MyrtleBeachGolf.com, the Internet’s best resource for package pricing and booking for golf vacations to Myrtle Beach, has announced the five highest-rated area courses by visitors, who use a scale of one to five stars to give their first-hand assessment and experience with the courses they play. Course reviews on MyrtleBeachGolf.com are a valuable asset provided for golfers by golfers to give an unbiased take on the number and variety of courses in Myrtle Beach. It's just one more reason why MyrtleBeachGolf.com is a trusted resource for planning a golf vacation to Myrtle Beach. So without further adieu, the following five layouts provide a snapshot of the current “best-in-region” courses – layouts around which you need to plan your next Grand Strand golf excursion.
Are you ready to experience the best in Myrtle Beach golf? Here are the courses and what some MyrtleBeachGolf.com reviewers have had to say about them:
#5 – Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf Links (4.19 rating / 27 reviews)
Designed by Clyde Johnston, Glen Dornoch enjoys an uncommon feature among Myrtle Beach golf courses: multiple holes along the scenic Intracoastal Waterway. Here, the drama ratchets up on the final three holes, which all have this massive hazard in play. Unsurprisingly, the course saves its best for last: a long par four where players must carry marshes bordering the Waterway not once but twice.
“Loved the holes along the intercostal waterway. The starter was very informative concerning strategy on the harder holes. Great experience overall!” – Steve
“Beautiful, scenic golf course of woodlands and along the waterway. Might need a sense of humor to accept your score on holes #16 and #18. Spectacular, but very tough. Pace of play was excellent. Played 36 holes, first was 4 hours, second was 4 hours and 15 minutes. All staff treated us special.” – Egan J
“Great layout and a high recommendation for me to others. Loved the last 3 finishing holes. Really makes you consider your shots.” – Rick
#4 – Legends Resort – Moorland Course (4.22 rating / 27 reviews)
The Moorland course is one of three fun, well-maintained layouts available for Legends visitors’ enjoyment. Designed by P.B. Dye, son of legendary architect Pete Dye, plied the family trade beautifully here, crafting a memorable layout that features large, undulating putting surfaces, extensive mounding, deep bunkering and, of course, numerous water hazards ringed by railroad ties that have become a stable at many Dye golf courses across the world.
“If you appreciate amazing design and creativity in a golf course, then you must play here.” – William D
“Difficult approaches to the greens and many waste areas.” – William
“Large fairways and large greens give you a chance to score. But when you miss a shot on this golf course it usually kicks you in the teeth.” – Bert
#3 – The Dunes Golf & Beach Club (4.30 rating / 54 reviews)
The Dunes Golf & Beach Club is not only one of the best courses in Myrtle Beach; it is one of the very best layouts in the Carolinas and the Southern United States in general. Opened in 1948, it is a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. masterpiece that in recent years has been tended to by son Rees Jones, who recently oversaw a renovation project to resurface its greens and add a few new tee boxes for the numerous high-level competitions the course hosts. A trio of holes on the back nine – 11, 12 and 13 – steal the show because of their mix of challenge and amazing marsh scenery.
“Loved the greens. Every aspect of the course was top shelf.” – Dave
“All time favorite in Myrtle Beach, no trip should be without a trip to The Dunes!!!” – Steven
“This is a gem. Marvelous course. Greens are as perfect and fast. Very fast. Best greens I have played for many years. Discovered only this year that it was partially open to public. It is expensive yes, but it worth all the money you will pay and more. Played it the 13th and needed to pay it again before coming back up north. Wow!” – François
#2 – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club (4.47 rating / 48 reviews)
Opened in 1994, Caledonia is the first and arguably greatest design of the late visionary golf course architect Mike Strantz, who passed away in 2005 at the age of just 50. All of his courses are memorable for their wild aesthetics and unforgettable mix of fun and challenge. In short, he designed many holes that are totally unique in the world of golf. At Caledonia, his crowning achievement is the par-4 18th hole, which requires an accurate tee shot followed by a spectacular approach to a massive green based at the foot of the clubhouse, its porch often buzzing with people placing bets on the outcomes of the shots being played from the fairway.
“Coming from California it was everything that I expected to find. Everything about the experience was superior. Challenging but fair with great variety.” – Doug
“This is by far the best and most beautiful course in all of Myrtle beach. Great condition and great golf. PERIOD.” – Matt
“By far the most beautiful course I have ever played and I have played some good ones including Pebble Beach…the flowers, the trees, the grooming the layout…Amazing!!!” – Joseph
#1 – Thistle Golf Club (4.63 rating / 32 reviews)
Topping the current ranking of the best Myrtle Beach area golf courses is Thistle Golf Club. A 27-hole layout designed by Tim Cate and opened in 2000, Thistle evokes feelings of old Scottish inland golf clubs with its majestic, Scottish-revival clubhouse. Furthermore, its open landscape allows the wind to be a constant factor adding to the challenge and enjoyment of the course. Finally, it is known for being one of Myrtle Beach’s best-conditioned courses, with bentgrass greens that roll especially fast and true in the spring and fall golf seasons.
“Beautiful place! Amazing number and size of sand traps. A lot of forced carries over sand. My son is a much better golfer with length and he loved this course.” – Webber
“What a gem! This is by FAR the best course I have ever played. I used to frequent some of the top rated, south end courses and I cant tell how excited I am that Thistle is still a bit of a secret! Its not a circus like some of the other courses.” – Brian
“A wonderful golf experience from the moment you arrive. You are made to feel like you are a member at an exclusive Club. The course is well maintained and challenging. The natural environment adds to the relaxing and peaceful Atmosphere of the course. I would highly recommend you make the time to play at this premier course if you are in the area.” – Joan
As the Spring golf season is heating up, we'll be watching our course reviews, what our golf reviewers are saying, and if we have a new reigning Top 5 come Summer. How does your Myrtle Beach top five courses compare to other MyrtleBeachGolf.com reviewers? Let us know, or better yet, review them here.