Planning your next golf getaway to South Carolina’s Grand Strand means choosing from more than 90 championship layouts, but the real question isn’t which Myrtle Beach golf courses exist—it’s which ones the locals actually play. When area residents invest their time and money, they select courses that deliver impeccable conditioning year-round, challenging yet fair layouts that honor the natural Lowcountry beauty, and exceptional value that keeps them coming back. This comprehensive guide reveals the top 15 golf courses Myrtle Beach locals recommend in 2025, from the legendary oak-lined entrance at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club in Pawleys Island to the dramatic Cherry Grove Inlet views at Tidewater in North Myrtle Beach, ensuring your golf trip to the Myrtle Beach area focuses on quality rounds that will have you planning your return before you even leave the 18th green.
Table of Contents
- The Local Standard: What Makes Myrtle Beach Golf Great
- South End Myrtle Beach: Lowcountry Beauty and Championship Pedigree
- Central Myrtle Beach Champions: Famous Designs and Accessibility
- North Myrtle Beach Classics: Waterfront Views and Timeless Design
- Planning Your Myrtle Beach Golf Trip: Expert Tips
- Final Takeaway: Play Where Myrtle Beach Locals Play
The Local Standard: What Makes Myrtle Beach Golf Great
A local golfer’s ranking criteria differ significantly from a casual visitor’s perspective. Residents of the Myrtle Beach metro area look beyond big resort marketing for consistent upkeep, challenging playability for regular rounds, and layouts that honor the natural beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry. For this definitive list of Myrtle Beach golf courses, the emphasis remains on the complete experience: thoughtful design, pristine conditioning, genuine value, and strong reputation among those who play them every week throughout the year.
South End Myrtle Beach: Lowcountry Beauty and Championship Pedigree
The southern stretch of the Myrtle Beach coast, particularly the Pawleys Island and Murrells Inlet areas, is often regarded as the heart of South Carolina’s most prestigious golf. These Myrtle Beach golf courses blend stunning marsh and creek views with classic, masterful architecture that has earned national recognition.
| South End Myrtle Beach: Lowcountry Beauty and Championship Pedigree |
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1. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club Pawleys Island, SC A true masterpiece frequently cited as the course every local saves for special occasions. Its entrance lined with ancient oaks sets the tone for a visually stunning, short-game demanding experience. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
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2. True Blue Golf Club Pawleys Island, SC Often paired with Caledonia, True Blue offers massive fairways and huge waste bunkers, demanding powerful and strategic play. Locals praise its impeccable, modern conditioning. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
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3. TPC Myrtle Beach Murrells Inlet, SC The only TPC course in the Myrtle Beach area, offering a true championship experience. Locals value the opportunity to play where the pros have played, enjoying the deep bunkers and pristine bentgrass greens. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
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4. Heritage Club Pawleys Island, SC Set among centuries-old live oaks on a former rice plantation in Pawleys Island, this course offers classic Lowcountry beauty and a challenging but fair layout that locals love for its history and atmosphere. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
“I’ve played every course here, and for sheer quality and year-round conditioning, you can’t beat the Caledonia/True Blue pairing. It’s what we locals recommend to serious golfers visiting the Myrtle Beach area—it’s the best of Myrtle Beach golf courses.” — Adrian S., Golf Pro
Central Myrtle Beach Champions: Famous Designs and Accessibility
These golf courses Myrtle Beach visitors and locals both love are located centrally, near landmarks like Carolina Forest and the heart of the city. They’re celebrated for their renowned designers and signature holes that have achieved national recognition in major golf publications.
| Central Myrtle Beach Champions: Famous Designs and Accessibility |
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5. King’s North at Myrtle Beach National Myrtle Beach, SC This Arnold Palmer-designed gem features the iconic par-5 6th hole, “The Gambler,” with its island fairway. Locals find it the most fun and exciting round in the central Myrtle Beach region. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
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6. Grande Dunes Resort Course Myrtle Beach, SC Known for its stunning bluff views overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. The course’s elevated position and exceptional maintenance make it feel like a truly luxury, destination round in Myrtle Beach. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
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7. Prestwick Country Club Myrtle Beach, SC A unique collaboration between Pete Dye and P.B. Dye, this Myrtle Beach course is one of the most consistently challenging, rewarding precision over distance. Locals consider it one of the area’s best tests of golf. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
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8. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club Myrtle Beach, SC A private, classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. design that occasionally opens for outside play. When the opportunity arises, locals jump on it for the history and the famous “Waterloo” hole at this legendary Myrtle Beach venue. 📍 View Course & Check Availability |
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9. Arrowhead Country Club Myrtle Beach, SC A local favorite for its 27 scenic holes that wind along the Waccamaw River. The flexibility of its three 9-hole loops (Cypress, Lakes, Waterway) and consistent value make it a staple for resident leagues in Myrtle Beach. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
North Myrtle Beach Classics: Waterfront Views and Timeless Design
The northern region of the Grand Strand, including North Myrtle Beach and Little River, is home to a collection of highly-rated golf courses Myrtle Beach golfers praise for their unique settings, particularly those bordering the salt marsh and Cherry Grove Inlet.
