Golfers are always wanting to play the best courses for the best price. We always see rankings for the “Best Myrtle Beach Golf Courses”, “Top Myrtle Beach Golf Courses” but one list that you never see is the Worst Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach.  Well, it’s time to change that. I did a blog back in the Summer of 2009, titled the Top 5 Worst Courses in Myrtle Beach. That blog was about my own ranking system. Since then, we have implemented a golfer voting system that allows golfers to vote for their favorite (and least favorite) courses on a 1-5 basis.

In this case, I know these courses get a lot of play, however, no one is voting for them. Does that mean they are bad golf courses? Nope! I have never played a bad golf course anywhere. What I have played are golf courses with bad conditions.  However even when a golf course is in bad condition, your opponent is playing the same conditions. Remember, the ol saying goes, “A bad day at the course, is better than a Good Day at the office.”

The Top Worst Myrtle Beach Courses, aka.  ”The Weakest Links”

1. Palmetto Greens – coming in as the 94th ranked golf course for Spring 2012 with a 1.80 out of a possible 5.0, leads them to the #1 position as the overall winner of the Worst Myrtle Beach course.
2. Cypress Bay – Ranked as the 93rd course in Myrtle Beach, Cypress Bay has recently gone under renovations to the entire facility. There is a new day at Cypress Bay but it still ranks at the bottom of the list with a 2.07 out of a possible 5.0
3. Island Green – Reopened under new management, the 92nd ranked worst course in Myrtle Beach will need to do a lot after the former Signature Golf Group closed the golf course in late 2011. 2.13 out of a possible 5.0
4. Brierwood Golf Club – located over the state line in Shallotte, North Carolina, Brierwood is mostly played by locals just wanting to get out and hit it around. 2.33 out of a possible 5.0
5. River Oaks - Im actually shocked to see River Oaks here in this position, the course has had major renovations. If you have not been out to River Oaks in a while it is a value course, that challenges the mid to high handicapper. 2.38 out of a possible 5.0

If you disagree with these golf course rankings, feel free to go to our rankings and comments section and let your voice be heard!

Has always ….. Fairways & Greens

@mbgolfpro

In Honor of the Masters, The Entrance Road to Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

It has been one year since we debuted our Top Myrtle Beach Golf Course Rankings. The overwhelming response of emails, votes, tweets and post on our Facebook page let us know that this is what the golfers want and have been wanting for years now. This is what golfers expect and this is what we will continue to produce!

While the golf world has there eyes tuned to Augusta National for the Masters, The Spring 2012 golf season in Myrtle Beach is well under way. Travelers from around the world will be coming to Myrtle Beach to play golf and the Easter Holiday in Myrtle Beach will also bring even more people to the Grand Strand for vacation.

We have been receiving great reports from golfers about conditions of the golf courses. We also keep getting great response to our monthly golf rankings.  With fewer tee times open for the remaining of the Spring Golf season there are still ways to save up to 50% off of tee times at three of the Top 10 Myrtle Beach Golf Courses. Which three you ask? Lets get to the rankings and find out.

1. True Blue – Holding on to the #1 spot for the 2nd consecutive month

2. Thistle – Super Spring conditions have allowed this course to jump up two spots from the previous month.

3. Willbrook Plantation – Holding the #3 spot for the third straight month.

4. Caledonia – One of two courses that has made the Top 10 every month.

5. Tidewater – Moved up three spots from last month. Take a look at the ocean from the 13th green.

6. TPC of Myrtle Beach - One of two courses that has made the Top 10 every month.

7. Dunes Golf & Beach Club – After a brief departure from the Top 10 the Dunes is without a doubt is one of the best  layouts on the Grand Strand.

8. Bald Head Island – After being in the Top 10 for 10 consecutive months and a three month stint at #1 Bald Head Island is back in its rightful place, in the Top 10.

