Fall golf season is right around the corner and now is the best time to try to rally the troops to get out of town for a much needed golf vacation here along the Grand Strand.  After spending the summer with family of friends, we realize that finances may be tight.  If you read through the following information, I will give you a blueprint to save you and your group a ton of money.  What I am about to give you is the best budgeted plans for 3-night and 4-night stays which will include pricing for accommodations, golf,  and some of my favorite places to hit up for dinner and happy hour.

ACCOMMODATIONS

**All pricing includes all taxes and fees **

GOLF PACKAGES

At this point you have the information to handle your lodging and your golf… now comes the best part, happy hour and dinner in Myrtle Beach.  Here are some of my top choices:

HAPPY HOURS

DINING OPTIONS

Thank you for taking the time to read through and discover some of the best deals and my favorite places to dine here in Myrtle Beach.  Just remember the more you save on golf and accommodations, the more you get to spend on great food and drinks.  Make sure you email us or call us to book your future golf trip!

Spirit Airlines announced earlier this week that they will be starting flights earlier than normal this year for the Spring 2013 Golf season. The flights are starting a month to three months before the normal flight dates to five cities. The flights will also be starting before the $118 million airport expansion at Myrtle Beach International Airport. The new expansion is scheduled to open February 19, 2013.

The cities that Spirit will be offering non-stop flights to and from are

Chicago IL
Detroit MI
Latrobe PA
Charleston WV
Niagara Falls NY.

The direct flights to Chicago, Detroit and Latrobe will start February 14th. There will be two weekly flights to Niagara Falls, N.Y. that will start February 15, and will add two more beginning the week of  April 25. Charleston, W.V. will have two flights that start March 2nd and will add an additional flight to three flights the week of April 25th.

Spirit Airlines is a low cost carrier based out of Fort Lauderdale, FL. For more information visit their website www.spirit.com

As always,

Fairways & Greens

@mbgolfpro

Golfers are always wanting to play the best courses for the best price. We always see rankings for the “Best Myrtle Beach Golf Courses”, “Top Myrtle Beach Golf Courses” but one list that you never see is the Worst Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach.  Well, it’s time to change that. I did a blog back in the Summer of 2009, titled the Top 5 Worst Courses in Myrtle Beach. That blog was about my own ranking system. Since then, we have implemented a golfer voting system that allows golfers to vote for their favorite (and least favorite) courses on a 1-5 basis.

In this case, I know these courses get a lot of play, however, no one is voting for them. Does that mean they are bad golf courses? Nope! I have never played a bad golf course anywhere.
What I have played are golf courses with bad conditions.

However even when a golf course is in bad condition, your opponent is playing the same conditions. Remember, the ol saying goes, “A bad day at the course, is better than a Good Day at the office.”

The Top Worst Myrtle Beach Courses, aka.  “The Weakest Links”

1. Palmetto Greens – coming in as the 94th ranked golf course for Spring 2012 with a 1.80 out of a possible 5.0, leads them to the #1 position as the overall winner of the Worst Myrtle Beach course.
2. Cypress Bay – Ranked as the 93rd course in Myrtle Beach, Cypress Bay has recently gone under renovations to the entire facility. There is a new day at Cypress Bay but it still ranks at the bottom of the list with a 2.07 out of a possible 5.0
3. Island Green – Reopened under new management, the 92nd ranked worst course in Myrtle Beach will need to do a lot after the former Signature Golf Group closed the golf course in late 2011. 2.13 out of a possible 5.0
4. Brierwood Golf Club – located over the state line in Shallotte, North Carolina, Brierwood is mostly played by locals just wanting to get out and hit it around. 2.33 out of a possible 5.0
5. River Oaks – Im actually shocked to see River Oaks here in this position, the course has had major renovations. If you have not been out to River Oaks in a while it is a value course, that challenges the mid to high handicapper. 2.38 out of a possible 5.0

If you disagree with these golf course rankings, feel free to go to our rankings and comments section and let your voice be heard!

As always ….. Fairways & Greens

A quick example lesson given by Hugh Royer III on #18 MBN-Kings North, the “BullsEye”.
Golfers that come to Myrtle Beach know all about the area golf courses and which ones are their favorites. What they MIGHT not know, however, is where to get a good golf lesson in the Myrtle Beach, SC area. Before playing some of the Top rated Golf Courses in the country, golfers may want to fine tune their game (let’s face it, you have to win those skins off your buddy.)  The last thing a good golfer wants is to play badly on one of 90 golf courses along the 60 mile Carolina Coast.  Now, golfers that come to enjoy their golf vacation in Myrtle  have a new option.

