Myrtle Beach has no shortage of great golf courses, but which layouts are golfers raving about the most? We looked strictly at Google reviews \u2014 factoring in both star ratings and a substantial number of reviews \u2014 to identify the courses golfers consistently rate among the best on the Grand Strand.<\/p>\r\n
Here are the top 5 highest-rated Myrtle Beach golf courses based on Google reviews.<\/p>\r\n
1. Grande Dunes Resort Club<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n Google Rating:<\/strong> 4.6\u2605 (1,200+ reviews)<\/p>\r\n Grande Dunes Resort Club continues to earn praise for its upscale experience, pristine course conditions, and unforgettable Intracoastal Waterway views. The Roger Rulewich design features dramatic elevation changes rarely found along the coast, highlighted by a stunning stretch of holes overlooking the waterway.<\/p>\r\n Golfers frequently mention the excellent customer service, immaculate greens, and premium clubhouse experience in their reviews. If you're looking for a high-end Myrtle Beach golf experience, Grande Dunes consistently delivers.<\/p>\r\n 2. Arrowhead Country Club<\/a> Google Rating:<\/strong> 4.6\u2605 (1,000+ reviews)<\/p>\r\n Arrowhead Country Club remains one of the area's most popular public courses thanks to its strong conditioning, scenic waterway setting, and excellent value. Designed by Raymond Floyd and Tom Jackson, the 27-hole facility provides variety while maintaining a reputation for playability and fun.<\/p>\r\n Reviewers regularly compliment the course conditions, friendly staff, and overall pace of play \u2014 a combination that keeps golfers coming back year after year.<\/p>\r\n 3. Barefoot Resort & Golf <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n Google Rating:<\/strong> 4.4\u2605 (900+ reviews)<\/p>\r\n Barefoot Resort & Golf has long been considered one of Myrtle Beach's premier golf destinations, featuring four acclaimed courses designed by Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Greg Norman, and Davis Love III.<\/p>\r\n Google reviewers consistently praise the overall resort atmosphere, course variety, and quality of the golf experience. The Dye Course, in particular, receives standout reviews for its unique design and memorable finishing holes.<\/p>\r\n 4. Legends Golf & Resort<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Google Rating:<\/strong> 4.3\u2605 (2,000+ reviews)<\/p>\r\n With one of the largest review totals on this list, Legends Golf & Resort continues to be a favorite for golf trip groups and stay-and-play visitors. The resort features multiple courses, including Heathland, Moorland, and Parkland, giving golfers plenty of variety during their trip.<\/p>\r\n Many Google reviewers highlight the value, all-inclusive packages, and practice facilities as major positives. Legends remains a good option for golfers planning a full Myrtle Beach golf getaway.<\/p>\r\n 5. Myrtlewood Golf Club<\/a> Google Rating:<\/strong> 4.2\u2605 (700+ reviews)<\/p>\r\n Located right in the heart of Myrtle Beach, Myrtlewood Golf Club offers convenience, solid course conditions, and two enjoyable layouts \u2014 PineHills<\/a> and Palmetto<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n Golfers frequently praise the course improvements, fast greens, and overall accessibility. Its central location makes it an easy addition to nearly any Myrtle Beach golf itinerary.<\/p>\r\n Honorable Mentions<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Several other Myrtle Beach-area courses consistently receive strong Google reviews and nearly cracked the top five, including:<\/p>\r\n\r\n Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Google reviews offer a unique look at what everyday golfers actually experience on the course \u2014 from conditions and pace of play to customer service and value. While every golfer's preferences are different, these five courses continue to stand out among thousands of reviews from players visiting Myrtle Beach every year.<\/p>\r\n Of course, like any review platform, you'll occasionally come across some outlandish reviews that may not fully reflect the overall experience. A bad weather day, slow round, or one-off issue can sometimes lead to extreme feedback. That\u2019s why looking at both the overall rating and the total number of reviews may help paint a more accurate picture of which courses consistently deliver for golfers.<\/p>\r\n Click Here<\/strong><\/a> to Browse or Book Myrtle Beach Tee Times<\/p>\r\n Photos for this feature from MyrtleBeachGolfTrips Instagram Account<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/div>\r\n<\/div>"},"861493":{"id":861493,"title":"25th FDNY 9\/11 Memorial Golf Outing Set for Pine Lakes, World Tour and Myrtlewood","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/FDNY-1200.png","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"25th-fdny-9-11-memorial-golf-outing-set-for-pine-lakes-world-tour-and-myrtlewood","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/25th-fdny-9-11-memorial-golf-outing-set-for-pine-lakes-world-tour-and-myrtlewood\/","created_at":"2026-03-14 06:00:41","modified_at":"2026-03-30 13:30:40","content":"Each May in Myrtle Beach, firefighters gather not just to play golf, but to remember.\r\n\r\nThe FDNY 9-11 Never Forget Memorial Golf Outing<\/strong><\/a> returns May 17-19 for its 25th year, bringing firefighters, friends and supporters together to honor the 343 members of the FDNY who lost their lives on September 11 while raising money for charitable causes. Myrtle Beach has no shortage of great golf courses, but which layouts are golfers raving about the most? We looked strictly at Google reviews \u2014 factoring in both star ratings and a substantial number of reviews \u2014 to identify the courses golfers consistently rate among the best on the Grand Strand.<\/p>\r\n Here are the top 5 highest-rated Myrtle Beach golf courses based on Google reviews.<\/p>\r\n 1. Grande Dunes Resort Club<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n Google Rating:<\/strong> 4.6\u2605 (1,200+ reviews)<\/p>\r\n Grande Dunes Resort Club continues to earn praise for its upscale experience, pristine course conditions, and unforgettable Intracoastal Waterway views. The Roger Rulewich design features dramatic elevation changes rarely found along the coast, highlighted by a stunning stretch of holes overlooking the waterway.<\/p>\r\n Golfers frequently mention the excellent customer service, immaculate greens, and premium clubhouse experience in their reviews. If you're looking for a high-end Myrtle Beach golf experience, Grande Dunes consistently delivers.<\/p>\r\n 2. Arrowhead Country Club<\/a> Google Rating:<\/strong> 4.6\u2605 (1,000+ reviews)<\/p>\r\n Arrowhead Country Club remains one of the area's most popular public courses thanks to its strong conditioning, scenic waterway setting, and excellent value. Designed by Raymond Floyd and Tom Jackson, the 27-hole facility provides variety while maintaining a reputation for playability and fun.<\/p>\r\n Reviewers regularly compliment the course conditions, friendly staff, and overall pace of play \u2014 a combination that keeps golfers coming back year after year.<\/p>\r\n 3. Barefoot Resort & Golf <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n Google Rating:<\/strong> 4.4\u2605 (900+ reviews)<\/p>\r\n Barefoot Resort & Golf has long been considered one of Myrtle Beach's premier golf destinations, featuring four acclaimed courses designed by Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Greg Norman, and Davis Love III.