GolfTravelReviews: The Reviews "Myrtle Beach Introduction"

Watching golf course openings on the Grand Strand is a little like monitoring the GDP. The pace of growth may vary, but the trend is always up.

As of mid-summer 2000 the Grand Strand had opened something like its 124th golf course. This is both good and bad. Theoretically at least, service and course quality should improve as more courses compete for golfers’ dollars. The downside is that with more tracks to choose from deciding which courses are best for you gets harder.

No matter how crowded the supply gets, there is always room at the top. In this rarefied atmosphere, our list of favorites includes Pawleys Plantation, the TPC at Myrtle Beach, Avocet at Wild Wing, the International World Tour Club, Pine Lakes, Arcadian Shores, Tidewater, Dunes Club, True Blue and the four new-in-2000 courses at Barefoot Resort. And for new Myrtle Beach residents or second-home owners on the Strand, there is the very exclusive and exquisite private club on the south end, The Reserve.

Some of the courses on this list are well established. One is the oldest on the Strand with an illustrious history. Five of the tracks are the "new kids on the block" (as of summer 2000). Geographically, they cover the waterfront from north Myrtle Beach to the south end. Tickets range from moderate to high. As for course conditions, you will want to check before arriving, as conditions vary according to maintenance schedules and unforeseen weather events. You can be confident, however, that if you play these gems, you are on the right track.