FEATURE

On the cheap: Getting back to Grand Strand's roots

By Brandon Tucker,
Staff Writer

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Aug. 3, 2002) -- Myrtle Beach on the cheap? Now there's a concept. Enough talk about upscale this and resort golf that. Excuse us, for a moment, while we get back to the Grand Strand's roots. See that $100 bill in your money clip? Spend more than that today and you are a sucker, sucker.

• Grand strand summer deals • Myrtlebeach golf course guide • Myrtlebeach golf course reviews • Guarding the gates to the Grand Strand

Myrtle Beach is unique from all other mega golf destinations with its ability to deliver a good time on any budget. On one hand, you can go big by playing a three-figure round of golf, stay at a luxurious hotel and head out for a costly night on town at the Beach's most elegant restaurants.

On the other hand, summer rates can be found at under $30 at many courses. A devilishly good time can be had on the strip at bars and gentleman's clubs without pawning off your buddy's car. And at the end of a blurry night, a no-frills hotel room can be found for pocket change.

Summer Bargains

Sea Gull -- Built on a once flourishing rice plantation on Pawley's Island by Gene Hamm. Sea Gull is plenty long at 6,910 yards from the tips. No parallel holes on the course and thick tree lines provide a true resort feel to the course. The fairways at Sea Gull are some of the most forgiving on the Grand Strand, especially on the front side. The greens are large and undulating as well. Morning summer greens fees are $38, dropping to $28 after noon.

Deer Track -- Deer Track is a complete 36-hole resort in Surfside and one of the best values in the Grand Strand. The Toski Links course, designed by Bob Toski is the featured course at Deer Track. A redesign in 1996 built new, Tidwarf Bermuda greens. New mounds and swales in the wide, tree-lined fairways were also added. The South Course is considered the easier of the two, playable for all abilities. Deer Track has a full practice facility, including driving range, practice green and practice bunker. The Classic Swing Golf School, rated at "Top 25 Golf School in America" is also on site. Summer rates are $47, $42 in the afternoon.

Burning Ridge -- Burning Ridge is a 36-hole facility located west of Myrtle Beach on the 501 freeway. The West course has water on almost every hole. Slicers breathe a quick sigh of relief however, because most of the water is on the left side of the holes. The East course is far dryer, but also has an abundance of bunkering. Both courses are about the same length, around 6,700 yards, but the East has a slope rating of 124, compared to the West's 114. Summer rates are $38 in the morning and $28 in the afternoon.

Indigo Creek -- Indigo Creek is located in the center of Myrtle Beach's lowcountry in Murrel's Inlet. It opened in 1990 to rave reviews and was nominated one of the best new courses in the country. The property is very aesthetic, winding through giant oaks and flowering creeks. Wildlife is also visible around every turn at this inland course. The summer rate is $42 all day.

Indian Wells -- Indian Wells is a water-heavy course in Garden City, located across the street from Indigo Creek. The dramatic ninth hole, a 410 yard par-4 was named to the "Grand Strand's Dream 18." The terrain is more undulating than most courses in the area. The Gene Hamm design plays to 6,624 from the championship tees. Summer rate is $38, $28 after noon.

Nightlife

The fun has just begun once your round is done in Myrtle Beach. Happy hour specials and buzzing nightlife can be found all over the Grand Strand. Happy hour enthusiasts beware: the State of North Carolina has bans on such specials. Stick to South Carolina for happy hour.

Murphy's Law -- Two locations in the Grand Strand, one great happy hour. They have 35-cent wings, oysters and clams, $1 draft beer, $4.75 pitchers and 50 cents off mixed drinks. Murphy's Law is located in Central Grand Strand and in the South Strand. Scotty's Beach Bar -- Scotty's has a great oceanfront deck right on the beach across from the Days Inn in Surfside. Live music is featured nightly during the high season and karaoke is also a favorite at Scotty's. Happy from 4-7 p.m. is $2 cans and $1 off house drinks and pitchers.

If the normal bar atmosphere just won't do for a night, Myrtle Beach's gentlemen's clubs are more than accommodating. With such saturation in competition on the Beach, bargains are easy to find.

Master's -- Master's boasts the largest gentleman's club in Myrtle Beach with 33,000 square feet of women and libations. What makes Masters even better is it caters to golfers, allowing half off and 2-for-1 cover if you present your scorecard from the day or a hotel key. A pro shop and outdoor short course is also on site. Master's is also known for having the finest female talent on the beach.

Nuttin' Butt Horseplay -- No cover charge at Nuttin' Butt Horseplay all day, everyday. Happy hour from 4-8 p.m. is $1 off bottles and 50 cents off liquor drinks. Located off the 501 freeway. Heartbreakers -- Heartbreakers received an upgrade in lookers when Bottom's Up shut down across the street. Now Heartbreakers is the toast of Bush River Rd. Happy hour every night from 4-8 p.m. is half off all drinks. Pink Pony Golfers get in free with their scorecard. It's hard to beat Pink Pony's happy hour: $1.50 bottles from 4-8 p.m. Located across the street from Murphy's Law South.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.