Myrtle Beach Golf Association

Everyday the Myrtle Beach Golf Association receives questions and requests from golfers, media and other sources about the ins-and-outs of Myrtle Beach golf, and we are always amazed when we get one about an issue or topic that we have never even thought of before. While we are happy to provide whatever assistance we can, we have learned from some of our recent oversights and screw-ups that we can’t always deliver, or respond, as we would like. Therefore, we have complied the following observations, narratives, assessments, advisories, assertions and opinions from all of the queries and requests which we have received from the golfers, media and other sources over the last couple of years, and we sincerely hope that this information will be of help to the traveling golf community.

Regrettably, some of the content you will find here in the Inside Scoop, isn’t very positive, or upbeat, and while we are sorry about that, our job is to provide the traveling golfer the unvarnished truth about everything necessary to plan, book and experience a great Myrtle Beach golf vacation, while limiting the countless possibilities for getting screwed by the crooks that, sadly, infest the Myrtle Beach golf industry. So, if you want sugar-coated, feel-good, generic information on Myrtle Beach golf, stop right here and go to any other “everything’s rosy” Myrtle Beach golf website and you will certainly find exactly what you’re looking for. Have fun, and thanks for dropping by!

Well that was then and, sadly, this is now. There are now fewer than 100 “struggling” golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area. Twenty-four courses have closed (three of them are “supposed” to reopen). Currently, the remaining golf courses are each one only averaging a pitiful 36,000 paid rounds per year. The “all-inclusive” golf package has given way to sleazy “bait and switch” ploys, questionable policies, surprise add-ons, hidden charges and cutthroat shenanigans.

Furthermore, as new issues or topics arise, the Myrtle Beach Golf Association will continue to update and add to the content found here in the Inside Scoop. So, if you don’t find what you are looking for here, or elsewhere on MBGA.COM, please e-mail us about precisely what your issue is to InsideScoop@mbga.com. Please be sure to describe what you are seeking in the “subject” line of your e-mail, as well as in the text, so that we can route it to the appropriate place. Also, we ask that you provide us with as much detail as you possibly can on your topic.

Please be advised that the following observations, narratives, assessments, advisories, assertions and opinions are the culmination of over 25-years of working with all of the various entities and components of the Myrtle Beach golf vacation business, as well as monitoring the well established Myrtle Beach rumor mill. While the lion’s share of this material is factual and painfully candid, it is also highly opinionated and subjective, and should always be considered as such!

Note: If you think there is something the Myrtle Beach Golf Association should add to, or address, in the Inside Scoop please e-mail us at InsideScoop@mbga.com.

PRICE FIXING – The Myrtle Beach Golf Association is constantly being asked if there's "price fixing" going on with the golf rates in the Myrtle Beach area, and the answer is YES, and NO!

Every fall the golf courses get together to try and "fix" the golf rates for the next year, which, of course, if they were successful, would be a direct violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act of 1970 (RICO). However, as soon as they’ve gotten all of their rates “fixed,” and send them out to the lodging properties and golf packagers, the wheels start flying off their "fixes," and the real fun begins.

It quickly becomes a dog-eat-dog, screw-your-buddy free-for-all as the unscrupulous lodging operators - many of whom can be found in the Myrtle Beach Golf Association's Lodging Basement - www.mbga.com/basement.htm - and the "price is all that matters" golf packagers start calling the courses demanding a "better rate" than the new "fixed" rate.

If the golf courses don't knuckle under to their demands, the lodging operators and golf packagers then threaten them, by saying that they'll take their golf rounds elsewhere if the courses don't roll over and play dead. The courses, being the spineless twits they are, always wimp-out, and cut the best "discounted" rate they can with anyone that pressures them. This insanity results in rate swings of up to $50 per round, depending upon the course.

