My Myrtle Beach Experience ... What has been yours?

[Carl Rogers]

Last Tuesday, True Blue
Wednesday, Legends Heathland & Moorland
Thursday, Caledonia
Enjoyed the a lot courses except Moorland.  It is extreme, torturous and preposterous!
Legends: All rounds 5+ hours, indifferent management, the golfer is irrelevant, just meat through the assembly line
True Blue does not translate the Strantz idiom in this flatter more pastoral environment as well as Tobacco Road does, 4.5 hours (not bad as there is a lot of distance between greens and tees)
Caledonia, the look and feel of a private club, toned down Strantz within an attractive dense property, 5 hours a lot of waiting
I did it as a single and that experience was mixed, not unexpected.
I am glad to do it once, but I will not return, too many golfers!

Am I alone in this sentiment?

[Carl Rogers]

After over a 170 looks, I guess I am the only one to have been to MB.

[Ronald Montesano]

Yaahhh...Myrtle what? Beach who?

I agree...I get out as a single, play the first nine in 1.5 hours, the second nine in 4.5 hours.

I could play MB golf courses the rest of my life and never tire. Every course I've played there has intrigued me. Here's my list:

2013
Glen Dornoch...totally underrated. Up north, you will love it. If you don't, we'll arm-wrestle.
Grande Dunes...very modern. lots of condos...lots of really good holes.
Pine Lakes...what people want when they go to FLA or MB...traditional parkland golf, yet never boring. You have to hit the proper side of the fairway. Lots of interesting history.
Legends...good early Doak. I plan to finish my photo tour before I die.
Dunes Club...awesome RTJ SR course. Get on if you can. Watch the gators. Parkland, yes; boring, no.

2006
True Blue...agree with Carl, but still an awesome place.
Arcadian Shores...all right, maybe I wouldn't play this one again, but there is a Bojangles and a big-ass mall next door, so not terrible. Rees is Rees.
Wachesaw East...another hidden gem. I like this course a good bit, for the strategy. Tons of condos, but lots of angles and neat tee balls and approach plays.
Thistle...I call this a miniature tour course...shots you would find on tour, but no nine beyond 3300 yards.

I hope I don't take 7 years to get back. I'd like to see Caledonia down south, some of the Tim Cate Big Cat courses up north and the Barefoot courses in the middle/north.

[Brent Hutto]

I've only ever played in Myrtle Beach a handful of times. True Blue was an outstanding course IMO and I thoroughly enjoyed my round at Caledonia (although I think shot for shot True Blue may be the better course, it can't hold a candle to Caledonia for the "good walk" aspect and the setting).

Other than that seems I've mostly encountered pretty generic coastal SC/Georgia/Florida style cartball course with houses, OB and way too much water in play. Perfectly OK way to spend a day if you're down there for some other reason but the vast majority are not golf-destination-quality by a long shot.

[Steve Burrows]

Perfectly OK way to spend a day if you're down there for some other reason but the vast majority are not golf-destination-quality by a long shot.

In virtually any context outside of architecture junkies this would be an odd statement, as Myrtle Beach has constructed itself and its image as one of the premier golf destinations in the world.  Quantity versus quality, I suppose, but then again there are a lot of people who view Myrtle Beach golf options (even the ones that might not get the time of day from participants on this site) in a very positive light.

[Brent Hutto]

Steve,

There are probably a lot of people willing to ride in a golf cart in order to play. Myrtle Beach has relatively few options if you want to walk. So when you eliminate the carts-only courses and eliminate the generic OB left/marsh right, OB right/marsh left development courses you're down to a pretty small number.

To my knowledge there only a handful of courses down there worth going out of ones way to play. But that's spoken as someone who walks instead of rides.

P.S. And perhaps in the current economic climate more courses are accomodating of walkers. I have not been down there for several years now.

[Steve Burrows]

Brent,

It's been at least a decade since I've been down there myself, but I suspect you are correct in saying that there are still not too many options for walkers.  If that's a strong criteria for you (I also prefer to walk but will hop in a cart from time to time), then Myrtle Beach is certainly not for you.  As far as "generic" architecture is concerned, the market (as evidenced by others who are complaining about 5 hour-plus rounds) suggests that a there is sufficient numbers of people for whom above-average architecture is not a strong consideration when planning a trip.  But again, Myrtle is very much a golf-destination - it's just maybe not yours or my cup of tea.

[Jud_T]

Best thing about Myrtle is the price and the BBQ at Hog Heaven.  Legends Heathland is the only course I care if I ever play again.  But it's really great value, which puts it in the sweet spot for many these days.

