Myrtle Beach boasts a long and storied golf history – Pine Lakes Country Club opened in 1927 as the area’s first course . Today this 60-mile “Grand Strand” region is truly the “Golf Capital of the World,” with 90+ courses ranging from championship layouts to family-friendly par-3 and even mini-golf venues . Dozens of Myrtle Beach layouts rank among “the best golf courses in South Carolina” . For example, the classic
Robert Trent Jones–designed Dunes Golf & Beach Club has hosted top professional events , and Caledonia Golf & Fish Club (Pawleys Island) is lauded for its beauty . Warm year-round weather and mild winters mean a golfing season that peaks in spring and fall.
- 90+ world-class courses: Myrtle Beach’s sheer variety – over 90 courses on the Grand Strand – offers everything from links and parkland designs to resort courses and short-course fun.
- Top rankings: GolfWeek notes Myrtle Beach has “11 of the Best Courses You Can Play in South Carolina,” including multiple Golf Digest top‐100 sites (like Dunes and Caledonia).
- Easy access: The new One flight Myrtle Beach Classic (a PGA TOUR event) debuts in 2024 at Dunes GC , adding to a history of hosting high‐profile tournaments (see Tournaments below).
- Buddy trips and social golf: Myrtle Beach is ranked as “America’s Favorite Buddies Trip Destination,” reflecting its appeal to groups of all ages and skill levels
Golf for Every Level: Amateurs, Families, Seniors
Myrtle Beach caters to golfers of all abilities. There’s no intimidation here – “you will feel accepted and welcomed on every course,” and no club demands a minimum handicap . Gentle layouts and extra tee options make it easy for beginners and high handicappers to enjoy championship courses. For example, the West Course at Myrtle Beach National and Meadowlands Golf Club feature wide fairways and minimal forced carries, making them ideal starter courses . Resorts like Myrtlewood’s PineHills and Palmetto Dunes’ Magnolia are similarly forgiving for new players. Local pro instructors offer clinics and lessons for all ages and levels.
Family and junior golf: Myrtle Beach is famously “Mini Golf Capital of the World,” with 50+ themed courses along the Strand – great fun off the links. On the courses themselves, the Kids Play Free program (June–August) gives children 16 and under free golf when playing with an adult . Many resorts and courses offer family packages, tee-time specials, and junior clinics. Topgolf Myrtle Beach also provides indoor instruction and a five-day summer academy for kids.
- Beginner-friendly layouts: Wide fairways and large greens on courses like Beachwood, Crown Park, Litchfield CC and the West/South courses at Myrtle Beach National make learning less stressful.
- Inclusive atmosphere: No course in Myrtle Beach requires a strict handicap – the focus is on fun. (In fact, in the 2024 World Amateur Championship field, the oldest player was 91 and the youngest was 17!)
Senior golfers: Myrtle Beach is great for veteran players too. Mild winters and off-peak rates let seniors enjoy golf year-round. Many courses offer senior rate discounts and ample tee-time availability. (In the World Am above, 94% of participants came from outside the region, including many senior amateurs.) Clubs often run “senior tees” or 14-hole sessions. Golfers looking for a leisurely pace can find gentler layouts or choose weekday mornings.
Top Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach’s 90+ courses include private clubs, resort courses, and semi-private gems.
Here are highlights:
- Classic Private Courses: The Dunes Golf & Beach Club (Myrtle Beach) is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design (1948) and a historic venue that hosted PGA and LPGA champions . Tidewater Golf Club (N. Myrtle Beach) is also Robert Trent Jones Sr. – highly decorated with awards year after year . Pine Lakes Country Club (Myrtle Beach’s “Granddaddy” first course) dates to 1927 . Other private/semi-private favorites include Prestwick, Pawleys Plantation (Pete Dye design), and Caledonia (public but exclusive-feeling).
- Resort and Public Courses: Barefoot Resort & Golf (North Myrtle Beach) features four course designs by Hall of Famers Norman, Love, Fazio, and Dye . TPC Myrtle Beach (Murrells Inlet) is a top-rated resort course (5 stars in Golf Digest’s “Places to Play”) . Grande Dunes Resort (Myrtle Beach) boasts the award-winning Resort Course (host site of the 2014 PGA Professional National Championship). Legends Resort (Grand Strand) offers five diverse courses (including the famous King’s North Par‐6) and even includes meals with golf rounds . Sea Trail’s Witch and Snake courses (NC, just north of MB) and True Blue Golf Club (Pawleys Island, Callaway design) are also public favorites.
- Founders Group Collection: Over 20 premier courses (Pine Lakes, King’s North, Prestwick, etc.) are managed by Founders Group International . These clubs often have stay-and-play packages or reciprocal tee deals.