As to the lunacy of the gazillion rate changes a year - some of the moronic lodging properties have as many as 15 rate changes a year - several of the golf course operators, that actually have brains and scruples, have tried to establish a simple four rates per year system. Spring: Mid-February - May as the highest rate; Summer: June - mid-September as the 2^nd lowest rate; Fall: Mid-September - Thanksgiving as the 2^nd highest rate and Winter: Thanksgiving - mid-February as the lowest rate. Of course, this made too much sense, and would have put an end to all of the nefarious opportunities for the lodging operators and golf packagers to continue their tactics of confusing and screwing-over the traveling golfers with their multi-rate bait 'n switch shenanigans, so, as usual, another GREAT idea died on the Myrtle Beach golf industry vine.

RATES AND PRICING - Regrettably, since the Myrtle Beach Golf Association doesn’t sell golf vacations, golf packages or tee times we cannot provide any rates or pricing. We do have a cross-section of 40 area golf courses that we track in order to provide the golfers with an overview of the prevailing average prices for morning and afternoon green fees, cart fees and taxes. One can find this information on the MBGA.COM crawl, which runs across the top of the MBGA Home, Course Directory, Player’s Top 20 and Basement pages. Remember, the crawl only reflects ‘today’s’ rates, and have no bearing on what rates will be during your golf vacation.

For lots of rates go to http://www.golfholiday.com/planner.cfm and get a copy of the tacky golf vacation planner you’ll find there. You will find more prices in that thing than you can swallow, but keep in mind that all of their prices are high, and that you can do a whole lot better on your own. Use their prices as your starting point for your bargaining, and remember, that the odds are that if you find any low rates in that planner they are likely to be “bait and switchers.”

WHAT YOU SEE ISN’T ALWAYS WHAT YOU GET – Don’t get sucked in by all of the pretty pictures of the golf courses, and especially the lodging properties, that you see in advertisements, literature or on the Internet, as they can sometimes be very out-dated and misleading.

Also, since many of the lodging properties make their money from management fees, and upkeep and renovations cut into their revenues, they put off any improvements for as long as they possibly can, or just refuse to do any at all. We know of a couple of large resort groups with old properties that haven’t done anything to any of their units except to slop some paint on the walls, throw down some cheap carpet and change the curtains and linens. Therefore, we recommend that vacationers find out how old a property is, if there is a new addition or when the last renovation occurred (and what they actually did), before booking. Better yet, find a newer facility. Many golfers now look for future lodging options while they are here.

READ THE FINE PRINT – If it wasn’t so reprehensible, the “fine print” disclaimers we find hidden away in “price-driven” advertisements for golf packages to Myrtle Beach would be funny. Here are some of those disclaimers that “bait and switchers” use…

“Rates are based on double occupancy,” or “Rates are based on two persons per bedroom,”

“A minimum two, three, four night stay is required,” or “One week stay is required”

“Cart fees are not included,” or “Cart fees must be paid at the golf courses”

“Rates are based upon unit availability,” or “Some unit types may require additional charges”

WHAT ARE RESORT FEES? – While the total applicable taxes in South Carolina amount to only 10%, several of the lodging properties are arbitrarily adding a 2% to 4% fee to the vacationer’s room charges. Some others arbitrarily add $2 to $5 per night to the bill. What does the guest actually get for these sneaky add-ons? Stuff that they used to get for free, like access to the health club, local telephone calls, running water, a telephone, a TV, towels, windows – you get the picture. Of course, they rarely tell the suckers about these fees. They just stick them on the bill at checkout, and hope that the chumps won’t notice them.

Needless to say, we would choose at a more reputable property, because these kinds of operators are usually the same ones who only provide clean towels when a guest demands them, and instead of giving the guests fresh sheets they only give them a fresh bottom sheet, while they move the dirty bottom sheet to the top sheet spot. Now, isn’t that enough to make your skin crawl?

If you do happen to find any of these hidden fees, or any other charges that you believe to be unwarranted, on your bill, demand to see the General Manager, or Manager on Duty (MOD), and raise hell with them and they will probably take it off your bill. If they don’t, as soon as you get home file a complaint with your credit card company and the following consumer groups…

TEE TIMES – While studies have shown that 11-minute tee times produce the smoothest operation and best pace-of-play, most Myrtle Beach courses instead cram their customers into 8-minute intervals, and basically say, “screw the golfers, we’ll just make the rangers push ‘em harder,” which is the primary reason for slow play, and grumpy rangers.

