8 of the Best Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach, The Golf Capital of The World
The golf scene at Myrtle Beach is one of the best in America. This perennial South Carolina vacation destination has some of the best, unique, and most challenging golf courses in the United States. It has rightfully earned the title of the Golf Capital of the World.
“Golf is in our DNA. We do more than three million rounds here annually and are a year-round golf destination. There’s no other location in the world that has more golf courses per capita. Our history, the amount of golf played here, and the number of courses are what has earned Myrtle Beach the title of Golf Capital of the World,” explains Kyle Oland, Director of Marketing at Golf Tourism Solutions in Myrtle Beach.
How This List Was Made
There are so many Myrtle Beach golf courses in the area that it can get overwhelming to choose which to play. As a D1 collegiate golfer, I’ve played nearly 75 courses in my life. This list includes my picks of the best Myrtle Beach golf courses.
Each course was picked for a design with the landscape in mind, technical challenges, and stunning views. From light courses that are inexpensive and fun to enjoy to more demanding tracks that will test even the best players, there’s sure to be something on this list for you.
Myrtle Beach National
Offering up three spectacular courses, Myrtle Beach National has something for everyone to enjoy. The Kings North course features some of the most beautiful and picturesque holes you’ll ever encounter.
With tons of water present on the golf course, you’ll find yourself surprised by how often you need to play accurate shots on this course. One of the feature holes to watch out for is the final hole #18, with over forty bunkers to escort you to the finish line.
South Creek at Myrtle Beach National is the shortest of the three courses but requires tons of accuracy off the tee. Also, it is no walk in the park by any means. Arnold Palmer specifically designed this golf course to get you thinking on every shot and reward imaginative play.
Finally, rated 4.5 stars on Golf Digest’s “Places to Play” guide in 2010, the West Course is located in the middle of a Carolina pine forest and gives golfers an intense connection to nature. It offers golfers an authentic natural golf experience with no on-site housing.
Myrtlewood Golf Club
In the very heart of Myrtle Beach, Myrtlewood Golf Club has long been one of the area’s favorite golf facilities. Its recent renovation has elevated that status even further.
Set along the beautiful intercostal waterway, Myrtlewood cleverly uses the water to its advantage to create a truly modern golf experience. With a traditional design featuring gently sloping fairways, hazards, and bunkers, Myrtlewood’s Palmetto course consistently rates as one of the top repeat-play courses in the area.
Barefoot – Love Golf Course
For those that don’t know, Davis Love III is a Carolina native who has won over 20 events on the PGA Tour. In his latest design at Barefoot, he embraces the Lowcountry character and creates a golf course unlike any other in the surrounding area.
The Love course has open fairways and generous landing areas to provide a delightful round of golf. However, just because it’s an excellent course doesn’t mean it isn’t visually striking. Incorporating the ruins of an old plantation home at the Love Course at Barefoot, you’ll find some holes that remind you of the famous Pinehurst #2, which has hosted more golf championships than any other golf course.
The Love course is par 72 and over 7000 yards long. It provides a challenge for the good player yet is playable for the average player, making it a great place to visit with friends and have a good time.
Eagle Nest Golf Club
Eagle Nest Golf Club is what you would expect from a top-tier South Carolina resort golf course with gently rolling terrain, tall pines lining up the fairways, and cypress trees growing out of the ponds.
Publicly opened in 1971, Eagle Nested has hosted hundreds of thousands of golfers since then. It is home to a friendly staff, a well-stocked pro shop, and a full-service snack bar. No wonder it was voted the best golf course by the Myrtle Beach Golf Course Owners Association.
Eagle Nest starts easy but saves its best holes for last. Golfers will enjoy a peaceful round of golf before encountering what many deem to be the most challenging three finishing holes in South Carolina. Be mentally prepared for the finale if you’re to visit Eagle Nest.
Pine Lakes Country Club
Founded in 1927, Pine Lakes is one of those classic Myrtle Beach golf courses. Nestled right in the heart of South Carolina, Pine Lakes symbolizes the tradition and history of South Carolina golf. Robert White initially designed Pine Lakes. Robert was also the first president of the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA).
After a lengthy restoration, Pine Lakes has finally surpassed its initial glory and offers golfers a round they’re unlikely to ever forget. When playing Pine Lakes, the first words that come to your mind are “graceful” and “elegant,” which is likely how you’ll forever remember the course.
Tidewater Golf Club
Located right in between the Intracoastal Waterway and Cherry Grove Inlet, Tidewater Golf Club is a course that delivers unparalleled beauty and enjoyment for all those that play it. So it’s no surprise that it has been ranked as a top 100 public golf course in America.
With nine holes that play right alongside the water, Tidewater is a course that will have you thinking about it long after you’ve finished your round. Sitting high on a peninsula overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Tidewater was designed to host either a national championship or a Ryder Cup-like event.
Its classic design makes Tidewater a fantastic golf course for traditional golfers who take time to think about their next shots and practice effective course management. While Tidewater is beautiful, it’s not the prettiness that makes it unique. Tidewater is known around the community for having some of the best staff and customer service in the area, making the golfing experience delightful.
TPC Myrtle Beach
Designed by ruthless course architect Tom Fazio, TPC Myrtle Beach is right in the environmentally protected Lowcountry marshland. Here you’ll find tons of red oaks and towering pines that will make you feel like you’ve stepped foot on a golf course designed for a giant. Also, expect to see lots of wildlife, including potential turkey, fox, deer, and alligators that will wander around the course.
TPC Myrtle Beach has earned many awards throughout its lifetime, and for a good reason. There are tons of elevation changes that will keep you thinking. The course has putting greens that slope so much you need to read everything twice. The golf course also has tour-level bunkers that will trip up even the most seasoned players.
If you decide to visit TPC Myrtle Beach, expect to use every golf club in your bag and have your game challenged to the fullest.
Thistle Golf Club
Featuring 27 beautiful holes, Thistle Golf Club has the same name as an iconic golf course that used to exist in the home of golf: Scotland.
Sadly, the original golf course is no more. But the current Thistle Golf Club located in South Carolina is based on the one in Scotland and offers players a unique golfing experience that they’re unlikely to find anywhere else in the state. For starters, the clubhouse is uniquely Scottish and was designed to mimic that of a golf club that had grown over the years starting in 1800.
Here, you’ll experience the finest country golf, with an idyllic nature preserve, tons of wildflowers, wetlands, and scarce wildlife.
Expert Tips for Planning a Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation
If you’re traveling to town to play Myrtle Beach golf courses you should take a serious look at a golf package, especially if you’re not too specific about where you want to play. Rolling up to Myrtle Beach golf courses without a plan and then paying the standard green fees is a surefire way to pay more than double what you need for golf.
If you’re not a fan of slow golf, consider playing at private courses affiliated with hotels. These often offer stay-and-play packages, and you could save money with their bundle packages.
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