Living in Myrtle Beach: What I’ve Learned So Far
Whether it has involved golf, food or off-course fun, Charlie Rymer’s first year as a full-time resident of the Myrtle Beach area has been filled with memorable experiences. Here’s what “The Big Timer” has learned from his current perspective, complete with his recommendations on courses, leisure interests and restaurants you should try on one of your next visits!
By Charlie Rymer
I’ve been a full-time resident of Myrtle Beach for a year now, and what a year it’s been! Going back to my childhood I’ve spent a lot of time here, but being a “local” really has changed my perspective.
Let me start with the people. Everyone knows I’m a southerner, and we have plenty of Old South charm in this area. We serve our tea sweet in these parts. It’s interesting how well us southerners get along with visitors and transplants from “up north.” I think that’s because we’re all thrilled to be living in such a wonderful area. South Carolina is one of the most attractive states when you consider weather, taxation, affordability, education, and infrastructure. And if you like golf … well, Myrtle Beach is the “Golf Capital of the World” for so many reasons (more on that later).
When everyone is happy, it makes socializing and making new friends so much easier. At Thanksgiving my wife and I gathered with our new neighbors for a feast for the ages. Couples from South Carolina to Long Island and all parts in-between gathered for an amazing meal. We all brought dishes and tried things outside of our respective Thanksgiving comfort zones. I discovered creamed pearl onions and crusty Italian bread go great with turkey. Our neighbors from New York discovered that my wife’s sweet potato casserole is to die for.
But the very best part? Story time. Think “My Cousin Vinny.” We laughed until our overly full bellies just couldn’t take it any more. In Myrtle Beach, we just seem to all get along.
One of the best ways to enjoy Myrtle Beach is on the water. I joined a boat club that gives me access to a variety of boats at six different marinas in the area. I can fish offshore or inshore. But my favorite way to enjoy the water is to grab a pontoon boat and fill it with family, friends, dogs, a large cooler, and country tunes. Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway, from Georgetown to Calabash, gives you glimpses of the beauty here that you just can’t fully appreciate from land.
And when you get hungry after a long day on the golf course or water, Myrtle Beach has you covered. The only thing that hasn’t been kind to me since moving here has been the scale. But don’t worry. I’m going on a diet when I get back from Europe. Currently, I have no plans to go to Europe.
I live in Murrells Inlet, which is known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” And boy, does it live up to its title! If you want to prepare your own fresh seafood, you’re in luck because we have our choice of so many seafood markets. Fresh shrimp here is my favorite.
Check out the MarshWalk for great seafood restaurants, amazing views, plenty of beverages, and live music. You can’t make a bogey there. If you’re looking for me, try the back porch at Dead Dog Saloon. The locals love Hot Fish Club, and food has been served there since the 18th Century. Their fried oysters and grilled steak make for an epic combination! And if pizza is your thing, you’ve gotta go to Uncle Mikey’s. I promise you: Mikey will be there, and tell him I said “Hi!”
And, by the way, we’ve got golf in Myrtle Beach. Some 80-plus courses along a roughly 70-mile stretch of Carolina coastline. By my reckoning, that’s a little more than a course every mile. Whatever you’re in to with your golf, we’ve got you covered. From value courses to premium designs by top architects, you can find a golf setting that will make you happy.
Here are a few of my tips to make a great golf getaway package:
For winter play, look to golf courses that overseed with rye grass “wall-to-wall.” For summer play, look to golf courses that don’t overseed or that use pigment to give the course a green look in winter. And for spring or fall, you can’t go wrong with either.
If you don’t want a long commute to your course of choice, make sure to book tee times in the area you are staying. I divide the Grand Strand into three parts: South Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, and North Myrtle Beach. If you’re staying in Cherry Grove up north, you’re in for a long day if you book golf courses in Pawleys Island down south. It’s gonna take a lifetime of trips to see all that we have to offer. Play close to your accommodations so you have time to enjoy what Myrtle Beach has to offer away from the course, too. Stay and play different places on your next trip.
And finally, this is super important. To maximize your golfing enjoyment, PLEASE be realistic in choosing the tees you play. You are playing this game for fun, and playing a golf course that’s too long takes that fun away. Select a tee that allows you to hit a short-iron second shot to a par 4 when you’ve hit a decent drive. For most golfers, that’s a set of tees measuring no more than 6,000 yards. When it comes to tee selection, leave your ego at home. You’ll be glad you did.
Enjoy Myrtle Beach!
