Among the standout layouts at Barefoot Resort & Golf in North Myrtle Beach, the Love Course shines as a fan favorite—offering a masterful blend of playability, visual appeal, and unique Lowcountry character. Designed by PGA TOUR star and major champion Davis Love III, the course features generous fairways, creatively contoured greens, and a signature stretch of holes that incorporates recreated plantation-style ruins—making it one of the most visually unique and strategically fun courses in the region.
Conveniently located just minutes from the upscale Dye Club Cottages, the Love Course is the perfect complement to a stay-and-play experience, pairing effortlessly with Barefoot’s renowned hospitality and diverse course offerings.
Designed by Davis Love III
Davis Love III is known for his smooth swing and Southern roots, and his design at Barefoot Resort reflects those sensibilities. Opened in 2000, the Love Course is a modern take on a traditional Carolina Lowcountry layout, emphasizing creative shot-making, strategic bunkering, and generous landing areas. It’s widely praised as one of the most player-friendly courses at the resort—but don’t let that fool you; it offers plenty of challenge for seasoned players, especially from the back tees.
Golf Digest called it “one of the top courses you can play in South Carolina,” awarding it a 4.5-star rating. It’s not just a favorite among critics—it’s consistently rated the most enjoyable course by resort guests, many of whom stay right next door at the Dye Club Cottages.
Layout and Design Features
Stretching over 7,000 yards from the championship tees, the Love Course plays with five sets of tees, offering flexibility for all skill levels. Wide fairways and open green fronts invite aggressive play, while elevated and well-protected putting surfaces demand a deft short game.
Design features that set the Love Course apart include:
- Wide, Forgiving Fairways: Perfect for letting it rip off the tee—especially for mid- to high-handicappers.
- Elevated Greens with Runoffs: Subtle false fronts and surrounding chipping areas require precision and touch.
- Strategic Bunkering: Many holes include large, artistically shaped bunkers that challenge your course management.
- Historic-Looking Ruins: The centerpiece of the course, these faux-ruins evoke old plantation buildings and add charm and character, especially around holes 4 through 6.
This unique combination of visual storytelling and design genius makes the Love Course ideal for visitors staying at the Dye Club Cottages, who want a well-rounded day of golf that’s both memorable and relaxing.
Signature Holes
The stretch from holes 4 to 6 is the most iconic on the Love Course. This trio of holes plays through and around the plantation-style ruins, blending the game’s heritage with the region’s architectural history. Hole 4, a short par-4 with strategic bunkering, is a classic example of risk-reward design, while Hole 6 requires accuracy into a narrow green framed by the stone-like structures.
The par-5 18th is a standout finishing hole, offering one last chance for a birdie with a reachable green in two—but with plenty of trouble along the way.
Accolades for Love Course
The Love Course at Barefoot Resort has earned widespread acclaim from both golf industry experts and everyday players for its inspired design, exceptional conditioning, and unique sense of place. Shortly after opening, the course was awarded an impressive 4.5-star rating from Golf Digest, placing it among the elite public-access courses in South Carolina. This rating reflects not only the quality of the layout, but also the consistency of its maintenance, guest services, and overall playability.
In addition to its strong editorial reviews, the Love Course has also received national recognition from Golf Magazine, which included it in its coveted list of the "Top 100 Public Courses in America." This ranking is particularly meaningful given the competitive landscape of resort golf nationwide and underscores the Love Course’s standing as a premier destination within the Myrtle Beach area.