Myrtle Beach Golf News & Updates

Big Break Myrtle Beach doesn’t debut until October 7 at 9 p.m. on Golf Channel but get an early look at the drama-filled season.

The first round of the 2014 Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship is in the books! Get a look at some of the action from on the course.

Doc Burgess, Critt Gore and George Hilliard were inducted into the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame Sunday evening at Pine Lakes Country Club.

Established to pay tribute to the men and women who have played significant roles in the development of the Myrtle Beach area golf industry, the Hall of Fame was founded in 2009.
 
“Doc Burgess, Critt Gore and George Hilliard were vital to Myrtle Beach’s growth as a golf destination,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “Their industriousness and vision helped set the standard for the Grand Strand golf community, and they are richly deserving of their spot in the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame.”  

A man of uncommon vision, Burgess, who was inducted posthumously, was truly one of the giants of the Myrtle Beach golf community. His combination of a keen intellect and strong work ethic made him one of the driving forces behind the area’s emergence as a world-class golf destination.

Burgess, a dentist by trade, helped form the Myrtle Beach National group in the 1970s and was vital to its growth into one of America’s most successful multi-course facilities. He was also a pioneer in using technology to make the golf business more efficient.

A tireless work ethic helped make Gore a cornerstone of the Myrtle Beach golf community. Along with a group of investors, he bought Possum Trot in 1980 and has been an integral part of the community ever since. With Gore setting the tone, Possum Trot built its reputation as the Grand Strand’s friendliest course, and he was just getting started.

He was part of a group that built Heather Glen and Glen Dornoch, two layouts that significantly enhanced Myrtle Beach’s national profile. While the native Pennsylvanian was busying running three successful layouts, he always had time to help the community. Gore was a member of the Myrtle Beach Golf Course Owners Association board of directors from 1986-89 and served as president of the organization in 1988-89.

After 26 years of service in the United States Air Force, Hilliard became executive director of the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association in 1988.

With the help of a dedicated golf community, he spearheaded numerous programs, including the area’s first computerized tee time reservation system, the Myrtle Beach Golf Passport program, the industry’s health insurance program for course employees, and statewide and national efforts for tax reductions for course owners.

For more information about Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame, visit www.themyrtlebeachgolfhalloffame.com.

Registration for the 2014 Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship got off to a smooth start on a sun-baked Saturday in Myrtle Beach. The tournament's 3,400 players began checking in at the North Myrtle and Myrtle Beach PGA Tour Superstores this morning, and we are less than 48 hours from the first shot of the event being struck. Enjoy a sampling of the sights and sounds from the opening of registration.

Four Myrtle Beach golf courses have earned a spot on Golf Magazine’s list of the “Top 100 Courses You Can Play,” a biennial ranking of the nation’s best public courses that was unveiled in the September issue of the magazine.

Additionally, the Grand Strand dominated the magazine’s list of the “Best Courses Near You,” a ranking of public courses in each state. “Myrtle Beach has as many great layouts as any destination in America, and Golf Magazine’s Top 100 You Can Play rankings are further affirmation of the quality of golf we offer,” said Bill Golden, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday’s president. “We were very proud of being voted Best Golf Destination by readers of USA Today, and we are equally happy to receive the critical acclaim of one of the game’s most respected media outlets.”

Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, the area’s highest ranked course, was 27th on the “Top 100 You Can Play” list. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club was No. 42, followed by True Blue at No. 77 and the Love Course at Barefoot Resort at No. 85.

Seven of the 10 best public golf courses in the Palmetto State are located in Myrtle Beach and 13 of 20 overall, according to Golf Magazine. In a state renowned for its golf, Myrtle Beach’s dominance is a powerful testament to depth and quality of the area’s offerings.

Caledonia was ranked the third best public course in South Carolina, followed by Dunes Club (No. 4), True Blue (No. 6), Love Course (No. 7), Tidewater (No. 8), Fazio Course at Barefoot (No. 9), TPC Myrtle Beach (No. 10), Dye Course at Barefoot Resort (No. 13), Grande Dunes (No. 15), King’s North at Myrtle Beach National (No. 16), Heritage Club (No. 17), Pawleys Plantation (No. 19), and Heathland at Legends Resort (No. 20).

The Grand Strand was well represented in the North Carolina rankings as well, with four of the Tar Heel state’s top 20 layouts residing in Brunswick County.

On the North Carolina side of the border, Leopard’s Chase at Ocean Ridge Plantation was the ninth ranked course in the state, followed by No. 11 Tiger’s Eye at Ocean Ridge, No. 13 Rivers Edge, and No. 19 Oyster Bay.

Eagle Nest Golf Club is one of the pioneers on the Myrtle Beach golf scene, helping open the door for area’s expansion into Little River and even Brunswick County, North Carolina.

The Gene Hamm design has sent countless golfers home happy since opening in 1972, and the facility has recently redoubled its commitment to conditioning and customer service.

From putt to drive, there is no better feeling in golf than hitting the ball directly in the sweet spot of the clubface.

It's quite rewarding as well!

The sweet spot is the area of the club face between the heel and the toe. For most golfers, it is simply the center of the face of the club head (Picture #1).