The South Carolina Golf Center, temporally located at Burning Ridge Golf Club in the heart of the Worlds #1 golf destination, offers personalized golf instruction for players of all skill level. Whether you are a beginner or playing professional the SC Golf Center can personalize a golf program to help every facet of your game with private instruction utilizing the V-1 Digital Coaching System. The V-1 Digital Coaching System is the top video analysis software in sports.  Even when golfers leave to return home from your their golf vacation, they will have access to the Online Academy, where the student can even get online lessons.  This feature will allow students to continue to fine tune their golf game miles away from Myrtle Beach.

Offering an array of instruction, including 1, 2 and 3 day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, playing lessons and short game lessons, the SC Golf Center has a program to maximize any golfer’s game. I know it sounds like a sales pitch, but it’s true. They do their best to customize their lessons around your style.

The school is founded by former PGA Tour Player and 4-time Nationwide Tour Winner, Hugh Royer III, and is also the Director of Instruction at the SC Golf Center. His unique teaching philosophy stems from a combination of his own playing experience and his ability to communicate to players of all levels in different ways.  Royer has coached some of the games top professional, collegiate, junior and amateur players from all over the world.

As always,

Fairways and Greens

With the Easter Holiday for 2012 just around the corner, we have last minute golf specials at several participating golf courses in Myrtle Beach. These Easter deals can save up to $35 per golfer at 23 Prime Time courses and up to $60 on Four Barefoot Resort Courses. These Signature courses includes three courses that are in our
Top 10 Golf Course Rankings, Willbrook Plantation currently ranked #3 and Tidewater Golf Club currently ranked #5 and the Barefoot Fazio currently ranked #7. Not only do they include Top Ranked Myrtle Beach Courses, but also courses designed by the games best, including Arnold Palmer, Pete Dye, Greg Norman, Dan Maples, Davis Love III, and Jack Nicklaus to name a few. (Oh, and FYI, Davis Love III will be playing in the 2012 Monday after the Masters Golf  Tournament in Myrtle Beach on April 9.)
All of these Easter 2012 golf specials include  include Greens, Carts, Taxes and Fees in the rates below.

National Golf Management Easter Special (April 5 to April 11, 2012)

Valid on Tee Times Booked NOW Until April 11 – LIMITED AVAILABILITY

South Creek, West Course, Waterway Hills, Aberdeen, Arcadian Shores, Meadowlands, Myrtlewood, River Hills
Play ANY of these courses above for $59 a.m., $49 midweek and/or p.m. (Save 25 bucks per golfer!)

Litchfield, Tradition Club, Blackmoor, Wachesaw East, Farmstead
Play ANY of these courses above for $71 a.m., $56 midweek and/or p.m. (Save 25 bucks per golfer!)

Long Bay, River Club, Wild Wing Plantation
Play ANY of these courses above for $76 a.m., $58 midweek and/or p.m. (Save 30 bucks per golfer!)

Willbrook Plantation, Pawley’s Plantation, Pine Lakes
Play ANY of these courses above for $88 a.m., $65 midweek and/or p.m. (Save 30 bucks per golfer!)

King’s North, Grande Dunes Resort Course, Tidewater
Play ANY of these courses above for $97 a.m., $67 midweek and/or p.m. (Save 35 bucks per golfer!)

As an added bonus, KIDS PLAY FREE on these courses during this special. (Ages 16 and under. One child per paying adult. Learn more about rates for kids.)

Barefoot Golf & Resort Easter Deal (April 4 to April 11, 2012)

Valid on Tee Times Booked NOW Until April 11 – LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Barefoot Love, Barefoot Fazio, Barefoot Norman, Barefoot Dye
Play ANY of these courses above for $153 a.m., $128 midweek (Save up to 55 bucks per golfer!)
SPECIAL Wednesday Rate: $93 a.m. and p.m. (Save up to 90 bucks per golfer!)

You’ve got two options for the Gambler at King’s North, an easy 4 strokes or a tricky 3. It’s your call.

One of the most requested golf courses in Myrtle Beach will be getting a make over this Summer 2012. This Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane design is one of three courses at Myrtle Beach National. The Myrtle Beach National Kings North opened in 1973,  with Palmer himself being apart of the initial design, the course went under a complete refurbish in 1996. “The King” himself handled the majority of the changes. At that time, the course received new Crenshaw Bent Grass greens. The Green areas also where increased in size and undulations where added for difficulty.

