Myrtle Beach Golf Blog

Barefoot Resort & Golf - Greg Norman Course

2009-11-10T13:29:00.005-05:00

I recently played the Greg Norman Course at Barefoot Resort & Golf for the first time in about 6 years. I have to say that I was very much more impressed with the course this time. The conditions were excellent - greens were very fast and challenging with many subtle breaks.
I really enjoyed the views along the intracoastal waterway. the only downside was the number of condos that line the fairways.
Check out the video below or on youtube.
I would have to say that the other three courses at Barefoot Resort (Dye, Love, & Fazio) are superior to the Norman Course - primarily because of the number of condos. But, the layout was great and we thoroughly enjoyed our round of golf.
If you would like to include any of the Barefoot Resort courses in your next Myrtle Beach golf package, contact Golf Packages of the Carolinas at 1-877-732-6999.

The Wizard Golf Club

2009-10-27T13:00:00.004-04:00

We recently played The Wizard Golf Club, and we were impressed with the condition and the layout of the course. The fairways were over-seeded about three weeks before we played and they were in excellent shape. The greens rolled fast and true.
This Dan Maples layout is fair, yet challenging. Maples made good use of property, incorporating a meandering stream, lakes, and mounding with natural grasses.
The three finishing holes were our favorites. The 16th hole is a par 4 that measures 396 yards from the white tees with water down the right side of the fairway. Number 17 is a short par 3 to an island green, and the 18th hole is a 394-yard par 4 with another island green.
Pace of play was excellent for a Saturday morning in October.

Myrtle Beach Golf Packages

Cape Fear National - New Grand Strand Golf Course Opening Soon

2009-10-13T11:31:00.006-04:00

Cape Fear National Golf Club, the newest area course is expected to open in November or December 2009.
We recently had the opportunity to get a sneak preview of the course by playing 18-holes and we were thoroughly impressed! The course was designed by Tim Cate, whose courses include the highly-rated Tiger's Eye, Leopard's Chase, and Thistle Golf Clubs. Cape Fear National may be his best design. The course features bent-grass greens, bermuda fairways, marsh wetlands, and elevation changes. The course plans to add another 9-holes to the layout in the near future.
Cape Fear National is at the extreme north end of the Grand Strand, about 5 miles south of Wilmington, NC. The location makes it a good choice for golfers from the north to play on the way in or on the way out of the Myrtle Beach area.
There are only a few Myrtle Beach golf package companies that can get you on this course. Call Golf Packages of the Carolinas at 1-877-732-6999, or visit http://www.seasidegolf.com/ to get more information about Cape Fear National.

7 Myrtle Beach Area Courses on America's 100 Greatest Public Courses

2009-07-27T14:28:00.009-04:00

Seven area courses appear on Golf Digest's 2009 - 2010 list of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses. Last year, there were 10 courses on the list.

The 2009 - 2010 list includes the following courses (ranking shown in parenthesis):

The Heritage Club (#33)
The Dunes Golf & Beach Club (#38)
Tidewater Golf Club & Plantation (#41)
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club (#66)
Grande Dunes - Resort Course (#77)
Barefoot Resort & Golf - Fazio Course (#96)
Barefoot Resort & Golf - Dye Course (#99)

The Grande Dunes - Resort Course is a newcomer to the list.
The four courses that fell off the list are: Tiger's Eye, River's Edge, King's North, and True Blue. I don't believe these courses decreased in quality, for the most part. I think they were "pushed" off by other courses that gained in popularity and quality. For instance, Grande Dunes - Resort Course (new to the list) has continued to gain in quality and name recognition as the course has matured since its opening in 2001. In my opinion, it is definitely a better course now then it was 2 or 3 years ago. Meanwhile, I don't believe that Tiger's Eye, King's North and True Blue have slipped at all. They are still great courses. River's Edge has struggled with the conditions of its greens the last few years, so I can see where it could fall off the list (please note that the course is renovating its greens this summer, so we hope to see it come back to prominence).

