With around 80 golf courses to choose from along the Grand Strand, you may wonder how to go about discovering the best golf courses in North Myrtle Beach. When researching the perfect course for you, it is important to consider that most North Myrtle Beach golf courses were originally conceived around the concept of package play and a three-tiered system. Courses in these tiers include notable differences in pricing and playability as we will cover below.
In the traditional North Myrtle Beach golf packages of the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, golfers would begin their week by playing a Tier 1 course (easy-to-moderate) and would work their way up to playing a Tier 3 course (difficult) by the end of the week. This idea of easing into a difficult course layout by first playing an easier course layout made sense (and still does) for players on a golf trip who go weeks or months between rounds. Below we will give a brief overview of the Tier system.
Tier 1: Best Golf Courses in North Myrtle Beach
Categorized as golf courses that provide comfortably sized fairways and forgiving greens, these courses are known for providing friendly playing conditions to the most inexperienced golfers while still providing challenging playing conditions to moderate and experienced golfers. Additional tee boxes to accommodate all skill levels are one way that Tier 1 golf courses achieve this goal. According to TripAdvisor’s recent list of the 10 Best Golf Courses in North Myrtle Beach, the top local courses from this list are:
- Beachwood Golf Club: Consistently ranked as the best Tier 1 course in North Myrtle Beach. Beachwood is located in the heart of North Myrtle Beach and is easily accessible from most resorts, hotels, and motels. Beachwood is known for its friendly staff and excellent playing conditions. Depending on which tees you play, the course can be easy, moderate, or hard. Book tee times here or inquire for more information here.
- Azalea Sands Golf Club: Located directly beside Beachwood Golf Club on Hwy 17, Azalea is undergoing an impressive transition due to new management and ownership changes, and is quickly becoming one of the best Tier 1 golf courses in North Myrtle Beach. Visit Azalea Sands’ website.
- Eagle Nest Golf Club: Located conveniently in Little River off of Hwy 17, Eagle Nest is a beautiful course that was recently upgraded and is home to the 3 toughest finishing holes on the Grand Strand – some even consider this course a Tier 2. Visit Eagle Nest’s website.
Tier 2: Best Golf Courses in North Myrtle Beach
Designed for the mid-level golfer, these courses provide more of a challenge than Tier 1 courses by offering tighter fairways and smaller greens. Tier 2 courses also generally offer higher rates for play but may provide more satisfaction and a self-esteem boost if you are having a good day! Different types of championship grass and more water hazards may also be incorporated at these courses to challenge playability. It’s worth noting that many golfers often switch back and forth between Tier 1 and Tier 2 courses to help improve their game.
- Aberdeen Country Club: Located in Longs off of Hwy 9, Aberdeen is a 27 hole course situated in the Waccamaw River basin. The fairways can be wide or narrow, depending on the hole, and the greens can be fast or forgiving, depending on the time of the year. Aberdeen remains beautiful year-round.
- Crown Park Golf Club: Located down the road from Aberdeen on Hwy 9, Crown Park is a favorite among locals and was built to be played over and over with value in mind.
- River Hills Golf Club: Located in Little River off of Hwy 9, River Hills touts themselves as one of the most unique and reasonably priced golf experience on the Grand Strand. Some include River Hills on their list of Tier 3 courses.
Tier 3: Best Golf Courses in North Myrtle Beach
Designed for the best golfers, Tier 3 courses are the most advanced in their demands featuring tight fairways, fast undulating greens, and tough pin placements. These courses regularly feature more hazards than lower-tiered courses and offer more risk and reward shots if you are into that.
- Tidewater Golf Club & Plantation: Located in North Myrtle Beach, Tidewater has received many accolades from major golf publications and considers itself a Tier 2/3 course.
- Barefoot Golf Courses: Marketed as both beautiful and treacherous, Barefoot has 4 courses including the Love Course, Fazio Course, Norman Course, and Dye Course.
- Long Bay Club: Located in Longs off of Hwy 9, Long Bay is a Jack Nicklaus course that is consistently ranked as one of the toughest courses in North Myrtle Beach.
There you have it, our run down of the best golf courses in North Myrtle Beach. Feel free to let us know of a course you may want to add to the list!