9. Reserve Club @ St James – The only private course at St. James Plantation is one of the most underrated golf courses and one of three Nicklaus designs  on the Grand Strand.

10. Barefoot -Fazio – Dropped eight spots from the #2 position. Considered by many to be the best course at Barefoot Resort.

There you have it folks, Our one year anniversary of Top 10 rankings for Myrtle Beach Golf Courses.

As always, Fairways and Greens

@mbgofpro

You've got two options for the Gambler at King's North, an easy 4 strokes or a tricky 3. It's your call.

One of the most requested golf courses in Myrtle Beach will be getting a make over this Summer 2012. This Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane design is one of three courses at Myrtle Beach National. The Myrtle Beach National Kings North opened in 1973,  with Palmer himself being apart of the initial design, the course went under a complete refurbish in 1996. “The King” himself handled the majority of the changes. At that time, the course received new Crenshaw Bent Grass greens. The Green areas also where increased in size and undulations where added for difficulty.

Bunkers were also added.

For example, the 18th hole is called “the Bullseye” and has over 40 bunkers on the finishing hole.  Mounds were added to contour fairways and bulk heads were added to holes like the par-3 4th hole called “The Island Green”. As you may suspect, this green is now completely surrounded with water. These changes made by Arnold Palmer led Myrtle Beach National – Kings North to receive the 1996 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year award and also the South Carolina Golf Course of the Year.

With the South Carolina climate and newer grass technology the National Golf Management team has decided to install new Champion Bermuda Greens. This grass is some of the best you can get for the Grand Strand area do to its drought tolerance and ability to grow on different mixtures of soil types.  Champion Bermuda grass is also and the most important provides great putting surface and is less expensive to maintain than bent grass greens. The course will close on June 25, 2012 and reopen August 31st, 2012.

Let’s not stop there. There was another significant change to this Par 72 layout in 1996….

It’s the Gambler

This sign resides by the Par-5 Gambler golf hole at King's North in Myrtle Beach.

Legendary Country Music Singer Kenny Rogers, came to Myrtle Beach to help open the Arnold Palmer redesign and  turned the par-5 6th hole into one of the most famous hole in Myrtle Beach Golf History. Rogers named the hole “The Gambler” after his hit song, which one won him a 1978 Grammy Award for “Best Male Country Vocal Performance”.

This par-5 hole is called “The Gambler” because it gives golfers two options to play the hole.

If you go with the first choice, you hit it over the water on the drive to a landing area with three fairway bunkers. This is the safe shot.  Your second shot will be a layup down the fairway. Third shot is to the green.

Now, get ready for option #2. You tee off and strike the ball over the water, but now you are aiming for a island fairway that is about 100 yards long and 50-yards wide.  So you better make sure you are a good shot, or you’re going to be going through balls like nobody’s business. You have to then hit over the water again on your second shot to get to the green.  So you’re on the green in two shots putting for Eagle. This second option gives golfers their “Gamblers” chance in the game of golf.

This hole sets the golfer up for a chance to ask himself one question.  Before your opponent “hands you a bottle, and you drink down your last swallow” you will need to decide to go for it in two or bail out and still try to make birdie or par with 3 shots.

SO, the question is, “Do you know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away, or know when to run?”

No other hole in the Myrtle Beach area has as much meaning as this hole.  Maybe I can clarify what Rogers means by this famous saying. There is a sign at the tee box with these exact song lyrics, PLUS, his spike marks are also on display in concrete.

The Explanation with Match Play

“Know when to hold them” – One of the best strategies is to play your game until your opponent makes a mistake.

“Know when to fold them” – It does not matter how many strokes on each hole you lose by, you are only down one if you lose the hole. Of course you do not want to lose any hole as the gives your opponent momentium, however you live to fight another hole.

“Know when to walk away” – If your opponent gives you a two-footer and says “thats good”, it’s a great time to pick your ball up and walk away, even with a push!