One of the main reasons this point of contact can be so elusive at times is that, from putt to drive, the orbiting club head, and specifically the sweet spot, must be trained to approach the ball from inside the target line. If the orbiting club head gets outside the target line before impact (Picture #2), nightmares will certainly follow.

The intelligent mind instructs the golfer to swing down the target line at impact in order to hit the ball straight. Unfortunately, the golf club is built on an angle so if you want to find the sweet spot, you must learn to attack the ball from inside the target line.

As Homer Kelley stated in The Golfing Machine, you must feel in to out through impact.

For a visual, reference Picture #3.

The red line is the delivery line guiding the sweet spot and the white line is the target line.

For consistent sweet spot delivery, the golfer must learn to differentiate between the target line and the delivery line.

The delivery line (the red line in the picture) is the answer to sweet spot contact.

As Homer Kelly once said, “divots are not just taken down, but down and out through impact.”
 

Ted Frick is the Owner and Director of Instruction
at the Classic Swing Golf School

These Myrtle Beach golf schools can turn your
golf vacation into a game-changer!

Lower your handicap, fine-tune your advanced skills, or build a solid foundation for a golf game that will serve you for a lifetime. Wouldn't that just be the perfect Myrtle Beach souvenir? Check it out! And, don't forget, you can get these tips by email too!

Tradition Club is a hidden gem in Pawleys Island, surrounded by some of the area’s most heralded courses. But fun and sun certainly shine on Ron Garl’s only Myrtle Beach golf course and the players who tee it up there.

One of a dozen courses that make up the Grand Strand’s Waccamaw Golf Trail, Tradition Club stands on its own reputation for quality golf. Its star is bright, good enough to earn a prestigious 4 ½-star ranking from Golf Digest and it is a former South Carolina Course of the Year.

In fact, Tradition Club mirrors Pawleys Island’s tranquility. Its green location was developed on a 16th century plantation property. Players are immediately relaxed within the friendly confines of towering pines and live oaks. While the course doesn’t stretch to the 7,000-yard plateau – 6,875 yards from the championship markers – it’s plenty of challenge for any level of golfer.

One of the signature holes at Tradition Club is the intriguing 377-yard (from the men’s tees) par-4 7th. Why is it intriguing? Just ask one of the many players whose lengthy approach shot failed to rest on the peninsula green. This test of nerves and length is similar to many holes at Tradition Club where holes are superbly framed by tall pines.

The second hole gives the seventh a run for its money in the picturesque department. A snake-like bunker and a large water hazard decorate this 165-yard par-3 from tee to green.

Tradition Club puts out the welcome mat for dad, mom and the kids. The entire family benefits in the experience thanks to a “kids play free’’ deal when accompanied by a paying adult.

Golfers who plan an annual Myrtle Beach golf trip have the luxury of selecting from an eclectic number of courses, but it’s wise for those who choose the South Strand not to overlook The Tradition Club.

Matt Ginella isn't the only Golf Channel personality who spent time in Myrtle Beach last week. Charlie Rymer and Kelly Tilghman, both of whom are very familiar with the area, were recently at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club to feature the First Tee of the Grand Strand and Brunswick County. Checkout Golf Channel's coverage and some of the Myrtle Beach area's best young players.

Golf Channel's travel expert, Matt Ginella, was in Myrtle Beach this week filming a segment for his popular Ginella's Journeys series, which airs on Morning Drive. Ginella took time out from his good times on and off the course to provide Golf Channel viewers with a sampling of the fun. In case you missed, enjoy a preview of what is to come on Ginella's Journeys! If you are a fan of Ginella's (and you should be!), follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

Heather Glen Golf Links resides in Little River, just across Highway 17 from its renowned sister course Glen Dornoch. The North Strand facility is a few short miles north of Tidewater and south of a horde of highly regarded layouts in Brunswick County.

The Grand Strand has opened more than 60 golf courses since the first tee shot was struck at Heather Glen in 1987, and as the number of area courses grew, the media attention paid to Heather Glen slowly waned.

While the limelight may have moved on, smart golfers have not.  

Heather Glen was the apple of the golf world’s eye when it opened, earning “Best New Course in America” honors from Golf Digest, and the layout is better now than it has ever been.

MORE ABOUT HEATHER GLEN GOLF LINKS:
Three Best Holes | Photo Gallery | Five Things You Should Know | Heather Glen Details

A 27-hole facility, Heather Glen is one of the most underrated Myrtle Beach golf courses. Designed by Clyde Johnston and Willard Byrd, Heather Glen is a Scottish-inspired design, complete with daunting pot bunkers, rolling fairways, impeccable conditions, and a maturity that can’t be underestimated.

Upon its opening, Heather Glen featured…

Golf Channel’s Matt Ginella has traveled the world playing golf and last week he revealed his list of the game’s best 19th Holes. One of our favorites made the list! Watch as Matty G talks 19th Holes and golf travel on Morning Drive.

Unique names and serious golf. That’s how you can describe the golf courses at Ocean Ridge Plantation in Ocean Isle Beach.