<\/p>\r\n Google reviewers consistently praise the overall resort atmosphere, course variety, and quality of the golf experience. The Dye Course, in particular, receives standout reviews for its unique design and memorable finishing holes.<\/p>\r\n 4. Legends Golf & Resort<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Google Rating:<\/strong> 4.3\u2605 (2,000+ reviews)<\/p>\r\n With one of the largest review totals on this list, Legends Golf & Resort continues to be a favorite for golf trip groups and stay-and-play visitors. The resort features multiple courses, including Heathland, Moorland, and Parkland, giving golfers plenty of variety during their trip.<\/p>\r\n Many Google reviewers highlight the value, all-inclusive packages, and practice facilities as major positives. Legends remains a good option for golfers planning a full Myrtle Beach golf getaway.<\/p>\r\n 5. Myrtlewood Golf Club<\/a> Google Rating:<\/strong> 4.2\u2605 (700+ reviews)<\/p>\r\n Located right in the heart of Myrtle Beach, Myrtlewood Golf Club offers convenience, solid course conditions, and two enjoyable layouts \u2014 PineHills<\/a> and Palmetto<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n Golfers frequently praise the course improvements, fast greens, and overall accessibility. Its central location makes it an easy addition to nearly any Myrtle Beach golf itinerary.<\/p>\r\n Honorable Mentions<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Several other Myrtle Beach-area courses consistently receive strong Google reviews and nearly cracked the top five, including:<\/p>\r\n\r\n Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Google reviews offer a unique look at what everyday golfers actually experience on the course \u2014 from conditions and pace of play to customer service and value. While every golfer's preferences are different, these five courses continue to stand out among thousands of reviews from players visiting Myrtle Beach every year.<\/p>\r\n Of course, like any review platform, you'll occasionally come across some outlandish reviews that may not fully reflect the overall experience. A bad weather day, slow round, or one-off issue can sometimes lead to extreme feedback. That\u2019s why looking at both the overall rating and the total number of reviews may help paint a more accurate picture of which courses consistently deliver for golfers.<\/p>\r\n Click Here<\/strong><\/a> to Browse or Book Myrtle Beach Tee Times<\/p>\r\n Photos for this feature from MyrtleBeachGolfTrips Instagram Account<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/div>\r\n<\/div>"},"861757":{"id":861757,"title":"Morning Calm at the PineHills Course at Myrtlewood","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PineHills-16th-High.png","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"morning-calm-at-the-pinehills-course-at-myrtlewood","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/morning-calm-at-the-pinehills-course-at-myrtlewood\/","created_at":"2026-04-19 06:00:54","modified_at":"2026-04-16 10:36:17","content":"Golden light, quiet fairways, and the kind of stillness that only comes early in the day\u2014these six photos capture PineHills at its most peaceful. Set near the Intracoastal Waterway, the PineHills Course at Myrtlewood Golf Club<\/strong><\/a> is known for its approachable layout and easygoing flow, offering a round that feels welcoming from the opening tee shot to the final green. (Photos captured April 15, 2026: top photo 16th hole)<\/em>\r\n\r\n Golf rightfully values its rich history, and the same holds true for Myrtle Beach, the game\u2019s most popular destination. The Grand Strand is home to more than a few \u201cGolden Oldies\u201d that, decades after opening, still deliver a memorable experience.<\/p>\r\n As group leaders plan their next Myrtle Beach golf trip, here\u2019s a look\u2014counting down from 10 to 1\u2014at the area\u2019s oldest and most storied layouts.<\/p>\r\n 10. Eagle Nest Golf Club<\/a> (1972)<\/strong> 9. Azalea Sands Golf Club (1972) 8. The Hackler Course at Coastal Carolina University<\/a> (1968)<\/strong> 7. Beachwood Golf Club<\/a> (1968)<\/strong> 6. Litchfield Country Club<\/a> (1966)<\/strong> 5. PineHills at Myrtlewood<\/a> (1966)<\/strong> 4. Whispering Pines Golf Course (1962)<\/strong> 3. Surf Club (1960)<\/strong> 2. Dunes Golf & Beach Club<\/a> (1949)<\/strong>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AH-300x250.png\")
<\/strong><\/p>\r\n![\"Myrtlewood](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/PH-300x250.png\")
<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n \t
![\"FDNY](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Flag-300x250.png\")
\r\n\r\nPine Lakes Country Club, World Tour Golf Links and the Palmetto and PineHills courses at Myrtlewood will host this year\u2019s event, providing players with a central location to enjoy everything Myrtle Beach offers on and off the course.\r\n\r\nParticipation in the event, which is as much about camaraderie as it is competition, is $325 per player and includes two rounds of golf, a commemorative shirt and three nights of social events, highlighted by a Tuesday dinner at Pine Lakes.\r\n\r\nThe bond between the FDNY and the Myrtle Beach community began in the immediate aftermath of the 9-11 terror attacks when city leaders invited FDNY members to the area to enjoy the golf and hospitality.\r\n\r\nThat invite led to the creation of the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing in 2002 and it has been held annually ever since, attracting nearly 500 participants each year.\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/FDNY1-300x250.png\")
In 2011, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of 9-11, the bond between Myrtle Beach and the FDNY was forever sealed. During a solemn ceremony, FDNY members presented the city with a steel ribbon beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Draped in the American flag and carried by uniformed firefighters, the beam became a sacred symbol of remembrance and gratitude.\r\n\r\nThe 9-11 Memorial can be viewed at Warbird Park in Market Common, Myrtle Beach.\r\n\r\nTwenty-five years after the attacks of September 11, the outing continues to serve as a reminder that the sacrifices of the 343 FDNY firefighters will never be forgotten.\r\n\r\nFor more information, visit FDNY911golf.org<\/a>."},"860977":{"id":860977,"title":"The Smart Golfer\u2019s Guide to Myrtle Beach Micro Destinations","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kings-North-7th-1200.png","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"the-smart-golfers-guide-to-myrtle-beach-micro-destinations","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/the-smart-golfers-guide-to-myrtle-beach-micro-destinations\/","created_at":"2025-12-25 06:00:49","modified_at":"2025-12-23 13:13:34","content":"Myrtle Beach is a big golf destination. The area is home to nearly 90 courses that dot a 60-mile stretch of Carolinas coastline, and that size is a big part of the Grand Strand\u2019s appeal.\r\n\r\nBut some groups are more than happy to trade size for convenience, opting for more time to the golf, the food, and the camaraderie. If you are one of those people, here are four of Myrtle Beach\u2019s best micro destinations, defined as an area with at least four golf courses located within five miles of one another. \r\n\r\nHammock Coast Golf Trail - Litchfield Beach![\"Litchfield](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/LCC-18-300x250.png\")
