Myrtle Beach is one of the most renowned golf destinations in the United States, attracting players from across the country every year. With more than 80 golf courses packed into a relatively small stretch of the South Carolina coastline, the area offers something genuinely worthwhile for everyone, whether you are picking up a club for the first time or carrying a scratch handicap.
The challenge, of course, is deciding where to start. This guide breaks down the best golf courses in Myrtle Beach for every skill level, so you can spend less time researching and more time on the fairway.
What makes Myrtle Beach a top golf destination?
Few places in America combine affordability, variety, and sheer volume of golf the way Myrtle Beach does. The Grand Strand stretches roughly 60 miles and is lined with courses designed by some of the biggest names in golf architecture, including Tom Fazio, Greg Norman, and Rees Jones.
The mild climate means you can tee it up comfortably for much of the year, and the resort infrastructure makes it easy to combine a golf trip with a full vacation. Beyond the courses themselves, competitive green fees and plentiful golf packages make Myrtle Beach accessible to nearly every budget.
Best golf courses in Myrtle Beach for beginners
New golfers need a welcoming environment, forgiving layouts, and wide fairways that allow them to build confidence without feeling overwhelmed. The following courses check all of those boxes and rank among the easiest golf courses in Myrtle Beach.
Myrtlewood Golf Club
Myrtlewood Golf Club features two distinct 18-hole layouts, the Palmetto Course and the Pinehills Course, both well suited to golfers still learning the game. The fairways are generous, the rough is manageable, and the pace of play tends to be relaxed. The club also has a solid practice facility, which is a real bonus for beginners who want to warm up properly before heading out.
River Oaks Golf Club
River Oaks Golf Club offers 27 holes spread across three nine-hole loops, giving beginners the flexibility to play a shorter round if needed. The course winds through mature trees and natural wetlands, creating a scenic setting without demanding a high level of skill. The layout rewards straight shots and keeps penalty situations to a minimum, which helps newer golfers stay positive and keep the round moving.
Legends Heathland Course
The Heathland Course at Legends Golf Resort draws inspiration from classic Scottish links design, featuring wide open fairways, natural fescue areas, and minimal water hazards. While the wind can add a layer of challenge on certain days, the overall layout is far more forgiving than it might appear at first glance. Beginners tend to enjoy the spacious feel and the fact that lost balls are less common here than on tighter, tree-lined tracks.
Best Myrtle Beach golf courses for casual players
Casual golfers want an enjoyable course without feeling punished for every mistake. These three layouts strike the right balance between character and playability.
Arrowhead Country Club
Arrowhead Country Club sits along the Intracoastal Waterway and offers 27 holes with a relaxed, resort-style atmosphere. The course weaves through residential neighborhoods and natural lowland areas, giving it a pleasant, unhurried feel. Casual golfers appreciate the variety of tee options, which allow each player to choose a distance that suits their current game.
Pine Lakes Country Club
Known as “The Granddaddy,” Pine Lakes Country Club holds the distinction of being the first golf course ever built in Myrtle Beach, opening its doors back in 1927. The historic course blends old-fashioned charm with a layout that remains genuinely fun for casual players. Wide fairways, classic bunkering, and a traditional clubhouse atmosphere make it one of the most memorable rounds on the Grand Strand.
Man O’War Golf Club
Designed by Dan Maples, Man O’War Golf Club delivers 18 holes of straightforward, enjoyable golf in a parkland-style setting. The course presents a few risk-reward moments without ever feeling unfair, making it a solid choice for casual players who want a round they can genuinely enjoy from start to finish. The green fees are also very reasonable, which is always a welcome bonus for players on a relaxed vacation schedule.
Best Myrtle Beach golf courses for intermediate players
Intermediate players are ready for more strategic layouts that reward good shot-making and course management. These three courses offer the right level of challenge.
Barefoot Resort Courses
Barefoot Resort is home to four championship courses designed by Tom Fazio, Greg Norman, Davis Love III, and Pete Dye, giving intermediate players the chance to experience multiple world-class designs in a single destination. The Fazio Course is considered the most polished and refined, while the Love Course blends lush Carolina landscapes with strategic bunkering. Players with single-digit or low double-digit handicaps will find all four tracks genuinely rewarding.
TPC Myrtle Beach
TPC Myrtle Beach is part of the prestigious Tournament Players Club network and was co-designed by Tom Fazio and Lanny Wadkins. It once hosted the Senior PGA Tour Championship and carries the kind of pedigree that intermediate players aspire to experience. The course demands accurate iron play and smart course management, with strategically placed bunkers and subtle elevation changes that add real interest to each hole.
