May 3, 2025. Johnsonville, South Carolina.
This morning, we drove west to the town of Johnsonville, South Carolina. While everyone else drives east toward the golf mecca that is Myrtle Beach, we headed to play golf at the Wellman Golf Club. This club boasts a rich history marked by private ownership, a period of closure, and a recent rebirth as a public course. Initially a nine-hole course designed by Ellis Maples, it was expanded to 18 holes with the addition of nine more designed by both Maples and Ed Seay. The course was originally private, owned by Wellman Industries, before reopening as a public facility.
The par-five eleventh hole at Wellman mirrors one of Myrtle Beach’s most famous holes, the ‘Waterloo’ thirteenth at the Dunes Club. At Wellman, the eleventh turns 90 degrees from right to left around a large lake, posing a strategic risk-reward question for every shot. I played it conservatively, hitting four consecutive 5-iron shots to reach the green in four, and a lucky putt sealed the par on the course’s hardest hole.
The course is enjoyable for golfers of any skill level. Even from the white tees at 6260 yards, I scored a respectable 94. Fairway bunkering is “somewhat scattered,” requiring you to carefully plan your route to the green. Bunkers are not overly deep, and most greens have contours that are more fun than fearsome. There was always a “way in” to the green, and the bunkers were well-groomed, allowing for easy pitches onto the putting surface.
The pace of play was adequate. We allowed a twosome to play through, but they ended up joining the threesome ahead of us. We got the feeling they knew each other. Despite being a fivesome, their pace was good and allowed us time to consider each shot. One of the things that struck us was how many families were on the course together; there were babies, mothers and daughters teeing off, and fathers and sons. Wellman Golf Club displays a family atmosphere not often seen on the links. We were also impressed by the warm welcome from the pro shop staff and cart attendants; everyone seemed committed to making the golfers’ experience a unique outing.
We feel truly blessed to have spent our Saturday afternoon playing golf at Wellman Golf Club. The course was in immaculate condition, with both tee boxes and fairways in perfect order, and the greens rivaled any course in Myrtle Beach, perhaps even surpassing them. They rolled true and were in perfect health. Having played over 20 courses this year, and considering the green fees at Wellman, this is the best value we have experienced so far. I encourage you to make time to play this wonderful course, perhaps on your way in or out of Myrtle Beach, or dedicate one of your golfing vacation days to it. You will certainly not regret it.
Four Itchy Feet 
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