The bottom line here is that the Myrtle Beach area still has more courses appearing on the list than any other area (more than Kiawah, Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst, Las Vegas, Robert Trent Jones Trail, etc.). You should really consider playing one of these courses the next time you are in Myrtle Beach.
Our golf directors can steer you to the best values and help you build a Myrtle Beach golf package that meets your budget. Call 1-877-732-6999, or visit www.seasidegolf.com for more information.

Several Myrtle Beach Area Courses Make Improvements This Summer

2009-07-02T12:14:00.010-04:00

Several Myrtle Beach area courses are making improvements this summer.

Sea Trail Resort - Willard Byrd Course: The Byrd course is renovating nine greens this summer. The greens on the front nine were renovated during the summer of 2008, and the back nine is getting the same treatment in 2009.

River's Edge: This Arnold Palmer design is undergoing major work on the greens to correct a long-standing problem. The course is closed for the summer to convert all greens to SeaDwarf Seashore Paspalum. This species of grass is very tolerant of salt. Seems like a great decision for River's Edge which is located along a saltwater marsh. I played on a course with "tee-to-green" Paspalum in Florida this past May, and the conditions of the fairways and greens were superb. Conditions were so good, that I actually thought the grass was artificial when I first stepped on the practice green. The green conditions at River's Edge always detracted from this scenic course, making it a hit or miss proposition. Hopefully, this will solve River's Edge's problem and the course will return to its previous high ranking.

Tidewater: One of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses (Golf Digest), Tidewater is closing for six weeks this summer to renovate tee-boxes and improve other areas of the course. A few months ago, the course removed numerous trees throughout the course which improved the look, feel and playability on some holes which had become overgrown.

Arrowhead and Sandpiper Bay: Both of these 27-hole complexes are converting all greens to Mini-Verde, a bermuda grass that is popular on the Grand Strand because of the way it tolerates heat. Both courses previously completed nine holes and are working on a second nine this summer. Sandpiper Bay will complete it's last nine during the summer of 2010, and Arrowhead will complete the project this year. Both courses have the luxury of doing this work while keeping 18-holes open for play.

Contact Golf Packages of the Carolinas when you are planning your next Myrtle Beach golf package to get the latest scoop on course conditions and great deals.

8 Myrtle Beach Area Golf Courses Make Golfweek's List

2009-07-01T11:07:00.006-04:00

Eight Myrtle Beach area golf courses appear on Golfweek's "Best Courses You Can Play 2009" list.
The list is broken down by state. Each state has at least 5 courses listed; most states have 10 courses; some states have as many as 15 or 20 courses.
North Carolina has 10 courses on the list. Two of the courses are on the Grand Strand: Leopard's Chase at Ocean Ridge Plantation in Sunset Beach (#4), and River's Edge in Shallotte (#10).
South Carolina also has 10 courses listed. Myrtle Beach area courses include: Caledonia Golf & Fish Club in Pawleys Island (#3), Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach (#4), Tidewater Golf Club in North Myrtle Beach (#6), True Blue Plantation in Pawleys Island (#7), TPC Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet (#8), and Barefoot Resort and Golf's Love Course in Myrtle Beach (#10).

Contact Golf Packages of the Carolinas when you are planning your next Myrtle Beach golf package.

Pine Lakes CC (The Granddaddy) Reopens

2009-03-19T10:49:00.003-04:00

Myrtle Beach's oldest golf course, Pine Lakes Country Club, reopened last week after a major renovation of the course and clubhouse. The restoration by owner Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc. took 20 months and $15 million.
Nicknamed "The Granddaddy," Pine Lakes was originally built in 1927, and opened under the name of the Ocean Forest Hotel and Country Club.
Designed by St. Andrews, Scotland native Robert White, the first president of the Professional Golf Association (PGA) of America, and a co-founder of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, the course was built on natural dunes a half-mile from the ocean, and features numerous fresh-water lakes and rolling fairways.
The restoration has maintained the traditional course layout, while introducing a feeling of modern design. Most notable is the use of Sea Dwarf Paspalum, a new bermuda grass specifically developed for southeast coast courses. The grass is resistant to drought conditions and water with high salt content, and may be the future of things to come in the Myrtle Beach area.
We found the Par 70 course to be very enjoyable, with plenty of challenging holes. The course layout flows smoothly, with strategically-paced bunkers protecting large greens. The greens rolled smoothly and consistently, and the fairways were tight. The fairways were a bit rough in places, but as the course matures it will improve considerably.

