For golf lovers there's no better place on earth than Myrtle Beach - or more appropriately,
the Carolinas' "Grand Strand". The 60+ mile stretch between southeastern North Carolina and
Georgetown, South Carolina, with the Sun-Fun City of Myrtle Beach at the center, offers about
110 golf courses as of spring 2000, and the number is still growing. Over a dozen more are either
under construction or in the planning stages. The Grand Strand is a golfer's paradise and one
of the top golf destinations in the world - it's no wonder it's the undisputed "Golf Capital of the World".
Whether you prefer plenty of relaxation, rejuvenation and white sandy beaches to stroll in the evening,
or a variety of activities for after-golf buddies, non-golfing partners or family members - "Myrtle Beach" is
the ideal getaway or vacation destination for all who love golf.
Lodging - Resorts
Though Myrtle Beach is not the Riviera, there are a number of class
accommodations
available.
Several "plantation" resorts on the South end near Brookgreen Gardens and historic Georgetown offer
a relaxing vacation away from the glitz of Myrtle Beach proper, have golf on premises and
are also near several of the Strand's premium courses. Another, near Restaurant Row, offers
145 acres of private oceanfront seclusion, yet you are near the center of dining, shopping
and nightlife. Oceanfront hotels abound from the northernmost tip of the Strand to the south
end, in all price ranges. There are also a number of cottages available for rent - some oceanfront,
though most of these have given way to high-rise hotels, and a number on canals. And many
golf courses have on-site condos available to golf groups. If you're traveling by RV, there are
several campgrounds on both the north and south strands. "Old South" Bed & Breakfast
accommodations are available in Georgetown.
Golf Courses
From the fabulous new courses by
Pete Dye,
Tom Fazio,
Davis Love III and
Greg Norman
which opened spring 2000 at Barefoot Resort, to the magnificent
Tournament Players Club (TPC)
which hosts the Ingersoll-Rand Senior Tour Championship each fall, to older but national-award-winning courses
such as
Tidewater and
The Dunes Golf & Beach Club,
to other challenging tracks and those better suited to higher handicaps, the
Grand Strand's world-class courses are guaranteed to test your mettle and your metals.
For more golf details,
check out our list of Myrtle Beach Top Fives, by golf travel expert, Alan B. Nichols.
Golf Schools
Whether you're just getting started learning the game or a scratch golfer looking to shave even
one more stroke...whatever your age or gender...full-week school or weekend...there's a
golf school in Myrtle Beach
to fit your needs. Several national schools have locations in Myrtle Beach,
while others are locally owned - but all offer Certified Professional instruction. And several of the schools
offer special youth golf programs in the summer. Make your next trip to Myrtle Beach a "learning" vacation.
Family Entertainment
Entertainment abounds for all ages in Myrtle Beach. Take the kids to Family Kingdom, an
amusement park featuring the legendary wooden roller coaster, the Swamp Fox; or to The Pavilion,
with the new-this-year thrilling Hurricane roller coaster, lots of "on the boardwalk" fun and the only teen
nightclub at the beach, The Attic (supervised, no alcohol allowed). If you want to get drenched, there's
Myrtle Waves Water Park and Wild Water and Wheels. And there's fun and challenge for anyone
at least 40" tall at the NASCAR SpeedPark. See our section "Myrtle Beach Kids" for more activities for
children and teens, and the young at heart.
Theatres and Nightlife
It's always show time at Myrtle Beach, with a number of theatres featuring
the best shows of the East Coast year round. These include the Alabama Theatre, The Palace, Dixie
Stampede, Carolina Opry, Medieval Times, Fantasy Harbour Crook & Chase, House of Blues at
Barefoot Landing, an assortment of nightclubs at Broadway at the Beach, sports bars and, of course, several
fine "gentlemen's clubs" if that's your pleasure.
If you want to dance the night away, there's a huge variety of lounges and clubs along the Strand.