[BHoover]

My only memory of golf in MB has nothing to do with golf.  I loved the mile-long seafood buffets!

[Brent Hutto]

David Owen named the big seafood barn in North Myrtle Beach, the one with the blue roof, as "Homer Simpsons Deep-Fried Aortic Aneurysm".

[Germain Pepin]

Myrtle Beach is a golf destination for everyone. There is some quality courses like Caledonia, The Dunes, and True Blue. There is also a lot of lower tier courses, like Crown Park, Carolina Shores, River Oaks and Eagle Nest. There is also some mid-tier courses like Barefoot, Legends, and Grand Dunes. There is probably too much courses here. Some courses are really struggling to stay alive and those ones are also those where the conditions are suspect.

[Jeff_Brauer]

I have vivid memories of flying down to MB when I was building Wild Wing.  Most nights, it was like going to Vegas on biz, with lots of excitement on the plane, when I wanted to sleep.  Some nights, it seemed like I was the only sober golfer on the plane.

I also recall asking golfers where they liked to play.  More than one told me they "sought out Rees Jones and Willard Byrd courses" because they were certain they would be fun.  Yes, there is no doubt that MB knows its customers, but its demographic is probably not golfclubatlas.com.

[Jason Connor]

There is good golf there if you can find it. 

We aim for the earliest tee times possible and play many rounds at 4, because we don't mind going off 1st or 2nd.  And usually other dewsweepers tend to be fast, too.

I love both Strantz's, especially Caledonia.  I thoroughly enjoy Thistle.  Glen Dornoch, too.

To me, if I just step out of my golf architecture snob hat, and enjoy the blue collar golf.  I take my time, and enjoy that fact that it's the 5 days every 24 months when I play with family members I no longer play with as often as I like.  (see my sig line).

[Ronald Montesano]

To me, if I just step out of my golf architecture snob hat

This is the key for me and I take it a step farther.

If I visit a course noted for its architecture, I come in with an anticipation for something that I must and expect to, see. If I don't see it, I wonder what I've missed. Other than the name of the architect, most MB courses don't receive attention here, so my own discovery of architectural intent and integrity, angles, shot variety and options are joyous.

It's akin to going to Pinehurst and playing the resort courses. You know that you're supposed to find "something" at the #2 course, which makes the other 7 that much more of a first-date experience.

[Michael Whitaker]

There were over 4,000,000 rounds played on the Grand Strand courses last year.

They must be doing something right!

[A.G._Crockett]

I fought an epic battle with Matt Ward about MB golf several years ago; I'll defend what is there anytime to anybody.  Consider the list of courses below:

Rivers Edge
Leopards Chase (I personally like Tigers Eye better, but both are excellent)
Tidewater
The Dunes
True Blue
Caledonia
TPC MB
Love Course at Barefoot
Fazio Course at Barefoot
Legends Heathland (and I like Parkland almost as well)
Grande Dunes

That's 11 of the 30 courses listed in Golfweek's state-by-state rankings of public access courses in NC and SC combined, with about 50 miles separating the farthest north from the farthest south on the strand.  Is there another place in the country with that concentration of highly regarded public access courses?

And I'll add that there are others.  Some personal favorites that I think are excellent:  Shaftesbury Glen, The Pearl West, The Thistle, Glen Dornoch, and Oyster Bay are just as enjoyable to me as any of the above EXCEPT Caledonia and True Blue.

Tell me where the value for the dollar that you get in the above courses is matched.

[Michael Whitaker]

AG - what most folks don't understand is that what they call "Myrtle Beach" is actually 10 or so different communities, each with its own distinct personality. Down on the south end where you and I spend most of our time it is very laid back with hardly any of the commercialism you find up the coast. Not only do you have most of the top public courses, but also most of the private clubs including Wachesaw Plantation, The Reserve Club of Pawleys Island and DeBordieu Colony. It is a hard area to beat for great golf, seafood, beach and lifestyle. The snowbirds that breeze through for a week during the busiest tourist months don't have any idea how idyllic the place is after they go home!!!  

[Jud_T]

I fought an epic battle with Matt Ward about MB golf several years ago; I'll defend what is there anytime to anybody.  Consider the list of courses below:

Rivers Edge
Leopards Chase (I personally like Tigers Eye better, but both are excellent)
Tidewater
The Dunes
True Blue
Caledonia
TPC MB
Love Course at Barefoot
Fazio Course at Barefoot
Legends Heathland (and I like Parkland almost as well)
Grande Dunes

That's 11 of the 30 courses listed in Golfweek's state-by-state rankings of public access courses in NC and SC combined, with about 50 miles separating the farthest north from the farthest south on the strand.  Is there another place in the country with that concentration of highly regarded public access courses?

