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Golfers from all over the world, come to play golf in Myrtle Beach and the Fall 2011 golf season is well under way. The weather is great and the courses are ready for the season.
NorthMyrtleBeachGolf.com, Black Bear Golf Club and the Classic Golf Group have teamed up together to offer a good “Ol Fashion Pig Pickin” to golfers. Over the next four weeks, golfers and non-golfers will be invited to enjoy this Myrtle Beach BBQ at Black Bear Golf Course. This event is open to all guest of NorthMyrtleBeachGolf.com and CondoLux, even if they are not playing Black Bear.
There is no cost to the golfers or non-golfers as this is provided FREE of charge. For more information, call our Golf Department at 1-800-624-6418 or call Black Bear Golf Club at 843-756-0550.
WHERE:
Black Bear Golf Club
2850 Hwy 9 West
Longs, SC 29568
Its that time once again for our Monthly Top Myrtle Beach Golf Course Rankings for the month of September 2011. As in previous months, our top rankings blog has been our highest trafficked web page on our site. Again, I will say that these rankings for the courses are very close to my own personal rankings. So lets unveil which courses are in the Top 10.
For the second consecutive month, we have a NEW #1. We also have a new comer to the rankings, with one of my personal favorites dropping out of the Top 10 after being voted to the Top 10 for a month.
1. Bald Head Island – The renovations last year at Bald Head Island have paid off. The Re-design was done by Tim Cate.
2. Caledonia – After being #1 for a month, the Mike Stranz design is still a golfers favorite.
3. Dunes Club – Craig`s personal favorite.
4. Barefoot – Dye Club - Arguably the hardest course on the Grand Strand, but golfers still love the challenge.
5. Pawley`s Plantation – Ranked in the top 5 for the second consecutive month.
6. TPC-Myrtle Beach – This is the only course in Myrtle Beach to ever get 5-stars from Golf Digest.
7. Thistle – The Thistle has jumped into the top after not being at all in August. Some of the best greens on the Strand.
8. Tidewater – With some of the best marsh views on the Strand, also know as the “Pebble Beach of the East Coast”.
9. Willbrook – Craig`s South end favorite, also known as a “Locals Favorite” for its beauty and playability.
10. Pearl – East – Reopened with NEW Mini Verde Greens and amazing views of the Calabash River.
There you have it folks the Top Myrtle Beach Golf Course Rankings for September 2011. Please feel free to leave comments on your favorite courses page and vote for your favorite Myrtle Beach golf courses. You can also follow me on twitter @mbgolfpro and leave comments on our Facebook page.
Until next time … Keep it in the short grass. -MBGolfPro
Caledonia Golf Course took over the #1 golf course spot for August.
Feedback is key when you are picking the best golf courses in Myrtle Beach, SC. Luckily, the easy star ranking system we have implemented on NorthMyrtleBeachGolf.com let’s the golfer rank the course, AND comment on it, providing feedback to all the other golfers out there in need of assistance picking out the best courses.
Like we’ve said in the past, these top golf courses blog posts have been highly trafficked and we’ve been getting lots of good feedback, so we’ll keep ‘em coming! Don’t forget though, if you need extra help picking a golf course for your budget, feel free to give me a call or head over to our Myrtle Beach Golf Course list.
After two consecutive months at the #1 position, the Barefoot Dye course slipped in rankings, with Caledonia sliding up and taking it’s spot.
1. Caledonia - This Mike Strantz design in Pawley’s Island finally rose to the #1 slot.
2. Bald Head Island – Noted for it’s seclusion, only reachable by ferry. Moved up from #3.
3. Dunes Club – Former #1, immaculate condition at the moment, but still couldn’t overcome #1 and #2.
4. Barefoot Dye – Was #1 for two consecutive months. This is hard course to tackle as some votes may show.
5. Pawley’s Plantation – Jack Nichlous design holding it’s own at the #5 position again.
6. TPC of Myrtle Beach – Tom Fazio and Lanny Watkins design still graces us with it’s top 10 presence.
7. Tidewater – This Little River, SC course also considered “best of the beach” with it’s great marsh views.
8. Pearl East – Moved up from #10 and should stay in the top 10 once it re-opens in October with new mini-verde greens.
9. True Blue – The sister course of the new #1 Caledonia (also designed by Mike Strantz)
10. Willbrook Plantation - One of the local favorites for being a great course in Pawley’s Island (and a top 50 in the country for women).
