International Club of Myrtle Beach - 18th hole
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International Club of Myrtle Beach - 18th hole
The International Club of Myrtle Beach is Grand Strand golf with a history and geography lesson on each hole. Fittingly, the par-5 18th is dedicated to the U.S. Courtesy of The International Club of Myrtle Beach
International Club of Myrtle Beach - No. 1 sign
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International Club of Myrtle Beach - No. 1 sign
The birthplace of golf is represented on the opening hole at The International Club of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet, S.C. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
International Club of Myrtle Beach - No. 5
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International Club of Myrtle Beach - No. 5
There's lots of water at The International Club of Myrtle Beach, as demonstrated with the tee shot on the par-5 fifth hole. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
International Club of Myrtle Beach - No. 9
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International Club of Myrtle Beach - No. 9
The par-4 ninth on The International Club of Myrtle Beach, representing Germany, is a reachable par 5. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
International Club of Myrtle Beach - No. 11
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International Club of Myrtle Beach - No. 11
Arguably The International Club of Myrtle Beach's signature hole, the par-3 11th features an near-island green. Courtesy of The International Club of Myrtle Beach
International Club of Myrtle Beach - No. 12
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International Club of Myrtle Beach - No. 12
The tee shot on the par-5 12th on The International Club of Myrtle Beach is intimidating, but it is a birdie hole at just 487 yards off the back tee. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
International Club of Myrtle Beach GC - 15th
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International Club of Myrtle Beach GC - 15th
With water on both sides of the fairway, the 436-yard, par-4 15th is the no. 1 handicap hole at The International Club of Myrtle Beach. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
International Club of Myrtle Beach - clubhouse
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International Club of Myrtle Beach - clubhouse
Driving up to The International Club of Myrtle Beach, you get a pretty good feel what lies ahead. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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The International Club of Myrtle Beach: A Lowcountry-style lesson in geography

MURRELLS INLET, S.C. -- It's called the International Club of Myrtle Beach because each hole features a tribute to a different country. In addition, the massive clubhouse has a definite European feel to it.

The first hole, appropriately enough, is dedicated to the birthplace of golf, Scotland. But it doesn't go on and on about the Old Course at St. Andrews. In fact, the plaque doesn't focus on Scottish golf, but Scotland as an industrial and economic power. In between, you'll learn about Austria, Italy, England, Israel and 13 other countries, including the United States on the par-5 18th.

The golf course, though, is really all South Carolina Lowcountry. Designed by Willard Byrd and opened in 2000, the 6,975-yard layout is routed through live oaks and ponds around marshes, creeks and ponds. The par-3 11th might be the signature hole with its mostly island green, but four holes later, the long par-4 15th, with water on both sides of the fairway, is probably the most difficult.

Mike Bailey is a former Golf Advisor senior staff writer based in Houston. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with an occasional trip to Europe and beyond, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review. An award-winning writer and past president of Texas Golf Writers Association, he has more than 25 years in the golf industry. He has also been on staff at PGA Magazine, The Golfweek Group and AvidGolfer Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeBaileyGA and Instagram at @MikeStefanBailey.
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The International Club of Myrtle Beach: A Lowcountry-style lesson in geography