If you’re planning a Myrtle Beach golf trip and deciding which courses to play, the Barefoot Resort Love Course is one to consider. Designed by champion golfer Davis Love III, this par-72 course combines Lowcountry scenery with green complexes inspired by Pinehurst No. 2.
It is also regarded as one of the best golf courses in North Myrtle Beach, thanks to its wide fairways, strategic bunkering, and memorable layout. Here is what you need to know about the layout, scorecard, tee options, difficulty, reviews, and booking before you play.
Why golfers choose the Love Course at Barefoot Resort
The Love Course has a reputation for being forgiving off the tee but much more demanding around the greens. Generous fairways and wide landing areas give you plenty of room for your drive, so a wayward tee shot doesn’t always leave you in trouble. Once you get inside 150 yards, though, the sculpted green complexes demand accuracy and a solid short game.
It’s often considered the most balanced of Barefoot Resort’s four courses. Better players face a genuine test around the greens, while higher-handicap golfers are not overly penalized for missing the fairway. That balance makes the Love Course a smart choice for groups with a range of skill levels.
Barefoot Resort Love Course layout and design
Holes 3 through 7 are one of the most memorable stretches on the Love Course. Davis Love III added ruins designed to resemble an old plantation home to this part of the course. Some of the ruins sit just behind the green on hole 4, a short par 4 widely considered the course’s signature hole.
At around 265 yards from a forward tee, hole 4 can tempt longer hitters to go for the green. But with bunkers guarding it on multiple sides, an aggressive miss can quickly turn into a difficult recovery.
The back nine has plenty of character, too. Holes 14 through 16 form one of the tighter stretches, including a par 3 with a perched, elevated green that can make a short tee shot difficult to recover from. The par-5 13th bends to the right and features a split fairway and meandering creek, rewarding smart placement rather than pure distance.
The round finishes with a nearly 600-yard par-5, where cattails, bunkers, and a lake near the green create a demanding final test.
Barefoot Resort Love Course scorecard, yardage, and tee times
The Barefoot Resort Love Course scorecard lists five sets of tees, so there are suitable options for golfers of different abilities.
| Tee | Rating/Slope | Front 9 | Back 9 | Total |
| Platinum | 74.9/141 | 3,456 | 3,550 | 7,006 |
| Black | 72.4/137 | 3,251 | 3,284 | 6,535 |
| White | M: 70.0/133, W: 76.0/142 | 3,040 | 3,029 | 6,069 |
| Green | M: 67.7/127, W: 73.3/137 | 2,789 | 2,810 | 5,599 |
| Gold | M: 65.7/120, W: 71.5/132 | 2,588 | 2,661 | 5,249 |
Both nines play to par 36. The fifth is the No. 1 handicap hole, so it is worth playing with a little extra care.
How difficult is the Barefoot Love Course?
The 141 slope from the Platinum tees gives better players a solid test, but the course does not rely on narrow fairways to create difficulty.
The greens are where things get more interesting. Their Pinehurst-inspired shaping means your approach shot matters, and missing on the wrong side can leave a difficult recovery. Aiming for the safer part of the green is often the smarter play.
Barefoot Love Course reviews, rankings and accolades
The course has earned recognition from major golf publications, including Top 100 Public Course honors from Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, as well as a No. 7 ranking on Golf Magazine’s list of the Best Courses You Can Play in South Carolina.Â
The course also has a 4.4-star rating on Google, reflecting generally positive feedback from golfers. Reviews of the Barefoot Resort Love Course often highlight the variety of holes, the overall design, and the plantation ruins as memorable features. Golfers also appreciate the generous fairways, which offer some forgiveness, while the green complexes provide a tougher test.Â
As with any golf course, conditions and the overall experience can vary depending on the season, weather, maintenance schedule, and pace of play. Checking recent reviews before your trip can give you a better sense of current conditions.
Love Course vs other Barefoot Resort golf courses
Barefoot Resort offers four championship layouts, and choosing among them depends largely on the type of challenge you’re looking for.
Love Course vs Dye Course
The Dye Course is the longest and toughest at 7,343 yards, with Pete Dye’s waste bunkers and native grasses making accuracy especially important. The Love Course is more forgiving off the tee and concentrates more of its difficulty around the greens, making it a good choice for groups with a range of skill levels.
Love Course vs Fazio Course
Tom Fazio’s course plays shorter at 6,834 yards and par 71, with heavy tree cover and lakes shaping a more traditional, manicured layout. The Love Course feels more open, while its plantation ruins give several holes a distinctive sense of place.
Love Course vs Norman Course
Greg Norman’s design emphasizes bump-and-run shots around broad, gently undulating greens and plays at roughly 7,200 yards. The Love Course demands more precise approach shots into smaller, more challenging greens, making it a better choice for golfers who enjoy a strategic test around the putting surfaces.
Is the Barefoot Resort Love Course worth playing?
For a first visit to Barefoot Resort, the Love Course is a great choice. It rewards good golf without overly punishing average tee shots, while the plantation ruins give the course a memorable look and distinctive character.
Golfers looking for the toughest test on the property may prefer the Dye Course. For most players, especially mixed-skill groups, the Love Course offers an appealing balance of challenge, playability, and memorable scenery.
Tips for playing the Barefoot Resort Love Course
- Think position, not just distance: The fairways are generous, so there’s no need to chase every extra yard off the tee. Focus on leaving yourself in a good position for the approach.
- Study the green before choosing your club: Take a moment to consider the pin position and the shape of the green before hitting your approach. The greens have noticeable undulation, and missing on the wrong side can turn a straightforward par into a difficult scramble.
- Play the fourth hole with care: This par 4 can tempt you to be aggressive from the tee, but the greenside bunkers can make an overly ambitious approach costly. A well-positioned tee shot can set up a much easier second shot.
- Consider an early tee time: An early start can mean more comfortable conditions, particularly during warmer months, and may also help you avoid the busiest part of the day.Â
Plan your Barefoot Resort golf trip with Coastal Golfaway
Coastal Golfaway has been helping golfers plan Myrtle Beach golf trips since 1986, and we can include the Love Course in your stay-and-play package. Whether you’re planning one round at Barefoot Resort or a full week exploring courses across the Grand Strand, we can tailor your trip around your travel dates, group size, budget, and preferred courses.
Ready to plan your Myrtle Beach golf getaway? Explore our Barefoot Resort golf packages or contact our team to start planning your trip today.
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the Love Course?
Major champion Davis Love III designed the course, incorporating Lowcountry character into the layout.
What are the tee options at the Love Course?
The course has five tee sets: Platinum, Black, White, Green, and Gold. They range from 7,006 yards down to 5,249 yards.
Is the Love Course suitable for beginners and high-handicap golfers?
Yes. Wide fairways and generous landing areas make it playable from the forward tees, although the greens can still test your short game.
What is the signature hole on the Love Course?
The short par-4 fourth hole is a memorable risk-reward hole, with heavy bunkering and plantation ruins behind the green.
How long is the Love Course?
The course measures just over 7,000 yards from the back tees, with tee options down to around 5,249 yards.
What are the Barefoot Resort Love Course green fees?
Barefoot Resort Love Course green fees vary depending on the season, date, and tee time. Since rates can change throughout the year, golfers should check the current rates when planning their round.