“Know when to run” – There is always a time when its time to step on the gas, no matter if you’re winning or losing! On the home stretch on the front 9, The Gambler is the perfect “turning point hole” for the match.  This is the time where you need to run with your match, building a lead for the back nine (to make your opponent ‘dormie’),  or get back in the Match for a chance to win!

————————————

So in closing, I also want to mention King’s North is now #7 on our Top 10 Golf Course’s in Myrtle Beach  and is also the PRIDE of National Golf Management, and there is no doubt in my mind it will be voted #1 after the re-open.

As always, fairways and greens,

@MBGolfPro

P.S. Hope you enjoy the video below.

Watch out for Gators at True Blue Golf Club

Top Golf Courses for February 2012

Many golfers consider the day after Valentine’s day the first day of the spring golf season in Myrtle Beach, SC. Why that particular day? Is the weather better? Are the golf courses in better shape? Well, it’s a very simple theory. The majority of golfers feel, since they are going on a golf trip to Myrtle Beach with their buddies, they should spend Valentine’s day with their significant other. Makes perfect sense, right? Besides, do you think golfers would tell anyone that their one true love is “The Game of Golf”?

Well, Manuel De Los Santos has no problem telling anyone that.  Watch his amazing story located at the end of this article on how the amazing game of golf changed his life and love for the game.

But, before you watch it, make sure you check out our list for the:

Top Ranked Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for February 2012

1.) True Blue – The newly-crowned #1 golf course in Myrtle Beach, SC.

2.) Barefoot Fazio – Quickly climbed up the top 10 rankings since November.

3.) Willbrook Plantation – Dan Maples design that was built on the historic Rice Plantation is always in great shape and, is now managed by the newly-formed National Golf Management.

4.) Thistle – Day in and day out this Tim Cate design is considered to have the best greens on the beach.

5.) TPC of Myrtle Beach – Former host of the Senior Tour Championship.

6.) Caledonia – Great layout and views for the sister course of the new #1 True Blue.

7.) Myrtle Beach National King`s North – Debuted in the top 10 in our November rankings and as held consistently since. This Arnold Palmer design is also now apart of the National Golf Management (NGM) family.

8.) Bald Head Island – The golf course on the Grand Strand with the most ocean views and can only be reached by ferry.

9.) Tidewater – The self-proclaimed Pebble Beach of the East is back in the top 10 rankings for the first time since November 2011. Like Willbrook and Kings North, Tidewater is also now apart of the National Golf Management Team.

10.) Reserve at St James – The private Nicklaus design is a sleeper for golf courses in Myrtle Beach, hovering the top 10 on a monthly basis.

There you have it folks, the top 10 golf course list for the month of February 2012. If you have played any of the courses recently or just want to give your “two cents” and maybe help your fellow golfers, vote for your favorite course or courses and leave a comment on the golf courses page.

I almost forgot, here is the YouTube video of Manuel De Los Santos

As always, Fairways and Greens.

@MBGolfPro – Follow our Director of Golf (Craig Chinn) on Twitter.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! 2012 Fall Golf Package Rates released!

Do people still say that any more?  Well, if not, we’re bringing it back.  Because we have news! We JUST posted our rates for some of our Myrtle Beach golf packages for fall of 2012.  We know you’ve been asking for them, so here they are!  Several of our most valued packages have been updated with the best golf rates available in Myrtle Beach.  Remember, all our golf packages include greens fees, cart fees and taxes. Also, book your accommodations with us and easily add any one of our golf packages.

These packages now have the 2012 golf rates!

