Destination: Myrtle Beach

If you are having issues encapsulating all the golf courses of the Grand Strand, you are not alone. A loose geographic definition has the region spanning a 60-mile stretch of coastline, from Georgetown, S.C. to Caswell Beach, N.C. Many visitors simply refer to the area as "Myrtle Beach" - an oversimplification that leads to some serious confusion. Pawleys Island, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Atlantic Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River and Calabash are all unique enclaves of the region, and each has its own flavor.

Pawleys Island, with its Live Oaks and Southern charm, could be mistaken for the outskirts of Charleston. Atlantic Beach, with its video game arcades and neon lights, feels like it could be in the heart of Atlantic City.

And if you end up staying in one burg and golfing in another, you will find out fast that unlike Pinehurst or Hilton Head, you won’t get from one end of the Grand Strand to the other in 10 minutes.

Twenty years ago, golfers used to criss-cross the region in search of affordable, quality golf courses. With the beach's meteoric growth over the years, traffic congestion, the low density nature of the region, and the limited daylight of early spring, playing 36 holes of golf in two entirely different parts of the Strand has become nearly impossible. No worries: A number of Myrtle Beach golf packagers offer vacations that center on one or two sub-areas of the Grand Strand, and replays are often based on co-location of golf courses.

Myrtle Beach International Airport serves the Grand Strand with dozens up direct and connecting flights from cities such as Atlanta and Charlotte. If you're driving to Myrtle Beach, you'll take Highway 501 off of I-95 or I-20. Interstate 20 runs east/west from Atlanta and other southern cities. Interstate 95 runs north and south along the entire East Coast from Miami to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. If you're near the Carolina Coast and would prefer a scenic drive to Myrtle Beach, try Highway 17. It runs along the famously beautiful Carolina coast through Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach Golf FAQ

What makes Myrtle Beach such a popular golf destination?
First of all is size. Myrtle Beach isn't just a few hundred yards of sand, it is a 60-mile stretch of coastline from Georgetown, S.C., to Caswell Beach N.C. It also has more than just typical beach courses. The variety of Myrtle Beach's golf choices is astounding. Throughout the Grand Strand, different surroundings have allowed different style courses. Also, prices range from break-the-bank to downright affordable. While many places claim the same, Myrtle Beach truly has something for everyone and every golfer.

Since Myrtle Beach is so big, are there sub areas within the Strand?
There are. The South Strand is made up of Georgetown, Pawleys island, Litchfield and Murrells Inlet. Known for its surroundings more than any other part of the beach, the South Strand is very scenic. Many of this areas best tracts were built on rice plantations and are marshy, shotmakers' courses. The inland part of Myrtle Beach is known as the 501 corridor. It is made up of East Conway and the western portion of The Strand. The 501 Corridor is packed with fast-food restaurants, strip malls and golf outlets. The Central Strand is made up of the heart of Myrtle Beach, as well as small beach towns like Surfside. The atmosphere is like that of a beach town, with plenty of beach bars and restaurants and lots of condos. The North Strand is made up of Brunswick County beaches and the inland cities of Shallotte and Clabash.

What are some of the best courses in each area of Myrtle Beach?
In the South Strand, the Caladonia Golf and Fish Club boasts some amazing landscaping, while TPC of Myrtle Beach is among the state's strongest courses. The 501 Corridor is home to some of the Strand's most unique courses. The golf courses at Wild Wing Resort range from funky to scenic, while International World Tour is Myrtle Beach's only replica course. Central Strand is the Strand's oldest and still most popular area. Among its courses are Myrtle beach staples, The Dunes Beach and Golf Club and The Surf Club. The Northern Strand takes advantage being less populated. Try Arnold Palmer's River's Edge or Tim Cate's Tiger's Eye for a more rural and pastoral round.

What's the area's best course?
For a combination of great golf, history and service, you can't beat The Dunes Beach and Golf Club. Considered the area's premier country club, The Dunes has been around since 1948. This Robert Trent Jones course is consistently rated among the best courses in the country. Stretching to 7,165 yards with a slope of 141, The Dunes will challenge any golfer.

What about Myrtle Beach activities for kids?
Try a day at Family Kingdom Amusement Park. It's an old-fashioned amusement park with more than 30 rides including an all-wooden roller coaster and the largest Ferris wheel in South Carolina. The 1.2-mile Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade hosts live concerts, "Kids Carnival" nights, weekly fireworks and more. Also, check out the Children's Museum of South Carolina, Pavilion Nostalgia Park at Broadway on the Beach, and Myrtle Waves Water Park.