<\/strong>\r\nPawleys Island tends to get most of the attention along the Hammock Coast, but when it comes to convenience, value, and quality, Litchfield Beach delivers.\r\n\r\nTradition Club<\/a>, Willbrook Plantation<\/a>, River Club<\/a>, and Litchfield Country Club<\/a> (pictured right)<\/em> are all located within 3.5 miles of one another, and each is a worthy addition to any trip. Willbrook in particular, showcase the live oaks draped in Spanish moss that define the area and remain a personal favorite. Just as important, accommodations and dining options are never more than a pitching wedge away.\r\n\r\nConway - The River City<\/strong>\r\nHome to Coastal Carolina University, Conway and the Highway 501 corridor feature one of the area\u2019s most appealing golf clusters. Myrtle Beach National\u2019s three courses sit just four miles from the Hackler Course at Coastal<\/a>, with Burning Ridge Golf Club<\/a> located in between.\r\n\r\nThe newly renovated King\u2019s North<\/a> (top photo)<\/em> is the crown jewel here, but its sister courses -SouthCreek<\/a> and the West Course<\/a> - are player-friendly layouts that have anchored countless trips. Burning Ridge offers an old-school test, while the Hackler\u2019s on-campus setting adds a unique sense of place that players enjoy.\r\n\r\nDowntown Myrtle Beach![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MBeach-300x250.png\")
<\/strong>\r\nWith Grande Dunes<\/a>, Pine Lakes, and both Myrtlewood<\/a> courses all within a five-mile radius, this one hardly needs explaining.\r\n\r\nGreat golf pairs with oceanfront accommodations, and the surrounding dining and nightlife options could fill a decade\u2019s worth of Myrtle Beach golf trips. It\u2019s no surprise this remains the most popular micro destination on the Grand Strand.\r\n\r\nSunset Beach - Brunswick County, NC<\/strong>\r\nJust across the state line in North Carolina, Brunswick County is packed with quality golf, and this Sunset Beach cluster stands out for its density and variety.\r\n\r\nSea Trail Golf Resort, Thistle Golf Club, Pearl Golf Links, and Sandpiper Bay are all located within five miles of each other, offering more than enough golf to anchor a multi-day trip. Sea Trail alone features three layouts - Byrd<\/a>, Maples<\/a>, and Jones<\/a> - while Thistle<\/a>, Sandpiper<\/a>, and the Pearl<\/a> each have 27 holes. Add in the area\u2019s relaxed coastal vibe, and you have a combination that continues to win over golf groups year after year.\r\n\r\nPhotos for this feature from MyrtleBeachGolfTrips Instagram Account<\/a><\/em>"},"860453":{"id":860453,"title":"Inside Myrtle Beach\u2019s All-Inclusive Golf Package \u2014 The Area\u2019s Most Popular Deal","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/World-Tour-1200.png","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"inside-myrtle-beachs-all-inclusive-golf-package-the-areas-most-popular-deal","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/inside-myrtle-beachs-all-inclusive-golf-package-the-areas-most-popular-deal\/","created_at":"2025-11-05 06:00:08","modified_at":"2025-12-08 09:04:06","content":"With group leaders planning their spring 2026 Myrtle Beach golf trip, now is the perfect time to break down some of the area\u2019s top golf packages and what makes each one special. We\u2019ll start with the most popular of them all - the Founders Group All-Inclusive Package<\/strong>.<\/a>\r\n\r\nWhich Courses Can Golfers Play?![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GD-300x250.png\")
<\/strong>\r\nThis package includes access to many of the Grand Strand\u2019s best layouts, including:\r\nAberdeen Country Club, Burning Ridge, Colonial Charters, Founders Club, Grande Dunes, Litchfield, Long Bay, King\u2019s North, SouthCreek, West Course at Myrtle Beach National, Palmetto and PineHills at Myrtlewood, Pawleys Plantation, Pine Lakes, River Club, River Hills, TPC Myrtle Beach, Tradition Club, Willbrook, Wild Wing Avocet, and World Tour.\r\n\r\nNo other deal offers a deeper or more varied course lineup\r\n\r\nWhat Perks Do You Receive?<\/strong>\r\nThe All-Inclusive package<\/a> delivers serious value. Golfers receive free range balls, lunch, and two drinks at each course, and that lunch isn\u2019t limited to a hot dog at the turn. You can order right off the menu - a burger, a buffalo chicken wrap, a club sandwich, you name it. The food at Founders Group courses is consistently good, so you will leave happy, no matter how you played.\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/PL1-300x250.png\")
What Makes This Package Special?<\/strong>\r\nThe Founders Group All-Inclusive<\/a> is Myrtle Beach\u2019s most versatile golf package, offering something for every group. If value is your goal, courses like Wild Wing Avocet, Willbrook, River Hills, and Tradition deliver outstanding quality without breaking the bank.\r\n\r\nIf you prefer to experience Myrtle Beach\u2019s best public courses, you can play Grande Dunes, TPC Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Plantation, or the newly renovated King\u2019s North at Myrtle Beach National. Every group should try to include at least one of those or Pine Lakes, \u201cThe Granddaddy,\u201d the area\u2019s first and most historic course.\r\n\r\nWhat About Geography?<\/strong>\r\nNo matter where you are staying along the Grand Strand, the All-Inclusive has you taken care of. Like to play along the South Strand? Pawleys, River Club, Litchfield and Founders, among several others, are a delight. Based in North Myrtle? Perfect. Long Bay, River Club and Aberdeen await. With the layouts at Myrtlewood, World Tour, Burning Ridge and the three MBN layouts, it goes without saying you are covered in the heart of Myrtle Beach.\r\n\r\nWherever you\u2019re based, great golf is just a short drive away.\r\n\r\nBottom Line![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/KN1-300x250.png\")
<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMyrtle Beach offers more golf package options than you can count, but the Founders Group All-Inclusive<\/a> is unquestionably one of the best. The combination of course quality, convenience, and value makes it a favorite year after year.\r\n\r\nIf your 2026 trip is about maximizing golf and minimizing hassle, start here \u2014 you won\u2019t find a more complete Myrtle Beach golf package.\r\n\r\nClick Here<\/strong><\/a> to Book the All-Inclusive Package Online or Get a Free Quote\r\n\r\nPhotos for this feature from MyrtleBeachGolfTrips Instagram Account<\/a>. Pictured from top to bottom: World Tour, Grande Dunes, Pine Lakes and King's North<\/em>"},"860078":{"id":860078,"title":"Deep Waters to Green Fairways: The Hall of Fame Career of Max Morgan","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Photo-Sep-24-2025-6-51-36-PM-scaled.jpg","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"deep-waters-to-green-fairways-the-hall-of-fame-career-of-max-morgan","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/deep-waters-to-green-fairways-the-hall-of-fame-career-of-max-morgan\/","created_at":"2025-09-25 06:00:08","modified_at":"2025-09-25 06:06:15","content":"Max Morgan\u2019s career began deep below the Pacific Ocean, aboard a nuclear submarine, and it will end on the sun-splashed fairways of Myrtle Beach. Along the way, he has impacted more Myrtle Beach golf trips than perhaps any man, a distinction that has earned Morgan a place in the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame.\r\n\r\nMorgan served in the U.S. Navy from 1974 to 1980, stationed in Pearl Harbor, where alternating 90-day stretches on and off duty left him with free time. That\u2019s when he discovered his passion for golf.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe courses were nice, the military rate was cheap, and I just fell in love with it,\u201d he recalled.\r\n\r\nWhen his service to Uncle Sam ended, Morgan pursued a new career path in golf course maintenance, enrolling in the turf program at Horry Georgetown Technical![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MM-300x250.png\")
