Golf Courses Around Myrtle Beach Great for Beginners and High Handicappers

Are you a golf beginner looking to take a trip to the Myrtle Beach area and want to play a few rounds?

The Grand Strand has over eighty golf courses; some are definitely NOT for newbies while others are perfect for an amateur just starting to "feel his or her oats".

For many years I have championed for Myrtle Beach and it's golf courses; aside from the great value, the atmosphere is one of fun, the golf courses are exceptional and South Carolina, in general, is a warm, sunny and welcoming place for a visit.

I have played many breathtaking Myrtle Beach golf courses and would like to share my favorites for beginners with you so, when you decide to take a Myrtle Beach vacation, you will have an idea of the lay of the land. Feel free to ask in the comments section of this golf blog about restaurants and things to do in Myrtle Beach.

Let's start with the "beach" in Myrtle Beach - there are sixty miles of soft sand along the Grand Strand and there are north, middle and southern locations to stay and play which are filled with atmosphere. Below are the main areas and a couple of golf courses I have chosen based on amenities, ease of play and just plain beauty of their surroundings.

South Strand and Pawleys Island: There are so many golf courses in the south end of Myrtle Beach, I was hard-pressed to select just a few!

Caledonia Golf and Fish Club: If you want a real taste of the south, visit Caledonia in Pawleys Island; this golf club is a Lowcountry staple, complete with towering oaks, an antebellum-style clubhouse and nature preserve teeming with wildlife. The course is difficult yet fair and, as review upon review has stated, "One of the best I have played." From the forward tees, beginners' yardage is under 5,000 - even if you don't play well on this course, you will certainly admire the scenery.

Tupelo Bay Golf Course: An executive golf course and par-3 course located just south of Myrtle Beach in Garden City, Tupelo Bay executive has the look and feel of a full-size course, and it is a great test for beginners as well as those golfers who want to ease into their stay and play vacation.

Central Myrtle Beach:

Pine Lakes Country Club: The "Granddaddy" of Myrtle Beach golf and host of many "firsts" along the Grand Strand. Between the beautiful Clubhouse (a wedding and event favorite) and the simple, aesthetic golf course design, this Pine Lakes is a "must-see" and a "must-play" along the Grand Strand.

Myrtle Beach National - West Course: Arnold Palmer stands guard at the entrance to Myrtle Beach National Golf Club, a three-course enclosed compound along the 501 corridor; King's North and Southcreek round out the triad of courses and all have different personalities.

The West Course, in particular, has been chosen for beginners and high handicappers; from the forward tees the course is about 5,200 yards, has open fairways, a traditional layout and is pretty straightforward. There is also a feeling of seclusion and natural forestry surrounding the fairways and the course is well maintained.

North Myrtle Beach:

Grande Dunes Resort Course:

I didn't place Grande Dunes Resort Course on this list because it was easy - I placed it here because of that "vacation feel" it exudes right from the entrance where you cross over the bridge through the eighteen holes. Grande Dunes plays a little over 5,300 yards from the forward tees which offers a test but also offers inspiring views to relax the mind and spirit of any level of golfer.

Hole 7, a par 5 is a tester but beginners have a better chance at moving forward using their irons so, if played smartly, the course will be fun and memorable. You can also visit Dale Ketola, Director of Instruction at the Grande Dunes Golf Performance Center, before, during or after your round...just make sure to call for an appointment!

Meadowlands Golf Club: I played Meadowlands when I was a beginner and, after reading an article by Ian Guerin recently, thought back and added this course. Just over the South Carolina border, in Calabash, Guerin states that Meadowlands, "gives players the opportunity to go after more greens with less risk. Combined with a wide-open design, and there is plenty of room for error on nearly all of the par 4s and 5s here."

Have a golf course you would like to add to this list? Place it in our golf blog comments section below and tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

photos: Founders Group

Why You Need an Instructor to Video Your Golf Swing

Have you been pushing/pulling/chunking your golf shots?

Are you out of sync?

If you are nodding your head in agreement, and, if you are starting a list with your own issues, the next question comes as no surprise...

When was the last time you took a lesson from a qualified professional golf instructor?

Chances are you can't remember but, if you can, you probably came away with a much stronger game. I know I did!

I knew something was amiss with my golf swing; although my ball contact is good, my shots were inconsistent - left, right, left, right...I was playing military golf!

