10 Great Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach, SC
Posted by: Christina Francy
With over 60 courses along its scenic miles, Myrtle Beach is a golf lover’s dream. From bold designer layouts to ocean-hugging PGA classics, it’s big on variety, views, and value. Here are 10 standout courses.
No matter if it’s against the lush backdrop of the Smoky Mountains, the rocky surroundings of Colorado, or here in South Carolina, finding a tee time always adds a relaxing touch to any trip. Or, if you’re anything like me, you might even plan the whole trip around it with your golf buddies. 😉 🏌️
Myrtle Beach, also known as the Grand Strand, blends sun, surf, and seriously good golf like nowhere else. And the best part? There’s golf the whole family can enjoy.
Here’s are some of my top picks: 👇
The Dunes Golf & Beach Club: Iconic, oceanfront Robert Trent Jones Sr. course with championship pedigree.
TPC Myrtle Beach: Tour-caliber Tom Fazio design with pristine fairways and wetlands.
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club: Stunning Mike Strantz layout on historic rice plantation. Strategic and scenic.
True Blue Golf Club: Wide fairways, creative bunkering. Fun, forgiving, and full of Strantz flair.
Grande Dunes Resort Club: Upscale, resort-style course with waterway views and modern design.
Barefoot Resort – Dye Course: Pete Dye’s boldest local course. Challenging, visual, and unforgiving.
Pawleys Plantation Golf & CC: Elegant Jack Nicklaus course with marsh views and smart risk-reward play.
Tidewater Golf Club: Known for cliffside vistas and demanding holes. Called the "Pebble Beach of the East."
Prestwick Country Club: Pete & P.B. Dye design with sharp bunkering. Underrated and rewarding.
King’s North at Myrtle Beach National: Arnold Palmer’s showstopper with iconic holes like “The Gambler.”
At Luxury Beach Rentals, we’re all about sunshine, ocean breezes, and premier oceanfront vacation rentals that put you right where the fun is. We know Myrtle Beach like the back of our sun-kissed hands (no bragging, really). Head over to our destination blog for insider tips and local favorites that’ll take your vacation from good to unforgettable.
In this blog, I’ve rounded up 10 standout Myrtle Beach golf courses, each worth booking a round (or two).
Grab your clubs and come along for the ride!
1. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club
18 Holes, Private, Myrtle Beach, SC
Established in 1948, The Dunes Golf & Beach Club is a cornerstone of Myrtle Beach's golfing heritage. Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr., this par-72 course stretches over 7,370 yards, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience for golfers of all skill levels. The course's signature hole, the par-5 13th known as "Waterloo," is renowned for its strategic design and has been recognized as one of the greatest golf holes in the world.
⛳ Highlights:
Historic Prestige: Host to numerous prestigious tournaments, including the PGA Tour's Myrtle Beach Classic and several USGA championships.
Challenging Layout: With a course rating of 76.1 and a slope rating of 148, it offers a rigorous test for even seasoned golfers.
Scenic Beauty: The course meanders through natural dunes and along the Atlantic coastline, providing stunning ocean views and a serene golfing environment.
Exclusive Experience: As a private club, it offers an exclusive and meticulously maintained setting, ensuring a premium golfing experience.
2. TPC Myrtle Beach
18 Holes, Public, Murrells Inlet, SC
Designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1999, TPC Myrtle Beach offers golfers a PGA Tour-caliber experience. This par-72 course spans 6,950 yards from the back tees and is known for its immaculate conditions and challenging layout.
⛳ Highlights:
Tournament Pedigree: Former host of the Senior PGA Tour Championship, showcasing its professional-grade design.
High Ratings: Boasts a course rating of 74.2 and a slope of 146, indicating a challenging yet fair test for golfers.
Top-notch Facilities: Features a comprehensive practice area, including a driving range and short game area, catering to all aspects of a golfer's game.
Scenic Layout: The course winds through natural wetlands and pine forests, offering both beauty and strategic complexity.
3. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
18 Holes, Public, Pawleys Island, SC
Opened in 1994 and designed by the late Mike Strantz, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is often lauded as one of the most picturesque courses in the South. Set on a former rice plantation, this par-70 course measures 6,526 yards and is renowned for its stunning Lowcountry scenery.
⛳ Highlights:
Acclaimed Design: Recognized in Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Courses You Can Play," reflecting its exceptional quality and playability.
Challenging Play: With a course rating of 71.8 and a slope of 138, it offers a test for golfers of all skill levels.
4. True Blue Golf Club
18 Holes, Public, Pawleys Island, SC
Bold, wide, and visually dramatic, True Blue Golf Club is another standout from architect Mike Strantz. Opened in 1998, it’s known for generous fairways, creatively sculpted bunkers, and a memorable Lowcountry landscape. It’s a favorite for those who enjoy a modern, strategic challenge that rewards creativity.
⛳ Highlights
Signature Strantz Style: Wide landing areas, dramatic bunkering, and bold visuals make every hole feel like a statement.
Scenic Setting: Built on a former indigo and rice plantation, the natural beauty of Pawleys Island shines through.
Top Ranked: Frequently listed among the top 100 public courses in America.
Generous Yet Demanding: Wide fairways don’t mean easy; shot-making is essential on approach.
Sister Course to Caledonia: Play both for the full Mike Strantz Lowcountry experience.
5. Grande Dunes Resort Club
18 Holes, Public, Myrtle Beach, SC
Set along the Intracoastal Waterway, Grande Dunes offers stunning vistas and an upscale, resort-style experience. This Roger Rulewich design features large, undulating greens and wide fairways with plenty of strategic nuance. Opened in 2001, it’s one of the newer high-end layouts on the Grand Strand.
