So, what is the best time of year for a Myrtle Beach golf package?

Frequently, Myrtle Beach locals are asked, “What’s the best time of year for a golf package at the beach?” The immediate response is usually, “There really isn’t a bad time to visit and play some golf here.” We like to go beyond the stock answer and get specific. It doesn’t get any better than the days that surround that marvelous 2^nd Sunday in April.

Like Augusta, GA the Myrtle Beach area in early April is gorgeous. Azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom and the trees are beginning to show their summer leaves. Temperatures are warming and fairways and greens are on their way to a lush green color. The setting for golf is perfect.

Watching the best golfers in the world perform on one of golf’s most beautiful stages can follow your morning tee times. On Thursday and Friday you might even have time for a replay. Many of the courses have large screen televisions in their lounge and there are countless venues in the area that will be showing the tournament.

Topping off your visit is the opportunity to rub elbows with professional golfers and celebrities at the 17^th Annual Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am. Again, a morning tee time allows you plenty of opportunity to catch the fun at this charity event.

Playing golf on some great courses. Enjoying a premier major tournament. Getting up-close with professional golfers and celebrities. Not a bad time for a golf package to the Myrtle Beach area.

We’d like to hear from you. What’s your favorite time of year for a golf package to the Myrtle Beach area?

Comment - When it’s all over, you can only laugh

With few exceptions when we are matched with other players, it’s a good experience. By and large golfers are a pretty decent group of people that share a common interest, courtesies and respect for the game. In more than 40 years playing golf, I can literally count the bad experiences on one hand. Unfortunately, one of the worse occurrences happened just a few weeks ago.

I was playing on an absolutely gorgeous spring Sunday afternoon with two of my favorite ladies. Our friend’s husband and my grandson were paired with two young men from Western North Carolina and the ladies and I welcomed a local to our group. I should have sensed trouble when our player dropped a few not so choice words on the practice putting green!

As the round progressed it was apparent our addition (I choose not to use Will’s name.) had a very inflated opinion of his game. The F-bomb laced with other profanity was dropped on virtually every hole. Through the 14^th hole it got continuously worse, but by some miracle the ladies had only witnessed a few of his milder outbursts.

However, on No. 15 we observed a major meltdown. His pull hook drive hit a tree and clearly bounced out of bounds. “Turnip Head” with all his local knowledge was adamant he was not out of bounds and could find his ball. After the ladies and I hit our approach shots, we joined the search and I quickly showed him his ball – out of bounds. The profanity explosion was immediate followed by more bad shots. It only got worse.

A chunked tee shot on the Par 3 16^th brought vulgarity that surpassed all previous episodes. Suddenly a club went flying as the ladies were proceeding to their tees. It startled us. We had been patient, but confronted him with his behavior. To our shock he justified his actions by stating, “the club hadn’t hit anyone and his language was his business.” I quietly asked him to please play on without us and he arrogantly was on his way. Yes, I reported his behavior to the pro shop.

This was by far the worse experience I have ever had being paired with another golfer. However, we could barely stop laughing on the final few holes. When I pushed a drive well into the rough on No. 17, the ladies made a point of telling me, “Now, don’t go all Will on us!”

Opinion - There should be a multiple stroke penalty!

Following (at a distance) the countless Tiger Woods comments, slow play has probably been the next most posted golf subject.  Myrtle Beach Views has a comment on the latter.

We are really glad you’ve chosen the Myrtle Beach area for your golf vacation.  Welcome!  However, please leave that stupid ball retriever home.  There should be a two-stroke penalty for just having it in your bag! 

I am sure you would never buy one for yourself.  It certainly must be a gift presented by friends or family as a gag.  So, when everyone stops giggling please return that waste of money to the store and trade for some cheap balls. 

Of course the excuse I’ve heard more than once, “ I’d never use my ball retriever if someone is waiting behind me.”  Remember, someone is behind you and they’re coming!  You might not hold up play on that hole, but eventually they’ll catch you and have to wait.

Forget what I said earlier about that two-stroke penalty; let’s make it three-strokes.  Golf ball retrievers do contribute to slow play and they look foolish, too!  We’d like to hear what you believe contributes to slow play. 

Introduction

We’re talking about golf here, specifically Myrtle Beach golf.  I’ve lived in the area for 25-years and simply love the game.  I do not work in the golf industry.  I just enjoy writing, playing golf and being helpful to any visiting golfer that’s planning a trip to this great destination.

It all starts with reviews of the area golf courses.  If you don’t see your favorite course, or one that interests you, I just haven’t gotten around to writing the review.  I’ll also use this space to offer some news and notes that may interest both the Myrtle Beach visiting golfer and the local golfer. 

Every once in a while we’ll present an opinion on something golf oriented.  It may not be a subject exclusive to the Myrtle Beach area, but for certain something that all golfers can relate.  We may throw in a Myrtle Beach restaurant review on occasion and of course your opinions are welcomed and encouraged. Trust me we’ll be honest with you, but understand all of this is just one guy’s opinion!

Your comments are appreciated and I promise to respond just as soon as I have the answer to your question.  Become a follower, today and we'll keep you up-to-date with "what's new" and "what's coming" to the Myrtle Beach area.