If you’ve ever so much as held a golf club, it is probably pretty safe to assume you’ve thought about playing golf in South Carolina. Home to over 350 courses and the highest number of golf holes per capita, the state is often referred to as the “Golf Capital of the World.” But within South Carolina, the place where you really want to sink that shot is in Myrtle Beach.
This 60-mile oceanfront stretch is a golfer’s paradise for many reasons. For one, the season just keeps on going. While golfers from northern states pack up their clubs for the winter, it’s possible to keep ‘em swinging on the Grand Strand. In fact, many golfers migrate south for golf in the early spring or late fall while the courses in their home states are sleeping through the cold winter.
Then, there’s the scenery. Beautiful beaches, soft dunes, lush grounds, stunning clubhouse architecture and even the wildlife are natural draws to the region. Golfers will undoubtedly notice many interesting creatures near the courses—deer, eagles, fish, alligators, and even “that guy” who is trying to reclaim the putter he threw into the water hazard.
Myrtle Beach 5 Best Golf Courses
However, the golf courses themselves are what make the game memorable. Constructed by golf-course architect greats such as Robert Trent Jones, Tom Fazio, and Mike Strantz, several Myrtle Beach courses are famous throughout the nation. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club regularly appears in Golf Digest’s “ America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.” Tidewater Plantation Golf Club and TPC Myrtle Beach are acclaimed in Golfweek as two of the top ten courses you can play in South Carolina. The best golfers in the game perpetually play in Myrtle Beach for fun, occasionally for entry into a PGA tournament and sometimes for a charity event. The Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation hosts the Monday After the Masters tournament every April. It has become one of the largest celebrity golf events in the nation, with proceeds benefitting a number of charities. HootieGolf.com offers information on being a spectator, volunteering for the event, or making a donation.
If you’re not a pro but want to play like one, the World Amateur Handicap Tournament is a golfing event like no other. Every year, nearly 3,500 people from around the globe come to the largest amateur competition on earth. Golfers from different backgrounds and of all abilities compete on 60 host courses. Even its “19th hole” has achieved recognition for being the largest 19th hole on the planet. There are nightly parties with free-flowing bars, lively entertainment, and even the chance to intermingle with celebrities who are also competing in the World Am. It’s a week of nothing but golf and fun.
So when is the best time to go? The short answer is: anytime. Rates are lowest in the winter but the temperature is more pleasant in the spring and fall. Late September has some of the best prices and it’s not too hot, though it is one of the wettest months of the year. October and November are considered prime, but be prepared to pay a bit more. In the summer, morning tee times are recommended and then you can relax on the beach with the family. Whenever you decide to play, plan your trip early since the area’s favorite courses book quickly. It’s best to reserve your golf vacation at least six months before your first anticipated tee time. Visit MyrtleBeachGolf.com to find out more or to book your next golfing challenge.
Myrtle Beach Golf Courses
Most courses offer lessons and special golf packages. Call course for more details.
MYRTLE BEACH, HWY. 501, CONWAY
Arcadian Shores Golf Club 843-449-5217; 866-326-5275
Arrowhead Country Club (Lakes, Cypress, Waterway) 843-236-3243; 800-236-3243
Burning Ridge Golf Club (East, West) 843-347-0538; 800-833-6337
Dunes Golf & Beach Club 843-449-5236; 866-386-3722
Grande Dunes 843-449-7070; 866-639-6962
Hackler Course at Coastal Carolina 843-349-6600
Heron Point Golf Club 843-650-6664; 800-786-1671