College in December 1980. Two months later, he was working at Pine Lakes, beginning a career that has now spanned five decades.\r\n\r\nHe rose through the ranks at Waterway Hills, Marsh Harbour, Eagle Nest, Myrtlewood, and Myrtle Beach National, before being named vice president of agronomy at Founders Group International, the Grand Strand\u2019s largest ownership group, where he oversees 21 courses.\r\n\r\nA Teacher and Mentor<\/strong>\r\nFor longtime co-worker Michael Bankert, who first met Morgan as a student at Horry Georgetown Tech, the lessons he learned were as much about life as they were about grass.\r\n\r\n\u201cMax is a creature of habit,\u201d said Bankert, now the superintendent at Legends Resort. \u201cHe wanted everything done a certain way, every single day, and that taught me the importance of establishing guidelines - not just for the course, but for employees. Everyone knew what was expected of them, and it made the whole operation run smoothly.\u201d\r\n\r\nBut beyond procedures and standards, there was also a joy that made working with Morgan fun, even during stressful situations.\r\n\r\n\u201cMax is a kid at heart,\u201d Bankert laughed. \u201cIf you ever golf with him, play poker, or go fishing, you\u2019ll see it. One time at Myrtle Beach National, he tried out a new windsurfer on the pond by the 14th hole. There was no wind, the pond was half-drained, and there he was, standing on (the wind surfer) in a life jacket - in knee-high water! That\u2019s just Max: he enjoys life.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe Bigger Picture<\/strong>\r\nThe attention to detail Bankert saw when he met Morgan in the 1980s has served as the foundation for his hall of fame career.\r\n\r\n\u201cEvery day he comes to work, Max is the same. He wears rubbers over his tennis shoes, carries a knife to cut weeds, and you will see 30 or 40 cigarette butts piled in ![\"max](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Max-and-Jack-300x250.png\")
the cart he was riding in,\u201d Founders Group International president Steve Mays said with a smile. \u201cThat consistency - along with his attention to detail - is what sets superintendents apart. And Max has it.\u201d\r\n\r\nBeyond his expertise in turf grass, Morgan has always brought the perspective of a golfer to his job, much to the benefit of countless players who have flocked to Myrtle Beach over the years.\r\n\r\n\u201cHe knows vacationers aren\u2019t here to sit in a hotel room; they are here to play golf,\u201d Mays said. \u201cThat\u2019s why he manages his courses to be open and playable as much as possible. Even how we overseed is about letting people ride the fairways and enjoy the experience. Not every superintendent thinks that way.\u201d\r\n\r\nMorgan\u2019s passion for golf and commitment to the player experience has him indispensable.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe reason I was able to step into the role of president and the success we\u2019ve had at Founders Group International was because of the confidence I had in Max Morgan,\u201d Mays said. \u201cThis is a well-deserved recognition for everything he\u2019s done for Myrtle Beach golf.\u201d\r\n\r\nA Career of Purpose<\/strong>\r\nMorgan himself said his career has always been about people as much as turf.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s such a terrific business because it\u2019s a business of pleasure,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re surrounded by people who love the game and are in a good mood. That\u2019s been the![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Max-and-Family-300x250.png\")
greatest reward.\u201d\r\n\r\nAs he joins the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame, Morgan hopes to be remembered for two things: putting golfers first and preparing the next generation.\r\n\r\n\u201cI never wanted the course to feel like sacred ground that only I could control. It\u2019s a business, and it should be enjoyable,\u201d he said. \u201cAt the same time, I wanted the people who worked with me to understand why we do things. That\u2019s how you really learn.\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Bankert, the legacy is clear. \u201cMax, you\u2019ve earned this. Nobody can touch your dedication or your morality. You\u2019re one of the best in the business, and all of us who worked with you are proud of you.\u201d"},"208636":{"id":208636,"title":"An Average Golfer\u2019s Guide to Myrtlewood\u2019s Palmetto Course","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Pal2-scaled.jpg","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"an-average-golfers-guide-to-myrtlewoods-palmetto-course","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/an-average-golfers-guide-to-myrtlewoods-palmetto-course\/","created_at":"2025-03-12 06:00:21","modified_at":"2025-03-12 14:02:41","content":"Everyone knows Myrtlewood - the 36-hole golf hub in the middle of Myrtle Beach. If you\u2019ve ever driven down Highway 17, you\u2019ve likely glanced over and thought, that looks like a fun place to play.\r\n\r\nBut do you really know the property, especially the Edmund Ault-designed Palmetto Course<\/strong><\/a>?\r\n\r\nPalmetto was one of the first courses I played after moving to Myrtle Beach, it left a lasting impression.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Palmetto-18th-with-Golfers-300x250.png\")
\r\n\r\nMyrtlewood has a well-deserved reputation as a player-friendly facility. The customer service is great, and the PineHills Course<\/strong><\/a> gives you a chance to score. But Palmetto? That\u2019s a different animal. It\u2019s friendly - until it\u2019s not.\r\n\r\nSo, on behalf of mid (to high) handicappers everywhere, let\u2019s go beyond the scorecard and take a closer look at what you\u2019re up against.\r\n\r\nThe First Thing You Need to Know: Play the Right Tees<\/strong>\r\nFor this guide, we\u2019re talking about yardages from the white tees*, because that\u2019s where most of us peg our tee.\r\n\r\n(*Most golfers default to the whites, but at 6,000 yards, the gold tees might be a better fit.)\r\n\r\nThe Course: What You\u2019re in For<\/strong>\r\nPalmetto is one of the rare Myrtle Beach layouts that doesn\u2019t loop back to the clubhouse after nine, which means no double tees and access to mid-morning tee times.\r\n\r\nAult routed the course beautifully. The opening three holes send you toward the Atlantic Ocean (which is just 1.5 miles away), then the course turns south before working its way back toward the clubhouse after No. 8.\r\n\r\nAt 7,015 yards from the tips and 6,516 yards from the whites, Palmetto has plenty of length. But don\u2019t let that number scare you - generous fairways keep it from feeling overwhelming.\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Pal-3rd-green-4th-tee-300x250.png\")
