The Bay Tree Plantation cannot be missed if you are visiting the Myrtle Beach area. You are bound to see the 'water tower' with Bay Tree written on it many many times while you are in the area. The course was once in really great shape and won awards and I believe even hosted an LPGA event.

I understand that the area had a really rough winter and may be largely responsible for the condition of the course when we played it (late February 2003). The greens were is absolutely terrible condition. While this is often a problem most greens had good areas on them that would have been very playable. Unfortunately the greens staff chose, on more than one occasion to put the pin right in the middle of the worst part of the green. Many greens were unplayable as a result.

The layout was very disappointing. Most holes were doglegs (both right and left) and there was some water, but there was very little creativity evident. The course had no changes in elevation that I recall (which is similar to other courses in the area). It does provide what I consider to be the "typical Myrtle Beach course". Lots of tall pines lining all the fairways with little rough but instead if you miss the fairway you are hitting off of pine needles. A real experience in spite of the condition of the course. This being said, I am sure there are other opportunities in the area to get this same experience at better value and under better conditions.

The slope is 129 but it soesn't seem to play that hard. Disappointing - perhaps one of the other two eighteens is better value.

Best Hole: 16
Why: The Plantation's signature hole. This par 4 is a cool driving hole with water on the right and a relatively tight landing area. The bunker between the tee and the water is well sculptured and impressive.