Stretching some 60 miles along South Carolina’s Atlantic coastline, the Grand Strand has earned its reputation as one of the nation’s most beloved golf destinations — attracting players from around the world with its abundant layouts, scenic beauty, and rich architectural history. From classic Lowcountry oak forests and tidal marsh vistas to Intracoastal Waterway holes and dramatic beachside elevations, the region delivers variety and visual splendor at every turn.
A recent feature in Islands.com highlighted several of these standout courses for their memorable design and breathtaking scenery — a recognition fitting for a destination known as the “Golf Capital of the World.”
Caledonia & True Blue: Strantz’s Signature South Carolina Classics
Two of the most celebrated courses on the Strand are the creations of Mike Strantz, whose work at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club reflects his philosophy of golf as both sport and art.
At Caledonia, what was once a rice plantation now plays as an evocative Lowcountry showcase, where centuries‑old live oaks draped in Spanish moss frame expansive greens and dramatic fairways. Golfers often describe the course as as memorable for its natural beauty as its thoughtful routing — a place where even a casual round feels transcendent.
Just across the street, True Blue offers a style that’s equally Strantz but more playful and bold. The course’s undulating fairways, wide waste areas, and strategic challenges appeal to golfers seeking both visual intrigue and competitive test. Its par‑72 layout stretches over 7,000 yards from the back tees and invites players of many skill levels to experience its unique character.
Tidewater Golf Club: Marshland Majesty in North Myrtle Beach
Just a short drive north, Tidewater Golf Club stands as one of the Grand Strand’s most scenic and engaging public layouts. Designed by Ken Tomlinson and recognized among South Carolina’s top championship courses, Tidewater weaves through saltwater marshes, towering pines, and coastal waterways, offering panoramic views of natural beauty at nearly every turn.
The course’s thoughtful design blends strategic challenge with aesthetic appeal, with several holes boasting vistas of marshlands, the Intracoastal Waterway, and even glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean. Tidewater’s combination of visual drama and competitive routing has made it a favorite for both residents and visiting golfers alike.
Barefoot Resort & Golf: Four Championship Courses
In North Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Resort & Golf stands out as a destination unto itself — offering four distinct championship courses designed by some of the game’s most renowned architects: Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Tom Fazio, and Pete Dye.
This “Fantastic Four” of golf courses captures the variety and depth of the Grand Strand experience:
Norman Course: With seven holes along the Intracoastal Waterway, Greg Norman’s design blends open natural vistas with strategic shot‑making opportunities.
Love Course: Crafted by Davis Love III, this layout features wide fairways and generous landing areas, embracing Lowcountry character and memorable green complexes.
Fazio Course: Designed by Tom Fazio, this par‑71 challenge incorporates extensive tree cover, lakes, and striking positioning to craft a visually engaging round.
Dye Course (The Dye Club): The standout semi‑private layout at Barefoot, Pete Dye’s course combines visual beauty and strategic challenge, with classic Dye bunker complexes and risk/reward opportunities that reward careful execution.
Three of Barefoot’s courses — Love, Fazio, and Dye — have been ranked among America’s top 100 public courses by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, evidence of the quality and prestige this resort brings to the Grand Strand.
Surf Golf & Beach Club: Classic Coastal Challenge
A gem with its own storied legacy, Surf Golf & Beach Club dates back to 1959 and offers a classic coastal challenge that evokes golf’s traditional spirit. Renovated over the decades but rooted in its original seaside character, Surf’s seaside layout features water and sand hazards on many holes, with Atlantic breezes shaping play and strategic decisions.
Ideal for golfers who relish course history and the timeless values of course design, Surf complements the championship spectacle of nearby layouts with its own unique coastal personality.
Grande Dunes & The Dunes: Waterfront Views & Historic Prestige
Further south in the Myrtle Beach area, other iconic layouts continue the Grand Strand’s tradition of excellence:
Grande Dunes Resort Club boasts two 18‑hole courses set along the Intracoastal Waterway, with seven holes offering dramatic water views and design elements praised for both beauty and playability.
The Dunes Golf & Beach Club represents Myrtle Beach golf history at its finest. Designed by Robert Trent Jones and a longtime stage for national competitions, Dunes blends classic parkland routing with sweeping Atlantic vistas and a reputation for pristine conditions.