Bunkers were also added.

For example, the 18th hole is called “the Bullseye” and has over 40 bunkers on the finishing hole.  Mounds were added to contour fairways and bulk heads were added to holes like the par-3 4th hole called “The Island Green”. As you may suspect, this green is now completely surrounded with water. These changes made by Arnold Palmer led Myrtle Beach National – Kings North to receive the 1996 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year award and also the South Carolina Golf Course of the Year.

With the South Carolina climate and newer grass technology the National Golf Management team has decided to install new Champion Bermuda Greens. This grass is some of the best you can get for the Grand Strand area do to its drought tolerance and ability to grow on different mixtures of soil types.  Champion Bermuda grass is also and the most important provides great putting surface and is less expensive to maintain than bent grass greens. The course will close on June 25, 2012 and reopen August 31st, 2012.

Let’s not stop there. There was another significant change to this Par 72 layout in 1996….

It’s the Gambler

This sign resides by the Par-5 Gambler golf hole at King’s North in Myrtle Beach.

Legendary Country Music Singer Kenny Rogers, came to Myrtle Beach to help open the Arnold Palmer redesign and  turned the par-5 6th hole into one of the most famous hole in Myrtle Beach Golf History. Rogers named the hole “The Gambler” after his hit song, which one won him a 1978 Grammy Award for “Best Male Country Vocal Performance”.

This par-5 hole is called “The Gambler” because it gives golfers two options to play the hole.

If you go with the first choice, you hit it over the water on the drive to a landing area with three fairway bunkers. This is the safe shot.  Your second shot will be a layup down the fairway. Third shot is to the green.

Now, get ready for option #2. You tee off and strike the ball over the water, but now you are aiming for a island fairway that is about 100 yards long and 50-yards wide.  So you better make sure you are a good shot, or you’re going to be going through balls like nobody’s business. You have to then hit over the water again on your second shot to get to the green.  So you’re on the green in two shots putting for Eagle. This second option gives golfers their “Gamblers” chance in the game of golf.

This hole sets the golfer up for a chance to ask himself one question.  Before your opponent “hands you a bottle, and you drink down your last swallow” you will need to decide to go for it in two or bail out and still try to make birdie or par with 3 shots.

SO, the question is, “Do you know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away, or know when to run?”

No other hole in the Myrtle Beach area has as much meaning as this hole.  Maybe I can clarify what Rogers means by this famous saying. There is a sign at the tee box with these exact song lyrics, PLUS, his spike marks are also on display in concrete.

The Explanation with Match Play

“Know when to hold them” – One of the best strategies is to play your game until your opponent makes a mistake.

“Know when to fold them” – It does not matter how many strokes on each hole you lose by, you are only down one if you lose the hole. Of course you do not want to lose any hole as the gives your opponent momentum, however you live to fight another hole.

“Know when to walk away” – If your opponent gives you a two-footer and says “thats good”, it’s a great time to pick your ball up and walk away, even with a push!

“Know when to run” – There is always a time when its time to step on the gas, no matter if you’re winning or losing! On the home stretch on the front 9, The Gambler is the perfect “turning point hole” for the match.  This is the time where you need to run with your match, building a lead for the back nine (to make your opponent ‘dormie’),  or get back in the Match for a chance to win!

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So in closing, I also want to mention King’s North is now #7 on our Top 10 Golf Course’s in Myrtle Beach  and is also the PRIDE of National Golf Management, and there is no doubt in my mind it will be voted #1 after the re-open.

As always, fairways and greens,

@MBGolfPro

P.S. Hope you enjoy the video below.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! 2012 Fall Golf Package Rates released!

Do people still say that any more?  Well, if not, we’re bringing it back.  Because we have news! We JUST posted our rates for some of our Myrtle Beach golf packages for fall of 2012.  We know you’ve been asking for them, so here they are!  Several of our most valued packages have been updated with the best golf rates available in Myrtle Beach.  Remember, all our golf packages include greens fees, cart fees and taxes. Also, book your accommodations with us and easily add any one of our golf packages.

These packages now have the 2012 golf rates!

The Super Saver Package

The most economic package available. This is a three to five round package. Our Super Saver Golf Package is designed for golfers on a budget who want to be challenged by tough courses without going over budget. Courses included in the package are Azalea Sands, Carolina National, Diamond Back, Heron Point, Indigo Creek, River’s Edge, River Oaks and Sandpiper Baby. Each of these courses are professionally designed to offer challenges to avid golfers while allowing less experienced golfers a chance to enjoy the game without the pressure of more complex courses.