The morning (AM) flight is usually from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM during standard time (late October through early April). The afternoon (PM) flight usually runs from noon to 1:00 PM. During daylight saving time (early April through late October) the afternoon flight usually runs from noon to 2:30 PM. There are no tee times available between 9:30 AM and noon, or after 2:30 PM except for some 9-hole play.

DOUBLE TEEING – Is what used to known as “cross teeing.” It is the practice of sending golfers off of the 1^st and 10^th tees simultaneously, to maximize a golf course’s play and profitability. Only courses that “turn” at the clubhouse after 9-holes can double tee. The vast majority of the courses in the Myrtle Beach area double tee, except during the slow summer months, on slow days and around Christmas.

SINGLE TEE COURSES - There are only a very few single tee golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area, because they are not as profitable as courses that have the capability to double tee, nor are they as convenient for the golfers. No “pit stops” at the turn for food or beverages, pro shop purchases (balls, rain gear, etc.), opportunities to grab something out of their vehicles or for the all important calls of nature. These courses, instead, depend on beverage cart service, but realistically there might not be any available during iffy weather, late afternoon play, during the winter or during slow periods.

While single tee courses have halfway houses (for girls that don’t go all the way – old joke, couldn’t resist, sorry) and restrooms – a couple of them are actually heated in the winter, but you’re taking your chances on the halfway houses being open during the slow times.

While there is no standard policy as to tee times on single tee courses they usually tee off continuously from 7:00 AM to about 3:00 PM, during standard time (late October through early April), and from 7:00 AM to about 5:00 PM during daylight saving time (early April through late October).

The single teed courses include Barefoot – Fazio and Norman, Myrtlewood – Palmetto, Panther’s Run, Tiger’s Eye, and Wild Wing – Avocet.

THE GOLF COURSES’ BIG LIE – The first question golfers usually ask when they contact a golf course is, “what kind of shape is your course in?” Warren Buffet once said, “Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.” Likewise, never ask a golf course what kind of shape they’re in, because even if the course is one step away from being declared a toxic waste site, they’ll still tell you, “man, we’re in great shape!”

BOOKING TEE TIMES – When you are ready to book tee times please keep in mind that most quoted or posted rates (especially those found in the Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday golf planner, other so-called golf planners, booklets, brochures, magazines and on websites) are usually on the high-side, so ask for any “specials” and try to negotiate a better price for yourself (the larger your group, the better price you can negotiate). Before calling any courses, be sure that you have the specific dates that you plan to come, as there are as many as 15 rate changes per year on some of the “old guard” courses (yes, we agree that’s a stupid practice, but the idiots that do it have, themselves, been out-of-touch for a very long time). There are some lodging properties that also subscribe to this lunacy, and should be avoided.

Remember to get prices that include green fees, cart fees, and taxes, also ask for their replay rates. We strongly recommend that golfers write down the full name and position of the person they talked to at the resort or golf course, as well as the date and time that they talked to them – and be sure to have this written information with them when they go to the courses.

AM VS. PM TEE TIMES – While our personal preference is to play as late as possible each day (so we can sleep-in, have breakfast and a Bloody Mary, take our time getting to the course, hit some range balls, putt some and have another Bloody Mary), we are definitely in the minority when it comes to booking morning (AM) vs. afternoon (PM) tee times, and that’s precisely why morning tee times are always the most expensive. While prices and policies vary from course to course, most afternoon tee times are, at least, 30% cheaper than AM times. See, we’re cheap too.

REPLAYS - This is the option to play a 2^nd round in the afternoon on the same day, at the same facility. Most of the Myrtle Beach golf courses allow replays in the afternoon after completing your first round – subject to the availability of open tee times in the afternoon. A substantial number of courses don’t charge an additional green fee for afternoon replays, but instead charge a cart fee for replays. However, just as many courses do charge a reduced green fee for replays.

