By Anita Draycott

Myrtle Beach used to be the winter holiday haven where four golf-deprived fanatics headed for a week of 36 holes a day, a fridge full of beer and some cheap pub grub. Downtown Myrtle (as the locals call it) was an unpretentious mish-mash of all-you-can-eat buffets, mini-putts and girlie joints.

But that was before Myrtle and the 96 kilometres of Carolina coastline, known as The Grand Stand, grew up and expanded her charms to include even more fabulous golf courses, gourmet dining, designer malls, luxury accommodations…even spas.

Whether you opt for a luxurious hotel or a fully equipped condo, you simply can't beat Myrtle Beach for a value-packed golf getaway. For example, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday offers fall stay-and-play packages starting as low as $220 U.S. per person, including 3 nights accommodation, 3 rounds of golf, daily breakfast and lunch, free steak dinner and range balls. It's no wonder that the International Association of Golf Tour Operators voted South Carolina as the best North American golf destination for 2009. Myrtle baby, you've come a long way.

Golf Galore

No place on earth rivals the Myrtle Beach area for the sheer number of golf courses, quality and affordability. Of the 100-plus championship courses, more than 35 have been ranked as outstanding, four-star or more in Golf Digest's Places to Play. All of this healthy competition means that you won't likely find a badly maintained or managed course amongst the lot. But if you are having trouble choosing, here's my "A" list, based on design, service and variety.

- Start your golfing spree with a lesson at the Grande Dunes Golf Academy with Brad Redding. Named by Golf Magazine as one of the Top 100 Teachers in America since 2001, Redding has an uncanny ability to size up your swing plane and give you simple fixes and drills without overloading your brain with theories and myths. Once you've fine-tuned your swing, let it rip on the Grande Dunes course where you'll encounter dramatic elevation changes, superb service and conditioning and an exhilarating finale.

- Waterloo, the aptly named watery signature hole number 13 at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club, has been ranked as the one of the best par-5s in America. Bring extra balls.

- At the highly acclaimed Caledonia Golf & Fish Club an impressive avenue of live oaks laden with Spanish moss leads to the antebellum-style clubhouse. Mike Strantz's brilliant design winds gracefully through what was a historic rice plantation. Pull up a rocking chair on the verandah and sip a mint julep after your round.

- Golf Digest recently declared True Blue Plantation "the #1 public course in the Myrtle Beach area." Course architect, Mike Strantz gives players of all handicaps plenty of choice and challenge with five tee blocks ranging from 4,900 to 7,100 yards.

- Opened in 1927, Pine Lakes, known as the "Granddaddy," because it's the oldest course on the Grand Strand, became the birthplace of Sports Illustrated magazine in 1954 when a group of Time-Life executives met here to plan the editorial. The 18-hole course, clubhouse and pub were completely restored and opened to rave reviews in March 2009. Complimentary clam chowder is served in the Robert White Pub, named after the original course architect.

- In North Myrtle, Barefoot Resort & Golf tempts with four eighteen-hole tracts by Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Davis Love III and Greg Norman. The Fazio, Love and Dye courses have all been ranked among "America's 100 Greatest Public Courses" by Golf Digest.

- At Willbrook Plantation in the Litchfield area, designer Dan Maples has carved a gentle tract out of two former plantations that has received numerous accolades from women's golf magazines.
Grande Dunes
The Dunes Golf & Beach Club
True Blue Plantation
The Dye Course at Barefoot Resort
Pawleys Plantation

- Golfers arrive at Waterway Hills via a glass-enclosed gondola crossing the Intracoastal Waterway. Once you've landed, three nines await—The Lakes, The Oaks and The Ravine.

- A Nicklaus Signature course, Pawleys Plantation is a classic lowcountry design that aptly demonstrates the designer's philosophy that "golf is a game of precision as well as power."

Lowcountry Dining

The sheer number and variety of eateries in Myrtle is mind-boggling. The portions served in most establishments are so generous that two adults can happily split a main course, order an extra soup or salad and still not be able to clean their plates.

- At Greg Norman's Australian Grille in Barefoot Landing sink your teeth into tender prime rib or wood-fired veal chops, washed down with a glass of the Shark's own Shiraz. The wine list is vast and wonderful and the décor is upscale without being stuffy.

- Bovines in Murrells Inlet serves up Bourbon roasted ribs cowboy-style. But if Bovine's is full, no worries, this inlet is chock-full of eateries, including lots of casual seafood joints.

- For the catch of the day and the best sunset on the Strand, head to the Gulfstream Café in Garden City.

- The wood-fired pizzas at Frank's Outback draw huge crowds. Get there early or make a reservation.

At UMI Pacific Grille your taste buds will travel to the Far East, Polynesia and Hawaii, while savouring fusion cuisine from the chef's open kitchen.

- Situated just behind the dunes and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the historic Sea Captain's House serves terrific seafood and daily specials.

Hotel Highlights

Fourteen million visitors a year means a huge selection of accommodations at competitive prices.

- The elegant Marina Inn at Grande Dunes offers personalized free valet service, plush bedding and complimentary Internet access.

- The Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes boasts the Strand's only oceanfront European day spa, plus golf, tennis and 45,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space. Indulge in the Hibiscus Spa's Four-Handed Massage, which means you double your pleasure by having two therapists working on your aches and pains in unison.

- Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort has a variety of suites, condo units, lakeside villas and fairway cottages, plus three golf courses, a racquet club, pools, exercise facilities and bike rentals.

- At Pawleys Plantation, about 20 miles south of central Myrtle golf villas have fully-equipped kitchen, living/dining room, screened porch, large bedrooms, and laundry facilities. Guests have access to the resort's Jack Nicklaus signature 18-hole golf course and the highly acclaimed Phil Ritson-Mel Sole Golf School.

Après Golf Diversions

- Calling all Shoppers! Martin's PGA TOUR Superstores, across from Broadway on the Beach and on highway 17 in North Myrtle offer a huge selection of golf clothing, shoes, equipment and accessories.

- Speed demons can test drive Formula 1 Grand Prix cars at the Myrtle Beach Grand Prix Family Thrill Park or navigate seven tracks at NASCAR Speed Park, an officially licensed property of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.

- For a gentler pace, stroll through lovely Brookgreen Gardens showcasing more than 550 works by American sculptors on the site of former rice plantations.

- O.K. it's not Mozart or Shakespeare, but Myrtle's got plenty of theatre venues. Kenny Rogers and Billy Ray Cyrus are among the entertainers who have graced the stage of the plush 2,000-seat Alabama Theatre. At the Carolina Opry, bluegrass, cowboy ballads, gospel and hurtin' songs come with about a zillion costume and set changes.

10/09

 

 

When you Go

Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, formed in 1967, is your one-stop resource to help you plan your ideal trip. They are comprised of 78 golf courses, 99 golf package providers and hotels and six golf schools all located on the Grand Strand. www.golfholiday.com

 
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