Conference 7.286::golf

    Tom,
    
    I played Heritage and Waterway Hills this past October.
    
    Heritage is a beautiful golf course.  The layout is tough but fair- really
    makes you think about placement on every shot.   Greens were very
    undulating and probably the hardest of all the courses I played in
    Myrtle Beach.  Some of the greens were very deep, and required
    sometimes two additional clubs to get to the pin.  Great clubhouse and
    friendly service.  This course was definitely worth the surchage- one
    of my favorites.  Lots of memorable holes.
    
    I found Waterway Hills much easier by comparison.  The layout was not
    as interesting, and everything was pretty much as you saw it- very few
    surprises.  Its quality and service was very good.  Don't play this
    course just for the gondola ride- its not that much of a thrill.
    
    Enjoy your trip.
    
    Gary

    I've played Heritage, Willbrook, litchfield and the River club.  The
    first question are you staying at The Waccamaw House.  If you are its
    great, the reason I say this at one time it was the only way to play
    Willbrook.  Willbrook and The Heitage were my two favorite well worth
    the time and both in fabulous condition.  The time I played Willbrook
    there was nothing there Just opened but what a layout.  All they had at
    the time were trailers for a clubhouse.  The Heritage is a class place,
    with first class treatment, everybody goes out of their way to make you
    feel welcome.  I could be satified with these two courses on a week
    vacation.  As far as Litchfield and River club, Litchfield was a old
    traditional layout and the river club had an island green, we would
    play these two on the days we played 36 because you could play for free
    after 2pm

    Our group of 12 goes there each year in the last week of April.
    Some guys have been going for 20 years, and you have on your list
    6 that I've played (Tidewater, both Legends, Long Bay, Heritage and
    Heather Glen), all of which are favorites of the whole group (who
    cover about 50 courses between them).  We are going back to 5 of
    the 6 this year (couldn't get on both Legends in 1 day this time).
    
    Tidewater:  Absolutely beautiful, and classy.  You'll love every
    second.  May be the best of the group.
    
    Heritage:  Our group's consensus favorite of all courses.  Traditional
    beauty, with large old trees, and the people are great.  A shorter,
    but very tough course, with several memorable holes.
    
    Legends, Heathland:  A links-type course, and you may have never
    played on quite like it.  It is unique, even in M.B., and if you
    like the type, you'll definitely like this one.  It can be quite
    tough and frustrating, especially in those pot bunkers that swallow
    you whole!
    
    The Legends has a practice green that is 30,000 square feet and a
    huge clubhouse.  Everything is on a large scale.
    
    Legends, Moorlands:  Also unique, and very tough.  You will see all
    of the "newer" architectural features here, and you may be put off
    at first if you don't like tricked up courses, but when you get by
    that feeling, I'm sure you'll appreciate it all.
    
    The Legends duo is a great and grueling 1-day 36 hole test.  And now
    they have a third course ....
    
    Heather Glen:  Another award-winning course (like all of those above).
    Very nice layout.  It has 27 holes, but you'll probably only be allowed
    to play 18 in prime time, and unfortunately won't have the choice
    of which.  We definitely prefer 1-18, as 19-27 are still too new, and
    don't seem to be quite as attractive.  None of us have liked the staff
    there, but is is a definite must to play.
    
    Long Bay:  Pure Nicklaus, so you better like the style.  But even
    hardened haters of the style like this course in our group.  Still
    relatively young course, and maturing nicely.  Tough.
    
    You're going at the perfect ime of year - have fun!
    
    steve
    

     RE. 2
    
     We've been going to Myrtle every other year for the
    past 6 years. We stay at the Ocean Sands/Ocean Dunes
    resort. It's a little bit of a drive to the courses
    I've asked you guys to critique but we like it there.
    We've played 15 or so courses in Myrtle and are ready
    for the Cream of the Crop! Our first round will be on
    a Wednesday afternoon as we arrive around 11:00 or so
    that day. I think we've pretty much made up the itineray
    but just need to pick the course for Wednesday.
    
    Wed. ???  (Maybe...Willbrook, Heather Glen, River club??)
    Thu. Tidewater
    Fri. Longbay
    Sat. Legends (Heathlands or Moorlands)
    Sun. Heritage (Big finish)
    
     We're just waiting for the Hotel to send us the list
    of courses so we can find out what and where the surcharges 
    are. 
           Tom
    
    P.S. By the way, thanks for all the info and keep it comming!!

  re:            <<< Note 1436.4 by JUPITR::PERCUOCO >>>
    
>>     We've been going to Myrtle every other year for the
>>    past 6 years.

