How to Plan the Perfect Myrtle Beach Golf Getaway
Arguably, the three most crucial elements of a golf vacation are: Where do we eat? Where do we sleep? And most importantly, where do we golf? Having just returned from an amazing golf excursion to Myrtle Beach, I feel I have a good grasp on what it takes to put together the best 'bang for your buck' golf vacation to the area.
In a nutshell, our 4 day, 3 night golf trip included:
- One fantastic ocean front resort (The Breakers Resort)
- An entertaining trip to the theater (Alabama Theater)
- 3 amazing golf courses (Man-O-War, The Witch & The Wizard)
- 3 post round dips in the ocean
- Plenty of delicious food (Wild Wings)
First things first, the golf; with over 100 golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area, selecting the right courses to play can be a daunting and overwhelming task. Here's a look at the three courses we played, each of which offer a unique playing experience and collectively capture the essence of Myrtle Beach golf.
The Wizard:
The Good: Being greeted by this majestic castle style clubhouse upon arrival sets the stage for the wonderful experience that lies ahead. With a nice course layout that incorporates a combination of tree lined fairways, water hazards and sand bunkers, the Wizard is a nice introduction to golf in Myrtle Beach. The signature 17th and 18th holes alone are worth the price of admission.
The Bad: Not as challenging as the other two courses, but if the wind is blowing (as it was when we played) you'll appreciate the extra space and forgiveness of this course layout.
The Bottom Line: As the most forgiving of the three courses, put The Wizard first on your itinerary. You'll undoubtedly have an enjoyable round, and hopefully hone your skills for The Witch and Man-O-War. The course itself is nice, coupled with the unique clubhouse and friendly staff make the overall experience one that I recommend.
Man-O-War:
The Good: This was my favorite of the three courses; I found Man-O-War to be a happy medium between the two in terms of difficulty. But don't get me wrong, it's no pushover; featuring water on every hole, it is the only course in Myrtle Beach that also boasts a 100-acre lake. The par-4 ninth hole is completely surrounded by water, forcing golfers to calculate the risk:reward ratio on several occasions.
The Bad: Some say 'too much water', although I disagree. The layout still allows for plenty of fairway to work with setting up for nice approach shots to some beautiful greens. Golf is a percentage game, and this course allows you to take some calculated risks, while other times choosing a safer layup approach.
The Bottom Line: The Man-O-War is one of those courses that I could play on a daily basis and never grow bored or tired. Offering a beautiful scenic design, while maintaining a fair, challenging and playable course, the Man-O-War is one of few golf course I look forward to playing over and over.
The Witch:
The Good: An unforgettable experience, The Witch has a lot of character, with a layout that narrowly winds you through 500 acres of tranquil cypress groves and wetlands.
The Bad: The unique design of this course is considered its' greatest asset by some, and its' biggest downfall by others. First time visitors will undoubtedly be challenged by a few blind shots without a lot of room for error.
The Bottom Line: Awarded 4-1/2 stars by Golf Digest, The Witch is sure to be a challenge for golfers of all abilities. Be sure to bring your 'A' game, as precise drives and accurate iron shots are essential to scoring well on this breathtaking course. With over 4,000 feet of bridges snaking through a magnificent swamp and wetlands, be on the lookout for local inhabitants including cranes, eagles, bears and alligators.
For more information about The Witch, Man-0-War and The Wizard, please visit www.mysticalgolf.com, or call 843-282-2977.
The Breakers Resort
The selection of hotels in Myrtle Beach are as abundant as the golf courses. We stayed in a great multi-building resort called The Breakers, which provided us all the comforts and amenities I could ask for including a perfect oceanfront location. We had a nice one bedroom suite which included a kitchen, living room and a nice balcony overlooking the ocean.
The Breakers also offers some great stay and play golf packages that include accommodation, meals and golf. Be sure to check out the Mystical Golf Package which includes a round at each of The Witch, Man-O-War and The Wizard.
I hope the information contained in this article helps you in planning your next Myrtle Beach golf vacation. If your experience is anything like ours, you'll share plenty of good times, great golf and memories that will last a lifetime.