Tidewater Golf Club & Plantation

2009-01-24T11:44:00.004-05:00

Tidewater Golf Club & Plantation certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the finest golf courses in the U.S.
I had the pleasure of playing this 20-year old course on January 23, 2009. The greens and fairways were in excellent condition, especially considering the "winter" weather conditions.
This scenic course which features marsh and ocean views is a real challenge to golfers of all capabilities, especially when the wind is blowing. To earn a good score, the Par-3s require pin-point accurancy on tee-shots, and most Par-4s require length and accuracy in finding the fairways. The Par-5s also push you to make good shots from tee to green. The greens roll fast and true and feature undulations that can turn your score upside down real fast.
Holes #3, #4, #12, and #13 are among the finest, most scenic on the Grand Strand.
The course is in the process of removing about 70 trees to improve circulation around the tees and greens and "open" up the course a little bit.
If you are ready for a real challenge featuring stunning scenary, make sure you include Tidewater Golf Club & Plantation in your next Myrtle Beach golf package.

Direct Flights to Myrtle Beach

2009-01-14T16:06:00.003-05:00

My last posting talked about Spirit Airlines adding direct flights between Chicago's O'Hare Airport (ORD) and Myrtle Beach (MYR).
Here is a listing of other cities and airlines offering direct flights to MYR.

· Atlanta, Georgia (ASA/Comair/Delta)
· Atlantic City, NJ (Spirit)
· Allentown, Pa (Direct Air)
· Boston, Massachusetts (US Airways, Spirit)
· Charlotte, North Carolina (US Airways)
· Chicago, Illinois (Spirit, as of March 1, 2009)
· Columbus Ohio (Direct Air)
· Detroit, Michigan (Northwest, Spirit)
· Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Spirit)
· Kalamazoo, Michigan (Direct Air)
· Newark, New Jersey (Continental, Direct Air)
· New York City - LaGuardia (Spirit)
· Niagara Falls, New York (Direct Air)
· Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (US Airways)
· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Direct Air)
· Plattsburg, New York (Direct Air)
· Punta Gorda, Florida (Direct Air)
· Rockford, Illinois (Direct Air)
· Toledo, Ohio (Direct Air)
· Washington D.C. Dulles (United Express)
· Worchester, Massachusetts (Direct Air)

Direct Low-Cost Flights to Myrtle Beach from Chicago

2008-12-25T13:11:00.010-05:00

Spirit Airlines announced on December 17 that it will begin seasonal service between Chicago and Myrtle Beach on March 1, 2009. The daily non-stop service will run through November 11. The flights will originate out of O’Hare Airport and provide a low-cost link between Myrtle Beach and one of the most golf-crazed cities in the U.S.
The Spirit flight will leave O’Hare at 2:15 CST each day. The return flight from Myrtle Beach will depart the Grand Strand at 11 a.m. EST. In May the flight from Chicago will leave earlier and the departure from Myrtle Beach will be pushed into the afternoon, more beneficial times for golfers. One of the nation’s premier low-cost air carriers, Spirit has a host of introductory rates to lure golfers from Chicago to Myrtle Beach this spring.
Direct Air will also be shuttling golfers from Rockford, Ill., just outside of Chicago, to Myrtle Beach, meaning it will be easier than ever for Windy City golfers to flock to the Grand Strand.