The Super Saver Package

The most economic package available. This is a three to five round package. Our Super Saver Golf Package is designed for golfers on a budget who want to be challenged by tough courses without going over budget. Courses included in the package are Azalea Sands, Carolina National, Diamond Back, Heron Point, Indigo Creek, River’s Edge, River Oaks and Sandpiper Baby. Each of these courses are professionally designed to offer challenges to avid golfers while allowing less experienced golfers a chance to enjoy the game without the pressure of more complex courses. Learn more…

Barefoot Golf Package

Play the award winning courses of Barefoot Resort and Golf in North Myrtle Beach. Ranked as one of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses in 2005 and 2006, these courses offer features that require strategy and skill. The four courses included are those of golf greats Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Davis Love III, and Greg Norman. No need to be intimidated though, the carts at all four courses feature GPS that will provide you with information about the layout of the hole and your yardage. Think you had a great swing? Check the GPS to see a reading of your distance. Barefoot, the #1 Multi-Course Facility in Myrtle Beach, also provides golfers with a thirty acre practice facility and dining services open for breakfast and lunch. Learn more…

Big Cats Package

So named for the courses included in the package, the Tiger’s Eye, the Panther’s Run, the Lion’s Paw, and the Leopard’s Chase, this package is designed to meet the requests for a challenge by you big cat golfers. Golf course architect Tim Cate designed three of these, excluding the Lion’s Paw. His award winning designs are know to be complex and challenging. The courses feature steep elevations and tight radii requiring some serious strategy. We know you will be busy going for par but, take note of your surroundings too. These courses are nestled among breathtaking surroundings such as nature preserves and virgin hardwoods. Learn More…

Classic Golf Package

The vision of post card golf courses, the courses included in the Classic Golf Package offer the golf challenges tradionalists pursue. You will see rolling freeways with sand pits and lakes strewn throughout. The four courses in this package are Black Bear, Burning Ridge, Indian Wells, and The Founders Club at Pawleys Island. The latter having been rewarded the 2011 Golf Course of the Year. Our Classic Golf Package now also offers free pre-booked replays on any course of your choosing. Learn More…

Glens Group Golf Package

Reminiscent of the spectacular greens on the Scottish isles, the Glens Group Golf Package includes four serene yet challenging courses. Courses included in the Glens Group Golf Package are the Possum Trot, the Shaftsbury Glen, Glen Dornoch Waterway Links, and the Heather Glen. The Heather Glen golf course was rated in Golf Digest as one of Golf Digest’s Places to Play. Now, purchase a three round Glens Group Golf Package and receive get 5 free replays.  Learn More…

Grande Daddy Golf Package

There is a REASON it is called the Grande Daddy, you know. Choose from 11 different courses,  some with the top ratings in the entire U.S.  Choose from the big names like Grande Dunes, Myrtlewood, Farmstead, River Hills, Tidewater and more – courses that offer you the perfect mix of challenge and professionalism. And best yet, these course are now offering heavily discounted pre-booked replays because, let’s face it, when you play a course, you WILL want to play it again. Learn More…

———–

So that’s it!  We do have other golf packages that we don’t yet have rates for fall 2012, but they are coming VERY VERY soon.  Want to know when we publish the rest?  Just click on the chat bubble at the bottom of your screen and enter your email address and put “2012 Rates” into the message.

With the 2012 Myrtle Beach golf season rapidly approaching (approximately February 15th), it’s time to start thinking about your “Must Play” courses list.

The Myrtle Beach National West course deserves a nice little spot on every golfers list this season. Why, you ask? Let me begin my recommendation by dropping some knowledge on you about the ‘ol MBN West course.

Designed by the one and only Mr. Arnold Palmer himself, the first round commenced in 1974 when the golf course first opened its doors to the public. The MBN West course has a slope of 126 and a rating of 72.6. Boasting 18 pine-covered holes that prove to be challenging, yet enjoyable for golfers of any skill level. Also, this Myrtle Beach golf course transitioned from bent grass greens to mini verde greens in July of 2011.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk about the main detail that really matters: Price. The specials and discounts that the Myrtle Beach National West course have provided us with for the 2012 golf season is borderline ridiculous.

Here’s the mouth-watering line-up:

3.) You can receive 20% off of the regular rate for morning and afternoon tee-times.