    Do you drive or fly?
    If you drive, how long does it take?
    Do you have a handle on how much you spend (no need to itemize, just
      a bottom line)?

    Thanks,
      PL

    I don't want to answer for .4, but here's my thoughts on MB logistics.
    
    If you're traveling from the New England area, then fly, don't drive. 
    Driving will take you two days, and you won't arrive refreshed and
    ready to swing the clubs after sitting in a car for about 18 hours.  I
    usually catch the first flight out of Boston and arrive in time to play
    18 holes, teeing off around 1:00 pm.  If you plan on doing this, then
    make arrangements to check into your hotel after playing and eating
    dinner.  Also, wear your golf stuff on the plane, and make your tee
    times late enough to allow hitting a few balls at the practice range. 
    I would also not recommend playing a tough, premium course on your
    first day.
    
    There are too many factors that determine how much it costs for MB. 
    Some packages include breakfast and dinners, while others don't include
    any meals.  Some include unlimited golf, others only cover 18 holes
    (plus any additional surcharges for the premium courses).  And some
    include carts for 18, others don't include any carts.  Usually, if you
    play more than 18 holes, you end up paying an additional cart fee at
    the least, and that can run from $8 to $12 dollars per person.
    
    The last three years, for a 5 day trip, I've averaged about $400-$500,
    including airfare, extra golf and carts, all meals, and spending money
    (Doll House, Crazy Horse, etc.)
    
    Gary
    

    
    
    	Hi,
    
    	I just got back from 4 days in Myrtle Beach.  We played
    
    	Oyster Bay
    	Legends Heathland and Moorland
    	Ocean Harbor
    	Long Bay club
    	Heritage
    	Pawleys Plantation
    
    	Heritage is by far my favorite.  Pawleys is also nice, it has some
    	'interesting' holes on the back 9 using the marsh.  Pawleys has a 
    	dress code, make sure you pack something other than jeans.  I hated 
    	the Moorland course at the Legends, I have never seen greens so
    	protected by pot bunkers and mounds.  If you get in one you might
    	as well just pick up your ball, 'cause if you manage to get out
    	you will just put you ball into another one on the other side
    	of the green.  I guess I only hated that course because it defeted
    	me badly, the Legends courses and club house and quite impressive
    	and worth playing.  The only club we wont be going back to is Long
    	Bay Club, It was only ok, and who wants to travel to play ok.
    
    	My group has gone down for the past 4 years on the last weekend in
    	January.  The first year there was nobody there, most of the 
    	restaurants were closed and the packages were dirt cheep.  But 
    	people have started finding out that you can get in more golf in
    	January than March for about half the price so it's gotten much
    	more crowded and expensive.  But it's also tradition now so we 
    	can't give it up...
    
    	Have a great time,
    
    	-Laura
    

    Re: 5
    
    Our package is as follows;
    
      
     
     Hotel,(May 20, thru 24, Wed. thru Sun)  4 breakfasts, 2 Dinners,
     5 rounds of golf, green fees, carts (less surcharges)
     $398.00 + 17% tax
    
     Flight (always fly!!)
     $337.00  (may go down before we leave, always does)
     
     Auto Rental
     $60.00 (per person approx., usually a Chrysler, New Yorker)
     ********
    Total: Approx. $795.00 + Spending money....
    
    
    Re: 7
    
    Laura,
    
     I was disappointed to read that that you didn't enjoy
    Long Bay. I was Looking forward to playing this course.
    I've played Pawley's, Jack's other course and I enjoyed
    it, alot! What didn't you like about it....
    
    
    					Tom 
                        

    Woops, I meant 7% tax.........
    
    T 

    
    
    	I hope I'm not getting confused (some times they all seem to blend
    	together) I should have pulled out my score cards before I said
    	anything.  We played Long Bay and Ocean Harbor on Sunday and the 
    	course that we played in the afternoon (and now that you say Jack
    	designed Long Bay I'm thinking that it must have been Ocean Harbor
    	I was dissapointed in) had small greens that had been recently 
    	sanded,  lots of leaves in the fairways, narrow fairways and was 
    	extremely slow, it took over three hours to finish 9 holes. 
    
    	As I sit here and think about it, Long Bay must have been the
    	morning course.  Temporary club house, long waste bunkers on
    	several holes, very windy when your out in the open, one silly
    	par 3 with an island green (signature hole), driving range.
    	I did enjoy playing there...
    