What To Know When Planning A Myrtle Beach Golf Package

2008-12-09T14:53:00.006-05:00

So, you're trying to put together a Myrtle Beach golf package. With almost 100 golf courses and thousands of lodging options, the whole process can be pretty intimidating.
Using a golf package company can really help you pull it all together, but when you start looking for a packager you'll find there are hundreds of companies providing this service.
Here are some things to keep in mind when you start working with a golf director at a package company.
1. Watch For Hidden Fees - Many Myrtle Beach golf packagers will quote a price that does not include all taxes and fees. Make sure you know if the price includes greens fees, cart fees, resort fees, taxes, and surcharges. Cart fees are around $25 per person per round, so if they are not included, you can expect to shell out a significant amount of money when you get to the course. Presently, lodging taxes are 11%. Find out if there are additional resort fees that will have to be paid when you check-out.
2. Driving Times - Have a good idea where your lodging is in relation to the courses you are playing. If you have limits on how far you are willing to drive each day, be sure to let your package company know.
3. Course Conditions - A knowledgeable golf director will have a good idea of which courses are typically in good condition. Conditions can go downhill pretty quickly at times, but someone who plays the courses and keeps in touch with the market will have a good idea about which courses are having problems, and which courses are in good shape. Also, Myrtle Beach area courses typically aerate their greens in the Spring and Fall, and they "over seed" the fairways in the Fall. Ask your golf director if the courses you want to play will be doing maintenance during the time you are planning to be in Myrtle Beach.
4. Best Deals - A well planned golf package will save you a good bit of money. A knowledgeable golf director will help you find the best values, and steer you away from the bad deals. Of course, this will depend on the information you provide when planning the trip. If you are fixed on your courses, your dates, and your lodging, you should still be able to save some money. But, if you are flexible in some of these areas, you should be able to get a good deal.
At Golf Packages of the Carolinas, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide our customers with the best value, the best advice and the best service. You will not be charged any extra fees after you book your package. We stay on top of course conditions to the best of our abilities, and as an independent company - we don't own any golf courses, condos or hotels - we will give you the best advice possible on where to stay and where to play.
Contact us today to get a free quote - absolutely no obligation - and you'll be on your way to a great time in Myrtle Beach.
Toll free 1-877-732-6999 or e-mail: info@seasidegolf.com

Winter in Myrtle Beach Makes Perfect Sense

2008-11-26T17:01:00.004-05:00

Winter in Myrtle Beach is the best deal going right now. Green fees are at their lowest during the winter months, and with the current economic downturn, many hotel and condo managers are running specials. On top of all that, many area restaurants and entertainment venues are also running ads for discounts.
Check out Golf Packages of the Carolinas' Winter Specials to get an idea of what's available, and give them a call to set up your winter get-away. Toll free 1-877-732-6999.

PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie, Florida

2008-11-06T14:11:00.015-05:00

During our recent Florida vacation, my wife and I spent the day at the PGA Golf Club located at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie. This top-notch facility is owned by the PGA of America and it has three stellar golf courses: the Dye Course design by Pete Dye, and the Wanamaker Course and the Ryder Course both designed by Tom Fazio. All three courses are highly ranked by the major golf magazines.

The Dye Course is a links-style course featuring numerous waste bunkers and grass bunkers. The Ryder Course is reminiscent of a Carolina course with pine trees, and rolling hills, and the Wanamaker Course is a classic Florida layout using wetlands and palm trees.

The PGA Golf Club also has a complimentary short course which is great for honing your shot making skills. The PGA Historical Center is also a nice amenity offered at the facility. In addition, the PGA Learning Center is a state-of-the-art facility offering everything you need to get your game on track. On site lodging is available in villas and the Hilton Garden Inn.

We played the Dye Course, which is 7,215 yard from the tips. I played the Standard tees which measured 6,105 yards. My wife played the forward tees at 5,015 yards. We found the course to be in excellent condition despite the fact that it had been closed for several weeks after Hurricane Faye dumped a bunch of rain on the course. The tee-boxes, fairways and greens were perfect. As with most Pete Dye courses, the layout is a bit intimidating as the routing is not always apparent, and some hazards are not visible when plotting your next shot. A yardage book would be extremely helpful, but none was available. I used my laser range finder frequently to determine distances to hazards and pins, and it saved me some strokes.

If you are interested in focusing on your golf game, the PGA Golf Club is the place to go! Call Seaside Golf at 1-877-732-6999 to set up a discounted package at this excellent facility.

PGA National Resort & Spa

2008-10-31T19:58:00.007-04:00

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Palm Beach, Florida, area for a one week vacation - I know, it's a tough life, but someone has to do the dirty work. While in the area we were lucky enough to get a tour of the PGA National Resort and Spa and we were treated to a round of golf on the Champion Course - home of the PGA Tour's Honda Classic.

