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What a great way to start a round! It's 80 degrees outside and I just finished watching Sergio Garcia melt down at the British Open in Brassie's Pub over a couple of cold pints.

Once I stumbled to the 1st tee, I was greeted by a lovely couple Jean & Anthony who informed me that we are being paired up together. Heck, I'm by myself and good company is always welcome. Once the formalities were over with I immediately blurted out "Did you see that great extra-hole win by…." Jean stopped me in my tracks and said "Don't say another word. We didn't get to see it live so we've taped it at home". Right then and there, I knew I was in trouble! FYI She could have broken 80 if it wasn't for an errant shot on 18.

Today, we were playing the Jones Course at Sea Trail Plantation. There are two other 18-hole layouts at this enormous resort, the Dan Maples Course and the Willard Byrd Course. I only had time to the play the Jones & Maples courses but each have been rated 4 stars by Golf Digest.

The Rees Jones design is the most favored by tourists because of his trademark mounding, naturalized landscaping, native grasses and large undulating well-bunkered greens. The fairways are bordered by scenic lakes with water hazards on 11 holes. In fact, The Rees Jones Course had the honor of hosting a qualifying event for the 2006 US Open.

My favorite holes were probably the 6th, an intimidating Par 4 over a bridge with water all the way along the right side of this dog-leg left and the short par 3, 5th with a big pond to collect any chunky shots.

The 500 yard par 5, 8th hole is a thinking man's hole. If the fairway bunkers on the right side do not get you, the pond guarding the front of the green will surely test your skills if you try and go for this one in two.

The Maples Course is more member-friendly, an estate course framed by 75-year old live oaks and towering pines with the Calabash Creek meandering through it. The course probably has the most receptive green that I've ever played. In fact, NC Magazine rated The Maples in the "Top 5 Best Conditioned Courses" in the coastal region.

My favorite hole was undoubtedly the 6th a 555 yard par 5 three shot hole that dog-legs to the right. Beware of the hidden hazard for any approach shot that is short left. Next is a short 263 yard par 4 that is suicidal if you cut the corner. Try and hit your tee shot to 140 yards so that you can clear the corner yet not go through the fairway. This will leave you with a mid iron shot to a green over water.

The 9th is probably the toughest hole, a 445 yard dog-leg left par 4 with fairway bunkers on both sides and a fairway wood or long iron to a narrow but long green.

I am told that The Byrd Course has the widest variety of features with 7 man-made lakes, mounding, waste areas and a collection of pot bunkers however I did not get the opportunity this time.

Sea Trail is located just north of the South Carolina border and a must play if you are staying in one my favorite parts of Myrtle Beach – the north end. Plenty of accommodation and restaurant options on the North side of the border and the pace is a little slower than at the Beach.

For more information you can visit www.seatrail.com or to book a vacation that includes golf at Sea Trail visit www.myrtlebeachgolfdirectors.com or www.myrtlebeachseasideresorts.com.

Dave Finn is the Co-Publisher of The Traveling Golfer.