There you have it! Another month of top results at your finger tips. Don’t forget to follow me on twitter at @mbgolfpro or subscribe to this blog’s golf rss feed.
Island Green Golf Club is closing its clubhouse doors for good today. The Bill Mooney design which opened 31-years ago, will be another victim of course closings in the Myrtle Beach area. The golf course originally opened with 27-holes and in 2005 closed 9-holes for redevelopment called Dogwood Estates. The remaining 18-holes measured 6,382-yard par-72 layout that was know as a locals golf club with Mens and Womans Golf weekly golf leagues. The course was not known for Package Play because of the low cost walk in rates.
Island Green is the 21st golf course in Myrtle Beach that has closed since 2005.
The 2,300 acre Barefoot Resort and Golf is looking in Prime Conditions for Myrtle Beach Fall Golf 2011. Barefoot Resort and Golf consist of four of Myrtle Beach`s best golf courses, a 30-acre practice facility, marina, Docksiders Bar & Grill and is all accessible by a historic swing bridge that was built in the 1930`s. After closing and reopening on July 13th, 2011. The Barefoot Fazio course made the conversion from Bent Grass Greens to Champion Ultra Dwarf which is becoming a popular putting surface along the Grand Strand. Not only did the Fazio course but also the Barefoot Norman course received new Champion Ultra Dwarf greens.
Champion Ultra Dwarf allows faster putting surfaces than normal Bermuda grass greens. Champion is excellent warm weather grass and can be found at over 400 golf clubs in the south east. Ultradwarfs have become more popular than Tifdwarf because they produce moreshoots per unit area than Tifdwarf and thus provide a smoother and quicker putting surface.
With the Barefoot Dye Club ranked #1 in our Top 10 Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach for two consecutive months, the Barefoot Love, and upgraded Barefoot Fazio and Norman courses will be a great option for Fall Myrtle Beach Golf. The 3+1 Barefoot package allows you to play one of the four course for Free in the afternoon.
We are starting to receive Myrtle Beach golf package rates and pricing for Spring 2012 from the area golf companies and we want it available to you! We currently have single round course rates posted under The Supreme Golf Package. The Supreme is a “Build Your Own” featuring over 90 courses on the Grand Strand. Plus, we recently updated four of our golf packages with 2012 Myrtle Beach golf rates as well.
Along with The Supreme Package, The Legends Package has quickly become one our of most popular golf packages. All Single Round, Three Round and the Four + 1 FREE Round includes Breakfast, Lunch and 2-draft beers for each golfer. That pays for itself!
The Big Cats Golf Courses have changed their package from Three + 1 to a deep discounted Four Round Rate for 2012. To receive the discounted rates though, you now have to play Tigers Eye or Leopards Chase in the afternoon.
Glens Group will continue their Ultimate Glens Package offering three rounds with a Possum Trot for free AND Free Pre-Booked Replays after 1:30pm.
Also for the Spring 2012 golf season we have brought back our Super Savers Golf Package, which is our low cost budget golf package.
Let’s not forget about the Barefoot golf course 2012 rates we just published as well, featuring courses from the top dogs like Fazio, Norman, Love, and Dye. And finally, the Grand Slam golf package, the one that combines a couple Barefoot courses with Caledonia or True Blue, a package for the serious golfers only!
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NorthMyrtleBeachGolf.com, your #1 source for the best in Myrtle Beach golf.
Bald Head Island in North Carolina is one of the top 10 golf courses this month.
Since I started publishing a monthly article of the “Top 10 Myrtle Beach Golf Courses” five months ago, it has quickly become one of our most read blog topics! My June article had the most visits and the most votes for the courses. The feedback that I get from Twitter (Follow Me @mbgolfpro) and our Facebook Page NorthMyrtleBeachGolf has been great.
I have also been asked to write a monthly article and rank every golf course on the Grand Strand. While that is something that will be done down the line, the Top 10 is great, because these are very close to my own personal rankings.
Barefoot Fazio was knocked out this month but I do expect them back after the new green switch from Bent Grass to Mini Verde. Tidewater Golf Plantation is also welcomed back in the Top 10.