When you drive up to the entrance at the Resort, you think you are at a classy place. Walk in the lobby, and you know it. From the lobby to the pool, to the Pro Shop, to the hotel rooms and spa, this place is top of the line. With five excellent golf courses, restaurants, and all that Palm Beach has to offer, you can't go wrong at the PGA National Resort and Spa.

Of course, the best part of the day was playing the Champion Course, a wonderful Jack Nicklaus design that tests every part of you game. As we were playing the course, I was thinking about what a great game golf is. Can you think of any other major sport where the average person has an opportunity to play where the professionals play, to test yourself against the same elemental challenges that a top professional faces? I can't think of any other sports like this. If you can, please let me know by posting a comment here.

The course conditions were perfect. Tee boxes and fairways were in wonderful condition and the greens were smooth, true and fast. I was working on a pretty good score after the front nine, but then the wind came up and the finishing holes, "The Bear Trap," finished me off. Thankfully, the Resort has a great 19th hole where I was able to drown my sorrows and have a wonderful grouper sandwich to finish the day.

Seaside Golf offers some very nice package deals at this magnificent Resort.

Call 1-877-732-6999 to set up your package.

Sea Trail Resort - Rees Jones Course

2008-10-31T16:01:00.009-04:00

The Rees Jones Course at Sea Trail Resort in Sunset Beach, NC, offers a great experience to golfers of all abilities.
I've played the course quite a few times, but when I played it recently I was reminded that it is truly a great layout.

In typical Rees Jones style, you can easily see where you have to hit the ball from tee to green on most holes. However, there are a few surprises, and plenty of challenges. Several greens are multi-tiered, which will punish you if you find yourself on the wrong level, and many holes feature strategically placed bunkers around the greens and along the fairways. There are some forced water carries off the tee, and several greens are fronted by water. In addition, some holes have out-of-bounds which will add to your score if you're having a bad day off the tee. Holes #8 and #9 are consecutive par-5's, which is fairly unique.
Hole #5, a par-3 (shown above), is my favorite hole. It features a large lake fronting a large multi-tiered green, and you are hitting from a slightly elevated tee-box.

Despite the challenges, it's not too difficult to post a good score as long as you take what the course hands you and you take your lumps and move on when necessary.
I highly recommend you play this gem the next time you're hitting the links in the Myrtle Beach area.

Seaside Golf can set you up with your tee-time at a discounted rate. Just call 1-877-732-6999 and you'll be on your way to some great golf.

Farmstead Golf Links

2008-09-08T13:51:00.005-04:00

Played Farmstead Golf links last week. This is a very entertaining course for golfers of all ability. With well-conditioned fairways and smooth, lush greens, Farmstead Golf Links is in immaculate shape!!

The back nine offer many challenges with four par 4’s; three par 3’s; one par 5; and one par 6......Yes, a par 6!!!!!! The 18th hole is a 712 yard, par 6 from the Blue tees. Except for the numerous fairway bunkers, water coming into play on the left side of the fairway and back of the green, astonishing length, shifting winds, cavernous greenside bunker, and undulating green, this hole is a breeze. You do not need to overpower this signature hole to have a decent chance at birdie. Instead of trying to pummel the ball down the fairway in an attempt to reach the par 6 in three, accuracy on the lay-up and approach shot will enable most golfers to traverse through the hazards and reach the green in regulation.

In addition to a par 6, Farmstead Golf Links offers another unique feature. The golf course actually straddles the North Carolina/South Carolina borders. So, if you hit a decent tee-shot on the par 4 10th hole, you can say you hit it so far it landed in the next state!

Another great hole is the par 3 12th. This hole measures 163 yards from the Blue tees. The 12th hole features a tee shot over water onto a two-tiered green. There are also bunkers on both sides of the green to catch an errant tee shot. With multiple tee areas and changing wind, the hole has an entirely different look each day.

The best chance to make a decent score is the par 5’s. Several of the par 5’s give the big hitters an opportunity to reach the green in two. If you cannot reach the par 5’s in two, a well-placed approach will provide a good chance at birdie.

