Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, fondly referred to as ‘The Grand Strand,’ is renowned worldwide for its stunning golf courses, offering an unparalleled experience for all golf lovers, especially Canadians flocking to escape the grip of the icy winter. The area boasts over 100 unique golf courses, each with its specific characteristics, varying difficulty levels, and breath-taking views. Here, we delve into the top 10 Myrtle Beach golf courses that every Canadian must try.
Dunes Golf and Beach Club
Dunes Golf and Beach Club stand at the forefront, crafting a distinctive reputation since 1948. The course is the brilliant brainchild of legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr. It’s his magnum opus trademark over 7,450 yards. The course provides a wonderful blend of creativity, strategy, and flawless aesthetics, enabling golfers of all skill levels to enjoy their play.
Caledonia Golf and Fish Club
Set amidst incredible natural surroundings, including live oaks and numerous flower beds, Caledonia Golf and Fish Club offers a visual feast to golfers. Though the course demands precision, its inherent beauty of converted rice fields seems to soften the challenge. Canadians would find an uncanny similarity to courses back home due to Caledonia’s fast and firm playing conditions.
TPC Myrtle Beach
For Canadians seeking stringent professional-grade golf challenges on their sojourn, TPC Myrtle Beach is a must-visit. With strategically placed bunkers and water hazards that dare the golfer to take risks, TPC, a former Senior PGA Tour host, walks a thin line between risk and reward, enticing high-risk shots with potentially high returns.
True Blue Golf Plantation
Renowned for its roomy fairways and sizeable greens, True Blue Golf Plantation provides the ideal conditions for golfers eager to better their handicap. Designed by Mike Strantz, True Blue mirrors aspects of Pine Valley and Pinehurst with vast waste areas and challenging green complexes. Given its reception as a top-rated public course nationwide, it’s a venue not to be missed.
Thistle Golf Club
With an old Scottish flair permeating its design, Thistle Golf Club offers Canadians an opportunity to experience a slice of golf’s roots. Comprising 27 holes, each nine offers a unique feel. Decidedly, Sand and Cameron eights provide the most dramatic visuals with a picturesque view of the Calabash River.
River’s Edge
River’s Edge offers a distinctive encounter, merging the best of golf with delightful natural scenery. The course, designed by the great Arnold Palmer, runs beside the Shallotte River, presenting golfers with stunning marsh views. Canadians would enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and mild, open course layout.
Pawleys Plantation
Jack Nicklaus’s prestigious Pawleys Plantation provides a distinctive taste of Lowcountry golf with a competitive edge. The course’s tight layout, framed by centuries-old oaks and coniferous trees, coupled with narrow fairways, requires precision and strategic forethought from start to finish.
Grand Dunes Resort Club
Grand Dunes Resort Club stands out from other regional courses for its striking modern design. Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, the course boldly incorporated the natural coastal landscape while paying attention to current trends and golfer expectations.
MBN King’s North
MBN King’s North is noted for its water hazards, bunkers, and remarkable “island fairway” on the 6th hole. Arnold Palmer’s craftsmanship made King’s North a renowned brand and one of the most exciting courses to play in Myrtle Beach.
Love Course at Barefoot Resort
Davis Love III’s creation gracefully features recreated ruins of an old plantation home, wide fairways, and generous landing areas, catering to all golf skill levels. The course remains a favourite among visiting Canadians for the warm, welcoming feel it provides.
These are merely a taste of Myrtle Beach’s abundant golf offerings. Between the captivating beauty of the land, the delightful southern hospitality, and the diverse range of world-class golf courses, it’s easy to understand why Canadians would find much to love about ‘The Golf Capital of the World’.