Ah, South Carolina. A place where the tea is sweet, the hospitality is sweeter, and your golf swing… well, let’s just say you might want to blame the humidity instead of that suspicious shoulder kink you’ve had since college. If you’re planning a golf getaway to the Palmetto State, you’re in for a treat—this place is peppered with phenomenal courses, and the hotels are as comfy as an old pair of your grandpa’s golf pants (minus the suspicious plaid patterns). Let’s tee off, shall we?
1. Myrtle Beach: Where Fairways and Flip-Flops Collide
Myrtle Beach is basically the Las Vegas of East Coast golf—if Vegas swapped sequins for khaki shorts and caddie jokes. With over 80 courses in a 60-mile stretch of coastline, you can’t chuck a sand wedge without hitting a green (or a retiree in a bucket hat). Check out Dunes Golf & Beach Club, an iconic Robert Trent Jones design that’ll have you simultaneously cheering and cursing as you sink (or spray) your shots. Let’s just say that famous 13th hole, known as “Waterloo,” might inspire a few creative vocabulary words not suitable for print.
Where to Crash: The Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes
This sprawling seaside stunner has rooms so plush that you’ll consider lying face down on the carpet and whispering sweet nothings to the floor. After a long day of watching your golf ball skitter into bunkers, come back here and relax in a hammock while sipping a local brew. Everyone needs a good cry-nap after a triple bogey, right?
2. Hilton Head Island: Golf With a Side of Gator Encounters
Home to the famed Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head is where you can challenge your game on a course that’s hosted some of the greatest names in golf. Picture yourself sinking a putt while a low-country breeze drifts by, and then glancing sideways to see a family of alligators eyeing your 9-iron. Don’t worry—they’re more into basking than biting, but it does add a spicy twist to your short game.
Where to Snooze: The Inn & Club at Harbour Town
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to sleep on a cloud, The Inn & Club might make that dream come true. Expect staff members so attentive they’ll have your coffee preferences memorized by day two (and possibly name your post-round blisters if you stick around long enough). The pillow menu alone will have you reevaluating life choices—Firm? Soft? Memory foam? By the end of the week, you’ll be a pillow connoisseur.
3. Kiawah Island: Golfing in Paradise—Just Watch Out for the Breeze
If you enjoy being simultaneously captivated by beautiful ocean views and humbled by relentless coastal winds, then The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is your jam. This Pete Dye masterpiece is known to transform confident golfers into human windmills. One minute you’re feeling like Rory McIlroy, the next you’re thinking about taking up shuffleboard. It’s all part of the Kiawah experience.
Where to Unwind: The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Step into The Sanctuary and you’ll wonder if you’ve accidentally wandered into someone’s elegant living room—someone who’s probably British royalty. Think marble floors, enormous windows overlooking the Atlantic, and possibly a butler who can predict your cocktail order before you even realize you’re thirsty. After a sun-soaked day of navigating those punishing breezes, treat yourself to a spa day. Sure, your scorecard may resemble hieroglyphics, but your soul will be at peace.
4. Charleston: Charm, Chow, and Championship Courses
Though more famous for its historic district and drool-worthy shrimp and grits, the Charleston area is also a golfer’s secret weapon. Wild Dunes Resort’s Links Course (another Tom Fazio design) delivers rolling fairways and a postcard-worthy finishing stretch. Just be prepared for the friendly Southern drawl of your playing partners politely suggesting you “try again, bless your heart” after a particularly notable chunk shot.
Where to Crash: The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina
For those who think a round of golf is better bookended by a boat ride and some fresh oysters, this place has got you covered. The views of Charleston Harbor will soothe away any lingering disappointment from your short game. Plus, the onsite bartender’s “Lowcountry Mule” might just be your new personal swing coach after a few sips.
5. Pawleys Island: Lush Greens and Laid-Back Vibes
Known for its quiet charm and front-porch culture, Pawleys Island offers courses like Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, set among centuries-old oaks and Spanish moss. It’s so picturesque you might forget how many putts you’ve just three-jacked—just blame it on the mesmerizing scenery. “I’m not over par; I’m just distracted by nature’s glory.”
Where to Rest: The Oceanfront Litchfield Inn
Remember when you were a kid and thought living right on the beach would solve all of life’s problems? Turns out, you were right. Comfy rooms, crashing waves, and a quick hop to a golf course that looks like a set piece from a Nicholas Sparks film. Just don’t try reading your putts by candlelight during “golden hour”—the scenery is distracting enough as it is.
Final Thoughts:
South Carolina is a golfer’s haven, where world-class courses rub shoulders with unforgettable hotels. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll attempt flop shots that should never see the light of day. And in between it all, you’ll savor biscuits, sweet tea, and maybe even catch a glimpse of an alligator tipping its proverbial hat in your direction. So pack your clubs, practice your best “It’s just the humidity” excuse, and get ready for a golf adventure like no other. Just don’t blame me if you never want to leave.