There are several multi-course facilities that allow replays on their other courses, as long as the replay is on the same day. The afternoon replays are normally scheduled on a “first in, first off” schedule. Simply put, the golfers that tee off first in the morning will be the first ones back in to the clubhouse. Since they are the first ones back in, they are normally the first ones off for afternoon replays.

During the heavy booking periods of February through April and October and November replay rounds may not be available.

Be sure to make it clear that you want the replay rate, because if you don’t the golf course will try to charge you the prevailing round price. Also, if you book a specific tee time they will charge you full price.

AVOID THE MYRTLE BEACH TOUR – With the over 110 golf courses in the area, loosely defined as Myrtle Beach, which stretches over an area approximately 80-miles long (from Southport, North Carolina, on the north, to Georgetown, South Carolina, on the south), and approximately 20-miles wide (from the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Aynor community on the west), the inexperienced golfer can find themselves driving past 20 golf courses, only minutes from where they are staying, trying to get to a course that could be up to 90-minutes away.

As a rule the golf packagers and lodging properties don’t think twice about how long, or far, golfers have to drive in order to get to a golf course, nor do they care. In fact, they’d happily send you to Charleston if they could make an extra buck off of a course there. Therefore, we strongly recommend that the golfers always confirm the driving time and mileage between their lodging property and the courses before booking any tee times. If it’s more than a 40-minute drive – forget it!

SHAM PACKAGERS – Several of the multi-course golf operators, and several out-of-town packagers have established “sham packaging” Internet entities to scam unsuspecting golfers into thinking they will be receiving unbiased information and bookings, when, in actuality, their entire purpose is to drive all of the golfers, who contact these sham operations, to their properties and golf courses, or places where they have established under-the-table deals.

They also enjoy the benefit of “self-competition,” wherein golfers shopping for the best deals, are actually dealing with the same entity, operating out of the same location, but using a different name. Sneaky little bastards, aren’t they?

These unscrupulous characters will do, and say, whatever it takes to prevent trusting golfers from playing any other courses, or staying at any other lodging property. They habitually lie about the availability and conditions of those courses that they themselves don’t own or operate, or have a “deal” with, and they will lie (usually about cleanliness, staff problems, health department concerns, etc) about competing lodging properties. Some shammers have at least three such sham operations here, while a couple of out-of-towners have as many as ten. If you got “shamed” and want to tell us about it, please e-mail us at InsideScoop@mbga.com.

GOLF PACKAGERS – Three words…Be Very Careful! Sometimes we think there are almost as many so-called “golf packagers” out there as there are golfers, and, sadly, they come and go like the tide. We always worry when we can’t find a local telephone number or street address on a packager’s website, and, therefore, recommend that the golfers avoid those guys like the plague.

To add insult to injury, many of the “bookers” that the golfers will be working with are, at best, order takers who don’t play golf; have never seen the courses and are reading from prepared scripts. This is especially true of most of the out-of-town operators, whom we have found to be virtually clueless.

Since MBGA.COM is getting so many requests from golfers for help in finding “reputable” packagers and lodging properties, we are hard at work trying to find them, but we only have only found a few thus far. If you want our list of these “good guys” (and gals), just let us know. It would be extremely helpful to our quest, if you would tell us about who did a really good job for you, or who didn’t. E-mail the MBGA at InsideScoop@mbga.com.

UNDER-THE-TABLE DEALS – Regrettably, we have found that a large majority of golf packagers have self-serving “inside deals” with certain courses (usually the crummier ones, or ones that they have an interest in). These questionable practices cause them look out for their “buddies” at the courses, instead of being objective and looking out for the golfers’ best interests.

In order to drive the unsuspecting golfer to the courses that they have “deals” with, or which they have an interest in, these unscrupulous characters will do, and say, anything to keep golfers from playing any other courses. They habitually lie about the availability and conditions of courses where they don’t have a “deal,” or self-serving interest in. If you experience any of these dirty dealings and want to tell us about them, please e-mail us at InsideScoop@mbga.com.

