[Rob Curtiss]

I will be in Myrtle beach from Jan 16-19 and will be playing the 2 courses that will be hosting the PGA professionals championship on one day.
The Dunes golf and beach resort and Grand Dunes.

I have never been to the area, does anyone have any suggestions of courses I should not miss or any hidden gems.

[BCowan]

Caledonia is great.  Routing is awesome.  Unfortunately greens don't get enough sunshine and are in poor shape (10 years ago).  Definitely worth a play.  It's sister course True Blue is suppose to be really good.  Both are Stranz courses.

[Ronald Montesano]

Both are terrific. Dunes is RTJs best course, in my opinion, with Crag Burn a close second.

Grande Dunes resort course is very demanding, in a non-minimalist way. Lots of dramatic views and shots. However, they double-teed when I was there last year, which made the front nine 1.5 hours and the back nine 3 hours long.


Courses you should not miss: way south are Caledonia and True Blue (across the street from each other.) Both are Strantz and both among his five best (with Tobacco Road, Bulls Bay and MPCC-Shore rounding it out.)

I like the Heathlands course at Legends. I also like Glen Dornoch, way up north.

[A.G._Crockett]

There have been many, many threads about this, so you may want to do a search and see what you can come up with.  But Caledonia and True Blue make a great 36 hole day if you can manage it.  They are right across the street from each other in Pawleys Island.

Other PERSONAL favorites, in no particular order:
   Barefoot Love
   Pearl West
   Legends Heathland and Parkland (NOT Moorland!)
   Tidewater
   Thistle
   Rivers Edge
   Wildwing Avocet

There are many others that are a good value and good golf.
  
  

[Matt Bielawa]

Everyone already mentioned Caledonia and True Blue....I'd suggest the same.  Just a heads-up if you do it though...Caledonia doesn't have a range, so if you want to loosen up a little before, you have to save a little extra time and do it at True Blue.

[A.G._Crockett]

Both are terrific. Dunes is RTJs best course, in my opinion, with Crag Burn a close second.

Grande Dunes resort course is very demanding, in a non-minimalist way. Lots of dramatic views and shots. However, they double-teed when I was there last year, which made the front nine 1.5 hours and the back nine 3 hours long.


Courses you should not miss: way south are Caledonia and True Blue (across the street from each other.) Both are Strantz and both among his five best (with Tobacco Road, Bulls Bay and MPCC-Shore rounding it out.)

I like the Heathlands course at Legends. I also like Glen Dornoch, way up north.

Ronald,
I almost added Glen Dornoch to my list, but the last three holes are kind of deal breakers for me, strange as that may sound.  I wouldn't really mind 17 if it wasn't sandwiched in two really weird holes, but it is.  16 is just awful, and I've never quite figured out how to play 18 even after 8 or 10 rounds.

But putting that aside, I still go back most years when I'm at MB.  It is otherwise a very good golf course, and I'm sure some people like the finish. 

[Keith Grande]

I assume you'll be staying in North Myrtle, courses which are within 20 miles would be Glen Dornoch, Legends Heathland (Doak), Shaftesbury Glen, also Barefoot Dye.

Some other good options on the South Strand have been mentioned as well (Caledonia/True Blue).

Make sure you bring warm layers, it can be a bit cold this time of year.

[Jud_T]

Legends Heathland and TPC Myrtle would be my choices.  If you're playing down in Pawley's Island area make sure to hit Hog Heaven BBQ...

[Rob Curtiss]

Thanks for the Food suggestion.

didnt want to go off golf topic and ask for food advice,but I appreciate the suggestion...will definately be in Pawleys

[A.G._Crockett]

Thanks for the Food suggestion.

didnt want to go off golf topic and ask for food advice,but I appreciate the suggestion...will definately be in Pawleys

THE best MB golf advice I can give you:

True Blue in the am, as early as possible.  Pick your tees carefully, probably the third set.  Arrange for the afternoon replay rate at Caledonia, and go over there and eat lunch; the food is wonderful.  Afternoon round at Caledonia, dinner at Hog Heaven.

You may decide not to come home.

[Rob Curtiss]

I will be eating at HOG HEAVEN  for sure now...

[Peter Pallotta]

I will be eating at HOG HEAVEN  for sure now...

Make sure to try their vegetarian stir fry. It's gluten and fat free and not to be missed. Pair it with their own blend of organic chicory and fennel tea, and finish with a desert of dry roasted almonds for a meal you won't soon forget.

Peter

[Richard Hetzel]

I liked Caledonia as well as Legends Heathland and Legends Moorland. If I was to go back I would probably play Dunes Club and True Blue. Unfortunately, many of the courses in MB are average at best.

[Rob Curtiss]

That is what I have heard as well..

Didnt know if anyone had any hidden gem that maybe isnt so known.

thanks for the info though

[Ronald Montesano]

I will be eating at HOG HEAVEN  for sure now...