Like any round, I played some holes better than others, but I left Farmstead wanting to play this great layout again very soon. I want to thank Director of Golf Mac Hood, and staff, for their hospitality!

Farmstead's sister course, Meadowlands Golf Course, is just a short drive away. This offers a good opportunity for a 36-hole day of golf at a nice discount.

For more information on this great course or to receive a golf proposal with Farmstead Golf Links and Meadowlands Golf Course two-play rate, please do not hesitate to contact one of our Golf Directors at 877-732-6999 or golf@seasidegolf.com

The Dunes Golf & Beach Club

2008-08-28T12:22:00.011-04:00

If you have an opportunity to play the Dunes Golf & Beach Club, do it!
This course undoubtedly deserves the top rankings it receives. From the minute you drive in the gate, until you put your golf bag in your trunk at the end of the round, you will be impressed with the quality of service, course layout, and course conditions.
The course, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones, was built in 1948, and went through a re-design by Rees Jones in 2003. It presents a classic private country club design with tree-lined fairways.
The course has a rich history of tournament golf, including the Women's U.S. Open and six Senior Tour Champhionships.
While there are many memorable holes at Dunes Club, the 11th is my favorite. It's a dog-leg right that measures 385 yards from the blue tees, and requires a good drive, followed by a challenging approach shot to a finger shaped green extending out into a marshy area. The par 4, 18th (shown above) is another favorite. It also requires a good drive and then a carry over water to a green guarded by bunkers - a tough, but memorable, finishing hole.

When you finish your round, take time to get a drink and a bite to eat at the clubhouse and take a look at the memorabilia from the Senior Tour Champion Tournaments.
While the Dunes Club is a private club, they do allow some public play through a limited number of package companies. If you would like to play this Myrtle Beach gem, call Golf Packages of the Carolinas at 1-877-732-6999 to set up your round.

Myrtle Beach Golf Course Happenings

2008-08-20T10:07:00.002-04:00

Grande Dunes Resort Course was named Course of the Year for 2008 by the South Carolina Golf Course Owners association. Grande Dunes is a superb facility with great service and certainly deserves this honor.
Renovation work continues at Pine Lakes Golf Country Club (The Granddaddy), and a March 2009 re-opening is expected. This venerable track, the oldest golf course in the area, has undergone a complete transformation and promises to be something special.
Thistle Golf Club recently unveiled its new clubhouse, and it’s a beauty! There’s no other club facility in area that can match it in terms of size or amenities. If you get a chance, drop by and check it out. Oh, and play that great 27-hole golf course while you’re at it!
The staff at Crow Creek Golf Club expects to move into their new clubhouse at the beginning of September. That will be a nice step up for this area favorite, which is always in great shape.
Several area courses have been undergoing greens renovations this summer. Myrtle Beach National’s Southcreek Course installed new Mini-Verde greens, as did Eagles Nest. Sandpiper Bay also installed Mini-Verde on nine of its 27-holes. The course plans to replace the bentgrass greens on the other two nine-hole courses during the next two summers. Mini-Verde is a Bermuda-type grass that has a high tolerance for heat and offers a smooth surface similar to bentgrass. Several other courses in the area, including the TPC of Myrtle Beach, have gone to Mini-Verde in the last few years. Sea Trail Resort’s Willard Byrd Course also renovated nine greens this summer, installing Champions Bermuda. The remaining nine holes will be converted to Champions Bermuda next summer.
Eastport Golf Club will re-open this fall after being closed for about two years. It will be interesting to see how the course rebounds after lying dormant while its fate was being decided. It looks like Jaguar’s Lair, the next Big Cat course will not be opening in the near future due to the lagging real estate market. The sister course to Lion’s Paw, Panther’s Run, Tiger’s Eye, and Leopard’s Chase has been under construction and uses parts of the both Angel’s Trace North and South courses, which were closed about two years ago. It looks like nine holes have been completed, but we hear that a slowdown in sales of home sites around the course have forced the owner to hold back on further work at the course.

Thistle Golf Club

2008-08-11T13:11:00.008-04:00

Had the pleasure of playing Thistle golf course last week.

