Conway, South Carolina, is one of many cities in the part of the state known as the Grand Strand, an area notorious for its abundance of golf courses. Some of the finest courses in the country are located in or near Conway. Having the warm southern weather on its side causes the city to be as much of a tourist attraction as it is a golfer's paradise. Of course, not all courses are considered equal, and you might have to get out of Conway to find some true gems.
Conway
Conway is one of the oldest cities in South Carolina and is located inland in Horry County, about 25 km from the Atlantic Ocean. Because it's farther from the hotels and boardwalk activities of Myrtle Beach, Conway is often overlooked, but not by attentive golfers. The "Golf Digest" list of the top 50 courses in the Myrtle Beach area features three courses in Conway, all of which are on the Wild Wing Plantation.
Myrtle Beach
It's hard to be near Conway without stopping by Myrtle Beach, one of the state's main attractions for golfers and tourists. The most preferred course in the city is the Dunes Golf and Beach Club, which is often highly ranked in lists of the best golf courses in America. Although it's in Myrtle Beach, this Robert Trent Jones landmark is not technically a seaside course, but it does run alongside a large lake.
North Myrtle Beach
Just north of the Myrtle Beach chaos is another coastal city with equally commendable courses---North Myrtle Beach. It's not an extension of Myrtle Beach, but rather a city in itself, and includes Tidewater Golf Course and Plantation, Surf Golf and Beach Club, as well as several well-liked courses in Barefoot Resort. Barefoot Resort is a must-see for its highly rated Love course, but also for its four others, as well as the resort's proximity to the ocean and shopping.
Little River
Even farther north, just before the North Carolina state line, is Little River, a smaller town that attracts visitors for fishing and its casino gambling boats. The city is also home to Glen Dornoch and Heather Glen golf courses, No. 16 and No. 32 on "Golf Digest's" list, respectively. The prices at these courses tend to be slightly less expensive than their Myrtle Beach counterparts, and golfers looking for a quieter scene may be happier here.
Murrells Inlet
Murrells Inlet is also a fishing town but is located farther south on the Grand Strand, about 15 miles below Myrtle Beach. It's known for amazing seafood restaurants and also as a retirement community, but golfers know it for the TPC Myrtle Beach course, which was recently awarded five stars by "Golf Digest." The course was designed by Tom Fazio, one of the most famous names in golf course architecture.
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