumn are peak, and the club often sells out then. Overseeding in 2026 is due around Thanksgiving, with the course staying open. Annual aerification in 2027 runs from 1 to 8 August, and play resumes on 9 August. Summer is hot and humid but quieter on the tee sheet.
Yes. It is a public course that welcomes daily-fee players, visitors and groups, with memberships for locals. The clubhouse is inside the gated Tidewater Plantation community, and Joey’s Clubhouse Grille there is also open to the public.
How hard is Tidewater?
From the black tees it is 7,044 yards with a 148 slope, among the steeper ratings on the Strand. The white tees, at 6,323 yards, drop to 135, and the green tees, at 5,734, to 126. Forced carries over marsh are the main hazard.
What is Tidewater’s cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 72 hours before your tee time. Changes and cancellations go through the golf shop on 843-913-2424, which also handles rental-club reservations and junior bookings.
Can a non-golfer ride along at Tidewater?
Yes, for a US$40 rider fee. Tell the golf shop when you book or at check-in. Anyone who plays must have their own set of clubs, and rental sets can be reserved by phone.
Last checked 11 November 2026. This is an independent planning guide, not a first-hand review or a booking service. Check live availability, access, fees and travel details with the operator before booking. Airport suggestions are starting points for route planning.