1. Barefoot Dye – #1 for two consecutive months after knocking off the World Famous Dunes Club.
2. Caledonia - #2 for two consecutive months.
3. Bald Head Island - #3 for two consecutive months.
4. Dunes Club – Up one spot from June.
5. Pawleys Plantation – Down one spot from #4.
6. TPC of Myrtle Beach – Up one spot from #7.
7. Tidewater – Back in the Top 10.
8. Willbrook – Up one spot from #9 after making its debut last month.
9. Thistle - Dropped three spots from #6 after its debut in the Top 10 last month.
As of recently, Tidewater golf course has been making moves to the top of our Top 10 Ranked Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach list, and is currently ranked #8. I recently had the opportunity to play 18 holes at Tidewater Golf Club & Plantation, which is quietly tucked away in beautiful North Myrtle Beach, SC. Upon first arrival to the Tidewater community, you’re immediately greeted by the friendly people at the guard gate that provide you with entrance authorization and a parking pass. Along the your short drive to the clubhouse, you’ll appreciate the forest-like landscape of this community that is extremely well-kept, as well as the gorgeous homes and condos that are encompassed within.
As you approach the very first tee, passing the driving range and practice putting green area, you’ll immediately understand what Tidewater golf course is truly about. Boasting mostly narrow fairways with tattered sand bunkers,fast greens that are closely guarded by sand traps; this course can definitely prove to be a challenging one, but not so difficult that it will leave the average golfer throwing clubs and ready to swear off the game of golf for life. I believe this is one of the many reasons that people choose Tidewater as one of the top 10 golf courses in the Grand Strand.
The most memorable hole on this golf course for me was #12. This happens to be Tidewater’s signature hole, and upon my approach I immediately realized why. Hole #12 is an intimidating 149yd par 3 (from the whites), strategically surrounded almost entirely by sand on the front and right side of the green. Your eyes will definitely trick you on this hole, leading you to believe it is really closer than it is. With the wind coming off of the ocean, you definitely need to analyze how you want to make your approach. I couldn’t help but to be captivated by the stunning views of the low-country marsh and gorgeous homes located directly across the way. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself forgetting completely about the game of golf, and simply spending a few minutes admiring the view. This is truly what golf in South Carolina is all about.
All-in-all, Tidewater golf course is one my absolute favorites of the Grand Strand. It’s kept in immaculate condition, it can challenge highly-skilled golfers, and accommodate the average golfer as well. In my opinion, this is an absolute must play for anybody looking to golf in Myrtle Beach or the North Myrtle Beach area. Although it is one of the more higher-priced golf courses in the area, it is undoubtedly worth it.
BONUS TIPS:
1) Don’t forget your camera: You’ll want to capture the amazing views of the ocean and marsh. Have your camera/phone ready, you don’t want to hold up the group behind you!
2) Bring your own water: Tidewater golf course doesn’t have water-filled coolers. Although, the rangers/beverage cart will occasionally make it’s way to you and offer water, I found it easier to bring my own. The golf carts are equipped with coolers.
3) Pay attention to the screen on the golf cart: Each golf cart is equipped with a digital scorecard and gps. It will provide you with hole details, ability to keep score, weather updates, request a new cart, and order food for the turn.
4) Bring extra golf balls: If you’re an average golfer, Tidewater can eat through your golf ball stash pretty quickly if you’re having an off day.
I had the opportunity to play the Legends Parkland golf course on July 13th, 2011 with the Grand Strand Golf Directors. The Legends Parkland course is one of three golf courses at The Legends Golf Resort, located on Highway 501, west of Myrtle Beach. This Tom Doak design was the third course at the resort opened in 1992, the second ever design for Doak, and his only design in Myrtle Beach, SC.
The clubhouse is located approximately two miles back from the main entrance to the course. You might start to wonder when you will arrive at its doorstep, but as soon as you turn the corner a couple miles in, you get the chill of this Scottish castle-themed 42,000 sq. ft clubhouse inviting you and your group to start your journey. It features a pro shop, full service restaurant and snack bar, an impressive 36-acre practice facility and a 1-acre lighted putting green. The Legends Golf Resort also features the Alisa Pub, which has been named by Golf Digest “Top 50 19th Holes“.