Seventeen of 18 greens are protected by bunkers, but they aren\u2019t overbearing. You\u2019re going to hit plenty of mid-iron approaches, and while there\u2019s water on the course, you won\u2019t have to carry it on a par 4 or 5. That\u2019s a win in my book.\r\n\r\nThe Par 5s: Not for the Greedy<\/strong>\r\nEvery par 5 here is north of 500 yards, meaning for most of us, they\u2019re three-shot holes. That\u2019s not a bad thing. Play them smart, avoid trouble, and you\u2019ve got a chance to walk away with par. Or, at worst, a bogey.\r\n\r\nThe Par 3s: Sneaky Good<\/strong>\r\nRanging from 153 to 190 yards, the par 3s at Palmetto are a joy - especially No. 17 (top photo)<\/em>, which plays from an elevated tee and gives you your first view of the Intracoastal Waterway.\r\n\r\nBut let\u2019s be real: if you\u2019re like me, you\u2019ll spend more time figuring out how to try and get up-and-down than sizing up a birdie putt.\r\n\r\nWhat You\u2019ll Remember About Palmetto<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe Grand Finale<\/strong>\r\nPalmetto was the first Myrtle Beach course to incorporate the Intracoastal Waterway, and it saved the best for last. The par-4 18th plays along the water from tee to green, and it\u2019s every bit as scenic as it is intimidating.\r\n\r\nThe Front Nine is Where You Score<\/strong>\r\nThere are no \u201ceasy\u201d holes out here, but the front nine is less punishing than the back. The par-5 eighth, the No. 1 handicap, is a prime example; just don\u2019t blow your tee shot through the fairway and into the water, and it\u2019s not that difficult.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Pal-18-300x250.png\")
\r\n\r\nThe Back Nine Roller Coaster<\/strong>\r\nIf your back-nine scorecard looks like an EKG reading, don\u2019t worry - you\u2019re not alone.\r\n\r\nThe 190-yard, par-3 11th? Gulp. The 345-yard 12th? Birdie time (if you\u2019re lucky). And from there, it\u2019s a wild ride.\r\n\r\nHoles 14, 15, and 16\u2014three straight par 4s\u2014are the course\u2019s toughest stretch. No. 14 is short at 366 yards, but with water lurking right and an elevated green that runs from back to front, it\u2019s treacherous. Nos. 15 and 16? Just long and straight gut punches.\r\n\r\nSecond Shots Matter More Than Bombing It<\/strong>\r\nPalmetto may look like a bomber\u2019s paradise, but don\u2019t be fooled\u2014this is a second-shot golf course. Your approaches from 140-160 yards will make or break your round. Execute those well, and you\u2019ll put yourself in position to score. Miss? Well\u2026 you\u2019ll get familiar with Palmetto\u2019s bunkers.\r\n\r\nBottom Line: Is It Worth Playing?<\/strong>\r\nIn a survey of Myrtle Beach area PGA professionals<\/a>, Myrtlewood was ranked as the area\u2019s 24th-best course. That feels about right.\r\n\r\nPalmetto<\/strong><\/a> isn\u2019t going to wow you with crazy elevation changes or demanding shotmaking, but it delivers an enjoyable, fair challenge with a couple of unforgettable holes. And for a mid-handicapper, that\u2019s ideal for a Myrtle Beach golf trip.\r\n\r\nPhotos for this feature from our Instagram Account @MyrtleBeachGolfTrips<\/a><\/em>"},"188992":{"id":188992,"title":"21 Courses, 20 Days, 1 Champion: Collins Defends His Crown","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Love-of-the-Game-Challenge-1200.png","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"21-courses-20-days-1-champion-collins-defends-his-crown","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/21-courses-20-days-1-champion-collins-defends-his-crown\/","created_at":"2025-02-06 02:00:00","modified_at":"2025-05-15 11:08:40","content":"Founders Group International, Myrtle Beach\u2019s largest golf course ownership group, held its second annual \u201cLove of the Game\u201d challenge, and a familiar winner emerged.\r\n\r\nFor the second consecutive year, Bobby Collins was the first golfer to play all 21 FGI courses, beginning with a 36-hole day at Myrtle Beach National (King\u2019s North<\/a>\/SouthCreek<\/a>) and concluding with a round at Pine Lakes Country Club<\/a> on January 21.\r\n\r\n\u201cI love the game, and it\u2019s a challenge,\u201d Collins said of his accomplishment.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Pine-Lakes-9th-Green-18th-Green-ND-012925-300x169.png\")
\r\n\r\nThis year\u2019s challenge came with even greater obstacles, with the January weather being worse than anyone could recall, but cold temperatures were of little deterrence to Collins, who regularly braved frigid weather to play when he lived in the Northeast.\r\n\r\n\u201cI played some cold, windy days around 35 degrees when it felt like about 25 out there,\u201d he said of the conditions, but never considered quitting. \u201cWhen you\u2019re by yourself, you can play fast, move along, and stay warm. I just wanted to get it done.\u201d\r\n\r\nCollins played 21 courses in just 20 days, as his schedule was compressed by a snowstorm that hit Myrtle Beach in late January. He played three 36-hole days to stay on track, with back-to-back rounds at Myrtlewood\u2019s PineHills<\/a> and Palmetto<\/a> courses, and Aberdeen<\/a> and Long Bay<\/a>, in addition to his daily double at Myrtle Beach National.\r\n\r\nWhile Collins cruised to victory in the contest - earning a free Honors Club membership<\/a> for the year - he received a scare during his round on January 4 at Burning Ridge.\r\n\r\n\u201cA guy pulls up in an electric vehicle, carrying his bag, and tells the starter he\u2019s trying to get three rounds in that day. I\u2019m thinking, \u2018Oh my God, there\u2019s no way I can beat this guy,\u2019\u201d Collins said.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Long-Bay-12th-Green-Low-ND-102324-300x169.png\")
\r\n\r\nIt wasn\u2019t until later that he learned the man was Dan Liu, the owner of Founders Group International. \u201cFor 10 minutes, we just stood there talking about the courses, his vision, and upcoming renovations. He didn\u2019t have a care in the world\u2014it just felt good,\u201d a relieved Collins recalled with a smile.\r\n\r\nHis best round of the challenge was a 90, and his handicap, which ranges from 18-20 depending on how he is playing, held steady. When asked about his favorite course, he didn\u2019t hesitate: \u201cTPC, without a doubt. It\u2019s always in perfect condition, and I love playing there.\u201d\r\n\r\nWith the \u201cLove of the Game\u201d challenge over, Collins plans to slow down, playing \u201conly\u201d two or three rounds a week. But will he go a three-peat in 2026?\r\n\r\n\u201cI don\u2019t know. I said that last year\u2014if the body holds up,\u201d said Collins who has battled a bad back.\r\n\r\nIf 2025 is any indication, Collins will be hard to beat.\r\n\r\n(Top photo Bobby Collins center, Jeff Fribance left (FGI membership) Meredith Kirk right (Myrtle Beach Golf Ambassador) Courses pictured: Pine Lakes Country Club & Long Bay Club)<\/em>"},"187508":{"id":187508,"title":"Tee Time to Touchdown: Myrtle Beach's Best Golf and Sports Bar Pairings","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/PineHills-Aerial-New-Money-2-1200.png","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"tee-time-to-touchdown-myrtle-beachs-best-golf-and-sports-bar-pairings","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/tee-time-to-touchdown-myrtle-beachs-best-golf-and-sports-bar-pairings\/","created_at":"2024-09-21 07:14:52","modified_at":"2024-09-21 07:14:52","content":"Nothing beats a fall golf trip to Myrtle Beach, capped off by a thrilling football game to finish the day. If you're looking for the perfect spot to watch the big game, many of the area's top golf courses are conveniently located near outstanding sports bars.\r\n\r\nMyrtle Beach National<\/a>, Pine Lakes<\/a>, Willbrook<\/a>, Myrtlewood<\/a> and World Tour<\/a> will enjoy full tee sheets this fall while providing easy access to good food, an abundance![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/GM-300x300.png\")