⛳ Highlights
Waterfront Vistas: Six holes run along the Intracoastal Waterway with postcard views.
Award-Winning: Named “National Golf Course of the Year” in 2009 by the NGCOA.
Player-Friendly Layout: Room off the tee with a variety of challenges around the greens.
Modern Facilities: Upscale clubhouse and full-service amenities enhance the round.
Ideal for All Levels: Elegant but forgiving, with multiple tee boxes.
6. Barefoot Resort – Dye Course
18 Holes, Semi-Private, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Pete Dye’s signature course at Barefoot Resort is a rugged, visually intense challenge known for mounded fairways, deep pot bunkers, and a stern test from the back tees. It’s one of four acclaimed layouts at Barefoot, but easily the most dramatic.
⛳ Highlights
Pete Dye Drama: Expect visual intimidation like railroad ties, native grasses, and sharp angles abound.
Championship Pedigree: Host of Big Break Myrtle Beach and the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters.
Caddie Recommended: Especially useful for first-time visitors due to the course’s complexity.
Premium Conditioning: Among the best-maintained courses on the Strand.
Tough but Fair: Strategic play is rewarded, but errant shots get punished.
7. Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club
18 Holes, Semi-Private, Pawleys Island, SC
This Jack Nicklaus Signature Course blends classic Golden Bear design with some of the most beautiful marsh views in South Carolina. Opened in 1988, the layout mixes tight, tree-lined holes with dramatic open stretches along the saltwater.
⛳ Highlights
Nicklaus Signature Design: Smart hole architecture and risk-reward options on nearly every hole.
Iconic Par-3s: The marsh carries are as scenic as they are demanding.
Quiet, Elegant Setting: Southern oaks and Spanish moss set a graceful tone.
Strong Back Nine: Considered one of the best finishes in the state.
Player-Focused: Best enjoyed with strategy over strength.
8. Tidewater Golf Club
18 Holes, Public, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Often dubbed the “Pebble Beach of the East,” Tidewater lives up to the name with sweeping water views and cliffside tee shots. This Ken Tomlinson design blends maritime forest with marshland, offering a course that’s both picturesque and precise.
⛳ Highlights
Breathtaking Holes: Coastal panoramas on the 3rd, 12th, and 13th make it one of the most scenic courses in the Carolinas.
Championship Caliber: Ranked in Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play.”
Tight Fairways: Demands accuracy off the tee and thoughtful club selection.
Premium Amenities: Practice facility and clubhouse are polished and guest-ready.
A Photogenic Round: Bring your camera because every hole is a postcard.
9. Prestwick Country Club
18 Holes, Semi-Private, Myrtle Beach, SC
Designed by Pete and P.B. Dye, Prestwick is one of Myrtle Beach’s hidden gems: fierce, beautiful, and under the radar. The course plays through natural dunes and lakes, with Dye’s signature touches like railroad ties, deep bunkers, and multi-tiered greens.
⛳ Highlights
Classic Dye Challenge: Demands accuracy and creativity, especially around the greens.
Peaceful Environment: Less trafficked than many top-tier public courses, making for a quiet round.
Great Practice Area: Driving range and short-game space for a solid warm-up.
Well-Rated Layout: Loved by locals for its consistent conditioning and shot values.
Tough but Rewarding: Can be punishing if you’re off your game, but endlessly interesting.
10. King’s North at Myrtle Beach National
18 Holes, Public, Myrtle Beach, SC
Redesigned by Arnold Palmer in the 1990s, King’s North is playful, bold, and filled with memorable moments. From the infamous island fairway on “The Gambler” to the risk-reward par-5s, this course is pure fun without sacrificing challenge.
⛳ Highlights
Palmer’s Signature Flair: Big visuals, strategic options, and unforgettable holes.
Famous “Gambler” Hole: The par-5 6th features a tempting island fairway. Go for it, or play safe?
Player Favorite: One of the most booked and beloved courses on the Strand.
Friendly for Mid-Handicappers: Rewarding layout that still offers bite.
Good Pace of Play: Efficient tee times and solid course management.
Honorable Mentions: More Myrtle Beach Must-Plays
There are so many great golf courses in Myrtle Beach, this blog could go on forever. But to keep it breezy, here are 10 more honorable mentions you might want to check out.
Barefoot, Fazio Course: A beautifully balanced layout with just the right mix of challenge and playability.
Barefoot, Love Course: Creative and fun, with signature “ruins” and wide landing areas.
Heritage Club: A scenic, oak-draped Lowcountry course with big greens and southern charm.
The Wizard Golf Club: A quirky, Scottish-inspired layout offering great value and variety.
Long Bay Club: A bold Jack Nicklaus design with deep bunkers and plenty of challenge.
Arrowhead Country Club: Immaculate 27-hole facility along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Glen Dornoch Waterway Links: Tough but rewarding, with some of the best finishing holes on the coast.
World Tour Golf Links: Replica holes from Augusta, St. Andrews, and more. Golf bucket list in one round.
Myrtle Beach National, SouthCreek: Underrated, tighter layout with a relaxed pace and good value.
River Club: Water-heavy Pawleys Island gem that rewards smart, confident shot-making.
Wondering Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach?
Soak up the best of coastal living with a stay in one of our stellar vacation rentals. From beach houses to condos, all of our properties are nestled along the Grand Strand including Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and North Myrtle Beach, just a short drive from top attractions.
At Luxury Beach Rentals, we offer a well-curated collection of top-tier stays to help you find that perfect home away from home for a vacation you’ll be talking about long after the suntan fades.
Posted in Myrtle Beach Vacations, Things to Do
