With nearly as much sand as the nearby beach, Long Bay may tempt you to wear flip-flops. But stick to your spikes as you take on the challenging 10th, a par 4 with a fairway surrounded by waste bunker. Enough about the hazards – Long Bay also has some of the area's fastest greens. Combine that with the fact that this is one of two courses in the Myrtle Beach area designed by Jack Nicklaus, and you've got more than enough to keep players returning year after year.
more detailsThe first Big Cat at Ocean Ridge Plantation, Lion’s Paw continues to make golfers purr. The layout, a co-design by Willard Byrd and Tim Cate, is a good one, offering the chance to score on the par 5s while challenging players with one of the strongest collection of par 3s on the Myrtle Beach golf scene. A recent conversion to MiniVerde Bermuda grass has provided Lion’s Paw with outstanding greens throughout the year. This is a Myrtle Beach golf course you won't want to skip over.
more detailsThe virtues of Azalea Sands are readily apparent. The course, located in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is located less than a half-mile from the Atlantic Ocean, making it easily accessible whether you are taking a golf trip or a family beach vacation (did we mention kids play free at Azalea Sands?). With wide fairways and no housing anywhere throughout the property, Azalea Sands makes being player-friendly its top priority.
more detailsNamed for the original Thistle Golf Club in Leith, Scotland, which opened in the early 1800s, this Tim Cate course does its namesake justice. Golfers vacationing in Myrtle Beach can get a true taste of the Old Country on the wide fairways and in the clubhouse, which features 200-year-old memorabilia straight from the Thistle Club’s heritage. Save some airfare and experience historically great golf right here in South Carolina.
more detailsWith 18 holes winding through the Carolina pines, the Championship course at Crown Park Golf Club surrounds players with unspoiled natural beauty while presenting ample challenges to beginners and seasoned golfers alike. This second-shot course with absolutely zero housing also makes for a great final test as you wind down your golf vacation.
more detailsThe installation of new MiniVerde greens in 2010 ensures that your putts will really purr on this Tim Cate-designed course. These premium putting surfaces are just part of what makes Panther’s Run a favorite in the Myrtle Beach area. The layout runs through a nature preserve, so you may end up using your range finder to do a little bird-watching.
more detailsDavis Love III was the least renowned of the four architects that designed courses at Barefoot Resort, one of the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area’s flagship properties, but 13 years later his design is arguably the most popular of the quartet. The layout, which pays homage, to Love’s Carolina roots, is fun to play. Many Top 100 courses are known for their difficulty, but Love managed to perfectly thread the needle, crafting a design that challenges low handicappers while allowing, ahem, less skilled players to enjoy an elite course. On top of that, the memories of the faux ruins of an old plantation home will be with you long after your vacation ends. See why it's a must play during Myrtle Beach golf trips.
more detailsVisitors to Lockwood Folly Country Club leave with indelible memories of tree-lined fairways with towering oaks, majestic pines, tranquil ponds and diverse and plentiful wildlife. Built on the site of a former hunting preserve, Lockwood Folly Country Club and its surrounding community borders the Lockwood Folly River and Intracoastal Waterway, and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean puts the roar of the surf within earshot of visiting golfers. This links-style design winds its way through salt marshes, creeks, forests, fields and the surrounding community.
more detailsOne of the most demanding par 4s in Myrtle Beach, the 16th hole at Glen Dornoch gets even the most skilled veterans longing for a stiff drink by the time they sink their putt. Not to worry, the 17th is absolutely stunning, and the 18th leads you straight to the clubhouse deck, where you can finally get that refreshing and well-earned beverage.
more detailsRivers Edge might be situated on the North Strand, but this Arnold Palmer-designed course is certainly worth the few extra miles of driving. It lives up to its name with seven holes, including the last four, that play along the Shallotte River. Golf Digest has ranked Rivers Edge among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. Many visitors to Myrtle Beach agree it’s a can’t-miss.
more detailsWith so many amazing options, choosing which courses to include in your Myrtle Beach golf vacation can be challenging. If you’re basing your decision on playability and quality conditions, you’ll be glad you made time for Sandpiper Bay. This 27-hole layout is a former Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course of the Year award winner and a reigning fan favorite among those who frequent the MiniVerde greens.
more detailsHow could a Gene Hamm-designed course get even better? A renovation led by renowned architect Craig Schreiner certainly doesn’t hurt. A state-of-the-art practice facility, exquisite décor and completely remade greens featuring MiniVerde Bermuda grass all contribute to a heightened level of quality at the Hackler Course. But it’s the qualified staff of Coastal Carolina University’s acclaimed PGA Golf Management program that makes the experience truly exceptional.
more detailsWhat’s behind door number 3? It’s the Willard Byrd Course, arguably the best of the three layouts at Sea Trail Resort. Come play it and see where you’d rank it. You may find it a little challenging, but a lack of forced carries and room to drive the ball make it extremely playable from the white tees.
