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Myrtle Beach is one of the most celebrated golf destinations in the United States, with over 100 courses lining the Grand Strand - from intimate lowcountry layouts to championship venues that draw players from around the world. Whether you're planning your first trip or returning for your tenth, the challenge is always the same: knowing which courses are worth your time and money. Here are five standout options that consistently top the list.
1. TPC Myrtle Beach
For anyone who has ever wanted to walk the same turf as a PGA Tour professional, TPC Myrtle Beach delivers that experience without a tour card. Designed by the legendary Tom Fazio and located in Murrells Inlet just south of the main strip, the course plays to 7,100 yards with a slope of 140 - a genuine championship test that rewards precision from tee to green.
What sets TPC apart from most courses on the Grand Strand is the full tournament-grade infrastructure that surrounds it. The practice complex includes a grass driving range, a dedicated chipping area, and a superior putting green, making it a destination even before your round begins. Dustin Johnson has used the facility as an off-season training base, which tells you everything about the quality of the conditioning.
Par: 72 | Slope: 140 | Distance: 7,100 yards | Price range: Premium
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2. Tidewater Golf Club
Golf writers have called Tidewater "The Pebble Beach of the East," and one round from the elevated bluffs above the Intracoastal Waterway, Atlantic Ocean, and salt marshes of Cherry Grove Inlet makes it easy to understand why. The setting alone justifies the trip, with panoramic coastal views framing nearly every hole on the course.
Tidewater is one of only three Grand Strand courses to earn a spot on Golf Magazine's prestigious "Top 100 Places You Can Play in the United States" and has held a 4.5-star award from Golf Digest in their Places to Play ranking. In 2024, the course was named South Carolina's Golf Course of the Year and earned another Golf Digest top-ranked distinction, confirming it has maintained its standard over decades. With 688 Google reviews averaging 4.5 stars, the consistency of the experience speaks for itself.
Par: 72 | Slope: 140 | Distance: 7,100 yards | Price range: Premium
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3. True Blue Golf Club
True Blue is regularly mentioned among the best public courses in the entire country, and it earns that reputation every time a player walks its routing through the remnants of a historic indigo plantation in Pawleys Island. Designed by the visionary Mike Strantz, the course delivers dramatic elevation changes, massive bunkering, and bold hole shapes that feel unlike anything else on the Grand Strand.
The layout plays to a par 72 and presents a genuine challenge that demands creativity as much as ball-striking. Native grasses, water features, and wide corridors of fairway blend into a natural landscape that feels rooted rather than manufactured. Off the course, an 18-acre practice facility, well-stocked pro shop, and a relaxed grill room round out an experience that qualifies as a highlight of any Myrtle Beach trip - not just another round of golf.
Par: 72 | Price range: Luxury
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4. Grande Dunes Resort Course
Grande Dunes opened in 2001 and wasted no time making its mark - Golf Magazine named it Best New Course almost immediately after its debut. Routed along the bluffs above the Intracoastal Waterway, the layout offers championship-grade terrain with a course rating of 77.3 and a slope of 142, making it one of the more demanding tests available to public players in South Carolina.
Recent renovations to the greens, bunkers, and chipping areas have kept the course in top condition, earning strong praise from players who note its impeccable presentation and championship-quality layout. At 7,618 yards from the tips, Grande Dunes suits players who want a big, serious test, though multiple tee options make it accessible across skill levels. The clubhouse experience and service standards match what the design promises - polished, premium, and memorable.
Par: 72 | Rating: 77.3 | Slope: 142 | Distance: 7,618 yards | Price range: High-end
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5. Dunes Golf and Beach Club
The Dunes Golf and Beach Club is frequently cited as the finest course in Myrtle Beach - a bold claim given the depth of competition along the Grand Strand, but one the layout consistently supports. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in the late 1940s, the course winds through oceanside terrain now covered in mature trees and turfgrass, with a network of lagoons that come dramatically into play across several holes.
The stretch from holes 11 through 13, nicknamed "Alligator Alley," is among the most talked-about sequences in South Carolina golf. The parkland feel sets it apart from many of its neighbors - conditioning is excellent, the pace of play is well-managed, and the clubhouse sits just steps from ocean views that give the 19th hole experience its own reward. For golfers seeking a course with genuine history and prestige, Dunes is a non-negotiable stop.
Rating: 77.2 | Price range: Luxury
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Quick guide to the five courses
| Course | Designer | Par | Slope | Price range | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TPC Myrtle Beach | Tom Fazio | 72 | 140 | Premium | PGA-caliber challenge |
| Tidewater | N/A | 72 | 140 | Premium | Coastal scenery & prestige |
| True Blue | Mike Strantz | 72 | N/A | Luxury | Bold design & lowcountry beauty |
| Grande Dunes | N/A | 72 | 142 | High-end | Championship distance & condition |
| Dunes Golf and Beach Club | Robert Trent Jones Sr. | 72 | N/A | Luxury | History & parkland elegance |
Planning your Myrtle Beach golf trip
Myrtle Beach offers year-round playability, though spring and fall deliver the most comfortable temperatures and the most competitive package pricing. Booking courses as part of a golf package is the most efficient way to approach the Grand Strand - you can combine lodging, tee times, and even cart and range ball access into one streamlined plan rather than piecing everything together separately.
GolfTroop offers curated Myrtle Beach golf packages that bundle stays at properties like True Blue Golf Villas with rounds at the area's top-rated courses, including several on this list. Packages typically start with 3-round, 4-night structures that give you enough golf to justify the trip while keeping travel days manageable. Whether you are chasing a bucket-list course or building a group itinerary around a mix of marquee and value tracks, the Grand Strand has the variety to accommodate almost any approach.
FAQ
What is the best golf course in Myrtle Beach?
There is no single answer that fits every golfer, but Dunes Golf and Beach Club and TPC Myrtle Beach are most consistently cited among the top options. Tidewater is a close contender for players who prioritize scenery alongside course quality.
Are Myrtle Beach golf courses open year-round?
Yes, virtually all courses on the Grand Strand operate year-round thanks to South Carolina's mild climate. Peak seasons are spring (March-May) and fall (September-November), when temperatures are ideal and course conditions are typically at their best.
How difficult are the top courses in Myrtle Beach?
The courses on this list range from challenging to very demanding. Grande Dunes carries a slope of 142 and a course rating of 77.3, making it one of the tougher tests for average players. TPC Myrtle Beach and Tidewater both carry a slope of 140, while True Blue and Dunes reward strategic play over raw power. Multiple tee options on all five courses ensure golfers of varying skill levels can enjoy the experience.
Is it worth booking a golf package for Myrtle Beach?
Absolutely. Package deals through platforms like GolfTroop combine lodging, tee times, GPS carts, and range balls into one cost-efficient bundle that typically works out cheaper than booking each element separately. They also simplify logistics, which matters when you are fitting three to five rounds into a short trip.
What is the most scenic course in Myrtle Beach?
Tidewater is widely regarded as the most visually spectacular course in the area, earning comparisons to Pebble Beach thanks to its elevated bluffs above the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, and Cherry Grove Inlet salt marshes. For a different kind of scenery rooted in lowcountry plantation landscapes, True Blue offers a visually striking alternative.