of televisions and ice-cold drinks.\r\n\r\n\u25cf A 54-hole property, Myrtle Beach National will be jumping this fall with golfers flocking to play the West Course<\/a>, SouthCreek<\/a> and most especially the newly renovated King\u2019s North<\/a>. After a delightful day on the course, you will have several nearby options to take in a game, highlighted by Handley\u2019s Pub & Grub<\/a> in Carolina Forest or the Grumpy Monk<\/a>. If you have a smaller group, the Monk might be the choice because the bar area is great and so is the happy hour menu. Handley\u2019s can easily cater to large groups and with TVs everywhere, it\u2019s a great call. (Grumpy Monk pictured right)<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u25cf Pine Lakes Country Club<\/a> is Myrtle Beach\u2019s first course, and a bar that shares its name - Pine Lakes Tavern<\/a> - is just yards away from the course\u2019s famed 14th hole. PLT, as it's affectionately known, is a locals\u2019 favorite. The elevated bar is one of the area\u2019s longest, there are plenty of TVs, and if your team is losing, live music will serve as a distraction.\r\n\r\n\u25cf If you are playing at Willbrook<\/a>, River Club<\/a> or Litchfield Country Club<\/a>, Bourbon & Burnz needs to be high on your list. This is a full-service bar and cigar lounge with more than 250 whiskies, so a good time could await no matter how you play, but moderation is vital at this Pawleys Island haunt.\r\n\r\n\u25cf Myrtlewood\u2019s<\/a> central location is an essential part of the 36-hole facility\u2019s appeal and if you need to make a quick getaway to be in front of a television in time for![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tav-300x300.png\")
opening kickoff, that is certainly the case. It\u2019s less than three miles to Broadway at the Beach<\/a> where you can choose between Bar Louie<\/a>, Carolina Ale House<\/a> or even Pop Stroke<\/a> if you want to keep a club in your hand while watching a game on an outdoor jumbotron.\r\n\r\n\u25cf After a round at World Tour Golf Links<\/a>, make it a point to stop by Tavern in the Forest<\/a>. Tavern in the Forest touts itself as the home of the area\u2019s best burgers and pizza and few regulars would argue. The fiesta crunch burger, which features pepper jack cheese, lettuce, Pico de Gallo, chili garlic aioli and crispy tortilla strips, is delightful. (Tavern in the Forest pictured right)<\/em>\r\n\r\nMyrtle Beach is golf\u2019s most popular destination because a good time - on or off the course - is never far away."},"186743":{"id":186743,"title":"Fairway Facelifts: 5 Must-Play Renovated Courses in Myrtle Beach","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Pawleys-Aerial-16-and-13-Sunrise-Low-1200.png","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"fairway-facelifts-5-must-play-renovated-courses-in-myrtle-beach","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/fairway-facelifts-5-must-play-renovated-courses-in-myrtle-beach\/","created_at":"2024-07-25 06:00:25","modified_at":"2024-07-23 09:28:14","content":"Myrtle Beach opened its last new course in 2008, but that doesn\u2019t mean the market is stagnant. From Rivers Edge in Shallotte, N.C. to Pawleys Plantation in the south, courses all along the Grand Strand golf scene have undertaken renovations.\r\n\r\nIf you are looking for a quick primer on how courses have changed, here is a look at Myrtle Beach's most dramatic golf course renovations over the last five years.\r\n\r\n#5<\/strong> Lost in the flurry of the more recent work is the 2019 overhaul of the Palmetto Course at Myrtlewood<\/a>. Architect Dan Schlegel installed new Sunday Ultradwarf Bermuda grass greens and restored the putting surfaces to their original dimensions, an effort that expanded the greens by 28 percent. Every bunker was renovated, restoring shape and character that had been lost over the years. The bunkers, while not necessarily larger in size, are much more visible along the fairway, challenging players taking aggressive lines, particularly on par 5s.\r\n\r\n#4<\/strong> The renovation of River Hills Golf & Country Club<\/a> (2023) didn\u2019t attract as much attention as the other entries on our list, but don\u2019t be fooled. The Tom Jackson![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/River-Hills-9th-Hole-ND-042524-300x169.png\")
design is one of the area\u2019s most underrated layouts and it\u2019s better than ever following a greens restoration effort that expanded the putting surfaces by 40 percent on average. Throw in new bunkers, highlighted by Capillary Concrete Liners, and River Hills has enjoyed a deserved post-renovation surge. (River Hills pictured right)<\/em>\r\n\r\n#3<\/strong> Grande Dunes Resort Club<\/a> could have easily been second on the list (Pine Lakes earned the nod due to the conversion from paspalum to Sunday bermuda). Architect John Harvey, who worked with Roger Rulewich on the original design and construction of Grande Dunes, returned in 2023 to restore the acclaimed layout\u2019s greens and refurbish its bunkers. Grande Dunes also completely renovated its clubhouse, opening Terrazza 19<\/a>, a restaurant that has become a favorite of golfers and locals in search of a great meal.\r\n\r\n#2<\/strong> Myrtle Beach\u2019s first course, Pine Lakes Country Club<\/a> received a makeover in 2021, replacing paspalum greens with Sunday bermudagrass, an ultradwarf strain![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Pine-Lakes-Country-Club-From-13-Green-ND-040924-300x169.png\")
that is well suited to the area\u2019s subtropical climate. Architect Craig Schreiner also renovated every bunker on the course, an effort that provided new bunker faces featuring traditional and native grasses that roll into the sand, giving the course a more natural look. (Pine Lakes pictured right)<\/em>\r\n\r\n#1<\/strong> Pawleys Plantation Golf Club<\/a> is one of the area\u2019s most recognizable courses, highlighted by a back nine that plays along a stunning saltwater marsh, and the Jack Nicklaus design has a new look following a 2023 renovation project. The Nicklaus Design team returned to the course, restoring the greens to their original size and specifications. Even more dramatically, the rambling bunkers that framed so many holes were eliminated in favor of native areas, wider fairways, and strategic sand traps enhancing the layout\u2019s playability without sacrificing the challenge for more skilled players. With a renovated clubhouse and the new Palmetto Jacks restaurant, the experience at Pawleys Plantation has been significantly enhanced. (Pawleys Plantation Golf Club top photo)<\/em>\r\n\r\nAll photos for this feature from our Instagram Account @myrtlebeachgolftrips<\/a><\/em>"},"186456":{"id":186456,"title":"Myrtle Beach Courses Where You Can Post a Good Number","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Palmetto-aerial-18th-high.png","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"myrtle-beach-courses-where-you-can-post-a-good-number","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/myrtle-beach-courses-where-you-can-post-a-good-number\/","created_at":"2024-07-01 06:00:22","modified_at":"2024-06-30 09:07:59","content":"Confidence is everything. Building it in real time means that much more.\r\n\r\nWe don\u2019t want to be given that confidence. We want to earn it. These five opportunities allow players to do just that. The designs aren\u2019t gimmes; they\u2019re chances to navigate different types of terrain and then reap the mental rewards.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve included different types of tracks that will suit different types of players in different types of roles.\r\n\r\nOne of them will check your box.\r\n\r\nPINE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Pine-Lakes-Country-Club-1-Green-Side-ND-040924-300x169.png\")
