The Grand Strand is home to nearly 100 golf courses, guaranteeing that a few very good layouts will fly a little too far under the radar. River Hills Golf & Country Club is one of those chronically underrated courses.
A Tom Jackson design, River Hills is tucked away in Little River, but informed golfers know the combination of a quality layout and good conditions always await. Part of what makes the course so enjoyable is the rolling terrain on the back nine, highlighted by the 18th hole, which features nearly 40 feet of elevation change.
The ninth, 14th and 16th holes feature similar undulation, enhancing an already enjoyable design. The ambiance at River Hills is also aided by the fact there are no parallel holes.
But River Hills isn’t all rolling terrain and coastal serenity. Jackson’s layout will test the best of players, highlighted by the par 5 17th hole, a 526-yard double dogleg. Players must carry water twice on the the course’s signature hole, which is as pretty as it is daunting.
Don’t let River Hills escape your notice.