Thanks to its variety of golf courses and resorts, plus founding the "golf package," Myrtle Beach has made a name for itself as one of America's great value destinations for golf.
Plan your Myrtle Beach golf trip wisely, and you can save even more. Here's a few dollar-saving tips to help stretch your golf group's funds.
Making the most of a Myrtle Beach golf trip
Play the off-season: The peak seasons at Myrtle Beach are generally around April and October, but there are up to a dozen different green fees for each course during the year. While green fees in the summertime are low, hotel rates are at their highest.
So for the best value, go between Thanksgiving and New Year. The weather is usually ideal in the high 60s or low 70s, and hotels and courses are offering attractive discounts, because most travelers are visiting family and not taking golf trips between the holidays.
Go for golf packages: Myrtle Beach made the golf package what it is today around the world, and combining your golf/lodging is still your best bet to score top deals. Many Myrtle Beach golf packages will offer free rounds or free nights if you book a long enough trip. Also, be on the lookout for dining credits or other special offers.
Mix up your course quality: Myrtle Beach has become an all-around golf destination, with plenty of luxury golf courses as well as the bargain busters around the corner. If you want to save cash, consider playing just one or two of the upscale golf courses, while rounding out your trip with some of the mid-level or bargain courses. Your group probably doesn't need to play a $150 golf course every day to enjoy being out of the office.
Try afternoon tee: If you want to play the top golf courses in Myrtle Beach but don't want to pay top dollar for them, try booking a tee time in the afternoon, when you can usually get on cheaper. Your golf package may offer free or highly-discounted replays with partnering courses thrown in.
Cut down drive time: The golf courses that make up the Grand Strand cover over 60 miles from north to south, so if you're driving up and down the coast all trip, you're going to end up with a whopper of a gas bill. Several resorts have enough golf that you could skip the car all together, like Litchfield Golf & Beach Club, Barefoot Golf Resort, Grande Dunes' Marina Inn and Legends Resort.
Take advantage of the stove and fridge: Usually the last thing you want to do after 18 holes is cook a meal, and we don't blame you. At the same time, practically all of Myrtle Beach's accommodations have converted to condominium-style units, with full kitchens and furnishings. On your first day, head to a grocery store and stock up on some grub, so then you don't have to eat out every meal. Perhaps during your match, agree that the loser cooks breakfast in the morning, rather than pay $10-15 for eggs at a restaurant. It may give a boost to competition on the course, and the savings will add up.
