You have a friend in Myrtle Beach

Recently, a friend asked, “Are packaged golf rounds down?” He had heard that more and more visiting golfers were making their own tee times. The question might be irrelevant. Golfers are still playing golf on area courses and staying in Myrtle Beach area accommodations. However, there’s more to it than that.

To me if you have access to expertise that fits the job, it would be wise to use that tool. The golf directors at the major hotel/condo groups have the local knowledge, experience and expertise to assure your vacation is a success.

Consider the following. Everyday your golf director is talking to golf courses and golfers throughout the Myrtle Beach area. They have their finger on the pulse of area golf. Which courses are scheduling routine maintenance and service? What’s the drive time to the courses chosen? How much time should be allowed for breakfast? What are the courses replay policy? You have the questions. Your golf director has the answer.

Remember too that your golf director is probably getting a better price at a golf course than what you’re seeing advertised. He deals with the courses year around and sends substantial business their way. Of course he’s getting their best price and passing it on to you. Remember the golf director is not marking-up the cost of golf. He’s being paid by the hotel/condo for selling rooms, not tee times and breakfasts.

You’re certainly welcome to book your room and start calling courses for the best tee times available. Do remember though that Myrtle Beach golf success was built on the incredible cooperation and networking between accommodations and golf courses. This partnership has made the Myrtle Beach area the No. 1 golf destination in the world. In the center of this great destination is your golf director. Put him to work for you, today.

To much Tiger?

Recently, John Hawkins a GolfChannel.com contributor authored an article titled “With or Without You.” It was not an editorial about your buddies threatening to leave for a Myrtle Beach golf vacation – with or without you. It was all about Tiger Woods and the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Today, May 18^th TW is 10^th on the qualifying list. There are 8 automatic high points qualifiers with points awarded through August 15^th. Two Captain’s Choices will be made by Corey Pavin to round out the team. The article took some hard shots at TW. The edit went on at length about Team USA’s performance in winning at Valhalla without Woods.

What’s the point of the article? Do you really care what Hawkins has to say in mid-May about Woods Ryder Cup selection? Let’s be candid. This article isn’t really about the competition that pits the USA against Europe. This piece of opinion was written because Woods is media fodder. We’ve been forced to accept the “all about Tiger, all the time” golf journalist mantra.

These guys (golf writers) are hacks and frankly I’m fed-up with them. I’m continuously finding more insightful writing in local and regional publications and blogs like this one than what’s presented in the national rags and broadcast outlets.

I admit I’ve never been a huge Tiger fan. I further admit to being a huge Ryder Cup fan. Maybe mixing the two in a negative way, as the GolfChannel.com’s Mr. Hawkins has done, just got my dander up.

To much Tiger coverage? Absolutely, but that’s just my opinion. What sayeth you?

Weighing in on the weight issue

Let’s begin by making it clear; we’re not discussing my expanding waist. What we are talking about is airlines charging for baggage, including carry-on and golf bags and how that’s impacting your travel plans.

Unfortunately, the rules are still evolving. To further complicate the matter airlines often revise their policy with little notification and even vary by how “large bag” is defined. With nine airlines serving Myrtle Beach and direct flights from 25 cities, it pays to double check with your carrier when making reservations. In lieu of bringing the clubs with you on the plane, here are a few options to consider.

Luggage shipping services have their place, but are a bit costly. On the positive side you can arrange to have your clubs picked-up at a precise time and have them waiting for you at either your accommodations, or golf course. Although the service is outstanding and gaining popularity, there is a cost. Using a round-trip estimate from central Pennsylvania to Myrtle Beach the cost was slightly more than $232 for a large golf bag. For the identical roundtrip the estimated airline baggage charge exceeded $150. The two plane transfers the traveler would endure have me concerned. Would the clubs arrive with the golfer?

If flying is still your best option, you may want to consider handling the shipping of the clubs yourself. Between UPS Stores, Mail Boxes etc and numerous independent stores do-it-yourself shipping has become painless. We estimated the round trip from our central PA point of origination, including packing and insurance to be $160. Clubs will be waiting at either your hotel, or the golf course upon arrival. The one down side is making the arrangements for the return shipping from a Myrtle Beach area store. There are plenty of locations. Ask the accommodation’s golf director, if they can point you to one that’s convenient.

Of course rental clubs are always an option and most Myrtle Beach area golf courses have sets available. The cost is quite reasonable for a top of the line club set. This is a great solution, if you’re on a family vacation and wanting to get in a round while here. However, it doesn’t make much sense on a golf vacation. Arranging for a different set of clubs at every course for every round is a hassle.

For large groups (20+) you may want to consider leaving the driving to someone else. Consider chartering a motorcoach for the trip. Today’s coaches are nothing short of luxurious with DVD and monitors, comfortable seating and plenty of space for luggage, including golf clubs. Do the math. With 20 guys renting a coach and driver at $1200 per day that’s only $60 per golfer, per day for complete transportation needs. This has become an increasingly popular option for groups of visiting golfers. Of course plenty of local transportation is available for guys in the group that want to do their own thing.

Short of the always-reliable packing up the family van solution, what’s your answer to the baggage issue? We’d like to hear from you.

Comment - A tournament that’s much more than great golf

A few weeks ago I attended a really good golf tournament. Although the tournament operated under the USGA rules of golf, this tournament was amateur in the purest sense. The Seahawk Invitational brought together thirteen local and regional high school golf teams.

Friday night was just fun golf with a get to know other high school players theme. A random draw produced teams comprised of kids representing different schools. Each team had a number 1-player through a number 6-player. They played a 9-hole captain’s choice format. Although mostly strangers for the first few holes, they quickly got to know each other and proceeded to have a good time.

Saturday was serious competition that ended in a 2-team tie and play off. An outstanding Columbia, SC team prevailed over an excellent team from the Charleston, SC area. The golf was great and I thoroughly enjoyed watching some very skilled athletes. However, there’s a much deeper story line than simply good golf.

Friday night after dinner, I sat on the clubhouse patio and watched 25-30 kids on a large putting green. A rainbow of colored golf shirts represented different high schools. I could not help but think that it’s 7:00 PM and somewhere there’s a high school kid headed for trouble this evening. However, right here there’s young men doing what they love and staying a long way from trouble.

The other part of the event that impressed me was the generosity of the golf course owners. With school budgets being cut drastically and many high school golf programs in peril, the only way a tournament of this nature could be done is with major contributions.

One of this area’s most popular courses the Avocet at Wild Wing Plantation was closed to play for a full Saturday in April, so these young people could compete. In addition the course pro directed the tournament with assistance from a very good staff. Water stations throughout the course and a nice cookout after play was all provided. The course was in great shape. I hope you’ll show your support of high school golf by playing the Avocet on your next Myrtle Beach golf vacation.

Please take a few minutes to find out what’s going-on with high school golf in your hometown. Get involved and help keep golf in the schools. Picking up the cost of a few dozen of the team’s preferred golf ball, or a contributing to the expense of the team shirts will certainly be helpful and appreciated. These young people are the future of the sport we love. Let’s give them every opportunity to enjoy all golf has to offer.  

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.