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Founders Club at Pawleys Island may have opened in 2008, but it’s already a favorite among golfers. Located in the scenic Lowcountry, just 20 minutes south of Myrtle Beach, this par-72 course covers 6,910 yards of reimagined landscape.
Designed by Thomas Walker on the former Sea Gulf Golf Club site, Founders Club offers 18 unique holes. The layout blends challenge and charm with secluded tee boxes, water features, blooming azaleas, and towering live oaks. It’s also the only course in the area with Emerald Bermuda greens. Many of these greens are elevated and require a soft, skilled touch.
Walker replaced traditional long rough with sandy waste areas and pine straw. This gives players a better chance to recover from wayward shots. You’ll notice this especially on the back nine. The par-4 14th hole stands out. It doglegs right around pines and climbs to a green sloped steeply from back to front. Many golfers try to cut the corner and end up having to punch out or take a risky shot through the trees.
After your round, relax on the clubhouse’s wraparound porch overlooking the 18th green. The Lowcountry-style clubhouse offers a great space to unwind, dine, or host a gathering.
“Course was in excellent shape – t boxes, fairways and greens. Lots of waste bunkers that also serve as cart paths on several holes which is very unusual but frankly I felt it added to the fun of the course…. almost a desert type layout…Played 5 courses in this area in 6 days. Thought Founders had the most unique and fun layout.” – Chuck New Jersey
“The natural feel on The Founders Club is well suited to the Pawleys market. Waste bunkers, allowing almost no cart paths, extend the added playability and natural setting. The course has more movement than most at the beach and the use of waste sand adds to the native feel. I enjoyed the fact that it meandered around an older Pawleys neighborhood. I felt like I was on a much older course reminiscent of golden era golf. It’s one of the better Grand Strand designs” – Ashton New York