10 Great Golf Communities Along the Grand Strand
By Rob Spallone
Now more than ever, golfers are flocking to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to experience “The Golf Capital of the World” to become full-time residents. And why not? With beautiful year-round weather, close proximity to the ocean, fantastic restaurants and gorgeous communities with spectacular homes, it’s easy to see why so many people are now calling the Grand Strand home.
But what communities are our new neighbors choosing? Here, we’ll examine 10 of the more well-known golf communities in the Myrtle Beach area, and what makes them so special to the people who live there.
Barefoot Resort has all the amenities one could want for a vibrant daily lifestyle including a deep-water marina, full-service spa and waterfront hotel. Barefoot is home to a variety of options for home buyers including single-family houses, condominiums, townhomes and even Yacht Club villas, and residents can also choose to participate in an array of leisure attractions at nearby Barefoot Landing including top-notch dining, nightlife, live music events and more. Did we mention it’s also home to four of the top courses (the Norman, Fazio, Love and Dye courses at Barefoot Resort) along the Grand Strand?
If you dream of waking up to dazzling Intracoastal Waterway views and breathtaking Mediterranean-style architecture, the communities at Grande Dunes are for you! You’ll find many of the Grand Strand’s more spectacular homes within these communities, where Grande Dunes Resort Course offers premium public access and The Members Club a private membership option for enjoying championship golf. With endless in-resort and nearby options for restaurants and night spots to go with a full-service marina, Grande Dunes is one of the top choices when it comes to experiencing golf community living to the fullest.
Tidewater is an established gated community in North Myrtle Beach nestled among live oaks and offering breathtaking marsh views along the Intracoastal Waterway. Tidewater is in close proximity to some of the most beautiful beaches along the Grand Strand, with the focal point of this charming community the renowned Tidewater Golf Club, which was named Golf Course of the Year in 2022 by the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association. You’ll find some of the most picturesque and signature holes in Myrtle Beach golf right here, and beyond the links Tidewater residents enjoy a multitude of recreational and social options including five pools, a fitness and exercise center, tennis courts, a restaurant and a beach house cabana.
Located just over the state line in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, Sea Trail Resort is a premier golf community boasting the signature courses of Willard Byrd, Rees Jones and Dan Maples. Beautiful single-family homes and golf villas alike are plentiful throughout these wide-stretching neighborhoods. With miles of trails for walking and biking and convenient beach access, this is a prime location for those who love outdoor activities. Shops and restaurants dot the surrounding area and provide plentiful leisure options.
Comprised of several communities, Litchfield by the Sea is a destination hub for golfers, beach vacationers and new residents alike. Within it are two stunning resorts, multiple public beach access points and four of the South Strand’s most requested golf courses: Litchfield Country Club, River Club, Willbrook and Tradition Club. This extraordinary community serves as a halfway point between the hustle and bustle of the busier Myrtle Beach area and the much quieter surrounds of Historic Georgetown.
Shaftesbury is one of the finest choices when it comes to permanent residence in a golf community, offering the perfect blend of fantastic fishing, world-class golf and spectacular properties. The Shaftesbury community is nestled in beautiful, bucolic Conway, SC, just a short drive away from the area’s historic downtown district where residents can choose from an appealing collection of eclectic, down-home eateries and pubs. And after a great post-round meal, the Conway Riverwalk is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful walk surrounded by nature’s best.
In addition to boasting one of the premier 27-hole golf complexes in Myrtle Beach, the Arrowhead residential community features nine separate “golf villages” – each exuding its own distinct look and feel and offering prospective new residents a wide array of choices. Parts of Arrowhead are nestled scenically along the Intracoastal Waterway, and its central Grand Strand location just off Hwy. 501 offers residents easy access not just to the heart of Myrtle Beach but also its surrounding communities of Carolina Forest and Surfside Beach.
Legends Golf Resort has always been held in the highest regard among Grand Strand golf facilities, and its surrounding gated communities offer residents a wide selection of contemporary homes, smaller condos and cottages – all with convenient access to each of the property’s three renowned golf tracks (Parkland, Heathland and Moorland). Among the many perks of Legends living include access to its community pool, tennis facility, clubhouse, walking trails, fitness center, pub, restaurant, golf practice facility, and even discounted play for golf. Like Arrowhead it’s centrally located just off Hwy. 501, with convenient access to the aforementioned surrounding areas.
The Prince Creek Community at TPC Myrtle Beach is truly one of a kind: a small, eclectic neighborhood located within a stone’s throw of the TPC Clubhouse that features an upscale pool and clubhouse, gorgeous golf course views and nine choices of living spaces. Champions Village remains in high demand with many lots featuring stunning golf course views and some backing right up to beautiful nature preserves and ponds. When it comes to golf communities along the South Strand, Prince Creek is often in the conversation.
You’ll find another fantastic Sunset Beach golf community in Ocean Ridge Planation. This exclusive golf community boast elegant luxury homes with convenient access to pristine beaches, lush landscapes and southern, small-town charm. Golfers can choose between four beautiful “Big Cats” golf courses in Panther’s Run, Tiger’s Eye, Lion’s Paw and Leopard’s Chase, with non-golf community amenities including walking and fitness trails, beach club, tennis and pickleball courts, plantation gardens and two award-winning restaurants.
These are just some of the many outstanding Myrtle Beach communities centered around the game of golf. Be sure to give these places a look next time you’re considering a more permanent stay on the Grand Strand!
