There are something like 110 courses in the Grand Strand and a few courses that are nice. Caledonia and True Blue are two Mike Strantz courses that are quite good and The Dunes is going through a restoration as we speak, but I really liked The Reserve GC of Litchfield. It is a Greg Norman design with a fantastic practice area and a good mix of holes. I really enjoyed the sod faced bunkering he did. There is no rough and the first cut is pine needles and the second cut is forest. I thought the chipping areas around the greens were a lot of fun and allowed some different types of shots to be played. All in all, it is my new #1 in the Grand Strand surpassing The Dunes and Caledonia by a small margin.

The Heathland Course at The Legends (Doak) is worth checking out - as well as The Dunes and Caledonia which have already been mentioned.

dcarroll - I think Marsh Harbour has gone under financially and hasn't been open for play for over a year.

Barefoot Resort (Dye, Norman, Fazio, Love), and Legends (Doak) jump out off the bat.  RTJ's Dunes goes without saying.  Nicklaus's Pawleys Plantation, and Dye's DeBordieu would be a nice way to round it out. . .

Since I've never been on a mrytle beach golf trip where I haven't either had a beer or a golf club in my hand at all times (mostly at the same time), I can't comment on having the wife in tow.  

For clarification, I haven't seen the Barefoot courses in person, only TV and web.  I have heard from people who played the Dye course there and said it was very "strong" indeed.  

One thing for sure, they certainly got some "big names" to market to the public. . . .  

Having played a lot in Myrtle Beach, I've come away impressed by a few things I've seen, including the Dunes, True Blue and Caledonia, the TPC course, and Tidewater. The Norman course at Barefoot is quite strong. I actually liked the front nine at the Love course, thought the Fazio course was nice, but not particularly memorable, and really enjoyed the Dye course, which is tough. One interesting property is the Palmer/Sealy work at River's Edge just across the border in NC. Several of the holes, which are routed along the waterway, are terrific, though at least one (the ninth, I think), was kind of goofy hard.

All in all, there's lots to play in Myrtle..... but aside from golf, mid-tier restaurants and strip bars, there isn't a lot to see and do there.... for the wife, I mean.

Robert

Robert

I spend a week each summer at Myrtle, and have played way too many courses to list.  Myrtle gets bashed a lot, and that's a pet peeve of mine; for the number of courses there, the number of good courses is probably proportional to the ratio in the rest of the world.  It's just that there are SO MANY COURSES that the number of average courses is overwhelming.
Having said that, there are enough good courses there so that you could put the area up dollar for dollar against other destinations and come out well.  Tidewater, the Dunes, True Blue, Caledonia, River's Edge, Oyster Bay, Heathlands, etc., are outstanding golf courses by any measure, and several dozen others are well above average.  There ARE a number of places there that I wouldn't go to again, but I have yet to play a course there that I thought was just bad.  It's golf, there's lots of it, some great if you work to find it, and very affordable.  You could do worse...

It's an interesting dychotomy. On the one hand the author names Cape Breton and Bandon as places I assume he and his wife enjoyed immensly. Then you have the raw golfers experience of Myrtle Beach. The two will never be confused. Mike's Island will be closer to the experience you are probably used to.  If cost is at all an issue maybe, Mike can give us a ball park on what the typical 3-4 day stay run$?

Mike H:

Appreciate the plug!

Since I went to school at Univ of S. Carolina I had the (mis)fortune to see and play plenty of what is "called" golf in the Grand Strand area. I agree with those who have opined on a few places of note. I have always liked Tidewater -- to name just one. Ditto Jack's design at Pawley's Plantation -- although hitting the par-3 12th(?) from the back tee to the narrow landing area makes for interesting golf when the wind is blowing strongly.

However, in my opinion the bulk of golf in the area is fast food type stuff. Myrtle Beach is based on the same theory as buffet food -- give'm plenty of it at a cheap price. For those who enjoy scoffing down beer and grub and can get accomodations and golf thrown in (plus a few strip clubs to boot) it's a fairly good deal.

Most of the folks who come to Myrtle Beach usually drive there and it's really about maxing out as much quanity golf as you can. The quality aspect is really small in terms of architectural wonders. What would be in the best interests of the Grand Strand is for 20% of the courses there to go belly-up in order to sustain the rest of those who survive.

No doubt if you're freezing your behind off in the Mideast and Northeast areas the a-l-l-u-r-e of the Grand Strand is there for those who want to stretch the golf muscles. I'd much rather pass on it and head to Florida for some really high octane designs ...

Michael W:

Let's set the record straight -- I cut my golf teeth playing on munis and although I have moved away from those dog days I still remember them VIVIDLY and I still play a few from time to time to keep my nose from pointing too far up in the clouds . I also believe you can design courses that have architectural qualities rather than mass production products that are as stale as week old bread.

If you think Myrtle Beach is your cup of tea for golf go
right ahead and knock yourself out -- there's plenty there to play -- no doubt whatsoever. Plenty of people love McDonald's and Burger King and if that's your fancy please enjoy them.

I'm someone who prefers to use my available time to sample places that offer a golf experience of some distinction. The bulk of golf at Myrtle Beach is simply assembly line versions of design -- just get'em out and get'em in.

I can't speak to your golf tastes, but I know mine, and snobbery is far from it.

I love the Myrtle area.  Grew up vaca'ing there with one set of g'parents and continue to go there.  However, the othe rset of g'parents live in Sea Pines and built there very early (1970) so i got to see both ends of the spectrum.  To that end, for the daily fee/public joints, both MB and HHI are the land of 5+ hour rounds.  My best advice at MB is to get a pre 7:30 am time.  There are plenty of very good places and again, lots of FUN golf.  

Rjunah-that's too bad re: Marsh Harbour and I think I know the circumstances behind that...the operator was under a long term lease and it just ran out.  The onwer of the Marsh Harbour land is Willaimson properties which also owns Angel's Trace, the Pearl, Ocean Isle Beach GC and Ocean Harbour (which has also been closed for years and which I thought was fantastic).  It's just a shame...I always felt the best bermuda greens in the world much less the MB vicinity were at Marsh Harbour--especially in light of all the course in MB that try to grow bent

Finally, what's your take on the Clemson/USC game this Saturday. Interested in a small wager?

Michael,

Now you are getting into touchy subjects to be handling on a forum like this.  I cant wait to hear what Matt has to say about this.

I have found some jewels down there at the beach, as mentioned above.  I would also add the newer Grande Dunes as having some good holes.  Also Dye course at Barefoot.

Unfortunately for me (and most people) when I go down with a group of customers every January we are playing the other end of the food chain.  I have seen some interesting architectural items.

Of course no discussion of Myrtle Beach would be complete without a plug for my favorite watering hole "Suck, Bang, & Blow" the biker bar.  Undeniably the best T-shirt souviner you can get.

Daryl,

Just trying to keep it real... you know what I mean?

You have got to promise to take me to the "Suck, Bang and Blow." I've read your previous comments about the place, but never had the chance to visit. I'll make you a deal... take me to SB&B and I'll take you to Hoskin's for the best seafood platter you've ever had in your life (not to mention the best homemade burgers you've ever eaten).