Myrtle Beach golf family trip

[Timbo Slice]

Going to Myrtle Beach for first time from Michigan beginning of May with family.  I will probably be golfing 1 or 2 courses.  I really thought there would be a course with great ocean views other than Ocean course at Kiawah but it doesn't look like it.  We will be on north end so Kiawah and Sea Pine courses not being considered. The only ones I'm really considering are Thistle, Caledonia, and Dunes.  I really just want fun great scenery golf, any recommendations?

[golfgoob]

Rivers Edge is a great course.

[alaaro]

I second River's Edge - little north of Myrtle, but worth it. The Dunes Club is good too, with some good scenery near the ocean. Caledonia is great too. Dye Club at Barefoot is a good one also. Tough course, but a great design. 

[Timbo Slice]

Thanks, I never heard of Rivers edge and after looking at the photos it looks great

[sheppy335]

Of the ones you listed i would go this route

 

1. Dunes

2. Caledonia

3. Thistle

 

Top 2 are Great!

[NixLix26]

Also not far from NMB in Little River is Tidewater.  nice course with water views and in play along the water.

Tidewater

Glen Dornoch

Long drive from the North end, But Pawleys Plantation is beautiful 

[J13]

Glen Dornoch is a great one in the North of Myrtle and runs along the intercoastal waterway.

[Timbo Slice]

Glen Dornoch looks great!! How would you rank Glen Dornoch, Caledonia, Dunes, Tidewater, Rivers Edge?

[JRSc]

3 hours ago, Timbo Slice said:

Glen Dornoch looks great!! How would you rank Glen Dornoch, Caledonia, Dunes, Tidewater, Rivers Edge?

Course quality:

Dunes

Caledonia

Tidewater

Rivers Edge ( never played it)

Glen Dornoch

 

Scenery:

Caledonia, Tidewater, Dunes Club, RE, GD

 

The Dunes Club is the best course in MB.

 

[ArtMBgolf]

6 hours ago, Timbo Slice said:

Glen Dornoch looks great!! How would you rank Glen Dornoch, Caledonia, Dunes, Tidewater, Rivers Edge?

JRSC gave you a good ranking.  
 
Thistle is a nice course, but doesn't have any scenery.   
 
The Dunes - You can see the ocean on #9 + #10, but it's not in play. 
                      You can also see it from the guest grill.   
 
Caledonia - Has only a little marsh view, but is a very attractive course.   
  

Tidewater - Has a number of holes on the waterway and marshes, which are
                     in play. 

 

Rivers Edge - Has in play marsh views. 
 

Glen Dornoch - Has marsh + the waterway in play. 

 

 

[krtgolfing]

1a/1B. Dunes and Caledonia are the best courses in Myrtle Beach. Scenery for Dunes is a bit better probably. Only really have marsh in play on one hole at Caledonia. You have marsh in play for 2-3 holes at the Dunes. I can't pick which course would be better between the 2

 

2.Tidewater and Glen Dornoch are very another solid courses. Has march in play on a good bit of holes. I prefer Tidewater over Glen Dornoch.

 

3.Rivers edge I was not a fan of. Has marsh in play probably the most of the courses listed.

[SecondandGoal]

I'd disagree re: scenery. You may not be seeing the ocean, or much of the marsh, but Caledonia is one of the most beautiful courses you'll ever play. From the driveway to every hole on the course, the Spanish moss everywhere adds such an element of beauty to the course it's ridiculous. 

 

One that nobody has mentioned is Oyster Bay, just over the line into NC. Absolutely gorgeous course, lots of river/marsh views, and a LOT cheaper than Caledonia, Dunes, or Tidewater.

[J13]

I'm heading down to Myrtle in a few months and will be playing Caledonia and True Blue for the first time.  Can't wait.  I've played about 40 courses down there but never those two. Up until now Glen Dornoch is one of my favorites.  Barefoot has some nice courses as is Grand Dunes although it can be a BEAR to play if the wind is up.

[NixLix26]

I had a membership to Caledonia and True Blue.  After playing them for a full year, it is hard to want to play anywhere else.  I love both tracks, and the condition of the courses is always great.  Play 36 both days if you can.  These courses get better and are more fun to play with knowledge of knowing the layout.   Lots of little run outs and hidden angles.  Greens have many peaks and valleys

[Timbo Slice]

Thanks everyone, I think I will probably try for Dunes and Caledonia or Dunes and whatever tee time slot works best when booking.  It looks like I won't be disappointed with any of them.