<\/strong><\/a>\r\nMaybe the most \u201cdifficult\u201d of the five courses on this list, the major trouble at Pine Lakes is relegated to a small number of holes (Nos. 5, 13 and 14, in particular) for those who aren\u2019t trying to push themselves to the limit or take unnecessary risks. The Granddaddy is Myrtle Beach\u2019s oldest course, and the fact that the Par 70 design is fast approaching its 100th anniversary should tell you that it\u2019s not here to bust you up like Mr. T in Rocky. It\u2019s a playable and beautiful track the keeps the body blows to a minimum. (Pine Lakes pictured right)<\/em>\r\n\r\nMYRTLEWOOD, PALMETTO COURSE<\/strong><\/a>\r\nEven before Founders Golf re-invested some serious cash flow into a significant greens renovation project, we probably would have included it. But after those putting surfaces were converted to Sunday Bermuda and sized back out to their original dimensions, Palmetto was a lock. At 6,500 yards from the white tees, it does ask for a little more off the tee than many courses in the area. However, there\u2019s a lot of room in most of the fairways and a chance to shave distance without flirting with a bunch of penalties. (Palmetto 18th top photo)<\/em>\r\n\r\nBEACHWOOD GOLF CLUB<\/strong><\/a>\r\nYou had to know we were going to include a Gene Hamm layout here. Actually, we\u2019ll have two (more below). Frankly, his designs were cultivated to make golf more friendly for Common Joes who don\u2019t have 50 hours a week to spend at the range. As such, Beachwood - his oldest local project - did exactly that. It measures at 6,250 yards from the whites and while there is a good bit of water along the course, most of it is either not really in play from the tee boxes or visible enough to avoid. We will caution you to remember the opposite is true on No. 3. Nonetheless, that\u2019s the anomaly.\r\n\r\nBURNING RIDGE GOLF CLUB<\/strong><\/a>\r\nSome 35 yards shorter than Beachwood at 6,216 yards is another Hamm layout that probably doesn\u2019t get the credit it deserves. Packaged with a handful of courses lining primary corridor into Myrtle Beach on U.S. 501, Burning Ridge is tucked inside a housing development without much of the housing development distractions, too. Players here just need to be able to handle the longest hole of the day, the 546-yard Par 5 opener and then use the five ensuing holes - two Par 3s and three relatively short Par 4s - to get into a solid rhythm that should carry throughout the rest of the round.\r\n\r\nMYRTLE BEACH NATIONAL, WEST COURSE![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Myrtle-Beach-National-West-18th-Green-Sunrise-Clubhouse-ND-061224-300x169.png\")
<\/strong><\/a>\r\nA true local\u2019s everyday favorite, West provides all the benefits of the Myrtle Beach National property without the difficulty of King\u2019s North or even, to a lesser degree, SouthCreek. And because of its lack of pure distance, those of us who need a little extra work on our short game should be making West a priority. The Par 72 chimes in at 6,114 yards, and it doesn\u2019t include a single Par 4 north of 393 yards. If that doesn\u2019t scream par\/bogey golf, we don\u2019t know what will. Sneak in a few birdies, too, and you\u2019ll be walking a little taller after the round. (West Course 18th right)<\/em>"}},"meta":{"current_page":0,"next_page":1,"total_pages":8}}{"data":{"862151":{"id":862151,"title":"Top 5 Highest-Rated Myrtle Beach Golf Courses According to Google Reviews","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Grande-Dunes-17th.png","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"top-5-highest-rated-myrtle-beach-golf-courses-according-to-google-reviews","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/top-5-highest-rated-myrtle-beach-golf-courses-according-to-google-reviews\/","created_at":"2026-05-26 06:00:27","modified_at":"2026-05-28 14:52:37","content":"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n \t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PineHills-10th.png\")
\r\n\r\nPineHills 10th<\/em>\r\n\r\n![\"PineHills](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PineHills-11th-300x165.png\")
\r\n\r\nPineHills 11th<\/em>\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PineHills-9th-300x165.png\")
\r\n\r\nPineHills 9th<\/em>\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PineHills-1st-300x165.png\")
\r\n\r\nPineHills 1st<\/em>\r\n\r\n![\"PineHills](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PineHills-9th-st-300x165.png\")
\r\n\r\nPineHills 9th & 1st<\/em>\r\n\r\nPhotos for this feature from MyrtleBeachGolfTrips Instagram Account<\/a><\/em>"},"861278":{"id":861278,"title":"One Course, One Hole: PineHills No. 3 and the Shot That Changes Everything","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PineHills-3rd-Hole-1200.png","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"one-course-one-hole-pinehills-no-3-and-the-shot-that-changes-everything","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/one-course-one-hole-pinehills-no-3-and-the-shot-that-changes-everything\/","created_at":"2026-02-05 06:00:56","modified_at":"2026-02-03 06:55:06","content":"The PineHills Course at Myrtlewood<\/strong><\/a> was on the ground floor of the Myrtle Beach golf boom. It was the Grand Strand\u2019s seventh course, and its opening in 1966 coincided with the beginning of the area\u2019s meteoric rise as a golf destination.\r\n\r\nFollowing the opening of PineHills<\/a>, the number of area golf layouts doubled by the end of the decade, and the rest is history.\r\n\r\nThis year, PineHills celebrates the 60th anniversary of its opening, and the Arthur Hills design is better than ever after a 2024 bunker renovation. The layout isn\u2019t easy, but it offers players of all skill levels a chance to score.\r\n\r\nEarly in the round, however, players face the Arthur Hills design\u2019s most demanding test: the par-5 third hole.\r\n\r\nHere\u2019s a closer look at the PineHills challenge that is most likely to wreck your round.\r\n\r\nNo. 3 - Par 5![\"PineHills](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Pinehills-3rd-tee-300x250.png\")
<\/strong>\r\n505 yards (blue tees), 482 yards (black tees), 470 yards (gold tees), 420 yards (red tees)\r\nHandicap: 1\r\n\r\nDistance from tee to green isn\u2019t the issue, managing everything in between is.\r\n\r\nThere is water down the right side off the tee, but if you slice the ball bad enough to lose it, you deserve the penalty. But the lake, which runs nearly 400 yards along the right side, looms large on the second shot.\r\n\r\nPine trees lining the left side of the fairway encourage players to favor the starboard side off the tee, leaving a carry of roughly 140\u2013170 yards over water, depending on the length of the drive. While there is bailout room left, it\u2019s perilously narrow, and missing it often means your third shot is coming from the trees.\r\n\r\nDrives that find the left side of the fairway offer no real relief. The layup area remains narrow, and everything slopes toward the water. Translated: you need to clear the lake no matter which side of the fairway you play to, which will leave you less than 100 yards on the approach.\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Pinehills-3rd-Green-300x250.png\")