And in several dance clubs, particularly in North Myrtle Beach, you can experience "the shag" which
originated there in the 40s when vacationers trying to dance the jitterbug tended to slow things down
a good bit because they'd had a bit too much libations. The shag is South Carolina's official State Dance.
More to Do!
The sandy beaches are some of the widest in the world, and while the waves can't hold a candle to
Hawaii, there is some surfin' goin' on. Rent a sailboat, take a fishing charter, or enjoy relaxing
surf or pier fishing. The Grand Strand hosts the longest pier on the East Coast at Apache
Campgrounds in North Myrtle Beach. If you like professional baseball, you can catch a game at
the new stadium which hosts the Atlanta Braves Class A team, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. And
a little culture is good for everyone. The accomplished Myrtle Beach Symphony has several productions
each year, and a visit to Myrtle Beach is not complete without a visit to the famed Brookgreen
Gardens, home of the largest outdoor sculpture exhibit in the world.
Events
With a number of golf tournaments including the DuPont World Amateur Championship which grows
in popularity and participants each year, numerous festivals including the famous Sun-Fun Festival each
June, to Harley-Davidson Biker Week each May, the winter festival of lights and much more,
there's always something special going on at Myrtle Beach. One of the biggest events takes place
each March, when Myrtle Beach lays down the red carpet for its friends from Canada. The
Canadian-American Days Festival, or Can-Am Week, is Myrtle Beach's answer to New Orleans'
"Mardi Gras" - there are spectacular celebrations, parades and more all week long to entertain the
Canadians and other visitors from all over. If you come, do try to squeeze in a little golf!
Shopping
Forgot a club? Broke a club? In addition to on-course pro shops, Myrtle Beach has
a number of golf and sports shops including several mega stores with several locations on the
Strand. For a variety of unique and boutique shops in one place, visit Broadway at the Beach
in central Myrtle Beach, the area's newest entertainment, dining, and shopping mega
complex - or Barefoot Landing, a similar complex in North Myrtle Beach. Several outlet parks
offer a number of brand-name factory stores where really great bargains can be found; there are
several large malls as well. And even if you're not staying on the South Strand, you might want
to drive down to Pawley's Island to the Original Hammock Shop for one of their world-famous rope
hammocks to take back home.
Dining
From the biggest juiciest hamburgers to sumptuous local seafood to excellent international
cuisine - it's all available on The Strand. Tiny Calabash, NC, just above the NC/SC
state line, is world-famous for numerous seafood restaurants featuring "Calabash shrimp", called
"popcorn" shrimp in some areas. But these are better... much better. Because they're local.
And fresh. Battered and lightly deep fried. And no tails. Kids love 'em. Go to Calabash and
have some shrimp. And tell them GolfLink sent you. On the South end, Murrells Inlet is
also famous for seafood restaurants; the views from many of them across the marshes are as
outstanding as the food. If you're looking for "coat and tie" dining, there are several very nice
restaurants available. Just ask your concierge. You're welcome to wear that coat and tie if
you like, but they aren't required at Myrtle Beach. And for families with small children, the
Strand offers a number of buffet restaurants with good food and good prices.
Golf Communities
Imagine owning your own home or condo overlooking your favorite Myrtle Beach
area golf course, just minutes from great shopping and dining, and the beach. Many
vacationers are choosing to settle in Myrtle Beach for the year round golf, lower cost of living,
no more long drives or flights, and the many other convenient amenities. Others are purchasing
a second home on the Strand for frequent-visit convenience. With many excellent golf and
retirement communities in the area, including the very upscale Barefoot Resort and Grande
Dunes just being developed, you're sure to find the perfect condo, home or home site
in "The Golf Capital of the World".
GolfLink's Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation Guide is filled with informative content, listings
and links for more information on most of what you want to know, as well as special golf
course reviews by our golf travel writer who has stayed and played at Myrtle Beach several
times and always enjoys a trip back. We hope you enjoy your tour through this
section - and also your Myrtle Beach golf vacation. 