[J13]

21 hours ago, Timbo Slice said:

Thanks everyone, I think I will probably try for Dunes and Caledonia or Dunes and whatever tee time slot works best when booking.  It looks like I won't be disappointed with any of them.

Golf in warm weather.  You can't lose even if it's mini putt golf 

[ArtMBgolf]

On 2/2/2021 at 3:16 PM, Timbo Slice said:

Thanks everyone, I think I will probably try for Dunes and Caledonia or Dunes and whatever tee time slot works best when booking.  It looks like I won't be disappointed with any of them.

Keep in mind alternates, because The Dunes doesn't have a lot of public tee times 
and usually requires booking through a golf packager, like Golf Trek, etc.  
   

Early May still has peak season golf rates, so The Dunes and Cal up around $200.  
 
Courses like Oyster Bay + Rivers Edge are half the cost, but not maintained as well.     

[golfday]

On 2/2/2021 at 10:23 AM, SecondandGoal said:

I'd disagree re: scenery. You may not be seeing the ocean, or much of the marsh, but Caledonia is one of the most beautiful courses you'll ever play. From the driveway to every hole on the course, the Spanish moss everywhere adds such an element of beauty to the course it's ridiculous. 

 

One that nobody has mentioned is Oyster Bay, just over the line into NC. Absolutely gorgeous course, lots of river/marsh views, and a LOT cheaper than Caledonia, Dunes, or Tidewater.

Oyster Bay is fun and scenic, but the last time couple of times I was there it had really gone down hill maintenance wise. Most recently that was in about May last year. Unfortunately the big cat courses were all slipping too, and those used to be so nice.
 

If you’ve been more recently, was Oyster ok?

 

Rivers Edge, Thistle, and Crow Creek were all doing well though. 
 

Sandpiper was very average as always, but good value if you just want to get out to play since it’s so much cheaper than everything else around.

[PeteNC]

On 1/29/2021 at 8:21 PM, Timbo Slice said:

Going to Myrtle Beach for first time from Michigan beginning of May with family.  I will probably be golfing 1 or 2 courses.  I really thought there would be a course with great ocean views other than Ocean course at Kiawah but it doesn't look like it.  We will be on north end so Kiawah and Sea Pine courses not being considered. The only ones I'm really considering are Thistle, Caledonia, and Dunes.  I really just want fun great scenery golf, any recommendations?

 

 

If driving time is any concern I would stay on the north side of Myrtle.  probably 45-75min to Caledonia(which is great) from North Myrtle.

[SecondandGoal]

On 2/9/2021 at 9:05 PM, golfday said:

Oyster Bay is fun and scenic, but the last time couple of times I was there it had really gone down hill maintenance wise. Most recently that was in about May last year. Unfortunately the big cat courses were all slipping too, and those used to be so nice.
 

If you’ve been more recently, was Oyster ok?

 

Rivers Edge, Thistle, and Crow Creek were all doing well though. 
 

Sandpiper was very average as always, but good value if you just want to get out to play since it’s so much cheaper than everything else around.

 

I played Oyster in the fall, conditions were superb. You're not the only person I've heard talk about poor conditions prior to that, but I guess they made some changes in management over the summer, and got a nice boost to the maintenance budget, and that's when conditions started to improve.

[golfday]

2 hours ago, SecondandGoal said:

 

I played Oyster in the fall, conditions were superb. You're not the only person I've heard talk about poor conditions prior to that, but I guess they made some changes in management over the summer, and got a nice boost to the maintenance budget, and that's when conditions started to improve.

 

Great to hear! Thanks for the reply.

 

Guess I just had bad timing last year, sounds like I went right before the new group took over. I'll go back when I'm down there in the spring. 

 

Any chance you've played the Sea Trail courses recently? I haven't been to those in 10+ years, I'm curious if they're worth a shot.

 

[SecondandGoal]

2 hours ago, golfday said:

 

Great to hear! Thanks for the reply.

 

Guess I just had bad timing last year, sounds like I went right before the new group took over. I'll go back when I'm down there in the spring. 

 

Any chance you've played the Sea Trail courses recently? I haven't been to those in 10+ years, I'm curious if they're worth a shot.

 

 

I haven't played the Sea Trail courses, and I haven't heard anyone talking about them recently. Which probably tells you something.