A fantastic Tim Cate design, Thistle receives high marks for service and course condition. The fairways, tee boxes, and greens are skillfully manicured. Thistle is an excellent 27-hole course.

The recent opening of their tremendous clubhouse, featuring an appealing arrangement of stone, brick and mortar, has enhanced the total golf experience at this wonderful facility.

Unfortunately, my golf game on this day was not as consistent as the course condition or as pretty as the layout. While a scenic links-style course, Thistle offers some of the stouter par 5’s on the beach. The 7th hole on the west 9 is a par 5 where par is an excellent score. The 7th hole on the west 9 measures 555 yards from the championship tee. If you are fortunate enough to traverse through the two forced carries over wetlands, there is a well-bunkered two-tier green awaiting you. Any errant approach shot to this green will result in a bogey, or worse.

The greens were in immaculate shape. Pin placements on this day made three putting from any distance more than 12 feet from the hole a realistic scenario. For more information on this great course or to attain a golf proposal with Thistle included, please do not hesitate to contact one of our golf directors at 877-732-6999 or golf@seasidegolf.com

Why Use a Golf Package Company? Because You'll Save BIG MONEY!

2008-08-08T17:02:00.027-04:00

Many people are skeptical of golf package companies. Why should they use one, when they can do it all themselves?
The answer: To save money & time.
Save Money.
If you shop around just a few minutes on the Internet, you will save money by using a reputable golf package company. I guarantee it. Why? Because golf package companies buy golf and lodging at wholesale rates. This means they can purchase a round of golf and a night of lodging at less than the market price, and sell it at less than market price. This saves you money.
Save Time.
A reputable package company knows what is going on in their market. They know which courses are in good shape, and which ones will give you a good value. They play the courses and know which courses will work for your group and which ones you should avoid. If you live out of the area, you will have to spend a lot of time to develop this information. In addition, once you develop the information, you have to know if something changes over time, such as course conditions. A reputable company will stay on top of course conditions and let you know if something changes. At the very least, they will be your advocate if something goes awry during you trip. The golf package company will have more pull with a course or lodging provider because they deal with them on a daily basis.
Here's an example.
The Big Cat Pack is our most popular Myrtle Beach golf package. It has 3 nights of lodging and 3 rounds of golf. Lodging is in a 2-bedroom golf villa, and golf includes 1 round on each of these courses: Lion's Paw, Panther's Run & Tiger's Eye. If you were coming in on October 9, 2008 and leaving on October 12, 2008, our price would be $279 per person. That price is based on 4 people sharing a 2-bedroom villa, and includes lodging, green fees, cart fees, and taxes. There are no additional charges. If you tried to set that same package up yourself you would pay $383 per person. That's a savings of 27%!!!!! You will pay $270 per person instead of $383 per person.
How do you find a reputable golf package company?
Ask questions, and check them out. See if they are members of the Better Business Bureau, or the Chamber of Commerce. Ask them for references from golf courses and lodging providers. See if they are members of local, national or international organizations.
Golf Packages of the Carolinas is an independent golf package company. That means we are not owned by a hotel, resort, or golf course. We are members of the Better Business Bureau of Coastal Carolina, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, and the International Association of Golf Course Operators (IAGTO). We will give you an objective opinion of golf courses and lodging choices. We specialize in Myrtle Beach golf packages, and also provide packages for Hilton Head, Charleston (SC), Florida, Spain, Ireland, Scotland, and other international destinations. Our membership in IAGTO also allows us to refer clients to reputable golf package companies in markets that we don't service.
For more information, please call 1-877-732-6999, or visit our web site http://www.seasidegolf.com/.

Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, Hilton Head, SC

2007-10-02T14:31:00.000-04:00

The Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course at Palmetto Dunes is one of my favorite courses in the Hilton Head area.

The course is challenging, yet fair. It offers some great holes as it winds through Palmetto Dunes. While the front nine serves up some interesting layouts, the signature par 5, 10th hole (shown above) really sets the tone for the back nine which runs along canals and through ancient oaks.

Right after we made the turn, we had pelicans plunging into the ponds near the tee-boxes. They always seemed to time it so I was at the top of my back swing when they crashed into the water.