Plan Your Grand Strand Golf Vacation with Thomas Beach Vacations
From the dramatic Lowcountry artistry of Strantz at Caledonia and True Blue, to the marshland majesty of Tidewater, the architectural variety of Barefoot Resort & Golf, and the timeless charm of Surf Golf & Beach Club and iconic layouts like Grande Dunes and The Dunes, the Grand Strand delivers golf experiences as varied and memorable as the coastline itself.
Whether you’re chasing championship challenge, scenic coastal views, or a golf vacation that blends sport and serenity, the Grand Strand delivers on every front.
Let the fairways of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach be your next unforgettable destination. ⛳️🌊
North Myrtle Beach Golf Getaway: Courses, Packages & Tips
When the summer sizzle eases and the sea breeze starts acting like a gentleman, North Myrtle Beach turns into a golfer’s love letter—handwritten in Bermuda fairways, sealed with sunset. Crowds thin, tee sheets breathe, and you can hear your ball talk sense again. Pack a sweater and your Sunday swing; the fall and winter months here are made for fairways, fellowship, and the kind of stories that improve each time you retell them.
Below, you’ll find three local courses that show off our shoreline’s best manners, smart stay-and-play deals to stretch your budget, and a handful of tips that’ll keep your golf trip humming like a well-struck 7-iron.
Why Fall & Winter Golf Shines on the Grand Strand
Cooler temps mean comfortable walking, firmer fairways, and greens that roll truer than a preacher on Sunday. Afternoon rounds finish in golden light, and dinner reservations stop feeling like a competitive sport. In short: more golf, less hassle, better moods all around.
Play These Local Favorites
Azalea Sands Golf Club
Azalea Sands sits right off Highway 17 in the heart of North Myrtle Beach—an easygoing, public 18-hole layout (par 72) that welcomes every kind of swing. Recent clubhouse updates, a friendly pro shop, and straightforward sightlines make it a perfect “shake the rust off” first round or a relaxed replay after lunch. If you like golf that feels like vacation, this is your handshake and how-do-you-do.
Beachwood Golf Club
Designed by Gene Hamm and opened in 1968, Beachwood Golf Club is a classic, player-friendly par-72 just a sand-wedge from the ocean. Wide corridors, five sets of tees, and a welcoming pace let mixed-ability groups play together without ruffling feathers. Its reputation as one of the area’s most approachable tracks is well-earned—bring your buddies, your in-laws, and your patience for putts that will in fact fall on the back nine.
Tidewater Golf Club
Nestled between the Intracoastal Waterway and Cherry Grove Inlet, Tidewater Golf Club is the course you book when you want a little goosebump with your yardage book. The championship layout threads marsh vistas and live oaks, and it’s been ranked among America’s top public courses—bring your camera, but keep a spare ball for those postcard carries.
Stay-and-Play Packages
Stretch your golf dollars with dedicated packages from our sister team at Thomas Golf Vacations. Their golf directors pair tee times at area favorites (including Tidewater and more) with the right condo or beach home—so your group can focus on the swing count, not the spreadsheet. Multi-round deals, free replays, and seasonal promos pop up often, especially in fall and winter.
Pro Tips for a Smooth Golf Vacation
Book smarter windows: Fall/winter mornings are crisp; late-morning to early-afternoon tee times maximize warmth and light.
Layer like a local: Lightweight quarter-zip, wind vest, and a beanie in the bag. Coastal breezes are polite—but persistent.
Mind aerification & maintenance: Check course notices the week of your trip; superintendents schedule work in shoulder seasons. Tidewater posts updates online.
Plan a replay: Courses like Azalea Sands and Beachwood are ideal for same-day second rounds; your swing (and score) usually improve on take two.
Fuel within 10 minutes: North Myrtle Beach makes it easy to grab breakfast near Highway 17, stock the cooler, and be on the tee without hurry. Save the seafood feast for after your heroics.
A 3-Day Golf Itinerary
Day 1: Roll into town, drop bags, and play Azalea Sands to knock the rust off. Late-afternoon nine if spirits are high; seafood and scorecard storytelling afterward.
Day 2: Morning at Beachwood Golf Club for a friendly test and fast pace. Lunch, then a replay or a putting contest with whatever bravery remains.
Day 3: Showcase round at Tidewater Golf Club—leave room on your phone for marsh-view photos. Celebrate with oceanfront sunset and an early promise to return.
Where to Stay: Walk-to-Beach Comfort
Sleep close to the surf and a short hop from Highway 17. Book oceanfront condos or roomy beach homes with Thomas Beach Vacations, then let Thomas Golf Vacations line up the tee times. That way the toughest decision you’ll make is red tee or blue sky.