And I'll add that there are others.  Some personal favorites that I think are excellent:  Shaftesbury Glen, The Pearl West, The Thistle, Glen Dornoch, and Oyster Bay are just as enjoyable to me as any of the above EXCEPT Caledonia and True Blue.

Tell me where the value for the dollar that you get in the above courses is matched.

AG-  I'd rather play Spring Valley or Lawsonia Links for the money than any course there with the possible exception of Legends Heathland (of those you listed I've only played Heathland, Parkland, TPC MB, True Blue, Caledonia and Barefoot Love).

[Bart Bradley]

First off, the pace of play is relatively slow at most Myrtle courses....unfortunately, like most public resort courses in the US.  Showing up at a resort mill as a single is a recipe for a miserable time unless you get paired up with some decent folks.

I agree with AG and would add Oyster Bay, Wild Wing and Heritage as very playable options.  I cannot name another place in the US where I can play a bunch of 5s and 6s for less money than the Myrtle Beach area.  I even think The Dunes and maybe Caledonia are 7s. 

I agree that Lawsonia Links is better than any of the Myrtle courses but in March or April, I don't think I'd like to be at Lawsonia.

Bart

[A.G._Crockett]

I fought an epic battle with Matt Ward about MB golf several years ago; I'll defend what is there anytime to anybody.  Consider the list of courses below:

Rivers Edge
Leopards Chase (I personally like Tigers Eye better, but both are excellent)
Tidewater
The Dunes
True Blue
Caledonia
TPC MB
Love Course at Barefoot
Fazio Course at Barefoot
Legends Heathland (and I like Parkland almost as well)
Grande Dunes

That's 11 of the 30 courses listed in Golfweek's state-by-state rankings of public access courses in NC and SC combined, with about 50 miles separating the farthest north from the farthest south on the strand.  Is there another place in the country with that concentration of highly regarded public access courses?

And I'll add that there are others.  Some personal favorites that I think are excellent:  Shaftesbury Glen, The Pearl West, The Thistle, Glen Dornoch, and Oyster Bay are just as enjoyable to me as any of the above EXCEPT Caledonia and True Blue.

Tell me where the value for the dollar that you get in the above courses is matched.

AG-  I'd rather play Spring Valley or Lawsonia Links for the money than any course there with the possible exception of Legends Heathland (of those you listed I've only played Heathland, Parkland, TPC MB, True Blue, Caledonia and Barefoot Love).

I didn't ask if there were better courses elsewhere.  I asked if you knew of anyplace with the volume of quality public access access courses.  I'll take this response as a no.

[Jud_T]

I fought an epic battle with Matt Ward about MB golf several years ago; I'll defend what is there anytime to anybody.  Consider the list of courses below:

Rivers Edge
Leopards Chase (I personally like Tigers Eye better, but both are excellent)
Tidewater
The Dunes
True Blue
Caledonia
TPC MB
Love Course at Barefoot
Fazio Course at Barefoot
Legends Heathland (and I like Parkland almost as well)
Grande Dunes

That's 11 of the 30 courses listed in Golfweek's state-by-state rankings of public access courses in NC and SC combined, with about 50 miles separating the farthest north from the farthest south on the strand.  Is there another place in the country with that concentration of highly regarded public access courses?

And I'll add that there are others.  Some personal favorites that I think are excellent:  Shaftesbury Glen, The Pearl West, The Thistle, Glen Dornoch, and Oyster Bay are just as enjoyable to me as any of the above EXCEPT Caledonia and True Blue.

Tell me where the value for the dollar that you get in the above courses is matched.

AG-  I'd rather play Spring Valley or Lawsonia Links for the money than any course there with the possible exception of Legends Heathland (of those you listed I've only played Heathland, Parkland, TPC MB, True Blue, Caledonia and Barefoot Love).

I didn't ask if there were better courses elsewhere.  I asked if you knew of anyplace with the volume of quality public access access courses.  I'll take this response as a no.

Actually you asked where the value for the dollar that you get in the above courses is matched.  There is a lot of volume but not a lot of quality IMHO.  I guess if you're looking to play a bunch of Doak 4's and 5's for $50-75 it fits your description.

[Tim Gavrich]

I have vivid memories of flying down to MB when I was building Wild Wing.  Most nights, it was like going to Vegas on biz, with lots of excitement on the plane, when I wanted to sleep.  Some nights, it seemed like I was the only sober golfer on the plane.