more detailsDesigner Rick Robbins crafted Crow Creek with challenges both short and long, but everyone who plays here agrees the hardest part is choosing which par 3 is their favorite. Come experience the variety and see why this course earned four stars in Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play guide.
more detailsThe Pearl Golf Links is tucked quietly on the banks of the Brunswick coastal marshland in the heart of Calabash, North Carolina, and just a short drive from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Dan Maples masterfully designed The Pearl golf course in 1987, framing the course with the natural beauty of the woods and marshes of the Calabash River. The Pearl golf course challenges golfers at all skill levels while showcasing the spectacular 900-acre marsh surroundings.
more detailsLegendary golf course architect Tom Fazio did some of his finest work on his namesake design at Barefoot Resort & Golf. With water features visible on 15 holes, The Fazio Course offers stunning visuals, relentless challenge and outstanding conditions – just a few of the many reasons this is one of the most coveted tee times in Myrtle Beach.
more detailsA great value for golfers, Eagle Nest saves its best for last. It’s all fun and games until you get to what many consider to be the three toughest finishing holes on the Grand Strand. Recently renovated, the Little River course boasts fresh MiniVerde greens for your putting pleasure.
more detailsMany of us would probably like to forget the styles of the early '90s, but at least one thing born in this bizarre era has stood the test of time – the Jones Course at Sea Trail Resort. Rees Jones designed this layout with fairways wider than your favorite pair of flared jeans. Come see why many golfers would be content to spend an entire vacation on this cornerstone course.
more detailsYou could travel the country from coast to coast and not find a more scenic golf course than Tidewater. After taking in the panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean from the 13th green, you’ll know why Golf Digest and Golf Magazine have ranked it among the nation’s Top 100 public courses.
more detailsThe 27 holes of championship layout golf on our Azalea, Dogwood, and Magnolia courses provide a challenging and enjoyable experience for avid golfers and beginners. Brunswick Plantation features perfect Bermuda grass greens all year.
more detailsYou don’t have to fly to Scotland to experience rolling fairways – you can experience similarly remarkable terrain on the Highlands Nine at Aberdeen Country Club. Catch the wind just right, and you could play the Meadows Nine with just your driver and putter.
more detailsEver heard anyone talk up the acoustics of a course? The Dye Club has been serenaded by the hum of clubs and guitars alike. The 2013 Myrtle Beach "Golf Course of the Year" has hosted the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am for 15 years. Consistently nabbing a spot on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, it’s certainly one of Myrtle Beach’s greatest hits.
more detailsRiver Hills is a nice addition to any Myrtle Beach golf package. There are no parallel holes, creating the sense that you are alone on the course, and the layout and conditioning are always very good. The property has elevation changes that are unusual for a golf course, adding to its appeal to visit on a Myrtle Beach golf vacation. A four-star layout, according to Golf Digest, River Hills is the type of firm but fair challenge that enhances any Myrtle Beach golf trip.
more detailsIt’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the flight. Tiger’s Eye has gained national acclaim — and for good reason. It probably has something to do with the stunning visuals created by architect Tim Cate. TifEagle greens and lakes lined with coquina boulders will have you sending pictures to make your friends jealous.
more detailsIf you’ve got your sights set on Southern hospitality and service that’s as sweet as the tea, then make your way to Meadowlands Golf Club. Bring your favorite driver and take full advantage of friendly fairways leading to TifEagle greens. Locals love this course, and Golf For Women has given it a spot on its list of Top 100 Courses. There’s phenomenal play for all, so come experience it for yourself.
more detailsThe first of the three courses at Sea Trail Plantation, the Maples Course continues to lead the way. A familiar name to golf aficionados, architect Dan Maples crafted a quality design at Sea Trail, featuring five holes that play along the scenic Calabash Creek. In addition to the property’s natural beauty, Maples made effective used of waste bunkers to help create memorable visuals for golfers in town for a vacation, making this Myrtle Beach golf course a must play.
more detailsArchitect Tim Cate’s signature coquina boulders, waste bunkers and a greenside waterfall on the 18th hole help define Leopard’s Chase, one of Myrtle Beach’s best golf courses. Leopard’s Chase was among the nation’s top 10 new layouts upon its 2007 opening, according to Golf Magazine and Golf Digest, and Golf World readers ranked it among America’s top 50 public courses.
more detailsSometimes overlooked in favor of its sister layouts, Greg Norman’s only public course in Myrtle Beach is not one to be missed. The Norman Course features incredibly memorable play, with four holes on the back nine running adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway. How’s that for a water hazard?
more detailsGet away from it all and spend some time on the pair of island greens at Oyster Bay. Situated along the Calabash River, this Dan Maples layout features some unique hazards in the form of a few alligators. But don’t worry, Golf Digest gave this course a 4.5-star rating without losing so much as a ball or a big toe.
more details