I highly recommend playing this course if you are lucky enough to find yourself in Hilton Head!

Founder's Club at St. James Plantation

2007-08-28T12:56:00.000-04:00

Played the Founder's Club at St. James Plantation again for the first time in about 2 years. This is really a great course - but tough! It's a P.B. Dye design with some narrow landing areas and strategically placed bunkers. In addition, there are a lot of undulating greens. So even if you reach a green in regulation you will probably face a challenging putt (or 2!) unless you are in the right spot.
The course was in very good shape, although the greens were a little slow due to the extremely hot weather conditions, and spare rainfall that we've experienced this summer. Pace of play was pretty good, and they have a very nice clubhouse.
Other courses at St .James Plantation are the Player's Club, Member's Club and Reserve Club. All have a large membership and just a few packagers can book rounds on the courses. The Reserve Club is the newest of the 4 courses. It's a Jack Nicklaus signature design that opened in 2006, and will be going private in early 2008. The Reserve Club was voted "Best New Course in North Carolina" in 2006.
The courses at St James Plantation are a long drive from Myrtle Beach, but not too bad from North Myrtle Beach. They are definitely worth playing, and may work out very well if you are traveling from the north and can play them on your way in or out of the area. If you are making the trip to St. James during your stay, you may want to consider playing 36 holes.

Willbrook Plantation Golf Club

2007-08-07T13:28:00.002-04:00

Was invited to play Willbrook Plantation a few days ago. This was the first time I played the course. I had heard good things about it and they were all true.
This Dan Maples design impressed me from the first hole to the last. Scenery was very nice, featuring large live oaks, ponds, lakes and a few marsh areas. There are also some historic markers pointing out items of interest from the days when the property was home to a couple of southern plantations.
My wife played with us and she really enjoyed the course, which has been ranked by Golf for Women as one of the top courses in the country for women golfers (ranked #31 out of 50 in the 2007 rankings).

Ten Myrtle Beach Golf Courses on America's 100 Greatest List

2007-07-20T10:50:00.000-04:00

Ten Myrtle Beach area golf courses made the Golf Digest TM 2007 - 2008 list of "America's 100 Greatest Public Courses."
Think about that for a minute. 10% of the courses on the list are located on the "Grand Strand."
And, with about 90 public golf courses in the Grand Strand area, over 10% of them are on an authoritative list of the top courses in the country! That's a pretty good statement about the quality of the golf courses in the area.
Courses included on the list are:

#28 Dunes Golf & Beach Club
#41 Tidewater Golf Club & Plantation
#46 The Heritage Club
#53 Barefoot Resort & Golf – Davis Love Course
#62 River’s Edge Golf Club
#73 Tiger’s Eye Golf Links
#76 King’s North at Myrtle Beach National
#86 Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
#87 True Blue Golf Club
#92 Barefoot Resort & Golf – Tom Fazio Course

These are all great courses, but I think there are several other courses in the area that are as good as (maybe better than?) a few courses on this list. Among the missing, are Thistle, Oyster Bay, and The Player's Club at St. James Plantation.
There are probably many other courses around the country that you could put up against some of the courses on the list, and say that you think they're better. But when it comes down to it, it's pretty hard to come up with a list that everyone will like.

Dunes Golf & Beach Club

2007-06-22T15:34:00.000-04:00

Dunes Golf & Beach Club certainly lives up to its reputation as the top golf course in the area, and one of the Best in the U.S. (it appears consistently on the top ranking lists).
The course opened in 1948, and has hosted the Senior Tour Championship and U.S. Women's Open.
I played the course on June 22, 2007, and found the conditions to be perfect!
This Robert Trent Jones layout is challenging, yet fair. The par 5, 13th hole (named "Waterloo") is the signature hole on the course. It plays 590 yards from the tips, and is shaped like a boomerang around a large lake. This hole requires a well-placed tee-shot with a driver or fairway wood, followed by a long shot over the lake (watch out for the alligators!), and a short approach to a tricky green.
As a matter of fact, you need to pay attention to pin placements and the yardage book on a number of the greens, as many of them have two levels or sloping areas.
You pay a premium to play this course, but it's worth the experience.