Golf Channel travel expert Matt Ginella offers up his five -- make that six -- favorite golf courses to play on the Grand Strand.
Also, check out his trip to Myrtle Beach in the Ginella's Journeys video below.
From Calabash to Pawleys Island, there are more than 100 golf courses along the Grand Strand. I've narrowed them down to my top picks:
1. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
I could never imagine a trip to Myrtle and not heading down to Pawleys Island to play Caledonia Golf & Fish Club.
1a. True Blue Golf Club
Using horse racing as my guide, if two horses from the same barn are in the same race, they get the 1 and 1a designation. Bet one, and you get both horses. That's true of Caledonia and True Blue Golf Club, two Mike Strantz designs that are right across the street from one another.
2. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club
Located in the heart of Myrtle Beach, The Dunes Golf & Beach Club is one of the true classics on the Grand Strand. A lot of experts have this no. 1 on their list, and for good reasons.
3. TPC Myrtle Beach
TPC Myrtle Beach, a Tom Fazio design in Murrells Inlet, is big, bold and you'll have a blast.
4. Tidewater Golf Club
Some of the most memorable holes along the Grand Strand are the oceanfront holes at Tidewater Golf Club, located in North Myrtle Beach.
5. The Heritage Club
In Murrells Inlet, The Heritage Club has some similar looks and charms compared to Caledonia, but the green fees can be a lot less.
The Heritage Club course is as good as it gets with all the courses you list. E X C E P T ...... the pace of play at The Heritage is a disgrace. I've played the course twice (5 1/2 hours for both) and tried to play the course another time (drove off, left cart in the parking lot). Waited 1 1/2 hours for our cart once because they over book as part of The Legends Group. Yes, we had a tee time.No Marshall's are on the course preventing players from triple hitting off the tee box and, frankly, all over the course. Last round, we made the turn and were the 5th foursome in line to tee off. This after a 3 hour front 9 holes.I own a place in Pawley's Island and would play at The Heritage every time I am down, but not any more, because of their pace of play.
No longer more than 100 courses, FYI Heather Glen is about to close Call Gary 1-800-394-3764 ext 709, played them all here many times, and I'll tell the courses with the best value.
Dunes has 1 interesting hole, the par 5 around the water.