Great Golf Itineraries: Three Days at Legends Resort

Day 1

Every Legends package includes a buffet breakfast and lunch so you will want to arrive early. But the reasons for an early arrival extend far beyond the buffet line.

It’s opening day of your trip and Legends is home to a 30-acre practice facility that makes golfers drool. Make sure you have time to loosen up on the range and tune-up your short game before playing your first round at Heathland.

A Tom Doak design, Heathland has runway wide fairways and greens that are nearly as big. The links-style course allows golfers to play a variety of different shots, including the opportunity to run the ball onto the green, which can be helpful if you are struggling.

After completing the round enjoy your complimentary lunch and get ready for 18 more holes. Opening day is perfect for 36, and the Parkland Course, the complete opposite of Heathland from a design perspective, is on deck.

Parkland features tree-lined fairways, a stern challenge, and one Myrtle Beach’s best holes, the 311-yard (from the tips), par 4 ninth. It’s a classic risk-reward challenge that will leave you talking long after you’ve left the green.

After concluding 36 holes, dinner will beckon your weary group and Legends is within minutes of many fine options., not the least of which is the on-site Ailsa Pub. Based on what your group wants, the three-mile trip to Carolina Forest offers the chance for a couple drinks and a game (Handley’s), the area’s best sushi at King Kong, or quality Mexican food at exceedingly reasonable prices (El Cerro). You won’t go wrong at any of the three places.

Day 2
This is travel day for golf and the choice between Heritage and Oyster Bay isn’t an easy one. But for this year’s trip, you are heading to Pawleys Island to play Heritage, which has been ranked as high No. 33 on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.

Carved from a beautiful piece of land that used to be home to a thriving rice plantation, Heritage is a wonderful design and architect Dan Maples buried elephants under the greens to add to the fun. What’s not to like about alligators, oak trees and, arguably, Myrtle Beach’s best course?

After enjoying the Heritage experience, don’t go directly back to the room. Head to Crazy Sister Marina, find Captain Shawn Thomas and take a quick fishing trip on Underdog Charters.

Thomas can find the fish and he is a golfer. What more could you ask for out of a boat captain?

You can either catch dinner or enjoy the abundance of options along the Marshwalk – Drunken Jack’s, Dead Dog Saloon and Wicked Tuna are all different, yet no less attractive dining options.

Day 3
Our base of operations returns to Legends Resort and Moorland, the 85th ranked Resort Course in America, according to Golfweek magazine. The greens are three times bigger than your house and architect P.B. Dye used waste bunkers, pot bunkers, water and significant elevation change to create a layout that is both visually stunning and the fun to play.

The highlight of the round is the 16th, otherwise known as Hell’s Half-Acre. The 311-yard par 4 could yield an eagle or something far worse than double bogey, depending on your decision-making and execution.

You can conclude your trip with another 18 or relax in the room before hitting Myrtle Beach for a night on the town. If your group wants to start the evening with a nice dinner, go to Aspen Grille (don’t pass on the scallops over mushroom risotto and fried spinach), one of South Carolina's finest restaurants.

After eating, cap your adventure with a night of revelry at Broadway at the Beach, highlighted by a trip to Crocodile Rocks, a piano bar that is equal parts music and stage show.

The only regret at the end of your three-day golf vacation will be the need to depart!