The Legends Parkland golf course is no “walk in the park” by any means; being the longest of the three courses. To make things even more interesting, the day we played was the hottest day of the year. Not even a heat index of 117 couldn’t stop us from playing though. However, it did make the course feel like it had another 1,000 yards to the track.
The Legends Parkland course features big rolling fairways and huge (and fast) Tif Eagle Bermuda greens, both of which were extremely well-guarded with bunkers. We also noticed there was a nice natural feel to the course, with wetlands and water dotting the holes (17 of the holes actually).
The hole that stuck out the most for us was #11. Not only because I remembered this was the hole that Kevin Costner (Roy “TinCup” McAvoy) was ORIGINALLY supposed to use during this pivotal scene in the movie Tin Cup, but the hole itself had a nice overall feel. The tee shot over the marsh must be made precisely in order to avoid the bunkers and hit the fairway. From there, you can either try and GO FOR IT to the green or lay up before the water. I went for it. I might not have made the green, I did make it over the water. With a poor chip and a two-putt, I ending up making the par 5.
Over all, this golf director would recommend Parkland and would welcome the invitation to play again. The course was in excellent condition from tee to green, the staff was as friendly as the next guys’, and the clubhouse was nothing short of jaw-dropping. I left there a happy (and dehydrated) golfer with my par on #11 that beat “Tin Cup’s” 12.
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You can play the Legends Parkland course as part of our Legends Golf package, which includes breakfast, lunch and two free drinks at the clubhouse. Feel free to hit me up on twitter at @mbgolfpro.
A few Myrtle Beach area golf directors and area club professionals were invited to play The Long Bay Club (one of Myrtle Beach National’s gems) on July 7th and I must say, I was very impressed. After a short drive to the Northern End of the Grand Strand, I found myself being welcomed by a Rocky Balboa styled statue of Long Bay Club course architect Jack Nicklaus at the entrance of the clubhouse. (Quick hint, as you travel through the Long Bay community to the clubhouse, pay close attention on your left where you can sneak a peek at the pin placement of one of Myrtle Beach’s most visually challenging par 3′s, hole number #13, which exhibits an island green.)
Powering down a quick lunch at the full-service restaurant we headed over to the practice facility. Hands-down, it is one of the nicest and well-groomed practice facilities in the area. (This explains why many LPGA, Nationwide, and Hooters tour players practice here.) It also sports a target-laced driving range, and a chipping and practice green with Champion Ultra-Dwarf Bermuda grass. From the practice green to the 18th hole, the greens were in tip-top shape, even considering the lack of rainfall the Myrtle Beach area has had this summer.
We immediately noticed (like all Nicklaus designs) the course was open off-the-tee, but still had a barrage of waste bunkers and well-bunkered greens. If you want to challenge yourself you can always play this course from the Champion Black Tees at a shade over 7000 yards, or choose from one of the other 4 sets, including the Forward Tees, at just under 5000 yards. After making your way through some risk reward holes on the front side, do not lose focus, because you face a beautiful but tough hole to start the back nine. Long Bay Club’s signature hole #10, a short par, can easily get you in trouble if you are too close to the green. It’s best to play defensively and hit your ball just before the end of the fairway to leave you 100 or less yards into the green. (You will find this is true for other holes as well, like #3, #6, and #14. ) Also, an investment in a yardage book will quickly play for itself if you are a 1st timer on at this course, not to mention you will have the upper hand to win a skin off your buddies.
The Long Bay Club, located in Longs, South Carolina, is one of Myrtle Beach’s nicest, and if you don’t take my word for it; try it yourself this fall for as low as $32 per golf if you are an early bird.
NorthMyrtleBeachGolf.com offers the most competitive rates on all of our Myrtle Beach golf packages, but with over 100 courses, which should you play? Craig Chinn, golf director, has the answer! For the best in Myrtle Beach golf and the rest of the Grand Strand, give Craig a call for the perfect golf package!
Helpful Info
Golf Course Architects
The Masterminds behind the Myrtle Beach golf courses you know and love
Golf Course Grass Types
Short came lacking? Blame it on the grass! Learn about the different types in the Myrtle Beach area.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of NorthMyrtleBeachGolf.com or Condolux Vacation Rentals.