AVOID THE FINGER POINTING – Another serious, and all to prevalent problem with golf packages is the propensity of the packagers, lodging properties and golf courses to “pass the buck” when any disputes arise. The packager blames the lodging property and the golf course, the lodging property blames the packager and the golf course, the course blames the packager and the lodging property, while the poor, innocent golfers get screwed in the he-said she-said finger pointing. This is another great example of why golfers need to keep detailed records of all of their negotiations and agreements on hand 24/7, and why they should demand that every detail of their arrangements be put in writing among all parties involved.

SURCHARGE COURSES – The other primary “bait and switch” hustle of vacation golf are surcharges. The golf packagers put out their “package rates,” which are usually based upon play at the bottom rung courses in town, then when golfers ask to play the better quality courses the packagers slap them with an additional per round fee called a “surcharge.” The better the course the higher the surcharge is the rule-of-thumb, but is not always justified. While most surcharge courses, in comparison to the non-surcharge courses are usually well worth the upgrade, some of the top rated tracks’ surcharges are “obscene.” To add insult to injury, some surcharge courses are, at best, dog tracks (see the Myrtle Beach Golf Association’s Basement).

NON-SURCHARGE COURSES – The following is the last list of the non-surcharge courses that the MBGA could obtain, and since it is over a year old we suspect that there are changes that need to be made, so be sure to have each packager and lodging property that you are negotiating with fax, or e-mail, you their most current list before proceeding with any of your plans.

Aberdeen

Beachwood

Black Bear

Brick Landing

Brunswick

Burning Ridge - East

Carolina Shores

Colonial Charters

Crown Park

Cypress Bay

Diamond Back

Indian Wells

Indigo Creek

Island Green

International Club

Lion's Paw

Lockwood Folly

Myrtle Beach National - SouthCreek

Myrtle Beach National - West

Panther's Run

Pearl – East

Pearl – West

Possum Trot

Quail Creek

River Hills

Sandpiper Bay

Tradition

Wachesaw East

Waterway Hills

Wicked Stick

CART FEES – Since very few of the Myrtle Beach golf courses allow walking (and its usually limited to the afternoon) carts are required. Therein we find another “dirty little secret” of vacation golf packaging, the “surprise cart fees.” In order to suck golfers into booking their packages, many of the golf packagers and lodging properties intentionally omit the required cart fees from their pricing. Then, when the unsuspecting golfers arrive at the courses they are hit with cart fees as high as $40 per person. So be sure that cart fees are always included in your golf package, and that their inclusion is spelled-out in your confirmation.

GOLF CLUB RENTALS – Please be advised that virtually all Myrtle Beach golf courses rent golf clubs for both men and women with prices ranging from $15 per set per day to $40 per set per day, depending on the course. You can also rent your sticks from ShipGolf at the Myrtle Beach Airport (888.696.7534 or 843.443.6000) for prices starting at $40 per set per day. They will also do group discounts.

TEE TIMES ONLY - While there are a couple of so-called "tee times only" websites, they to are basically "shams" for some of the golf course owners or golf management companies. Again, their mission is to get you to tee it up on their courses. Don’t be lazy! Do the right thing and contact the courses you want to play directly. You can find all of the contact information you require on every golf course in the Myrtle Beach area on the Myrtle Beach Golf Association’s Golf Course Directory.

LOCAL RATES - Most of the Myrtle Beach golf courses allow residents, and property owners play for a low "local rate." The rate is usually around $30, and includes green fees and cart. Of course, proof of residency is required, usually a local driver's license. For property owners living out of the area, copies of their local utility, telephone or property tax bills will suffice. Most courses will not let locals book any further out than 48-hours. Needless to say, you will have to call whatever courses you want to play, to ascertain their respective "local rate" options.

GOLF DISCOUNT CARDS AND COUPONS – There are all sorts of golf and golf vacation-related discount cards and coupons floating all over town, sadly, the vast majority of them are operating illegally without the required business registrations, licenses or tax filings. The two biggest offenders are the so-called Senior Card and the one offered by the “fishy” Grand Strand Golf Association. So don’t be a sucker, and get yourself screwed by these hucksters, by trying to save a couple of bucks.

