One of the best tips for planning a Myrtle Beach golf getaway is to check out the “group” packages. We're not talking about your foursome (or 20-some, or however large your golfing crew in Myrtle Beach), but rather the golf groups that operate several courses under one umbrella and offer big savings for playing their layouts.
Two of the more prominent groups on the Grand Strand are the Legends and Glens golf groups, which both feature “Play 3, Get the Fourth Free” deals, as well as other perks. For instance, the Legends package provides free breakfast, lunch and two beers per round, while the Glens group allows free pre-book replays for each round.
But the biggest difference between the two groups are the courses, of course. Offering a wide variety of amenities, styles and degrees of difficulty, the Legends and the Glens give golfers great opportunities to play some of the best layouts on the Grand Strand. Here's a head-to-head comparison between two of the top groups in town:
Glens Golf Group
* This unique group of courses gives golfers a nice mix of styles and landscapes. The recent closing of Heather Glen leaves the group with only three layouts, but they offer a diverse experience and competitive rates. The centerpiece is Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf Links, a Scottish-style links course in Little River, South Carolina. Located near the headwaters of the Intracoastal Waterway, Glen Dornoch offers scenic waterfront views and three of the toughest finishing holes on the Grand Strand. The clubhouse is modeled after a Scottish castle where you and your crew can enjoy a few cold ones and recount your round from the pub.
Farther inland in Conway, South Carolina, Shaftesbury Glen Golf & Fish Club takes golfers back to the roots of the game with long, open fairways and elevated greens. The course boasts an English manor-style clubhouse with pro shop, restaurant, bar and the Myrtle Beach Golf School for those looking to take a few lessons.
The third layout, Possum Trot Golf Club in North Myrtle Beach, is known as the “Friendliest Course on the Strand.” Regulars and local characters congregate in the clubhouse to swap stories from their rounds on the open, spacious setup.
Legends Golf Group
* The name says it all for this five-course group, whose layouts were designed by some of the biggest names in golf and have their own unique identities. The Moorland course, the handiwork of legendary architect P.B. Dye, uses elevation changes, sculpted terrain and large bunkers to create a real challenge. The Parkland course is inspired by a pair of masters and their masterpieces — Alister MacKenzie (Augusta National) and George Thomas (Riviera Country Club) — and incorporates the natural beauty of the native woodlands and wetlands to create a challenging but beautiful atmosphere. The Tom Doak-designed Heathland course incorporates a distinct British feel in its layout and rounds out the trio of courses found at the Legends Golf Group's massive Myrtle Beach complex, which also features a plantation-style clubhouse, driving ranges and putting greens, a pro shop, and the famed Ailsa's Pub for great post-round food and drinks.
The other two area Legends properties were designed by Dan Maples and are located on extreme opposite ends of the Grand Strand — The Heritage Club in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, on the south end and Oyster Bay Golf Links just over the border in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. The 60-mile difference provides play in the scenic South Carolina Lowcountry and the lovely North Carolina Sandhills.
The good news for golfers trying to decide between a Glens or Legends golf getaway is that there really is no wrong answer. Both offer quality courses with affordable packages and lots of perks, so you and your group can find the golf group that fits your needs. For more information, check out the available packages at these and other Grand Strand golf courses.