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<p><em>Story by Ian Guerin</em></p>
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<p>The longer I do this, the more I get asked about my favorite courses up and down South Carolina’s Grand Strand.</p>
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<p>People’s perception of what I’m doing versus reality is usually skewed (I’m not what anyone would describe as a great player). However, I’ve played the vast majority of courses here over and over again, and that’s gotta count for something, right?&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Well, over the years, my opinion has shifted some. I’ve been humbled, sure. But I’m also looking for something different out of this game in my mid-40s than I was when I was younger. Am I smarter now? Does my take mean more? That’s for you to decide.</p>
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<p>Either way, simply rattling off six courses doesn’t work. Each of the ones below fit a different golfing mood, ones that are often shaped by the sheer number of tracks we have at our fingertips here.</p>
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<p><u><a href="https://www.mbn.com/courses/myrtle-beach-national-west-course"><strong>MYRTLE BEACH NATIONAL, WEST COURSE</strong></a></u><br>After a long break, you need to just kind of hit the re-set button some. And trust me, I’ve found plenty of reasons to need that re-set button.&nbsp;</p>
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<figure class="alignright size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="325" height="244" src="https://mbn-admin.travelboommarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/west_course_15th.png" alt="" class="wp-image-9446" srcset="https://admin.mbn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/west_course_15th.png 325w, https://admin.mbn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/west_course_15th-300x225.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 325px) 100vw, 325px" /></figure></div>

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<p>There’s no where better letting you accomplish that than West. While most courses of a similar difficulty rating (read: low) are going to have significant trouble spots or issues with turf somewhere on the grounds, West’s conditions are as close to perfect as you could hope for. After all, the last thing you want during your personal comeback story is more adversity.</p>
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<p>And while high handicappers are likely going to improve upon their score, there’s just enough of an edge to prevent feeling like you cruised through a round at West. <em>(West Course 15th hole pictured right)</em></p>
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<p><u><a href="https://www.mbn.com/courses/world-tour-golf-links"><strong>WORLD TOUR GOLF LINKS</strong></a></u><br>I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. Even if you took exception to World Tour’s replica-themed approach to its design, you can’t argue with how well it was executed, or just how well-rounded the entire course is from start to finish.</p>
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<p>In fact, anyone who was blindfolded, dropped off on the first tee box and told to swing away might not connect enough dots to figure out what it is. That’s because, amid holes paying homage to St. Andrews and TPC Sawgrass and Augusta National and a few other iconic courses around the globe, there is an insane amount of variance that puts every club in your bag to use.</p>
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<p>It is, in all reality, a perfect mid-range course for those trying to improve every part of their game.</p>
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<p><u><a href="https://www.mbn.com/courses/grande-dunes"><strong>GRANDE DUNES RESORT COURSE</strong></a></u><br>Of the relatively small number of courses I call the new-agers (built since the beginning of 2000), Grande Dunes is my huckleberry.</p>
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<p>From the huge fairways to the views of the Intracoastal Waterway to the mostly clear lines of sight, this is the perfect course for someone whose game is in a comfort zone and ready for a bit more. No expense was spared, as if the recent refurbishments of the greens and clubhouse didn’t already tell you that. Grande Dunes is clearly not sitting back on what it was on Day 1.</p>
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<p>The back nine alone is a constant overload to the senses, complete with six holes defined by water, a massive waste bunker (No. 11) and arguably the best-looking Par 3 around at No. 14. It’s a beautiful justification of your infatuation with this game.</p>
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<p><u><a href="https://www.mbn.com/courses/tournament-player-club"><strong>TPC OF MYRTLE BEACH</strong></a></u><br>With respect to <u><a href="https://www.mbn.com/courses/prestwick-country-club">Prestwick County Club</a></u> or <u><a href="https://www.mbn.com/courses/pawleys-plantation">Pawleys Plantation Golf &amp; Country Club</a></u> &#8211; two courses I’ve never been able to navigate with much respect for myself &#8211; when I’m ready to see if I can bite off more, the ultimate course on my list locally is TPC.</p>
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<p>It’s not simply because of the 111 I shot here not all that long ago when the course was set for the Dustin Johnson World Juniors (seriously, I still wonder why I agreed to that). Even during normal conditions, Tom Fazio’s championship-level layout includes forced carries and uphill trajectories and semi-blind tee shots and enough danger to leave you scratching your head or snagging another ball out of the bag.</p>
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<p>You’re going to play here reminded that pros have walked the grounds with money on the line. <em>(TPC Myrtle Beach 17th hole top photo)</em></p>
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<p><u><a href="https://www.mbn.com/courses/tradition-golf-club"><strong>TRADITION GOLF CLUB</strong></a></u><br>I’d be willing to bet a pretty penny that I’ve found myself teeing it up at Tradition more than anywhere else. Doesn’t matter if it was on my dime or someone else’s. Those regular trips to the Ron Garl design have reminded me how solid of an everyday round this course could be and actually is for many transplants who moved to the south end.</p>
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<figure class="alignright size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="325" height="244" src="https://mbn-admin.travelboommarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tradition_golf_club_7th_hole.png" alt="" class="wp-image-9447" srcset="https://admin.mbn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tradition_golf_club_7th_hole.png 325w, https://admin.mbn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tradition_golf_club_7th_hole-300x225.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 325px) 100vw, 325px" /></figure></div>

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<p>Tradition is a healthy 6,300 yards from the whites (5,700 from the seniors/ladies) but forgiving enough off the tee to let you lay into most drives. The approach zones are well thought out with some island greens and hazards but not impossible to attack.</p>
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<p>For every take here, there’s a give. It means you can play it different from one day to the next. <em>(Tradition Golf Club 7th hole pictured right)</em></p>
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<p><u><a href="https://www.mbn.com/courses/caledonia-golf-and-fish-club"><strong>CALEDONIA GOLF &amp; FISH CLUB</strong></a></u><br>So much has been made about Caledonia &#8211; with so many awards doled out that a few of them are probably stashed in boxes somewhere &#8211; that it would be easy to assume the Mike Strantz creation is too good to be true.</p>
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<p>As many times as I’ve driven into and out of the entryway to and from the grounds, I assure you the rumors are true. This is one of a very small number of “ultimate” golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area. Even in frigid conditions, the grass under your feet will feel like it was manicured with scissors. Seriously, blades of grass aren’t out of place.</p>
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<p>Nothing about a round at Caledonia is going to leave you wonting. It’s a true bucket list course capable of wowing even the most ardent of naysayers.</p>
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<p><em>Ian Guerin has been covering sports and golf in South Carolina since 2004. His game has ebbed and flowed like the Atlantic, but he&#8217;s never had to explain to his kids why his round won&#8217;t be televised. You can follow along with the day-to-day conversation on Twitter&nbsp;<u><a href="https://twitter.com/iguerin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@iguerin</a></u></em></p>
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A Golf Writer’s Perspective: My Six Favorite Myrtle Beach Golf Courses

Courses in this Article

Caledonia Golf and Fish Club

Tradition Golf Club

TPC of Myrtle Beach

Grande Dunes - Resort Golf Club

World Tour Golf Links

West Course at Myrtle Beach National

Additional Myrtle Beach Golf News