    	Have a great trip,
    
    	-Laura
    

    Long Bay...
    	What a course!  We schedule it every year, and I will be tackling
    	it for the third time myself March 18th.  We schedule it on our 
    	last day every year also.  Play it off the blues if possible.  Most
    	of the guys in our group play to about 12 handicaps, and we run up
    	some big numbers at this course.  Get some rest the night before
    	you tackle this one... you'll need the power!

    RE:10
    
    Whew.... You had me worried for a minute there, Laura!
    Having been to Myrtle a few times, I know how blurred
    the mornings can be!! I can't wait to be in the fog, again!!
    
    	Tom

    
    I'd bet that it was Ocean Harbor that wsn't liked - we played
    there last year, and no one liked it.  Although it was origninally
    a nice layout, and has potential, the owners had neglected it
    badly and it was the worst-conditioned course that we've ever
    played down there.  The locals we talked to said that it was
    purely a matter of greed that proper money wasn't put into the
    course, and there were so many complaints at that time, that
    anyone who complained was given a free pass for another round
    (Hah!).
    
    Also, the course is lined by tall pines and is very shady and
    narrow on many holes.  If you're not hitting it straight that
    day, you won't have any fun ...
    
    steve
    

    Hi Tom,
    
    	You should have a good time at the legends, great layout.If you
    want to fill a void in your schedule or get an extra course in, you
    may want to try Burning Ridge. It is not far from the legends. Nice
    course to play a warm up round at. We went to Myrtle two weeks ago.
    Played Myrtle Beach National west and south same day. Greens were in
    terrible condition. We were suppose to play Bay Tree Sunday, but it
    snowed (4 inches). Played Burning Ridge on Monday morning before
    heading home. 
    
    	Look me up if you get to Atlanta sometime.
    
    Dan
    

    T,
    
    In my *ONLY* trip south, I played Myrtle Beach National North(?)...not
    bad....Bay Tree....nothing to write home about....Marsh Harbor and
    Oyster Bay....both outstanding!!!  If you're looking to fill your dance
    card with a course for Wednesday, you can't go wrong with either Marsh
    Harbor or Oyster Bay...not only beautiful courses, but just plain
    BEAUTIFUL!!!  Then again, it was about five years ago...pre Hugo
    (Hurricane, NOT Guidotti!!!)!!
    
    
    Regards,
    
    Nelly

    Dan and Nelly,
    
     I've played Myrtle National, North and West, Oyster Bay
    Pawley's, Surf Club, (nice track) Pine Lakes, Bay Tree,
    Robbers Roost, Arcadian Shores, and Deer Track South (Cow Pasture).
     We're looking for a course to play Wednesday as you have read.
    I'd like to play a course I haven't played yet. Heather Glen
    may be a possibility, or Marsh harbor, or the course you suggested
    Danny.... In any event, I'm getting pumped!  I've been Wackin' 
    indoors once a week just to keep the swing. Thanks for the input!
     Dan, I will definately look you up if I ever get to Atlanta!!
    They have some good golfing there too!
     Nelly, I'll see you around I'm sure..... Let's get a crew and
    head back to Shattuck Inn or New England C.C., Maybe we can drag
    Marvin out of Bone Town!
    
    				T
    

    
    All of the courses you're playing are great with the exception of
    Tidewater.  I played Tidewater in August and the greens and tees were
    in horrendous shape.  The pro said that this year they were going to
    hike up the price to $125.  I almost laughed in his face.  I will admit
    that the layout is beautiful and I'm sure that when Golf Digest ranked
    it in the Best New Public course category it had not suffered the rains
    of August.  If they managed to save the greens, it would be a nice
    course to play but not for $125.  I am going with a group of 12 in May.
    We are scheduled to play 8 rounds over the 5 days May 6-11.  If you
    need a break from playing the tough courses, try Buck Creek.  It was
    also ranked as one of the Best New Public Courses and unlike Tidewater,
    was in great shape in August.
    
    Greg 

    Just got back from Myrtle Beach, played three courses Myrtle Beach
    North and South(nice courses) River Hills Very tough course, 13 of 18
    holes have major water hazards, and WaterWays wide open and  the
    easiest of the three.
    
    

    Has anyone Played, Buck Creek or The Palmetto course
    at Myrtlewood ??
    
    	Tom
    

    Has anyone played the Gary Player course Blackmor at myrtle beach?
    
    Has anyone played Wachesaw (private course)?
    
    Has anyone played Prestnick?
    
    Has anyone ever stayed in the villas at Poly's Plantation?
    