BREAKFAST – Most golf packages include a “free” breakfast each morning, which, of course, you are paying for. While there are a lot of great breakfast offerings, there are an equal number of mediocre to absolutely awful spreads. What happens if you get a lousy one? Suppose you miss it? Tough luck pal! No refunds, no exceptions! In fact, the lodging properties love it when miss breakfast, because they pocket 100% of the breakfast allocation (they call it “breakage). Therefore, with breakfast joints everywhere you turn, and with prices starting at $2 plus taxes and gratuities, you may want to dump the package breakfast and pick your own spot to eat, or, better yet, go to a different place every day.

DEPOSITS – While deposits are required to reserve lodging, tee times, etc. the policies in Myrtle Beach vary widely. Once again, deposit terms are highly negotiable because of the depressed market. We strongly advise golfers to never book any aspect of their travel, nor any other aspect or component of their vacation, except by credit card. If you foolishly elect to pay by personal check, or what’s even worse, to pay in cash, you’re really asking for trouble. Again, credit cards only!

Don’t fall for the packagers or lodging properties spiel when they tell you that they need your full payment in advance in order for them “guarantee” your arrangements, because that’s 100% bovine excrement!

Most packagers and lodging properties are notoriously slow payers, and sometimes the golf courses have to wait months before they get paid. That’s why they collect cart fees at the courses, so; at least they’ll have some cash flow.

When booking any aspect of a Myrtle Beach golf vacation (or any other type of travel plans), we strongly recommend that golfers always ask exactly how much of their credit card limit the packager, lodging property or golf course will be putting on “hold.” If the amount exceeds $100 per person, dump ‘em.

REFUNDS – With respect to refund policies, once again, they are all over the board and the golfers must be careful to really scrutinize them closely. One of the most insidious aspects of some refund policies is that there will be “no refunds for any unused portion of the package” clause. The packager, lodging property and golf courses can use this rarely mentioned clause to keep your money, regardless of whether you have to depart early, experience weather related problems or other acts of god or problems beyond your control. Once again the reality of a “buyer’s market” with respect to Myrtle Beach golf, works to the golfers benefit. Simply demand that they waive all such clauses and conditions, and don’t forget to make them put it in writing.

RAIN CHECKS – Basically every course or lodging property issues rain checks or refunds for rounds missed due to inclement weather. Obviously, they prefer the rain checks, but we'd insist on refunds. They also will issue rain checks if you are forced to stop play due to bad weather, and cannot complete your round, but that may take some haggling on your part. Again, that insidious refund policy that there will be “no refunds for any unused portion of the package” clause can again come into play, but once you can simply demand that they waive all such clauses and conditions, and don’t forget to make them put it in writing.

OVERSEEDING – Is the maintenance process where the golf courses cut the greens very close and put down a thin layer of sand and perennial Rye grass over the Bermuda grass. Golf courses in the Carolinas and in the Myrtle Beach area have Bermuda established at most key playing areas. Bermuda is a warm season turf grass that turns brown once soil temperatures dip below 50º to 55º in the fall. Bermuda doesn't green up again until soil temperatures return into the mid-50’s in the spring. During the time when the Bermuda is dormant (no green leaf tissue), the golf courses overseed the key playing areas with the perennial Rye grass. Poa Trivialis is now the preferred choice on greens rather than Rye due to its easier establishment. The overseeding occurs generally September or October in the Carolinas on the fairways, tees, and greens. Roughs are usually not overseeded. The contrast between the green fairways and brown roughs in the winter months is pleasing to most golfers. Many courses in Myrtle Beach have bentgrass greens and these are not overseeded as they maintain green leaf color all year long. After overseeding the greens will look a little brown (sand), and for the first couple of days your ball will have a little sand rooster tail, but that's about the only differences you will actually notice. Overseeding normally only affects the greens for about 5-7 days.

Note: We recommend that golfers always call the golf courses they are interested in playing, and ask them for their plans for any maintenance work scheduled during the time frame when they will be visiting.

