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I'll share more of the "why" later, but I am heading to Myrtle Beach on or about February 1st for 3 months or so.

Any recommendations as regards cool public courses, great practice facilities, etc., would be greatly appreciated! Mainly looking for tracks on the south side of the $50 green fee mark where walking is allowed (or preferably encouraged )

Keep 'em coming! I've never been there and I'm really looking forward to it.

Thanks!

Possum Trot has a great practice facility.

I'm not familiar with the "walking encouraged" part. I've played down there for the better part of 12 years, never have seen a single walker during that time, believe it or not. Not saying that it doesn't exist, just that I've not seen it.

Good tracks under $50... Really depends on your definition of "good" more than anything else. Aberdeen Country Club, good course, well kept. The Witch, The Wizard, Man of War (all owned by the same company). Arrowhead, Sandpiper Bay, Angels Trace, Burning Ridge, etc.

If you stay away from the more prominent architect designed courses and signature courses, you tend to pay less. The best thing you could do is search the internet and get prices, list the courses you might be interested in playing, and get feedback on those courses here.

I've checked some courses and seen no walking allowed, but plenty that don't seem to have any restrictions. That's pretty crazy - you've never seen a walker down there? I walk exclusively.

How do you like it down there?

I was up there last summer. First time I'd been in several years. Some of the courses I used to play have closed. When there this time, I was also looking for budget golf.

I played Wachesaw East, Indigo Lakes, and Heron Point. I believe they all require carts though. You'd probably need to contact the courses you're interested in and ask.

I have a timeshare down there, so naturally I look forward to it each season. We go in the summer months, so the family can take advantage of the beach. Too, it is very hot at that time of the year, which might help explain why I've never seen someone walking a course. But even before that, I used to go down each fall and even then, never saw a walker on any of the courses I played for a number of years.

Overall, Myrtle is a great golf destination if you go at the right times. Spring and fall months are undoubtedly the best times, but also the peak times. The cheapest times to go are in the summer months, when more people are hanging out at the beach as opposed of playing. They drop their rates to intice the business, and I take advantage of it by going early in the mornings, avoiding some of the stifling heat and humidity.

I think that you'll be pleased with the golf options there. You might still get off-season rates because it's a bit early before spring when you first get there, but they typically start going up in March (or at least that is what I have experienced). People are genuinely friendly there, as you would expect in a resort-type area.

Have fun and good luck with your trip. I wouldn't be overly surprised that when June comes around, you'll not want to leave.

Yeah, I'm really really looking forward to it. I'm actually going to be staying in North Myrtle Beach in a condo right on the water. I got their tourist golf package with the listing of some of the 2 billion clubs/courses they have, and I've also found some online stuff that's useful.

Thanks for all the info!

I've been playing there a couple of times a year for about 8 years now. I usually get a package that includes accommodations, so I'm not sure what the actual greens fees were. Some of the courses that I have played that I liked and I suspect are not too overly priced are The Witch, both the Myrtlewood courses, Pine Lakes (the oldest course in MB), all the Wild Wing courses (although I think they have shut down all but 18 holes), Ocean Ridge Plantation just over the border in North Carolina.

check out www.golfersguide.com

Steve

I actually enjoy North Myrtle more than anywhere. It is much less crowded, although it really won't be much of an issue for you at the times you'll be there. And some of the better courses (imo) are more near where you'll be.

There's a course there, right off of Hwy 17, called East Lake (I think?). I've played it a few times, but many years ago. It's a shorter course, but it was in good condition when I played it back then. I seriously doubt that you will find a cheaper place to play than there, and I would be willing to bet that they permit walking. Nothing spectacular, but convenient and cheap. (not sure about their practice facility)

Sandpiper Bay and Angels Trace would be about 10 minutes North of you, just across the border into NC. Good courses. But there are so many courses there, you could stay there for 5 years and not play them all. Another good course up in that area is called The Meadowlands. Nice course, not overly expensive.

Have fun while you're there.

If you are looking for walk-on rates, you could check the local newspapers, but during peak season you may be out of luck as lots of courses will be full, you'll need to be flexible. Have fun! You will not be allowed to walk as 95% of the courses have mandatory carts.

Any thoughts on this one? Seems perfect. Has enough length, looks traditional and challenging, no condos, and get this - they even have a PM walking rate:


Whispering Pines Golf Club
http://www.wpinesgolf.com/

Rates:
PM walking rates anywhere between 25 and 40 bucks for the time I'll be there.
http://www.wpinesgolf.com/pages/rates2.cfm

Picturesque, too:
http://www.wpinesgolf.com/pages/gallery.html

Anyway, even if not this exact one, this is right along what I'm looking for.

I think Sandpiper closed??

You're kidding! That's the first course I ever broke 80 on.

I know that Bay Tree closed, which is also on the North end... I would imagine that condos are soon to follow.

[quote=mr3856a]I'll share more of the "why" later, but I am heading to Myrtle Beach on or about February 1st for 3 months or so.

You're a lucky guy. On or about Feb 1st, I'm heading for work.......Just like I've been doing for a 100 years!!!!

I played WIcked Stick in South Myrtle Beach a few months ago. It was a nice course and the "John Daly" tee boxes were kind of neat. I don't remember seeing any walkers though. I paid $52.00 on a Sunday so I imagine the weekdays rates would be less. Nice course, but not like a high end resort.