Golf Tips to Minimize Exposure to Coronavirus COVID-19

Golf is alive and well in Myrtle Beach as this is one of the only outdoor sports which requires no group participation to have fun and where fist pumps (not necessarily "bumps") are the norm!

According to an email that I received, there are a few tips which golfers (and all of us) can practice to avoid the spread of Coronavirus - COVID-19.

Golf Tips to Minimize Exposure and Spread of Coronavirus (aka COVID-19):

• At tee boxes, fairways and greens, practice "social distancing" by keeping six feet or more from others whenever possible;

• Replace handshakes with other celebratory gestures that don't involve the use of your hands, like "elbow bumps" or "shoe bumps";

• Frequently use hand sanitizer;

• Refrain from handling the golf clubs of other players in your group.

As promoted through articles from multiple national media outlets including Golf Digest and Golf.com, golfers are also asked to exercise their own share of due diligence in minimizing their exposure while enjoying their round of golf. 

We hope that you will continue enjoying the golf courses in Myrtle Beach and around the country that are open for play and will remain diligent in enforcing proper hygiene to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

Golf for Beginners thanks you for your help. Play good golf!

Photo: Emerald Group Publishing

Golf for Beginners Top 2018 Blogs

From golf club reviews to golf tips and training aids, Golf for Beginners' top blogs of 2018 prove that players are interested in learning more about how to improve their games! In one of the final golf blogs of 2018, we list a few of your favorites!

Is the TaylorMade M4 Twist Face Driver Right for You?
A review of one of the top golf clubs of the year, used by Dustin Johnson and now by my husband Barry, the TaylorMade M4 Twist Face driver delivers both accuracy and distance with its new technology.


Golf Courses Around Myrtle Beach Great for Beginners and High Handicappers:
If you are planning a Myrtle Beach golf vacation in 2019 and you are ...., this blog will give you the lowdown on a few of the nicest golf courses along the Grand Strand, listed by location.


Why All Golfers Need to Attend Demo Days:
Walking through the local PGA Tour Superstore is certainly fun but, just like ladies enjoy shopping at a jewelry store, buying golf clubs can put a sparkle in your eyes. Don't let that wide-eyed enthusiasm have you reaching for your credit card. Instead, consider waiting for the demo days of spring to make your next purchase - read the article to learn why!


The INPUTT Golf Training Aid Review:
Putting is said by many to be the most important part of your game, so why not use a training aid to improve your speed and line? See if this training aid is right for you.


Golf for Beginners thanks all of our readers for your continued support with best wishes for a safe and Happy New Year. Follow us and tweet with us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Why You Need to Play in the Myrtle Beach World Golf Amateur Tournament #MBWorldAm

Let the good times roll...on the golf courses in Myrtle Beach!

For the 35th year, more than fifty golf courses (and hotels) in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (and North Carolina border) welcomed over three thousand golfers to the annual World Amateur Tournament this year. What was on the menu?

Fun, food and golf, of course!

The Myrtle Beach World Amateur Tournament is one of my favorites to cover every year. Although golf is the main attraction, some could argue that the "19th hole" is a separate event, as there are putting and short game contests with big money (up to $25,000!) on the line.

The food is an affair in itself, with some of the best restaurants on the Grand Strand putting out their best and most delicious snacks for all to enjoy.

From Greg Norman's Australian Grill and Antonios with their exceptional steak and seafood dishes to Big Mike's Soul Food (delectable ribs) and Sticky Fingers' fried catfish, I didn't know which station to head to first!!

Entertainment kept the Myrtle Beach Convention Center rocking each night, with top-shelf bands keeping the crowds dancing and one of the finest pocket billiard players in the country, Ewa Mataya Laurance, showing her finesse around the table. With 100,000 square feet to cover, the 19th hole is the place to be after a tournament day in the Myrtle Beach sun.

The focus is on the golf, as this is a Tournament, with the most beautiful courses at the beach glistening in the morning sky as players set out for a day of stroke play. From Aberdeen Country Club with its serene "Meadows", "Highlands" and "Woodlands" nines to Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, with its decidedly southern feel, golfers who play in the Myrtle Beach World Am get to play golf on the choicest courses!

