Myrtle Beach Golf News

Grande Dunes is ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest, has five holes that play along the Intracoastal Waterway, and two more that offer memorable views. The course, which opened in 2001, has emerged as one of the best on the Myrtle Beach golf scene for many reasons.

Identifying the three best holes is challenging because of the abundance of choices, but we put Grande Dunes’ senior director, Mike Buccerone, on the spot.
Which three holes are Grande Dunes’ best in Buccerone’s eyes?

Here are his choices:

No. 6, 365-yard, par 4 – If there is a surprise choice on Buccerone’s list, this is it. It’s a short par 4, playing 330 yards from the blue tees and 305 from the whites, but there is a bunker sitting right in the middle of the fairway. The smart play is a four or five iron, leaving a short approach into a green that is 45 yards deep.

According to the scorecard, No. 6 is Grande Dunes’ easiest hole, but as Buccerone can attest, that is often not the case.

“Every time I come  up (to the tee) all I want to do is take the driver and hit it over the bunker,” he said. “Eight out of 10 times I will, and seven out of 10 times I’ll hit it in the bunker … People like to make it difficult, including myself, that’s why I think it’s a fun hole. An easy par 4 can become a six really fast.”

No. 14, 216-yard, par 3 – The 14th is one of the area’s most memorable par 3s. Playing from an elevated tee, players must carry a lake to hit a green that runs at a 45-degree angle towards the water.

“It’s our signature hole,” Buccerone said. “The hole can bite you, especially if you’ve got a back right pin, because suddenly it slopes off and you are in somebody’s boat.”

You won’t forget the 14th hole.

No. 18, 442-yard, par 4 – A dogleg left, the 18th provides a fitting end to the round. The course’s clubhouse, a lake, Grande Dune’s private bridge and a hotel overlooking the Intracoastal come into view. It’s a dramatic last look at everything the course offers.

“I think coming in on No.  18 is a bit of a challenge,” said Barry Carroll, a Dayton, Ohio resident, echoing Buccerone’s sentiments. “(You) come on in with the clubhouse in the background. It’s just a very nice way to finish the day.”

What are your three favorite holes at Grande Dunes?

Golf Holiday is the ultimate source for information on Myrtle Beach golf.

Myrtle Beach golf courses have collected national honors like stamps in recent years and Willbrook Plantation has again joined the fun. Golf Digest ranked the South Strand layout No. 31 on its list of America’s Top 50 Courses For Women in the just released March issue of the magazine.

A panel of more than 100 female raters ranked daily fee and public courses on categories such as shot values and resistance to scoring, but just as importantly, on how female friendly a course is. Among

Crown Park prides itself on offering value and good conditions to golfers, but there is much more to know about this course. If you are planning a trip or looking to gain a small advantage on your playing partners, here are five things to know about Crown Park:

Tucked away on Route 9, Crown Park is one of Myrtle Beach golf’s most secluded layouts. There are no houses visible from the course and there aren’t many in the general vicinity. Privacy is part of the layout’s charm, creating a relaxed atmosphere that extends throughout the round.

Once play begins, Crown Park stands on merit, and we consulted with the facility’s Head Professional Gregg Funderburk, to determine the course’s three best holes…

Perhaps no golf course fits better along the Grand Strand than Man O’War Golf Club, featuring a layout with so much water that golfers may believe they are playing on the beachfront.

Dan Maples certainly had water on his mind in the mid-1990s as he designed this par-72 track. The aqua is an omnipresent threat – its 100 acres within view from every spot on the Myrtle Beach golf favorite – but it’s not domineering to the point of unfairness.

Challengers must tee off over water

Collectors Café sits in a strip mall two blocks from the Atlantic on North Kings Highway, nestled between a Subway and Rite Aid. The white exterior, script sign and painting around the door hint at an establishment that offers more than the TGI Friday’s two blocks away.  But to the uninitiated Collectors Café doesn’t outwardly appear much different than thousands of other restaurants along the Grand Strand.

Looks can be deceiving.
 

When the doors

A good start is vital to any golf swing, and Brad Redding, the director of instruction at the Grande Dunes Golf Academy, reveals the secret to backswing success in Nature Valley’s Tips From the Pro.

What you do prior to stepping on the course can dramatically impact how you play and potentially your health. Classic Swing Golf School’s Ted Frick walks you through four stretches that will prepare you to play your best golf in this installment of Nature Valley’s Tips From the Pro.

Sure Myrtle Beach is home to the nation’s largest selection of golf courses, but the fun doesn’t stop there for those you who can’t put the putter down. The Grand Strand is also home to 50 putt-putt golf courses, including some of the world’s best.

If you have a better chance of winning money on a miniature golf course, here are the Myrtle Beach area’s five best:

1. Hawaiian Rumble: The North Myrtle Beach course hosts the Masters of mini golf every year and

The first decade of the 21st century is nearly in the books, and it has been an eventful one for the Myrtle Beach golf community. From high profile course openings to unprecedented recognition from industry leaders, there has been an abundance of news emanating from the Grand Strand.

Some of the stories flashed across the landscape like a supernova, spectacular while they lasted but forgotten nearly just as fast. But many stories have had a lasting impact on the community and the countless

The Moorland Course at Legends Resort is a Myrtle Beach golf standout, but it never hurts to have a little local knowledge before attempting to tame a layout Golf Digest ranked America’s 37th toughest.

With that in mind, here are five things you need to know about Moorland:

The Moorland Course at Legend’s Resort is one of Myrtle Beach golf’s most recognized layouts. The P.B. Dye design is the 37th most difficult course in the nation, according to Golf Digest, and it’s one area’s most popular. While Moorland is unquestionably a stern test of golf, it’s much more than that. Dye made great use of pot bunkers, elevation changes and water to create a layout that is as visually appealing as it is challenging. The course is home to

Golf legend Gary Player typically designs his courses with playability for the average golfer in mind, and he succeeded in a big way at Blackmoor Golf Club. Whether you are a scratch golfer or a 25-handicap, the layout has many memorable holes, but with the help of the course’s esteemed head pro, Matt Daly, we’ve identified the three best. Without further ado, here are three holes you will be telling your friends about: No. 5, 376-yard, par 4: The first of Blackmoor’s

Before striking your first shot at Blackmoor Golf Club, here are 10 things to know about the 20-year-old course. Some will help you with course management while others provide a little background on a layout that is full of character.

1. Hold On Tight: Don’t try to be a hero off the first tee. Blackmoor’s opening six holes represent the course’s most difficult stretch. The fairways are relatively narrow over the first third of the day, so play it safe and save your