If you’re only looking to play one or two rounds of golf during your trip to Myrtle Beach, adding MBN West to your agenda would be a smart move.

As of writing this article, AM tee-times are still available, but are filling up quickly. Feel free to call in and speak to one of our golf directors, and we’ll get you setup.

**Keep in mind that the MBN West course does indeed double tee. Please read more about double teeing and what it means for you.

We’ve just been passed a new discount for the TPC of Myrtle Beach golf course and I want to pass it along to my golfers out there! It’s actually a pretty sweet golf deal for Spring 2012 golf rounds and applies to golf in PEAK seasons. The discounted Myrtle Beach golf only tee times on the rate table to the right are per golfer and includes carts, taxes and fees. (The price you see on there is the price you pay per golfer, we don’t tack on any hidden fees.)

The special has two rate periods. The first saves golfers up $17 per golfer on AM rounds from 3/8/12 to 3/21/12 and the second saves golfers up to $30 per golfer on AM rounds from 3/22/2012 to 5/20/2012.

For more information and pictures of the TPC of Myrtle Beach, visit our TPC of Myrtle Beach Page.

Want to book?  Give us a call 800-624-6418 or shoot us an email! Simple as that.

 About TPC of Myrtle Beach Golf Course

Nestled in a beautiful setting near the small community of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, the 18-hole course is the only Grand Strand golf course to be rated as a 5-star course by Golf Digest.

With a unique design planned and executed by the well-known Thomas Fazio intended to convey the feeling of playing on a tour-caliber golf course, TPC is almost 7,000 yards long with a par of 72. Featuring a slope rating of 145, and an overall rating of 74, the sumptuous course opened to golfers in 1999.

Stylistically, the design incorporates typical Southern environmental features like wetland areas and flora such as cat-tail and huge pine trees. Any golfer will enjoy the experience of the TPC of Myrtle Beach course with its exceptionally gorgeous and groomed fairways and greens, all set in the warmly hospitable Southern surroundings that only the Carolinas can offer.

Ole MBGolfPro Hitten' em Straight on TPC golf course

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season to end the 2011 year. Now that we are in a new year, the Myrtle Beach Golf Spring 2012 season is just right around the corner.  With the Spring 2012 golf season comes great golf packages, great golf weather, and great courses to play. While picking your golf courses for your next golf trip. I hope that everyone will take a look at our Top Golf Course Rankings. Like always, voted BY the golfers themselves.

As I predicted at in the Top Golf Rankings November blog, the spring times are filling up fast.  I guess my readers took the advice on “Do Not Sand Bag” your golf trip! Now, on to our December 2011 rankings.

1. TPC of Myrtle Beach – The New #1, the only Myrtle Beach Golf Course with a 5-star ranking from Golf Digest

2. True Blue – Moved to #2 after golfers loved the fall golf season conditions on this Mike Stranz design,

3. Willbrook – debuted in our Top 10 in June 2011, Has not looked back. One of the most MBN courses

4. Caledonia – One of five golf courses that have been voted Top 10 every month. Excellent Golf Course

5. Bald Head Island – Tied with the Dunes Club for Most #1`s in 2011

6.  Thistle – Golfers love the immaculate putting surfaces and conditions at this 27-hole Tim Cate design,

7. Barefoot – Fazio – The Champion Ultra Dwarf has been a big upgrade. Fall Golfers voted and agree.

8. Barefoot – Dye – Hosting “Mike and Mike” from ESPN Radio and the “Monday After the Masters”.

9. Kings North  - Voted into the Top 10 in November. Great course for golfers of all levels. Another most requested course on our MBN packages.

10. Dunes Club – Tied with Bald Head Island for the most #1 votes in 2011.

There you have it the Top Myrtle Beach Golf Course Rankings December 2011. Dont forget that Spring 2012 tee times are going fast.