Low handicappers can more comfortably eliminate the trouble by flying the water in hopes of reaching the green in two. For mid- to high-handicappers, however, this second shot is among the most anxiety-inducing on the Grand Strand, because there is little margin for error.\r\n\r\nWhen you arrive, a two-tiered green awaits, fronted by a bunker on the left. When the flag is on that side, the approach is demanding but manageable. When the pin is on the right, it\u2019s go time.\r\n\r\nBottom Line:<\/strong> This is the most difficult hole at PineHills<\/a>, and the challenge revolves almost entirely around the second shot. Keep the ball dry and out of the woods, and good things should await.\r\n\r\nPhotos for this feature from MyrtleBeachGolfTrips Instagram Account<\/a><\/em>"},"860453":{"id":860453,"title":"Inside Myrtle Beach\u2019s All-Inclusive Golf Package \u2014 The Area\u2019s Most Popular Deal","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/World-Tour-1200.png","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"inside-myrtle-beachs-all-inclusive-golf-package-the-areas-most-popular-deal","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/inside-myrtle-beachs-all-inclusive-golf-package-the-areas-most-popular-deal\/","created_at":"2025-11-05 06:00:08","modified_at":"2025-12-08 09:04:06","content":"With group leaders planning their spring 2026 Myrtle Beach golf trip, now is the perfect time to break down some of the area\u2019s top golf packages and what makes each one special. We\u2019ll start with the most popular of them all - the Founders Group All-Inclusive Package<\/strong>.<\/a>\r\n\r\nWhich Courses Can Golfers Play?<\/strong>\r\nThis package includes access to many of the Grand Strand\u2019s best layouts, including:\r\nAberdeen Country Club, Burning Ridge, Colonial Charters, Founders Club, Grande Dunes, Litchfield, Long Bay, King\u2019s North, SouthCreek, West Course at Myrtle Beach National, Palmetto and PineHills at Myrtlewood, Pawleys Plantation, Pine Lakes, River Club, River Hills, TPC Myrtle Beach, Tradition Club, Willbrook, Wild Wing Avocet, and World Tour.\r\n\r\nNo other deal offers a deeper or more varied course lineup\r\n\r\nWhat Perks Do You Receive?<\/strong>\r\nThe All-Inclusive package<\/a> delivers serious value. Golfers receive free range balls, lunch, and two drinks at each course, and that lunch isn\u2019t limited to a hot dog at the turn. You can order right off the menu - a burger, a buffalo chicken wrap, a club sandwich, you name it. The food at Founders Group courses is consistently good, so you will leave happy, no matter how you played.\r\n\r\nWhat Makes This Package Special?<\/strong>\r\nThe Founders Group All-Inclusive<\/a> is Myrtle Beach\u2019s most versatile golf package, offering something for every group. If value is your goal, courses like Wild Wing Avocet, Willbrook, River Hills, and Tradition deliver outstanding quality without breaking the bank.\r\n\r\nIf you prefer to experience Myrtle Beach\u2019s best public courses, you can play Grande Dunes, TPC Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Plantation, or the newly renovated King\u2019s North at Myrtle Beach National. Every group should try to include at least one of those or Pine Lakes, \u201cThe Granddaddy,\u201d the area\u2019s first and most historic course.\r\n\r\nWhat About Geography?<\/strong>\r\nNo matter where you are staying along the Grand Strand, the All-Inclusive has you taken care of. Like to play along the South Strand? Pawleys, River Club, Litchfield and Founders, among several others, are a delight. Based in North Myrtle? Perfect. Long Bay, River Club and Aberdeen await. With the layouts at Myrtlewood, World Tour, Burning Ridge and the three MBN layouts, it goes without saying you are covered in the heart of Myrtle Beach.\r\n\r\nWherever you\u2019re based, great golf is just a short drive away.\r\n\r\nBottom Line<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMyrtle Beach offers more golf package options than you can count, but the Founders Group All-Inclusive<\/a> is unquestionably one of the best. The combination of course quality, convenience, and value makes it a favorite year after year.\r\n\r\nIf your 2026 trip is about maximizing golf and minimizing hassle, start here \u2014 you won\u2019t find a more complete Myrtle Beach golf package.\r\n\r\nClick Here<\/strong><\/a> to Book the All-Inclusive Package Online or Get a Free Quote\r\n\r\nPhotos for this feature from MyrtleBeachGolfTrips Instagram Account<\/a>. Pictured from top to bottom: World Tour, Grande Dunes, Pine Lakes and King's North<\/em>"},"860217":{"id":860217,"title":"Historic Gems: Myrtle Beach\u2019s 10 Oldest Courses","image":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Pine-Lakes-Clubhouse-Fog-1200.png","excerpt":"","status":"publish","slug":"historic-gems-myrtle-beachs-10-oldest-courses","remote_url":"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/news\/historic-gems-myrtle-beachs-10-oldest-courses\/","created_at":"2025-10-09 06:00:48","modified_at":"2025-10-08 12:59:42","content":"
Yet another Gene Hamm design, Eagle Nest has long touted itself as home to Myrtle Beach\u2019s three toughest finishing holes. It\u2019s also South Carolina\u2019s longest course, stretching to 8,168 yards from \u201cThe Nest\u201d tees\u2014though only Tour pros should attempt those!<\/p>\r\n![\"Litchfield](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LCC-High-300x250.png\")
<\/strong>
Another Hamm creation, Azalea Sands offers one of the area\u2019s most relaxed rounds, with no housing anywhere on the course. It\u2019s pure golf, surrounded by Carolina pines and coastal breezes.<\/p>\r\n
Originally known as Quail Creek, this Gene Hamm layout now serves as the university course for CCU. Conveniently located on Highway 501, \u201cThe Hack\u201d is a great stop on your way into town, offering a welcoming introduction to Myrtle Beach golf.<\/p>\r\n
A North Myrtle Beach institution, Beachwood is beloved for its playability and friendliness. With tree-lined fairways and generous landing areas, it\u2019s a course that golfers of all skill levels can enjoy.<\/p>\r\n
The first course in Pawleys Island, this Willard Byrd design opened the floodgates for the area\u2019s rise as one of South Carolina\u2019s premier golf destinations. Litchfield still charms players with its classic Southern character and shot-maker\u2019s layout.<\/p>\r\n
The first of Myrtlewood\u2019s two courses, PineHills has been delighting golfers since the mid-\u201960s. Arthur Hills modernized the design in the early 1990s, and a recent bunker renovation ensures it remains one of the area\u2019s most popular tracks.![\"PineHills](\"https:\/\/www.myrtlebeachgolftrips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/PH1-300x250.png\")
<\/p>\r\n
Myrtle Beach\u2019s only municipal course has stood the test of time. Designed by Finger, Dye & Spahn, Whispering Pines offers a value-priced round minutes from the airport and recently refreshed its greens and bunkers to enhance playability.<\/p>\r\n
A private George Cobb design located less than 700 yards from the Atlantic Ocean, Surf Club is old-school golf at its best. Its greens complexes and coastal setting make it one of the Grand Strand\u2019s most coveted tee times.<\/p>\r\n
A masterpiece by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the Dunes Club is often regarded as Myrtle Beach\u2019s finest layout. Home to the area\u2019s first PGA Tour event and the legendary \u201cWaterloo\u201d par-5, the course is a perennial Top 100 in national rankings.<\/p>\r\n
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