International World Tour Golf Links 843-236-2000; 877-377-7773
The Legends (Heathland, Parkland, Moorland) 843-236-9318; 888-530-1875
Man O’War 843-236-8000
Myrtle Beach National (Kings North, South Creek, West) 843-235-6077; 800-882-2614
Myrtlewood Golf Club (Pinehills, Palmetto) 843-913-4516; 800-283-3633
Pine Lakes International Country Club 843-315-7710; 866-639-6962
Prestwick Country Club 843-293-4100; 888-250-1767
River Oaks Golf Plantation (Otter, Bear, Fox) 843-236-2222; 800-762-8813
Shaftesbury Glen Golf & Fish Club 843-369-1800; 866-587-1457
Waterway Hills (Oaks,Ravine,The Lakes) 843-449-6488; 800-882-3420
Whispering Pines Golf Course 843-918-2305
Wild Wing Plantation (Falcon, Hummingbird) 843-347-9464; 800-882-2614
The Witch 843-448-1300; 843-347-2706
The Wizard 843-236-9393
World Tour Golf Links 843-236-2000; 877-377-7773
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, LITTLE RIVER
Aberdeen Country Club 843-399-2660; 800-882-2614
Azalea Sands Golf Club 843-272-6191; 800-253-2312
Barefoot Resort & Golf 843-390-3200; 800-581-1927
Barefoot Resort & Golf (Dye Course) 843-399-7238; 800-856-2315
Beachwood Golf Club 843-272-6168; 800-526-4889
Cypress Bay Golf Club 843-249-1025
Eagle Nest Golf Club 843-249-1449; 800-543-3113
Glen Dornoch 843-249-2541; 800-717-8784
Harbour View Exec. Par 3 & Driving Range 843-249-9117
Heather Glen Golf Links 843-249-9000; 800-868-4536
Palmetto Greens 843-399-4653
Possum Trot Golf Club 843-272-5341; 800-626-8768
River Hills Golf & Country Club 843-399-2100; 800-264-3810
Surf Golf & Beach Club 843-249-1524
Tidewater Golf Club 843-249-3829; 800-446-5363
LONGS, LORIS
Black Bear Golf Club 843-756-0550; 800-833-6337
Crown Park Golf Club 843-756-3200
Diamond Back at Woodland Valley Country Club 843-756-3264; 877-600-3264
Long Bay Golf Club 843-399-2222; 800-882-3420
SURFSIDE, GARDEN CITY, MURRELLS INLET, LITCHFIELD, PAWLEYS ISLAND, GEORGETOWN
Blackmoor Golf Club 843-650-5555; 888-650-5556
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club 843-237-3675; 800-483-6800
Founder’s Club @ Pawleys Island 843-237-2299; 800-833-6337
Heritage Golf Club 843-237-3424; 800-530-1875
Indian Wells Golf Club 843-651-1505; 800-833-6337
Indigo Creek Golf Club 843-650-1809; 800-718-1830
International Club 843-651-9995; 866-900-5507
Litchfield Country Club 843-237-3411; 800-882-3420
Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club 843-237-6000; 800-367-9959
River Club 843-237-8755; 800-882-2614
Tournament Players Club 843-357-3399; 888-742-8721
Tradition Golf Club, The 843-237-5041; 877-599-0888
True Blue Plantation 843-235-0900; 888-483-6800
Tupelo Bay Golf Center 843-215-7888; 800-657-2680
Wachesaw Plantation East Golf Course 843-357-5252; 888-922-0027
Wedgefield Plantation 843-448-2124; 843-546-8587
Wicked Stick Golf Links 843-215-2500; 800-797-8425
Willbrook Plantation & Country Club 843-237-4900; 800-882-2614
NORTH CAROLINA CALABASH, SUNSET BEACH, OCEAN ISLE BEACH, SOUTHPORT
Bald Head Island Golf Club 910-457-7300; 866-657-7311
Brick Landing Plantation 910-754-2745
Brierwood Golf Club 910-754-4660; 888-274-3796
Brunswick Plantation & Golf Resort 910-845-6935; 800-848-0290
Carolina National Golf Club 910-755-5200; 888-200-6455
Carolina Shores Golf & Country Club 910-579-2181; 800-579-8292
Crow Creek Golf Club 910-287-3081; 877-287-3081
Farmstead Golf Links 910-575-7999; 866-749-7277
Leopard’s Chase Golf Club 910-579-5577; 800-233-1801
Lions Paw Golf Links 910-287-1717; 800-233-1801
Lockwood Golf Links 910-842-5666; 877-562-9663
Meadowlands Golf Club 910-287-7529; 866-639-6962
Members Club, The 910-253-9500; 800-474-9277
Oyster Bay Golf Links 910-579-3528; 800-530-1875
Panther’s Run Golf Links 910-287-1717; 800-233-1801
Pearl Golf Links, The (East, West) 910-579-8132; 888-947-3275
Rivers Edge Golf Club 910-755-3434; 877-748-3718
Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club 910-579-9120; 800-356-5827
Sea Trail Golf Resort (Jones, Maples, Byrd) 910-287-1100; 888-229-5747
Thistle Golf Club 910-575-8700; 800-571-6710