With the latest golf technology at their fingertips, PGA Instructors can identify, show you your flaws and help you to correct them. You will also be able to view the lesson online afterward so, when you hit the driving range, you will remember what you need to practice.

I recently received a lesson from Dale Ketola, PGA, Director of Instruction at the brand, new Grande Dunes Golf Performance Center. Dale has all of the latest technology and my mouth was watering just thinking about using that V1 Software, Flightscope...Focus Band...

Below is a video of my golf swing using an 8-iron. I will place the swing video using my driver in next week's blog but, suffice it to say, Dale had only good things to say about it.

If you cannot view my golf swing video on this blog, click here: IRON SWING 1:

https://youtu.be/hN_0Ab_0Ow8

I was able to view my swing and Dale compared me with Paula Creamer (and with a similar outfit!) showed me what I was doing wrong and how to correct it right on the screen.

If you are guilty of relying on your husband (or buddies) at the driving range to help when you have a problem, "Hey, take a look at me and see what I'm doing wrong", stop NOW and take one of these lessons!

I am currently working on correcting these flaws which have quietly crept into my golf swing:

1. Head in front of the ball.

2. Open stance - Turning my body to look at my target.

After my lesson with Dale, Barry and I played nine holes at Myrtlewood Pinehills golf course and, guess what! I scored nine shots lower than the previous week...and without even having a chance to practice what I learned!

Thanks to Dale Ketola and the Grande Dunes Golf Performance Center for the instruction. After I practice eradicating the swing flaws shown to me, I will be back for another lesson. I hope to try the Focus Band which can tell me my emotional state while I am striking the ball - that should turn up all kinds of issues!

Contact Dale Ketola at the Grande Dunes Golf Performance Center: 

EMAIL: Dale.Ketola@foundersgolf.com

PHONE: 843-833-3332

FACEBOOK: Grande Dunes Golf Performance Center

Do your golf lessons include visualization with the V1 Software? What other technology do you use to help eradicate swing flaws? Tell us below on our Golf for Beginners blog and tag on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

The Latest #Golf Club Fitting and Thought-Sensing Instruction Technology

As you drift aimlessly through your local golf superstore, how many times have you been tempted by the latest driver or irons? I'll bet it's every time the "eye candy" catches your attention. First thing you do is grab the club and head over to the hitting booth to try it out. 

Most golfers are guilty of the "grab and go", thinking that the golf club which you swung great in the store will serve equally up-to-par on the course. You then find out that it's just not the same converting a golf club from net practice to course use.

What essential piece of the puzzle did you miss out on?  The Golf Club FITTING!

Golf for Beginners has written several articles about the benefits of custom golf club fitting and, this being the start of a new season we would, once again, like to emphasize the importance to all level of golfer, in order to maximize your experience on the course.

There are different ways to get to the same end in a golf club fitting; for the most part, professionals use an indoor booth and software that allows them to see how you hit the ball - the trajectory, distance etc. There is one problem with that equation...you are looking at a screen and only imagining the outcome.

I recently met with Dale Ketola, Director of Instruction and Golf Fitting for the newly opened Grande Dunes Golf Performance Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (on behalf of MBN.com).

This golf instruction and club fitting center is unlike any I have seen. Why? I'm glad you asked! Watch my short Facebook Live interview with Dale, (see below).

Dale uses the latest technology, including swing comparison V1 software for instruction and Flightscope® with doppler radar to track the golf ball in flight - offering real life results.

Ah, but Dale has one special trick up his golf shirt sleeve; you can see the ball flight outdoors! I am sure there are other golf-fitting centers cross-country which utilize this tech but here, in Myrtle Beach, it's the first of its kind.

Now onto the science-fiction-fact portion of this blog...an exciting new tech breakthrough, on the order of mind-reading, is a thought-sensing headset Dale uses to aid in visualization called FocusBand©. Worn like a headband, FocusBand©, measures your subconcious thoughts before, during and after your shot. Wonder if we can use that to enhance our personal relationships?

Dale's thoughts on FocusBand©, “It's pretty cool and really works. I don't know of anyone else in the Carolinas who has one.”

Want to check out the new golf technology first-hand? Listen to the end of the Facebook video for Dale's cell-phone number and email address and tell him Stacy sent you!

Have you tried Flightscope® or FocusBand©? Let us know in the comments section of this golf blog and tweet us @Golf4Beginners.