Barefoot Golf Package

Play the award winning courses of Barefoot Resort and Golf in North Myrtle Beach. Ranked as one of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses in 2005 and 2006, these courses offer features that require strategy and skill. The four courses included are those of golf greats Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Davis Love III, and Greg Norman. No need to be intimidated though, the carts at all four courses feature GPS that will provide you with information about the layout of the hole and your yardage. Think you had a great swing? Check the GPS to see a reading of your distance. Barefoot, the #1 Multi-Course Facility in Myrtle Beach, also provides golfers with a thirty acre practice facility and dining services open for breakfast and lunch. Learn more…

Big Cats Package

So named for the courses included in the package, the Tiger’s Eye, the Panther’s Run, the Lion’s Paw, and the Leopard’s Chase, this package is designed to meet the requests for a challenge by you big cat golfers. Golf course architect Tim Cate designed three of these, excluding the Lion’s Paw. His award winning designs are know to be complex and challenging. The courses feature steep elevations and tight radii requiring some serious strategy. We know you will be busy going for par but, take note of your surroundings too. These courses are nestled among breathtaking surroundings such as nature preserves and virgin hardwoods. Learn More…

Classic Golf Package

The vision of post card golf courses, the courses included in the Classic Golf Package offer the golf challenges tradionalists pursue. You will see rolling freeways with sand pits and lakes strewn throughout. The four courses in this package are Black Bear, Burning Ridge, Indian Wells, and The Founders Club at Pawleys Island. The latter having been rewarded the 2011 Golf Course of the Year. Our Classic Golf Package now also offers free pre-booked replays on any course of your choosing.

Glens Group Golf Package

Reminiscent of the spectacular greens on the Scottish isles, the Glens Group Golf Package includes four serene yet challenging courses. Courses included in the Glens Group Golf Package are the Possum Trot, the Shaftsbury Glen, Glen Dornoch Waterway Links, and the Heather Glen. The Heather Glen golf course was rated in Golf Digest as one of Golf Digest’s Places to Play. Now, purchase a three round Glens Group Golf Package and receive get 5 free replays.  Learn More…

Grande Daddy Golf Package

There is a REASON it is called the Grande Daddy, you know. Choose from 11 different courses,  some with the top ratings in the entire U.S.  Choose from the big names like Grande Dunes, Myrtlewood, Farmstead, River Hills, Tidewater and more – courses that offer you the perfect mix of challenge and professionalism. And best yet, these course are now offering heavily discounted pre-booked replays because, let’s face it, when you play a course, you WILL want to play it again.

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So that’s it!  We do have other golf packages that we don’t yet have rates for fall 2012, but they are coming VERY VERY soon.  Want to know when we publish the rest?  Just click on the chat bubble at the bottom of your screen and enter your email address and put “2012 Rates” into the message.

We are starting to receive Myrtle Beach golf package rates and pricing for Spring 2012 from the area golf companies and we want it available to you! We currently have single round course rates posted under The Supreme Golf Package. The Supreme is a “Build Your Own” featuring over 90 courses on the Grand Strand. Plus, we recently updated four of our golf packages with 2012 Myrtle Beach golf rates as well.

Along with The Supreme Package, The Legends Package has quickly become one our of most popular golf packages. All Single Round, Three Round and the Four + 1 FREE Round includes Breakfast, Lunch and 2-draft beers for each golfer. That pays for itself!

The Big Cats Golf Courses have changed their package from Three + 1 to a deep discounted Four Round Rate for 2012. To receive the discounted rates though, you now have to play Tigers Eye or Leopards Chase in the afternoon.

Glens Group will continue their Ultimate Glens Package offering three rounds with a Possum Trot for free  AND Free Pre-Booked Replays after 1:30pm.

Also for the Spring 2012 golf season we have brought back our Super Savers Golf Package, which is our low cost budget golf package.

Let’s not forget about the Barefoot golf course 2012 rates we just published as well, featuring courses from the top dogs like Fazio, Norman, Love, and Dye. And finally, the Grand Slam golf package, the one that combines a couple Barefoot courses with Caledonia or True Blue,  a package for the serious golfers only!

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NorthMyrtleBeachGolf.com, your #1 source for the best in Myrtle Beach golf.