[ArtMBgolf]

I haven't seen the Oyster Bay improvements myself, but I know they got a 
new Super about 1.5 years ago.   It's the same Legends Management.  
Due to a lot of trees shading the grass, it seems to be better in the summer
and fall, from reports I hear.   
  
Sea Trail conditions are inconsistant. 
Farmstead, Meadowlands, Crow Creek, Pearl are better options nearby. 
Thistle is very good, but higher priced.      

[Timbo Slice]

I just booked the trip in May and decided on Caledonia and MBN Kings North.  Dunes was too expensive to pair up with Caledonia and not the greatest tee time offerings.  The king's north is much cheaper and looks like a fun course and they will let my son play for free!! Thanks for all the help.

[ArtMBgolf]

Those are good choices.   
 
Note Cal does not have a range, just a chip and putt area.  
You can stop at their sister course True Blue, if you want to hit balls. 

[Timbo Slice]

10 hours ago, ArtMBgolf said:

Those are good choices.   
 
Note Cal does not have a range, just a chip and putt area.  
You can stop at their sister course True Blue, if you want to hit balls. 

Oh okay, I will definitely do that.  Great tip

[SecondandGoal]

On 2/13/2021 at 12:27 AM, ArtMBgolf said:

I haven't seen the Oyster Bay improvements myself, but I know they got a 
new Super about 1.5 years ago.   It's the same Legends Management.  
Due to a lot of trees shading the grass, it seems to be better in the summer
and fall, from reports I hear.   
  
Sea Trail conditions are inconsistant. 
Farmstead, Meadowlands, Crow Creek, Pearl are better options nearby. 
Thistle is very good, but higher priced.      

 

Art, you'd probably know better than me, but it's my understanding that Legends had some turnover or shuffling around in their upper management, and the new guys decided to increase the maintenance budget for some of the courses, Oyster Bay being one. Something I heard while playing with someone who seemed to have inside knowledge.

[ArtMBgolf]

On 2/15/2021 at 9:59 AM, SecondandGoal said:

 

Art, you'd probably know better than me, but it's my understanding that Legends had some turnover or shuffling around in their upper management, and the new guys decided to increase the maintenance budget for some of the courses, Oyster Bay being one. Something I heard while playing with someone who seemed to have inside knowledge.

 
All I heard about Oyster Bay was that the previous Super was not doing things 
that were supposed to be done and they hired a new Super.  I guess he would need 
more maint $ to catch up.   The other Legends courses don't get compaints about 
conditions, but a bigger budget always helps.     

[pktaske]

Was down there last week and played The Pearl, Glen Dornach, Thistle and Rivers Edge. Given the time of year, all were between 40-60 bucks a round.

 

I did not wait at any hole at any course and I played as a single twice.

 

The Pearl was ok. They shifted the holes on West (?) so it was tough to track yardage on my watch. Bermuda was just barely coming in so outside the fairways were mostly brown but still had very good lies. Fairways a bit beat up but ok on the whole. Great staff.

 

GD was by far my favorite. Just a lot of interesting and challenging holes. Water. Wildlife. Back 9 was highlight, last 3 holes especially. I played 18 from the tips just because it was what it was. Greens ran faster tha other 3. Great staff.

 

Thistle was pristine...and windy! Again, Bermuda but the fairways were like a picture. To me, lots of holes looked the same but that might be said of many links courses. Greens ran slow starting out.  Great staff. Had a 15 min conversation with the cart lady on 16 who was just a super nice person. Gave me a lot of the lowdown on what things were like for them the past year down there.

 

Rivers Edge was my least favorite but saying that, there were a few notable holes (for some reason I destroyed every par 3 but was in the tank on the par 5s). Some areas are hurting (but it's still winter golf and they've had a ton of rain). Hole 18 though looked like a pga tour hole. Staff? Eh. Clubhouse guys were having a convo and it seemed like I was interrupting them. Also on 3 straight holes there were 2 maintenance guys fixing the greens ahead of me and didn't signal for me to play through until they finally figured they had to. There was literally no one in front of me or behind me for 4 holes.

Edited March 11, 2021 by pktaske

[dukebasketball717]

Tidewater, Rivers Edge and Glen Dornoch in the North. Oyster Bay used to be good, but the last two times I played it was scratchy.  
 

South - Pawleys Plantation has nice water views.