Grande Dunes Golf Club
Grande Dunes offers a stunning Members Club course designed by Roger Rulewich that sits alongside the Intracoastal Waterway and features dramatic elevation changes uncommon in this part of South Carolina. The fairways reward controlled ball flight, and the greens require thoughtful approach strategy. Intermediate players who enjoy a course that asks real questions without being overly penal will find Grande Dunes a genuine highlight of any Myrtle Beach golf trip.
Best Myrtle Beach golf courses for elite players
Serious golfers looking for a true test will find no shortage of championship-caliber options in the Myrtle Beach area. These three courses represent the pinnacle of what the Grand Strand has to offer.
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is widely regarded as the finest public-access course in South Carolina and consistently ranks among the top courses in the entire country. Designed by Mike Strantz, the layout winds through ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss, rice fields, and tidal marshes that frame virtually every hole. Elite players love the combination of visual drama and strategic depth; the course demands creativity and precision in equal measure.
Tidewater Golf Club
Perched on a peninsula overlooking the Cherry Grove Inlet and the Intracoastal Waterway, Tidewater Golf Club offers some of the most striking views in all of Myrtle Beach golf. The Ken Tomlinson design makes brilliant use of the natural coastal terrain, with several holes playing directly alongside the water. Strong winds are a frequent companion here, adding a genuine test of ball control and course management that skilled players relish.
Dunes Golf & Beach Club
Dunes Golf & Beach Club is a private club that opens its course to certain resort guests and package visitors. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the course opened in 1948 and remains a masterpiece. The back nine in particular, featuring the famous Waterloo hole, a 575-yard par-5 that bends around Lake Singleton, is considered one of the finest stretches of golf in the Southeast. Elite players should make every effort to arrange access to this iconic layout.
How to choose the right Myrtle Beach golf course
Choosing among the best golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area ultimately comes down to three practical factors.
1. Handicap considerations
Your current handicap is the most straightforward guide to course selection. High handicappers and beginners should target courses with slope ratings below 120 and plenty of forward tee options. Mid-handicappers can comfortably take on most resort-grade courses in the area. Low handicappers and scratch golfers will want to seek out layouts with slope ratings above 135 that truly reward precision.
2. Group size
Larger groups sometimes have specific logistical needs related to tee-time availability, cart arrangements, and pace of play. Some courses are better equipped to handle bigger groups than others, and certain private or semi-private layouts may have restrictions.
3. Vacation goals
Think about what you want to get out of the trip overall. If the priority is casual fun and relaxation, choose courses with a laid-back atmosphere and scenic surroundings. If the goal is to test your game against championship-level design, lean toward the more demanding options on this list. Many golfers find that mixing one or two premium courses with a couple of more relaxed tracks gives them the best of both worlds during a multi-day trip.
Plan your Myrtle Beach golf trip with Coastal Golfaway
Coastal Golfaway specializes in building custom golf vacation packages for players of every skill level. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway on some of the easier golf courses in Myrtle Beach or a bucket-list trip featuring the area’s most elite layouts, the Coastal Golfaway team handles every detail, from tee times and accommodations to logistics and dining recommendations. Explore our Myrtle Beach golf packages to start planning your ideal golf experience today.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a beginner start golf?
Beginners should look for forgiving golf courses with wider fairways, fewer hazards, and a relaxed playing environment. Courses with practice facilities can also help new golfers build confidence and improve their skills more comfortably.
What are the best golf courses in Myrtle Beach for beginners?
Myrtlewood Golf Club, River Oaks Golf Plantation, and the Legends Heathland Course are three of the most beginner-friendly layouts in the area. All three feature generous fairways, accessible green fees, and a welcoming pace of play that helps newer golfers enjoy themselves without feeling intimidated.
Which Myrtle Beach courses are the hardest?
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, Tidewater Golf Club, and Dunes Golf & Beach Club are often considered among the most challenging courses in Myrtle Beach due to their strategic layouts, difficult greens, and demanding shot requirements.
What is the most playable golf course in Myrtle Beach?
River Oaks Golf Plantation and Myrtlewood Golf Club are two of the most consistently playable courses in the area for golfers of varying skill levels. Both offer multiple tee options, wide landing zones, and layouts that let players at different stages of the game complete their rounds without frustration.
What should golfers pack for a Myrtle Beach golf vacation?
Golfers should pack lightweight golf apparel, comfortable golf shoes, sunscreen, gloves, extra golf balls, and weather-appropriate outerwear, depending on the season.
Are Myrtle Beach golf courses suitable for group trips?
Myrtle Beach is one of the top destinations for group golf vacations because many courses and resorts are designed to accommodate buddies’ trips, corporate outings, and golf tournaments.