The best two courses in Myrtle Beach.....Travel help needed.

[Anthony Gray]

  Going to MB for some CE this summer. I will have two days of golf available. Where do I golf?   And where do I stay? I need beach access for the todler and a bar for MOM.

  Thanks.....Anthony

[jonathan_becker]

Anthony,

One course you have to play for sure is The Dunes Club.  For public access, it's easily one the best 2 courses.  I absolutely loved it and I'm sure you have read Ran's review and already know that you need to play there.

[Joe Bausch]

Dunes is an excellent rec. If you want to keep travel simple,
I'd suggest 36 holes a day at Strantz's two courses that are nearly
side by side: True Blue and Caledonia. And stay at Litchfield.

[jonathan_becker]

My second course would be Caledonia.....or on the private side you could have your pro make a call to Dye's DeBordieu.  I've played it about 30 times and it's a great test of golf with a great stretch of finishing holes.
 

[astavrides]

I think access is doable at the Dunes, but it is not a walk-up and play it public course.  Call first, you may need to stay and play somewhere.

[jonathan_becker]

I think access is doable at the Dunes, but it is not a walk-up and play it public course.  Call first, you may need to stay and play somewhere.

I used myrtlebeachgolf.com my last time down and got a tee time without the overnight stay.  But yes, you can't just show up and I believe that guests can't play until after 12 on the weekends.

[Ron Csigo]

Anthony,

The Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes is your best bet with everything that you require.  Also, the golf concierge should be able to set you up at the Dunes Club which is just up the road. 

[Jud_T]

Anthony,

You may also want to check out Doak's Heathlands when you're in the hood.  We also all thought the TPC Myrtle was pretty good as well...Steer clear of the other Legends courses and Barefoot Fazio as well IMHO....

[Ron Csigo]

Good suggestion Jud.

If you're playing the Dunes Club, definitely check out TPC Myrtle Beach as well.  I believe both venues were used for Champions Tour events in the past. 

If your plans allow for an additional 36 holes, check out Tiger's Eye and Leopard's Chase at Ocean Ridge Plantation.  Both good Tim Cate designs. 

[Mike Cirba]

Dunes and Caledonia.

And ask Michael Whitaker about the place the locals go to eat in Murrell's Inlet...we found it by accident and it was awesome.

[Wade Whitehead]

Anthony:

I recommend Heathlands as well.  Your preferences are such that you will notice and enjoy things there that many do not.

WW

[Emil Weber]

man you travel a lot ! 

[Ronald Montesano]

Dunes and Caledonia
True Blue and Barefoot Love (a course, not a way of life)
Doak's Course and Brauer's course

Use that north-south 4-lane highway (Route 31), not the main commercial drags, to get around.  I got from way up north to way down south in no time at all.

[Mike Hamilton]

Also recommend Caledonia.  Less Strantz drama than TR or RNK; just a great low country layout.

[Michael Whitaker]

Dunes and Caledonia.

And ask Michael Whitaker about the place the locals go to eat in Murrell's Inlet...we found it by accident and it was awesome.

Inlet Crab House

[Mike Cirba]

Ah yes...thanks Michael.

I'm suddenly famished...

[Jay Flemma]

Caledonia and True Blue.

[Tim Gavrich]

You might also look into trying to play the private Wachesaw Plantation course, which Fazio designed and Strantz worked on.

Heritage is also worth consideration.  I personally would rather play Heritage and Caledonia back-to-back than True Blue and Caledonia.

[Matt_Ward]

Anthony:

 A sleeper pick -- try Pawleys Plantation. Located towards the south end of the Grand Strand.

If you need something up the other way -- head into NC and Brunswick County and play Oyster Bay or Marsh Harbor.

The Dunes though is still the kingfish when in town. Barefoot Resort is also worth venturing to for golf.

[Clyde Johnston]

Anthony:

 A sleeper pick -- try Pawleys Plantation. Located towards the south end of the Grand Strand.

If you need something up the other way -- head into NC and Brunswick County and play Oyster Bay or Marsh Harbor.

The Dunes though is still the kingfish when in town. Barefoot Resort is also worth venturing to for golf.

Matt:

Marsh Harbour has been closed since late 2002 or early 2003. Larry Young couldn't get the land lease renewed.

Clyde

[Brian Freeman]

I've always been a big fan of Tidewater, some great holes on the water (#3,4,8,12) and the inland holes aren't too shabby either.  It's a course I could play exclusively and not get tired of.

I do an annual buddies long-weekend trip down there in the summer and this year and we are probably going to play Caledonia, True Blue, and Pawley's or Heritage, none of which we've been able to get to yet.  Heard great things on all of these despite not having played them.

Regardless of what you do, play close attention to course location as everything is very spread out, more than you think, and not always easy to get from Point A to Point B.

Lodging: the best areas to stay in are close to Tidewater on the north side or south side near Caledonia... Myrtle Beach proper is very much a tourist trap.

[Matt_Ward]

Clyde:

Thanks for the update.

I always liked the par-5 17th hole -- too bad it was a decent layout I enjoyed playing.

Can you opine on Oyster Bay and how it's faring ?

Anthony:

The issue with Myrtle Beach is that the entire "Grand Strand" area makes up 60 or so miles.

It's better to concentrate on one area and play what's there - otherwise you will be spending some time on US 17 going up and down to visit the lot of them.

[Allan Long]

1) Dunes G&B Club, Dunes G&B Club, Dunes G&B Club


Caledonia

If you can't get on one or the other, Legends-Heathland.

[Brad Wilbur]

Litchfield Beach has some nice condos right on the ocean, without all of the crowding further north.  It's also more upscale than other Mrtyle Beach areas, close to Murrels Inlet (several good restaurants), and close to Caledonia, True Blue, and Dunes.  They have a two bedroom unit with a living area that overlooks the ocean, as well as the master bedroom downstairs.  I think it's in Sandpiper A building.

[Jason Connor]

Heritage is also worth consideration.  I personally would rather play Heritage and Caledonia back-to-back than True Blue and Caledonia.

I agree.  I really love the Heritage.  If it didn't have such tight housing, it would be one of my favorites anywhere.  On Myrtle Beach trips, I usually try to play 36 at Heritage, the only course we usually play twice.

If I had 72 holes to play I'd play Heathlands, Caledonia, True Blue, and Heritage.

And I'd try not to play Caledonia & True Blue the same day.  Heritage is right beside them, so you could mix it up.

Plus, if you have flexibility on lodging, 3 of these 4 are on Pawleys Island and you can avoid the masses.

A sleeper pick -- try Pawleys Plantation. Located towards the south end of the Grand Strand.

This is also near Heritage, TB, and Caledonia but I really do not like this course.  To each his own, and a member of our usual group loves it so we usually play it.  I particularly dislike the par 3s back on the bay -- though I understand it was the Army Corps of Engineers that destroyed these two holes, not Nicklaus.

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