[Ronald Montesano]

Five days, with these five courses. Give thoughts on their value, across the board

Glen Dornoch
Pine Lakes
Grande Dunes
Legends-Heathland
Dunes Club

[Tommy Williamsen]

Why don't you go to Pawley's and play Caledonia, True Blue, and TPC Mytrle Beach?

[Howard Riefs]

Paging MB resident Tim Gavrich...

[Jud_T]

Legends Heathland is the best value on the strand IMO, play it twice.  Agree with the TPC Myrtle rec.  Underrated Fazio IMO.

[CJ Carder]

The only thing that really stands out to me is how far away Glen Dornoch is from the rest of those.  Nothing against it because I think it's a very solid course, but presuming you're staying closer to the other 4, I'd look to replace it.

I personally haven't played Grande Dunes, but Pine Lakes, Heathland, and Dunes Club all make my list of clubs in Myrtle I'd happily replay.

[Jerry Kluger]

Grande Dunes is a good course but I would consider going to Barefoot and playing Dye, Love and Fazio courses - maybe two in one day.

[Wade Whitehead]

I enjoyed Heathland.

I was surprised at how good the Moorland course (also at Legends) was.

If you're looking to add a closer close (and you haven't indicated you are), you might consider it.

Tim Gavrich is the person to talk to.

WW

[Tim Martin]

Why don't you go to Pawley's and play Caledonia, True Blue, and TPC Mytrle Beach?

I can't comment on TPC but Caledonia and True Blue are must plays. You get a great contrast of Strantz's work between the two.

[Tim Gavrich]

Ron--

That looks like a very solid central-Strand lineup to me with a slight north-Strand outlier in Glen Dornoch--but it's not too far from the others.  I haven't played Glen Dornoch myself but have heard generally good things. The other four are good. I'd rank them in the reverse order of that in which you list them.

[Dan_Callahan]

On that list, I've played Heathland and Grande Dunes.

Heathland is very fun, but be prepared for a looooong round if it's anything like last time I was there. Very crowded because they have hugely discounted stay and play packages.

I played Grande Dunes last year and liked it. Not great, but perfectly acceptable. And I was pretty much the only one on the course and on the range, which was a big plus.

Caledonia and especially True Blue are significantly better than everything else I've played in Myrtle. True Blue is now my favorite Strantz course. Has some of the craziness of Tobacco Road and Royal New Kent, but doesn't suffer from the same maintenance issues. And Caledonia was giving away free chowder, if you find that appealing.

I would put the Barefoot - Love course ahead of Grande Dunes. Maybe on par with Heathland. And well behind Caledonia and True Blue.

[Stewart Abramson]

I've played each of those courses several times. I agree with the previous comments regarding Heathland and Grande Dunes. Both are worth playing. Heathland is typically a slow round. Note - There are two courses at Grand Dunes, the public "Resort" course and the now semi- private "Members" club designed by Roger Rulewich, I believe.

Also agree that Caledonia and True Blue are the best down there. The Dye course at Barefoot is also a good suggestion.

I'd skip Pine Lakes unless you want to see it for the fact that it was the first course in MB. It was re-done about 4 years ago and is nothing special. Glen Dornoch is a somewhat interesting course with some pretty holes along the Intracoastal waterway. (8th green, #9, 16, 17 &18).  There are a number of tight holes that don't provide many options. and not a great option for high handicappers, but low handicaps usually like it.  Its sister course (across highway 17) is called Heather Glen. It doesn't have the waterway views but it is a bit better from a GCA perspective with more shot options and more room of the tee.

The Dunes is one of RTJ Srs better public courses and is worth playing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157632004782640/  Dunes Club photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157633005893697/  Glen Dornoch photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157632013970488/  Grande Dunes Photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157632020639241/  Heathland Photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157632020453743/  Pine Lakes Photos

[Brian Finn]

I just played Dunes Club today, and really enjoyed it. It was one of the best RTJ courses I have played.  There was a nice variety of holes with a pretty good flow, which are two elements I have found lacking in his other designs.  Nice club all around.

Heathland is really good. You can count on a fun round there.

I think Caledonia is the best course in the area, so must agree that you should try to work it into your itinerary, particularly since you seem to be a real Stranz-ophile.  It displays his artistic brilliance, but in a much subtler manner than Tobacco Road, Tot Hill, et al.  

FWIW...played Love course at Barefoot yesterday and it was also pretty good...better than most I have played in the area.

[BHoover]

I just played Dunes Club today, and really enjoyed it. It was one of the best RTJ courses I have played.  There was a nice variety of holes with a pretty good flow, which are two elements I have found lacking in his other designs.  Nice club all around.

Heathland is really good. You can count on a fun round there.

I think Caledonia is the best course in the area, so must agree that you should try to work it into your itinerary, particularly since you seem to be a real Stranz-ophile.  It displays his artistic brilliance, but in a much subtler manner than Tobacco Road, Tot Hill, et al.  

FWIW...played Love course at Barefoot yesterday and it was pretty good, but probably not enough to suggest replacing anything already planned.

You mean it wasn't snowing today in Myrtle Beach?

[Brian Finn]

You mean it wasn't snowing today in Myrtle Beach?

No snow.  Low 50s with 20-30mph winds the last 2 days, but at least able to get out and play. 

In addition to Dunes and Barefoot-Love, I have logged rounds at Treasure Island and Jungle Safari with my 5 year old daughter.  Photo tours to follow.

[BHoover]

You mean it wasn't snowing today in Myrtle Beach?

No snow.  Low 50s with 20-30mph winds the last 2 days, but at least able to get out and play.  

In addition to Dunes and Barefoot-Love, I have logged rounds at Treasure Island and Jungle Safari with my 5 year old daughter.  Photo tours to follow.

I haven't been to Myrtle since I was in law school. I don't remember where we played, but because I can't remember, it must not have been too memorable. Oh, i do remember playing a course called Arcadian Shores...and then hitting the seafood buffet.

I always wanted to check out Legends - Heathland.

[Ronald Montesano]

Arcadian, I believe, is Rees Jones' first solo effort, so you've got that going for you, which is nice.

[BHoover]

Arcadian, I believe, is Rees Jones' first solo effort, so you've got that going for you, which is nice.

Each time I've gone to Myrtle, it's been to escape the crappy winter/early spring weather in Ohio. So architectural merit or significance has taken a back seat to the chance to get outside and swing the clubs.

Do you still have snow in upstate NY? Any signs of spring yet?

[Ronald Montesano]

Certain areas still have snow...where I am, the snow is gone, the grass is yellow and we are 2 weeks away (perhaps 1) from opening day, if the weather continues to improve. Last year it was 80 and we had been playing for 2 weeks already. I'll take this if it means we haven't completely farked up the planet.

[Shaun Feidt]

I played the course 13-15 years ago, but I really enoyed Thistle Golf Club.  It is north of MB, close to the North Caronlina border.  We always stayed close to Sunset Beach, so I know it was close.   I was then in high school and didn't know much about architecture, but I always remeber liking the course.  I think they have three nines present day, but when I played it was only 18, and they operated the pro shop out of a modular unit.  If any one has played the course recently, I would like to hear your take or impression of the course, wether or not it is worth playing again.

[Ronald Montesano]

Update: Glen Dornoch, Pine Lakes and Grande Dunes in the books. Very happy with all three courses. Much thought went into their design. Yet to be bored or uninspired. Able to discern exactly which sides of fairways (sometimes both) are optimal for approach. Reviews are up on my site (those in the know, know which site I reference) if you care to read my thoughts.

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