Major Golf Tournaments in Myrtle Beach
- ONE flight Myrtle Beach Classic (PGA Tour): In 2024 Myrtle Beach debuted its own PGA Tour event– the Myrtle Beach Classic – played at Dunes Golf & Beach Club. Sportfive noted it is “the latest professional golf tournament” there . This annual spring event (May 2025 and beyond) will bring top pros to the Beach.
- World Amateur Championship: Every August, Myrtle Beach hosts the “World Am” – the world’s largest amateur event . It attracts ~3,000 golfers from dozens of countries. Participants play four rounds on different award-winning courses (Caledonia, Tidewater, TPC MB, Barefoot, etc.) over four days, then compete in a playoff. Flights are grouped by age and skill, so amateurs of all levels can compete against peers.
- Other Events: Myrtle Beach has hosted LPGA/KPGA events in the past, and the local Grand Strand Legends (senior LPGA tour) often play pro‐am charity events. Nearby, the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic is held in Hilton Head, but many players and fans stay in Myrtle Beach.
Travel Tips for International Visitors
- Flights: Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) offers 50+ nonstop routes by about ten airlines. It’s conveniently on the south end of Myrtle Beach, only about 1 mile from the ocean. International travelers will typically connect through major US hubs (e.g. Charlotte, Atlanta, New York) before flying into MYR. (For large groups or more options, consider flying to Charleston, SC or Charlotte, then renting a car.)
- Entry Requirements: Visitors from many countries can use the US Visa Waiver/ESTA program. Make sure your passport is valid and check visa requirements well before travel.
Where to Stay: Myrtle Beach has lodging to fit every budget: luxury resorts, beachfront hotels, golf- course villas, condos and vacation rentals. Companies like Condo-World and MBGolf.com bundle oceanfront condos or golf villas with tee times. Many resorts (e.g. Dunes Village, Marriott Grand Dunes, Seawatch, Avista) are golfer-friendly and offer shuttle service to nearby courses. Popular areas include the beachfront hotels on Ocean Boulevard and golf-course resorts near the bayside communities.
- Transportation: Renting a car is the most flexible way to get around the Grand Strand (courses can be up to 40 miles apart). Taxis and rideshares (Uber/Lyft) are available everywhere. Myrtle Beach Intl has rental car counters on-site . There is also a local bus (Coast RTA) route that stops at the airport and runs along the Strand . Many hotels offer free shuttles to the airport, and some golf resorts provide shuttle service from major hotels.
- Miscellaneous: South Carolina uses USD; golf carts are common near courses (some resorts even allow bicycles/carts in communities). English is spoken everywhere. Tipping (15–20%) is customary at restaurants and for bell staff. Expect warm, humid summers and mild winters – rain is possible year-round, so pack an umbrella or rain gear just in case.
Top Golf Schools, Academies, and Clinics
Myrtle Beach is also a golf-training capital. Dustin Johnson Golf School at TPC Myrtle Beach features top instructor Allen Terrell (Golf Magazine Top-100 instructor, Golf Digest “Best in State”). Terrell coaches all levels and has worked with pros like Dustin Johnson himself. Classic Swing Golf School (Legends Resort) has been named one of Golf Magazine’s Top 25 Golf Schools in America . It offers full-day school packages with PGA instructors and on-site accommodations.
Other respected academies include Steve Dresser Golf Academy at True Blue Golf Club and The Coastal Golf Academy (Pawleys Island). For casual lessons, Topgolf Myrtle Beach provides indoor bays with certified coaches and technology, as well as junior camps and a five-day summer academy for kids . Almost every golf course has a PGA Professional on staff offering private and group lessons.
Myrtle Beach Golf Packages & Stay-and-Play Deals
Myrtle Beach practically invented the golf package . Today, many companies and courses bundle lodging, green fees, and extras into value deals. For example, Condo-World offers customized packages with 3–7 nights in oceanfront condos and rounds at courses of your choice . MBGolf.com advertises theme packages like the Barefoot Experience (e.g. three nights plus four rounds at Barefoot’s four courses) or the Legends & Founders package (rounds on Legends’ 5 courses and Pine Lakes/King’s North).
Early-booking specials and online-only rates are common. Packages often include perks like free replays (same-day tee times) and resort credits. Be sure to shop around: many hotels and resorts also offer “Stay & Play” packages combining room nights with preferred tee times. Local golf tour operators and even some real estate firms can help coordinate a golf lifestyle itinerary with lodging, golf, and even home-viewing tours.
Ready to tee off your dream golf vacation (and explore the luxury golf communities)? Contact us today to start planning a custom Myrtle Beach golf trip. We can arrange your golf packages, tee times, and accommodations — or even set up a golf-oriented real estate tour. Experience the Myrtle Beach golf lifestyle for yourself – it’s “The Golf Capital of the World” waiting for you!