There are four courses that are all nationally recognized and award winning, and one still on the way. A mere 20 minutes from downtown Myrtle Beach lays a golfing oasis fit for weekend getaways, long-distance travellers, or just local golfers looking for a spectacular setting.

With names like Tiger’s Eye, Panther’s Run, Lion’s Paw and Leopard’s Chase, golfers will not be disappointed by the grand promises that the big animal names provide.

The Big Cats, as they’re collectively called, feature challenging holes and beautiful landscapes. Immaculate conditioning are the norm, and each course takes advantage of the rolling Carolinian settings.

I was lucky enough to play Leopard’s Chase, named by Business North Carolina as the fifth-best course in the area. It’s easy to see why.

Although difficult, I found the course to be fair and receptive to all handicap levels in my foursome. The conditionings were perfect. If I were to build a golf course from scratch on the Grand Strand, Leopard’s Chase would certainly be a blueprint for success.

Leopard’s Chase is the newest and “most ferocious” Big Cat at Ocean Ridge, opening in 2007. The following year both GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest named it one of the Top 10 ‘Best New Public Courses in America’.

Rolling through 220 acres of natural coastal terrain, there are no shortage of scenic landscapes, wetlands, native grasses and southern palm trees to keep golfers distracted.

The highlights are in the holes where water plays a key role in both the design and challenge.
For example, the par-3 fourth has an island green, and the par-4 18th is, arguably, one of the best finishing holes I’ve ever played. An elevated green is guarded by an elegant man-made waterfall where 1,600 gallons of water (per minute!) rush down a wall of boulders – the same boulders featured at Tiger’s Eye. A bunker runs up the whole right side of the fairway, and a ‘beach bunker’ is on the left.

Certainly a challenge, but what an experience going hunting for Big Cats! As fine a foursome of courses you’ll find in the Myrtle Beach area.

Adam Stanley is a golf writer based out of Canada who's traveled around the world, but loves coming back to Myrtle Beach. His work has appeared in a number of national and regional publications. Follow him on Twitter @adam_stanley.

One Myrtle Beach’s most challenging and popular courses has earned one the area’s highest honors.

The Moorland Course at Legends Resort has been named Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association Course of the Year.

The MBAGCOA evaluates Golf Course of the Year nominees on four criteria: exceptional quality of the golf course, exceptional quality of the ownership and management, outstanding contribution to the community, and significant contribution to the game. By virtue of winning the award, Moorland becomes a candidate for state and potentially national honors. A 4.5-star course, according to Golf Digest’s prestigious Best Places to Play Guide, Moorland has long been one of the area’s most popular and challenging designs. Architect P.B. Dye utilized waste bunkers, pot bunkers, water and significant elevation change to create a layout that is both visually stunning and enjoyable to play. Moorland has been ranked among America’s 50 toughest courses by Golf Digest and players have embraced the challenge.

[5 Things You Need to Know About Moorland]

Along with its sister courses at Legends Resort – Heathland and Parkland, Moorland is owned and operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management and has been instrumental in raising money for local charities. Legends donated hundreds of rounds of golf valued at more than $30,000 that benefitted the likes of the Alzheimer’s Association, Habitat for Humanity and Toys for Tots, among many others.

[Check out the 3 Best Holes at Moorland]

Additionally, Moorland and Legends offers complimentary instructional clinics twice a week, allows kids to play for free, and is the host facility for the First Tee of Myrtle Beach and Golf Academy of America.

Moorland was named one of the “Top 5 New Courses in America” by Golf Digest upon its opening, beginning a stream of honors that still continues. Most recently, Moorland was No. 6 on Golfweek’s list of the “Best Courses You Can Play” in South Carolina, a ranking of the Palmetto state’s premier public courses.

Moorland succeeds the Dye Club as the MBAGCOA Course of the Year. The National Golf Course Owners Association implemented the award in 1996 and the MBAGCOA has since nominated courses from the Myrtle Beach area. Past recipients of the award include Dye Club (2013), Dunes Club (2012), Founders Club (2011), Sandpiper Bay (2010) Shaftesbury Glen (2009), Grande Dunes (2008), Wachesaw Plantation East (2007), Burning Ridge (2006), TPC of Myrtle Beach (2005), Indian Wells Golf Club (2004), World Tour Golf Links (2003), Wild Wing Plantation (2002), Blackmoor (2001), Tradition Golf Club (2000), Bay Tree Golf Plantation (1999), Arrowhead Country Club (1998) and Myrtle Beach National’s King’s North (1996). Five of the Myrtle Beach regional winners – Burning Ridge, TPC, Wild Wing, Tradition, Arrowhead and King’s North – also captured the state award. World Tour was named as the national “Golf Course of the Year.”

Share YOUR own review of The Moorland Course at Legends Resort by clicking and then scrolling to the bottom of the page!

The Wizard provides golfers a taste of northern Scotland, as the land is mostly clear, save for mounds, gorse and a few low lying trees. Wind is one of the layout’s primary defenses and newly installed, sod-faced pot bunkers add to the Wizard’s authenticity. So what else do you need to know about this Dan Maples design before teeing it up? We offer five nuggets that will help prepare you for a round at the Wizard.