Cheers!
Let’s say it right away: WOW!
Our most recent visit here was in 2022 and we were very much looking forward to returning to play Leopard’s Chase today, one of the four courses in the famous “Big Cats”. And let us tell you how much more enjoyable it was again than last time, with plenty of sunshine, with light winds and a magnificent 81 degrees.
Let's talk about the playing conditions right away, which were simply superb. The tee boxes, the fairways, the sand traps, the waste bunkers, everything was literally spot on! And how about the greens! Yesterday at Diamondback, they were magnificent, but today they were close to perfection in terms of quality and responsiveness, with a speed that could be described as medium.
Definitely the most beautiful course we've played since the beginning of our stay in Myrtle Beach, both for the design, which we greatly appreciated, the exceptional playing conditions, not to mention the way we were welcomed and treated by the staff. Hospitality at its best, we tell you!
Before we talk about playing conditions, let us first tell you how much we liked the design. We loved Tiger's Eye a lot last week and we quite frankly loved Leopard's Chase today!
That said, Leopard’s Chase is a course that is played 6,165 yards from the white tees and 4,872 yards from the women's tees (see scorecard on https://www.bigcatsgolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cm-leopards-chase.pdf ).
The front nine is a par 35 and the second a par 37. As for the obstacles (sand and water), don't worry, there are plenty of them. On the other hand, if your golf is in good shape, it is possible to get away with a score that is close to your usual handicap.
We really liked the five par 5s (two on the front nine and three on the back), each presenting unique challenges. The same can be said for the five par 3s. Although not very long from the whites tees (141, 156, 157, 151 and 142 yards respectively), two of them involve the presence of vast bodies of water, while for the other three, the sand can become your worst enemy.
We would be disappointed if we didn’t say a word about the signature hole of this course, namely the 18th. We are talking here about a spectacular par 4 of 369 yards for the white tees and 298 yards for the women. It is of primary importance to make a good tee shot, because then things can get complicated if you lack precision. Indeed, the entrance to the green is subtly protected by a magnificent little lake with a small waterfall on the left side, while on the right side, there is a "beautiful" sand trap that awaits you if you miss the green, green which, by the way, is still quite large, but diagonally. So, depending on where the flag is located, you have to gauge your "aggressiveness" well, otherwise, you’re at risk of being frustrated!
In short, after a few tough years for the Big Cats, we can confirm that Leopard’s Chase has greatly improved in terms of quality, on all levels! This is truly something else... and for the better! As a result, we can only highly recommend it!
It's a premium course design and, like a good old wine, improves with age!
Next round on Saturday May 3 at Brick Landing!
Denis Gilbert
Quebec City, Canada
Leopards Chase is such a treat; lots of variety, outstanding design, great experience awaits. Played there earlier this year and loved it. Many holes give you a Sandhills feel all the while in a maritime forest. Can’t wait to go back.
Retired Insurance Broker
Good report Denis, over the winter it was in the best condition we have ever seen. Good luck on the Brick.
All your reports were very interesting to read. Have fun to play golf at this time of the year in Myrtle Beach.
''It's just golf, let's have fun''
Great news and a great course! Glad to see it is in great shape.
Great report Denis, keep up the good work.
Let the Big Dawg Bark!!!