I also recall asking golfers where they liked to play.  More than one told me they "sought out Rees Jones and Willard Byrd courses" because they were certain they would be fun.  Yes, there is no doubt that MB knows its customers, but its demographic is probably not golfclubatlas.com.

***FULL DISCLOSURE: I work for the ad agency that represents about 25 courses in MB--all the National Golf Management courses, Caledonia and True Blue and the Dunes Club.***

Jeff--

You're too modest--of the four courses at Wild Wing, yours is the only one that survived intact! Rees Jones designed six courses in the Myrtle Beach area. Two of them--Arcadian Shores (his first-ever design) and the Jones Course at Sea Trail Resort--are still around. I don't believe the Wood Stork and half of the Hummingbird courses are the only NLE Willard Byrd tracks in MB, either.

Myrtle Beach is a great place to come play golf for the vast, vast majority of golfers, as that 4 million rounds figure all but proves. The best thing about the sheer volume of courses is that the resulting hierarchy--not just of courses but places to eat, stay, amuse oneself off-course--means that a very wide range of budgets can enjoy a good golf trip down here. Places like Cabo, Bandon Dunes and Monterey, as great as their golf is, are simply not places that most folks will ever be able to enjoy a golf vacation. Myrtle Beach, however, is for them. And they come down and they have the time of their lives.

Sure, they will complain about pace of play and conditioning at some courses and the price of a beer from the cart girl and grumpy rangers etc. etc., and there are things that could make the experience better across the Grand Strand, but for the most part, people come here and they keep coming here.

There are shortish, fairly open, cheap easy golf courses and then there are the True Blues, Caledonias, Grande Dunes, Barefoots and Dunes Clubs where you can up the expense and play some pretty good golf courses. And there are mid-budget gems like Jud's favorite (and only, evidently) Heathland, Jeff Brauer's Avocet course. Arcadian Shores was Rees Jones' first solo golf course and it's really quite nice, especially now that a few hundred trees have been removed and wind plays more of a factor. Pine Lakes has a historical element (1920s-built clubhouse, Sports Illustrated was first discussed there) and is the only area course that uses Paspalum grass throughout.

Do you like the bright lights and hustle and bustle and strip clubs? Stay in the heart of Myrtle Beach. Do you want a more golf-only vacation? Stay south and play Caledonia, True Blue, Heritage (which might be the most interesting golf course of the three), Pawleys Plantation and Founders Club. Do you hate public courses and golfers and have private club access juice? Play Wachesaw Plantation, Debordieu, The Reserve and the Surf Club.

Anyone who is planning to come to Myrtle Beach: please let me know if you have any questions or would like suggestions on where to stay, play and eat. I promise I won't a) shill exclusively for my clients, and b) steer you to ruin.

Okay, I'm done for now .

--Tim

[Michael Whitaker]

What Tim said! 

Great job padawan.

[Brent Hutto]

I guess from a personal perspective (as just one of the four million) what it boils down to is I only need there to be two or three really good courses in any one area. If I can go visit Mike or Tim down south and play Caledonia and/or True Blue, well I'm good. Or I'm sure Dunes club or a few others I've not seen would fit the bill too. So playing golf in Myrtle Beach is a perfectly good option for me, personally.

Here's the thing. There are many, many other places in South Carolina alone (not to mention further afield for me as a South Carolinian lifer) that have two or three worthwhile courses to play. So if an area like Aiken/Augusta, to reference another current thread, has a couple of really great courses it doesn't really matter to me that there aren't 50 or 100 other, lesser courses within an hour's drive of those worthwhile ones.

Which was my initial take on this thread. If you want to go to Myrtle Beach there are good options there. Plenty of them for a weekend or a week or even a bit longer vacation. But "Myrtle Beach" per se doesn't hold the attraction for me that it seems to for others of my four million bretheren. It's not a Mecca of golf like St. Andrews or Bandon. It just one among quite a few places where if you check around you can find out some really good places to play golf.

[A.G._Crockett]

It's not a Mecca of golf like St. Andrews or Bandon. It just one among quite a few places where if you check around you can find out some really good places to play golf.

Tough standard, Brent. 

I'd add that MB doesn't cost like either of those Meccas, either to get to or to play.  It is also far, far less likely that you will deal with weather-related issues on the trip.

As to "quite a few places", I'll again challenge you.  Use just the Golfweek state-by-state public access rankings and tell me ONE other place with the volume of outstanding courses that I listed above in an area of comparable size at comparable cost. 

(And make no mistake about it; I believe that every one of those courses IS outstanding.  And I don't give a tinker's damn about the Doak Scale!)