Make sure to try their vegetarian stir fry. It's gluten and fat free and not to be missed. Pair it with their own blend of organic chicory and fennel tea, and finish with a desert of dry roasted almonds for a meal you won't soon forget.

They have vittles like that at a place called Hog Heaven?

[John Avram]

Thanks for the Food suggestion.

didnt want to go off golf topic and ask for food advice,but I appreciate the suggestion...will definately be in Pawleys

THE best MB golf advice I can give you:

True Blue in the am, as early as possible.  Pick your tees carefully, probably the third set.  Arrange for the afternoon replay rate at Caledonia, and go over there and eat lunch; the food is wonderful.  Afternoon round at Caledonia, dinner at Hog Heaven.

You may decide not to come home.

Caledonia and True Blue are two of my favorites anywhere.  With all respect to Mr. Doak and C&C, Mike Strantz is still my favorite designer.  He left us way too early.

[Rob Curtiss]

I wont say he is my favorite designer,but I loved MPCC-shore course. It is the only one of his I have played.

seems to be a consensus that Caledonia and True Blue are to be played.

[Joe Sponcia]

Rob,

I have been going for 20 + years, sometimes 3x per year so...all depends on where you are staying.

North:  Dunes is a must play, followed by Tidewater.  Glen Dornoch is exceptional.  Rivers Edge is a very good Palmer course.  Great views and fun to play.  Barefoot gets a lot of attention.  I think the Dye course is the best, followed by Fazio.  If you took away the faux ruins, Love would be forgettable.  Norman course is on the best piece of land and good for a Norman, but not great.

South:  As others have mentioned, Caledonia and True Blue are must plays.  Caledonia is reaaaaaally easy and you should shoot a good number.  True Blue is tough and one of my favorite layouts on the Strand.  Pace is almost always 5 hours so budget for it.  TPC of MB is also very good.  2nd tier, but still great are Pawleys Plantation and Legends - Heritage.  Also, Debordieu (Dye) and Wachesaw (Fazio) might be options although they are private.  The Private Norman down south is a forgettable round.

Middle/Heart of Myrtle:  Grande Dunes is reaaaaaaallly modern, not much character, but in good shape.  I personally don't care for the layout.  The Legends resort with 3 courses is usually mentioned, but none of the courses would crack my personal top 15 on the Strand.  The best is Parkland, hugely influenced/built by Strantz. Moorland is a bit tricked up but memorable.  Heathland, a bit bland.

I hope this helps you. 

[Ronald Montesano]

The best is Parkland, hugely influenced/built by Strantz.

Mr. Doak could let us know how much of the routing is his. He can also let us know how much of Mike Strantz is at Parkland. It might have been the bunkers (http://myrtlebeachgolf.golfholiday.com/blog/myrtle-beach-golf-news/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-parkland-at-legends-resort) and it might be more.

[Joe Sponcia]

Ronald,

I used to contribute heavily to a Myrtle Beach forum.  Mr. Young's son (Danny) used to attend forum outings occassionaly as well as comment on his courses.  I honestly don't know how much Strantz is in Parkland.  It looks much more bland than his solo projects, but I would have to dig but...do remember a long interview at some point with the Young's talking about Mike Strantz.

[Stewart Abramson]

True Blue, Caledonia and the Dunes Golf & Beach Club are the best of MB.  After that there are a number of courses that you might consider if you will be in the area for awhile, many of which have been mentioned. Of those not mentioned above:

Heather Glen (which is across  Highway 17 from Glen Dornoch) has wider fairways and a more consistent routing than Glen Dornoch and their clubhouse is  modeled after the Lundin Golf Club Clubhouse in Lundin Links, Fife. That building is likely the closest thing to Scotland you'll find in MB

Prestwick, a Pete and PB Dye course with a little quirkiness

Barefoot Dye - Pete Dye's course and my favorite of the 4 at Barefoot

The Witch and Willbrook Plantation, (both Dan Maples courses...they never play firm, although MB courses overall rarely do)


P1010770 - Lundin GC #18 green r


Heather Glen White #9

[Garland Bayley]

I will be eating at HOG HEAVEN  for sure now...

Make sure to try their vegetarian stir fry. It's gluten and fat free and not to be missed. Pair it with their own blend of organic chicory and fennel tea, and finish with a desert of dry roasted almonds for a meal you won't soon forget.

Peter

POTY

[Wade Whitehead]

It's Caledonia for sure.

I suggest Legends Moorland as the sleeper.

WW

[Tim Leahy]

I really enjoyed Nicklaus' Long Bay but that was 20 years ago. Any thoughts from the MB regulars?

[A.G._Crockett]

It's Caledonia for sure.

I suggest Legends Moorland as the sleeper.

WW

Wade, with all due respect, you are THE first person to EVER put Moorlands in any sort of good list at MB.  The only way it is a sleeper is that PB Dye might be put to sleep for the design.  That's a little harsh, but not much; it is a distant third in its own complex!

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