As Always, Fairways and Greens

@mbgolfpro

Greg Norman likes his waste bunkers! Watch out for this one on hole 7.

The Barefoot Norman Course in North Myrtle Beach underwent a nice renovation this past summer. The greens were switched from Bent grass greens to Champions Ultra Dwarf Bermuda.  With the weather in the high 60`s a week before Christmas (yes, I’m rubbing that in), I had to get out and play to see the work that was done and give it an ole’ MBGolfPro (that’s me) golf course review.

I took the student with me and gave him a rematch in our “Teacher vs Student” golf match. (See the results below.) The Par 72 Norman Course has 5-sets of tees and will challenge any player of any level.  The course measures at just under 5,000 yards from the forward tees and just over 7,000 from the championship tees.

Barefoot Norman – The Front 9

Keeping his own playing philosophy in his design (Greg Norman of course, World Golf Hall of Famer), the “Bump and Run”, he gives  you a chance to make the up and down, on nearly ever hole, even with a green miss. Barefoot Norman course features huge green complexes. The average green size is 6,300 square feet and includes only 60 acres of mow-able grass! Waste bunkers and native grasses line nearly every hole.

Let me explain the “Bump and Run” real quick.  Norman’s  philosophy is to get the ball rolling on the ground without getting it airborne when you are close to the green.  The higher you chip, the likely it is you will lose control or stray “off course,” no pun intended. This of course, is only applicable if you don’t have anything between you and the green.

Hole #9

Finishing out the front is the tough par-5, the 9th hole that can make or break your front nine score.  The 9th hole is lined with bunkers down the left side. To make matters a bit more difficult, wetlands extend the entire length of the hole on the right side of the fairway and cross about 50 yards in front of the green.  If you can avoid the bunkers or wetlands, it gives you a perfect opportunity to lay up around the 100 yard marker. This leaves your third shot into a green that slopes severely right to left.  Making par on the 9th-hole will win you the front nine 60% of the time.

Barefoot Norman – The Back 9

As you approach the 10th tee, you get your first glimpse of the IntraCoastal Waterway. The Barefoot Norman course is the only one of the four courses at Barefoot Resort & Golf that has Waterway views. Not only does this hole have Waterway views, but six of the eight holes after it as well. The par 3, 10th hole is guarded with the waste bunkers and the waterway on the right side. There is a bailout to the left of the green (not visable from the tee, this is where the GPS on the carts comes in) that goes back into the Greg Norman “Bump and Run” philosophy if the green is missed.

Hole #10

Overall the course is one of the more underrated courses on the strand. With the new greens, Barefoot Norman will climb up every ranking category and should be on everyone`s playlist.

Oh, and back to the Teacher vs Student….

The teacher closed out the Student 5 and 3 with a two putt birdie on the Par 5, 15th hole.

FUN FACT:  Greg Norman not only designed this COURSE, but he designed the GRASS for the tees and fairways as well, a hybrid called GN-1, made by Norman’s own turf company.

FUN FACT #2: Not only is this course unique because it’s the only course in Myrtle Beach with the architect’s own grass, but Norman ALSO has his own restaurant here, just across the Waterway from Barefoot Resort. (And hey, we’ve got coupons!)

As always, ”Fairways and Greens” -@MBGOLFPRO

Nick Price

The designer of the private Grande Dunes Members Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina made his 11th career Hole-in-One in the first round of the Franklin Templeton Shootout in Naples, Florida on December 9th. World Golf Hall of Fame Member, Nick Price holed out on the 213 yard Par 3, 12th Hole. Price made the shot with a 4-iron and was his first since 1997.

The Grande Dunes Members Club is a Par 71 Championship design featuring a 27,000 sq ft Italian designed clubhouse, with wide fairways & L-93 bent grass greens.  The Members Club at Grande Dunes measures from 5000 yards on the forward tees to over 7000 yards on the Championship tees.