Myrtle Beach, South Carolina may be better known for sand buckets and sand bunkers, but it’s also a great place to check off some items on your bucket list. That’s particularly true if you combine the Grand Strand’s two most popular attractions – 60 miles of beautiful beaches and more than 80 great golf courses.
Golfers can create their own to-do list based on their favorite Myrtle Beach courses and some off-the-links activities you’ve always wanted to try, but allow us to make a few suggestions. You just might find a few items you didn’t know about, but the beauty of the bucket list is you can always add to it:
Family Time: How many times have you talked about taking the kids along for a round of golf? Here’s your chance to score a few parent points and save some cash by taking advantage of the Kids Play Free program. More than 50 area courses permit one child (ages 15 and under) to play at no charge for each paid adult. It’s great opportunity to bring the whole family, make some fond vacation memories, and perhaps spark your child’s interest in the game.
History Tour: If you want a nice history lesson in Myrtle Beach golf, look no farther than Pine Lakes International Country Club. Nicknamed “The Granddaddy” for its distinction as Myrtle Beach’s first golf course, Pine Lakes has played a major role in the Grand Strand’s growth as a golf destination. The historic clubhouse is home to the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame and hosted the founding of Sports Illustrated magazine. Also check out the Strand’s second and third oldest courses – The Dunes Golf & Beach Club and The Surf Club.
Modern Golf: Balance your local golf history with the latest developments in the game. Myrtle Beach’s latest “course” isn’t a course at all, but the latest Top Golf franchise that is set to open this summer. For the uninitiated, Top Golf is like a driving range meets a high-tech arcade/bowling alley. The Broadway at the Beach venue features a three-story, open-air driving range and a series of golf-related games you can play with family and friends. Nearby Dave & Buster’s has several golf-simulator games that allow you to play a virtual round on the world’s most famous layouts.
State Line Crossing: Tell the folks back home about teeing off in one state and putting out in another on Farmstead Golf Links’ No. 18. Ironically located in a small town called Longs, S.C., Farmstead’s finishing hole is a whopping 712-yard par-6 that starts on the South Carolina border and ends in North Carolina. Ranked as the fourth longest hole in the world, Farmstead’s 18th is a beast – and a good excuse to celebrate at the closest 19th hole.
Waccamaw Golf Trail: The South Carolina Lowcountry is a special place, and so are the 12 courses that make up the Waccamaw Golf Trail. Built on former rice plantations and scenic wetlands and woodlands, these layouts provide the chance to play the whole dozen and become a Waccamaw Golf Trail pioneer. The list includes award-winning courses like Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, Founders Club, Heritage Club, River Club, TPC Myrtle Beach and True Blue Plantation.
World Tour Golf Links: This Myrtle Beach course pays tribute to some of the most famous golf holes from around the world. Play replicas of the Old Course at St. Andrews, Amen Corner at Augusta National, and TPC’s famed Island Green No. 17. Pose for pics like your heroes, such as Arnold Palmer waving from the Swilcan Bridge or a Tiger Woods fist-pumping at The Masters. Play all 27 holes for a well-rounded golf experience.
Add these items to your bucket list and build your next Myrtle Beach golf package around it. That bucket isn’t getting any emptier.