| North Myrtle Beach Classics: Waterfront Views and Timeless Design |
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10. Tidewater Golf Club North Myrtle Beach, SC Often cited as “The Pebble Beach of the East” for its stunning marsh and ocean inlet views. Its holes along the Cherry Grove Inlet offer some of the most dramatic coastal scenery of any Myrtle Beach golf courses. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
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11. Barefoot Resort (Fazio Course) North Myrtle Beach, SC The Fazio course is consistently ranked as the best of the four Barefoot tracks in North Myrtle Beach. Locals appreciate its traditional Lowcountry wetland design and pristine year-round conditions. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
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12. Thistle Golf Club Sunset Beach, NC Known for its immaculate conditions and Scottish-inspired clubhouse and layout, including 27 holes of challenging links-style golf just over the North Carolina border from North Myrtle Beach. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
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13. Oyster Bay Golf Links Sunset Beach, NC A classic favorite for its blend of marsh views, water features, and memorable par-3s. Its remote, scenic location near Little River makes it a peaceful round favored by Myrtle Beach area locals. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
Underrated Local Heroes: Top Value Tracks in Myrtle Beach
The final two spots are reserved for Myrtle Beach golf courses that offer exceptional value and excellent playability that local golfers rely on for their weekly rounds and special occasions alike.
| Underrated Local Heroes: Top Value Tracks in Myrtle Beach |
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14. Pine Lakes Country Club Myrtle Beach, SC Known as “The Granddaddy,” this is the oldest course in the Myrtle Beach area and a piece of golf history. It’s a classic, stately round that locals appreciate for its historical significance and elegant clubhouse. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
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15. Heathland at The Legends Resort Myrtle Beach, SC A true links course that feels like you’ve stepped into Scotland. Myrtle Beach locals love the challenging, treeless layout and the opportunity to experience a unique style of golf often found only overseas. 📍 View Course & Book Tee Times |
Planning Your Myrtle Beach Golf Trip: Expert Tips
As an out-of-state golfer, navigating the massive array of Myrtle Beach golf courses can feel overwhelming. Follow these locally-sourced tips from residents and frequent visitors to ensure your Myrtle Beach golf experience matches the world-class courses you’ve chosen from this list.
Timing Your Myrtle Beach Golf Visit and Booking Tee Times
The single biggest factor affecting your Myrtle Beach golf experience is timing. Knowing when to visit and how far in advance to book will save you both time and money while securing premium tee times at top golf courses Myrtle Beach locals recommend.
- The Best Time to Play in Myrtle Beach: The prime golf seasons are spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). During these months, the weather throughout the Myrtle Beach area is perfect (average highs in the low 70s to low 80s), and course conditions are at their absolute best. While summers are hot, the availability for tee times is often easier to manage, and rates can be more favorable.
- Booking Strategy for Myrtle Beach Golf: For the high-ranked, destination Myrtle Beach golf courses—especially Caledonia, True Blue, and TPC—you must book packages well in advance, often 4 to 6 months out for spring and fall. These spots sell out quickly due to national demand. For a more spontaneous round at Myrtle Beach area courses, look at the mid-coast tracks 2 to 4 weeks prior to your visit.
Myrtle Beach Golf Packages and Stay-and-Play Deals
The Grand Strand is famous for its golf packages, and utilizing these deals is the most practical way to play multiple top-rated Myrtle Beach golf courses while saving money and simplifying logistics.
- Custom Packages: Instead of pre-set packages, work with a local Myrtle Beach package provider to create a custom itinerary that strictly includes your selections from this top 15 list. This allows you to combine an oceanfront hotel or vacation rental with tee times at golf courses Myrtle Beach visitors and locals both prefer.
- Replay Rates: Many Myrtle Beach area courses, particularly those at larger resorts like Barefoot or The Legends Resort, offer discounted “Replay Rates” if you book a second round on the same day. This is a favorite trick of local golfers to maximize time and practice on their preferred tracks while getting exceptional value.
“When planning our annual trip from Ohio, we always check this list first. The courses the locals play—especially Tidewater up near North Myrtle Beach—are always in the best shape, and the views are just incredible. Using a package deal with our hotel made booking the top 4 Myrtle Beach golf courses totally stress-free.” — Chris F., Operations Manager
Local Landmarks and After-Golf Fun in Myrtle Beach
Your Myrtle Beach trip should include more than just golf. Pairing your rounds with local attractions and dining is essential for a complete coastal experience that showcases what makes the Grand Strand special.
- The MarshWalk: After a round at the southern Myrtle Beach courses (Caledonia, True Blue, Heritage), a mandatory stop for locals is the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk. This waterfront dining district in Murrells Inlet offers fresh seafood and drinks at active venues like Wahoo’s Fish Tacos and Dead Dog Saloon (both operating in 2025), providing the perfect sunset setting to recap your round.
- Broadway at the Beach: If you’re playing central Myrtle Beach golf courses like King’s North or Grande Dunes, head to Broadway at the Beach. This entertainment complex in the heart of Myrtle Beach offers high-energy restaurants, bars, and entertainment like Topgolf for a relaxing second round, no matter the time of year.
Final Takeaway: Play Where Myrtle Beach Locals Play
The sheer number of Myrtle Beach golf courses can sometimes be overwhelming, but this list provides a clear, locally-vetted roadmap to the area’s absolute best. By focusing your 2025 Myrtle Beach golf vacation on these 15 courses, you are playing where the residents play and enjoying the highest-quality, most challenging, and most memorable golf rounds the South Carolina coast has to offer. You are not just visiting the Myrtle Beach area; you are experiencing golf courses Myrtle Beach locals trust, exactly how they play them—with insider knowledge, strategic planning, and an appreciation for the natural Lowcountry beauty that makes every round at these Myrtle Beach golf courses unforgettable.
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