The Top 5 Golf Resorts in Myrtle Beach

Title: Treasures of the Tee: The Top 5 Golf Resorts In Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, fondly regarded as the “Golf Capital of the World,” is home to an impressive array of premium golf resorts. As a local, I am privy to the spectacular golf courses strewn across this lively city. Today, I am excited to share with you the very best five that have created a significant splash in the golf scene.

1. Dunes Golf and Beach Club

The prestigious Dunes Golf and Beach Club tops our list. Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, the club opened its doors in 1949 and is sprinkled with some of Jones’ classic architectural nuances. Embracing its seaside location, eight of its holes swoop alongside Lake Singleton or border the Atlantic dunes, with the rest of the course seamlessly integrating into the natural landscape.

The course offers challenging features, including an unforgettable par-5, 13th hole, known as ‘Waterloo’ – notorious for its dogleg design circling the lake. Besides the phenomenal golfing experience, the club also offers mouth-watering cuisine at their oceanfront dining facility where you can unwind after a day on the greens.

2. Tidewater Golf Club

Unwind amidst breathtaking scenery at the Tidewater Golf Club. Situated between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Cherry Grove, this layout offers stunning views of saltwater marshes and woodlands. Here, each hole presents a unique personality and challenge, making it a much-loved course among golfers of all abilities.

Ken Tomlinson, the architect, aimed to create a course that “had to feel as though it’d been there for all time.” He meticulously preserved the pristine landscape, best demonstrated by the par-3, 12th hole, which provides a panoramic view of the marsh and the Atlantic coastline beyond.

3. Barefoot Resort – Dye Course

The Barefoot Resort houses four fantastic courses, each designed by a different renowned golf architect, but the standout is the Dye Course. Pete Dye packaged all his signature tricks within this 7,343-yard, par-72 layout – strategic mounding, complex green structures, and copious water hazards.

The resort evokes the feeling of luxury with its impressive amenities, such as well-appointed villas and a 30-acre lighted practice facility. The gastronomy enthusiasts are not left out either, with a variety of dining options within the resort for every palate.

4. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

Next up is the Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, a sanctuary tucked on a former rice plantation, teeming with ancient oaks and fragrant blossoms. Designed by Mike Strantz, often compared to Alister MacKenzie for his artistry, the course is a stunning, 18-hole layout that frequently makes the top lists of best courses in the USA.

Caledonia masterfully preserves the local charm and natural elements of the Lowcountry. It is famous for its par-4 18th hole, stretching 383 yards, bordered by marshlands and an exceptional antebellum-styled clubhouse as its backdrop.

5. Grande Dunes – Resort Course

Finally, we have the Grande Dunes – Resort Course, exuding an aura of opulence. The design duo Roger Rulewich and Robert Trent Jones Jr. masterminded this 7,618-yard layout, making it one of the longest in the region.

The course, managed by Marriott, presents a modern design with wide fairways, undulating greens, and sizeable waste bunkers. It is the sixth hole, a 220 yard par-3, where players are met with a dramatic drop in elevation and a panoramic view of the Intracoastal Waterway, which is the must-see spectacle here.

In conclusion, Myrtle Beach is a glofer’s paradise, offering a variety of terrains, from marshlands to seaside dunes and pristine forests. Each type caters to the preferences of golfers of all expertise levels, making it an unrivaled golfing destination. These top five golf resorts promise not only an exciting game of golf but an immersive experience of Myrtle Beach’s charm.

9 thoughts on “The Top 5 Golf Resorts in Myrtle Beach”

  1. Been golfing Myrtle for decades now and gotta say, this is a fine list! But one little bit of trivia you might be missing. Did you know that the Tidewater Golf Club inspired a signature hole on Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game? Now that’s an accolade!

  2. Totally agree with Caledonia Golf’s inclusion! It’s an absolute gem! Love the 18th hole view with the clubhouse backdrop.

  3. Nice! Heading to Myrtle Beach next month and will definitely check out some of these! Just hoping my game is up to the challenge. Any tips for playing on the Dye Course at Barefoot Resort? That one sounds like a real adventure!

  4. greenskeeper_larry

    I can vouch for Caledonia Golf and Fish Club. Its natural beauty is a sight to behold, that cool breeze off the plantation with the fragrance of trees adds so much to the golf experience. Though the 18th hole gives me headaches with its marshland border. Might need a few extra balls!

  5. Best kept secret in Myrtle Beach? The Grande Dunes. The design by Rulewich and Jones Jr. truly challenges you. Great list, looking forward to trying out the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.

  6. Great list! I would have to agree with Dunes Golf and Beach Club being at the top. Robert Trent Jones’ masterful design truly sets it apart. Waterloo, though notoriously tricky, is surely a highlight. Would love your take on the King’s North at Myrtle Beach National. That’s a favorite of mine, but didn’t make your top 5.

  7. Loved the Barefoot Dye Course. Dye’s signature tricks keep you on your toes for sure. On a side note, does anyone else find it humorous that Dye, known for his countless water hazards, has a moniker that’s one letter off from ‘die’? Just me? Alright then…

  8. The gastronomy mention caught my eye! As an aspiring golfer and foodie, I’d be equally excited about trying out the cuisine. Any dish particular recommendations at these places?

  9. Played at Tidewater GC last summer and you hit the nail on the head about its unique holes. The 12th hole view was unforgettable! Must check out Dunes Golf next time around. Great list!

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