Just about a week ago, the local golf marketing coop sent an e-mail “GOLF ALERT: Spring Tee Times Are Going Fast.” We certainly do not want to alarm you, but they were absolutely correct! Phone calls, inquiries and current bookings are all pointing to a strong spring golf season for the Myrtle Beach area.
Although rainy and cool this Monday morning, the weather has turned to spring. Fairways and greens are looking good and trees and plants are flowering. Dogwood and Cherry trees are in full bloom and the azaleas will be following in a few days.
Now is a great time to visit the Myrtle Beach area and shake off those winter cobwebs. Maybe even a spring tune-up with a local PGA instructor is necessary. Regardless of your needs and desires, the best place to begin planning is with your Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts golf director.
Why spend hours online and calling to find the “best deals” only to be disappointed when one you didn’t see pops up later? Your golf director already knows which specials are special, what courses have tee times available and which accommodations best fit your group’s budget.
Whether your planning for four or forty, get your golf director involved, today.
A week ago Sunday a lady friend and I decided on an afternoon round to celebrate an additional hour of daylight. We settled on a tee time at the Myrtle Beach National West Course. Our starter asked if we’d be willing to be paired with two ladies. The starter was obviously a little on easy in asking, but we told him no problem.
Upon getting out of our cart to introduce ourselves we realized both ladies were in their 80s. Of course speed of play immediately crossed my mind. The starter accommodated his concerns by suggesting the ladies take the cart to their tee boxes. That’s all the head start they needed and speed of play was never an issue.
These ladies were great. Although they did move slowly from cart to green, on tee boxes and fairways there were no exaggerated pre-shot routines. Just choose a club, line up and strike the ball; usually down the middle. You could tell these two ladies from Pennsylvania were no strangers to the game. I can only hope I strike the ball as solidly in my mid 80s as these two did.
On No. 7 green they apologized and told us they were only playing 9-holes, today. They wanted to get home and watch the Penn State vs. Temple basketball game. “We’re big Penn State fans and really excited they’re in the NCAA tournament,” they added.
Yesterday, I had another enlightening experience. Scheduled to play the Pearl-West course, again I was a twosome and the starter paired us with a retired gentleman. That’s not a problem with me. In 30-years playing Myrtle Beach area courses, I’ve only had one really bad experience. In fact I really enjoy meeting other golfers and hearing their stories. After all I am a writer.
This pairing turned out to be truly unique. Our playing companion was a deaf-mute. I’ve never played with a golfer that had both a hearing and speaking challenge. It worked out really well. He had a small notebook he used to introduce himself. I had my own notebook to write my observations on the course. Also, we quickly developed a few gestures to indicate, “Good shot”, “I saw your ball”, and of course “What was I thinking”! If ever there was a time I wished I knew signing, yesterday was that time.
These two recent experiences brought back to light what a great game we play. If someone truly loves the game of golf neither age, nor physical challenges will keep him or her from their sport!
Over the past year I’ve been fortunate to play golf courses from Pawleys Plantation on the south end to Cape Fear National near Wilmington, NC. Often hooked-up with visiting players, I’m always surprised at the number of Myrtle Beach area courses they’ve played. It goes to show what a popular destination this area has become.
Of course they always want to know a locals favorite course. That’s almost an impossible question to answer. Not trying to be politically correct, I always tell them I can find something good about almost every golf course I’ve played.
When pressed I’ll confess to having favorite architects. How do you not like Jack Nicklaus’s Pawleys and Long Bay? Tim Cate’s Thistle and Cape Fear National are great, but how do you choose one? Pete Dye is tough and both Prestwick and Barefoot Resort are proof. I could go on, but I’d probably list 75-percent of the area courses.
The point is there are some courses and designers that should be on everyone’s “Must Play” list. However, more than likely your Myrtle Beach area list is going to be pretty long and your favorite might change on every visit. Let me know what todays number 1 choice.