AERATION – Is the maintenance practice done routinely on fairways, tees and especially on the greens to reduce soil compaction and to remove organic matter. Aeration, or “coring” is the removal of small cores or plugs of soil with grass from the turf surface, leaving a small hole in the ground. The holes are typically ¼ to ⅝ of an inch on the greens, and ¾ to 1 inch on fairways and tees. The depth and distance apart of the holes varies according to the machine used and other factors. Most traditional aerators for greens penetrate 3 to 4 inches and the holes are spaced 2 inches by 2 inches apart. Aeration allows better penetration of air, water, and fertilizer into the root zone of the grasses. Although the surface is temporarily disrupted and a little bumpy, due to the holes, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages from it. Sometime a top dressing of sand is also added into the holes to replace the soil removed and to improve the root zone conditions for the turf grass.

COURSES THAT ALLOW WALKING – The following is the most recent list of Myrtle Beach golf courses that allow walking. Again, we suspect that there are some changes that need to be made to this roster as well, so be sure to have each packager and lodging property you are negotiating with fax, or e-mail, you their most current list before proceeding with your plans.

Aberdeen
Azalea Sands - after 11:00 AM
Barefoot Resort - call ahead
Black Bear - after 3:00 PM
Burning Ridge - after 300 PM
Caledonia
Carolina National - members only
Carolina Shores
Cypress Bay - after 2:30 PM
DeBordieu - members only after noon
Dunes Club
Founder's Club Pawleys Island
Heron Point - December and January
Indian Wells - after 3:00 PM
International World Tour
Island Green - after 2:00 PM
Litchfield
Myrtle Beach National - SouthCreek
Myrtle Beach National - West Course
Myrtlewood - PineHills
Pawleys Plantation - members only
Possum Trot - afternoons
Prestwick - members only
Quail Creek - after 3:00 PM
Reserve - members only
River Oaks - Gold members only
Shaftesbury Glen - call ahead
Thistle - after 1:00 PM
Tiger's Eye
TPC
True Blue
Wachesaw - members only
Waterway Hills
Whispering Pines - after Noon
Wicked Stick
Willbrook - after 1:30 PM, members only

WOMEN'S GOLF – It’s still being documented that women are the fastest growing segment of the golfing population, yet they are the quickest ones to give it up soon after attempting to learn. Why? We think the biggest reason is the cavalier way women are treated by the chauvinistic jerks at the golf courses, but another key factor is the difficulty women have in finding a golf instructor they can comfortably relate to? We believe that the best route for women to take, when taking up the game, or in trying to improve their play, is to take lessons from a female golf pro.

Here are some things women should consider when searching for the right golf instructor…

WOMEN-FRIENDLY GOLF COURSES – Thanks to our friends at the Myrtle Beach Chapter of the Executive Women’s Golf Association, here are the most women-friendly golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area…

Women's groups coming to Myrtle Beach to play golf can contact the local chapter of EWGA for a challenge match. Contact EWGA’s hotline at 843.282.2277 and leave a message and they will get back to you.

GOLF LESSONS - With close to 100 golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area, one would expect there to be an abundance of golf schools and teaching pros here – not so. While every Joe Pro in town hawks golf lessons, 95% of them can’t cut the mustard.

With respect to the BEST teaching pros here, Mike Schroder and Nick Bradley are the top two for men, while Gwen Miller is the best for women.

Michael Schroder
PGA Class A Professional
1043 Linda Drive
Conway, SC 29526
800.421.6296
843.347.7827

Nick Bradley
4980 Barefoot Resort Bridge Road
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
843.390.3202

Arcadian Shores Golf School
701 Hilton Road
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
866.326.5275
843.449.5217

Chuck Wike
1027 Wilbrook Blvd.
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
866.715.4161
843.979.4999

Classic Swing Golf School
1500 Legends Drive
Post Office Box 50955
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
800.827.2656
843.236.9318

Grande Dunes Golf Academy
Grande Dunes Blvd.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
866.554.1537
843.449.7070