    Any info would be appreciated. 

    One of our group owns a place in Wachesaw, so we play there each
    year before our package starts.  I've played it about 10 times
    now, and love it.  It's ranked as one of the best courses
    down there, and deserves it.  A more modern course in design, that
    comes off as difficult but fair and still comfortable.  There are
    some beautiful and unique holes, with a couple of deadly par-3's.
    The finishing hole (par-5) is sensational, playing over a large
    ravine, along the creek, and up to the intracoastal waterway, where
    you could in years past sit on the deck outside the log cabin
    restaurant to watch golfers finish and boaters go by ...
    Oh yeah - the practice area is great, as are the people - true
    class all the way!
    
    We played Prestwick the first year it was open.  Although it
    appeared that it "would become" an excellent course, when we
    played, it was hard-baked and too new.  My bet is that you'd
    enjoy it today.
    
    steve
    

    I just got back from a few days at Myrtle.  I played River Hills and
    Wild Wing.  Wild Wing is a new course that is owned by a Japanese
    company.  I played the "Hummingbird" course which is new but in great
    shape already.  This is going to be some place, they are planning on
    building three more courses which would give them ninety holes.  River
    Hills was in good shape also but the greens weren't as good as Wild
    Wing.  Both courses were slow playing, there were too many people
    allowed on the course.   
                           
    Jim

My wife and I are going down the week after next (Mar 14-20) and we're pretty
much all set, but we could use some suggestions for off-the-course:

Any recommendations for restaurants?  Any "finds" that you would be sure to go
back to?  I know that there's differences in what people like in restaurants,
so if you could say what you like about your recommendation, I'd appreciate it.

I'm not generally into tourist-y things, but we won't be spending ALL day
golfing, so are there other things to do?

Now, if I can just remember that golf is supposed to be fun, this will be
great!

Thanks for your help,
Bob

re -1,

	Bob, I can't remember the name of the restaurant but this restaurant
was like a little golf hall of fame. It was on the main strip, where most
of the restaurants are. They had a few display cases with old clubs, golf
balls, Ryder cup memorabelia. It was a nice quiet place and the food was
pretty good. I'll look for some of the stuff I brought back from Myrtle
beach, when I went there for New Year's. Too see if I can find the name
of the restaurant and a couple of others.

Ron

I think it's called the Pro's Table, or something like that. Nice 
place. Been around for awhile, too, cause I haven't been to MB in 
years.

    ITS CALLED THE CAPTAINS TABLE AND IT IS VERY GOOD.  AT LEAST I THOUGHT
    IT WAS.
    
    ROY

    
     Hi,..
       a group of us are flying down to Myrtle Beach this coming weekend
    and none of us have ever been there before..i'm wondering if someone
    could give me an estimate of what the average course down there gets
    for a round w/cart..i'm sure there are all different price ranges to
    choose from but what would be an average we could expect to be paying?
    also...are there any cheap hotels down there that one could recommend?
    we're flying in on a private plane and are just taking a taxi to a
    hotel..but we don't know which one!..do any of them have rates and
    greeens fee packages??
    
    thanks for any information on such a short notice..but we just
    confirmed last night that we're going.
    
    al

    Advice-
    
    Make sure you pack your clubs carefully and get some insurance. I have
    heard of a club "Borrowing" ring that picks clubs up from the airport
    and "forgets" to return them.  Seriously, they have had some problems
    with either airport employees or some theft rings stealing golf clubs. 
    They make it on the plane but you never get them when you arrive.  As
    non-descript a bag and well marked with names would be a good start.
    
    SCD

    
    	Hi,
    
    	I think you could be going down the wrong time for 'just showing
    	up'.  Myrtle Beach is in it's high season (for golf) right now
    	and most of the golfers there probably made there tee times and 
    	reservations a year in advance.  If you can even get on a course
    	expect to pay around $40 plus $15(each) for the cart.  The best
    	thing to do would be to check with your hotel and see if it's
    	too late to get in on a package deal thru them and have them
    	try to get tee times for you.
    
    	Best of luck.  The plane ride down sound like fun.
    
    	-lk
    

    This is probably the busiest time of the year in MB.  Most of the
    motels are still reasonable now but golf is expensive UNLESS your
    playing on a package deal which is the the only way to go.  If your not
    on a package check the MB paper everyday and you can find some discounts
    on some courses.  There are usally two or three courses that have
    coupons in the MB paper everyday.
    
    Have fun the courses are in GREAT shape this time of year!
    
    Jim