Companies peddling their products lined up in booths at the Convention Center as in past years; from magnetized wrist bracelets to help you improve balance to an auction house which had signed footballs, golfers were trying, buying and talking sports, food and the current player rankings.

One very interesting display which I came across was of the history of the Myrtle Beach World Amateur Tournament, "World Am Through The Ages", which allowed golfers a look back at some of its finest moments...as well as the trophy being awarded to the winner.

In my opinion, the spirit of the game is what this tournament is all about - choose to attend to be a part of history and to have a great time, both on, and off, the golf course!

Have you played golf in the Myrtle Beach World Amateur Golf Tournament? Tell us about your experience in the comments section of this golf blog and tag us on Twitter @Golf4beginners!

Myrtle Beach Golf Courses Which Favor Accuracy Over Driver

There are seventy-eight Myrtle Beach golf courses which offer a multitude of experiences for the local and traveler alike. Some are grip-it-and-rip-it courses and others favor accuracy and planning over bombing drives.

In a previous golf blog, Golf for Beginners examined several golf shots players need to score low, from the approach shot to the putt, which accounts for about half of your score. Now that you are mastering the shots which will help lower your score, it is time to put it all together on the golf course.

This blog will help you select the best Myrtle Beach golf courses that benefit from the exactness of skill.

Read: 3 Smart Ways to Lower Your Golf Score

Before I begin, let me ask your thoughts on this...is the drive overrated?

The legendary Ben Hogan said no and maintained that the first shot you take will determine what is to follow on each hole but a drive doesn't necessarily commence with a driver. There are par 3's as well as dogleg holes where a driver would be ineffective or a deterrent for most golfers.

Blackmoor, a Gary Player signature golf course in Myrtle Beach, is probably one of the most well-known dogleg courses;  it delights players with six angled doglegs, so a driver is not necessarily your friend. Hole 5, a par-4, is the first dogleg hole you will attack at Blackmoor and, although you may need a driver off of the tee, you have to plan your strategy well so that you are in a position to get onto the green.

Litchfield Golf and Country Club is another course where you will use most clubs in your bag. Eight (some say twelve ?) doglegs span this track and accuracy off of the tee is most important to scoring well. This low country favorite also features tight fairways so sharpen up those irons as you will be playing target golf for most of this round.

Southcreek Golf Course, one of three Myrtle Beach National courses, is a shorter, shotmaker's course.  Waste bunkers are also in play here in addition to the doglegs so you have to navigate through a variety of challenges, considering all clubs in your bag. Short doesn't necessarily mean easy!

So now that we have given you a few golf courses with doglegs which favor accuracy, it is time to dust off those irons and start planning your shots to get on the green in the least number of strokes. That is the way to score better in golf!

Do you prefer doglegs or grip-it-and-rip-it golf courses? Let us know on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and in the comments section of this golf blog.

photo: LitchfieldGolf.com

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.

Step Back in Time at Pine Lakes - The Granddaddy of Myrtle Beach #Golf Courses!

When you first catch a glimpse of Pine Lakes Country Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you know exactly why it is nicknamed "The Granddaddy"; the Clubhouse radiates with southern charm beckoning you set a spell and the course, with its well-manicured fairways, invites you to grab your sticks and play golf.

The Clubhouse used to be an upscale hotel, and is resplendent with splendid chandeliers and large elegant gathering rooms with fireplaces - you could almost picture this entire layout as a scene in Gone With the Wind!

Pine Lakes opened in 1927, so there is an abundance of history and tradition within the Clubhouse and on the golf course. The first President of the PGA, Robert White, was the initial course architect and, over the years, although there have been changes made to the course and to the original building, the heritage of the Granddaddy lives on in Myrtle Beach.

I was fortunate to learn about some of the memories hiding in plain sight at Pine Lakes from the course's head professional, Jonathan Brock during a Facebook Live session with LPGA Teaching Pro (and Myrtle Beach superstar) Meredith Kirk.

History Hall, located in the Clubhouse, for example, has many stories hanging on its walls such as where a certain well-known magazine got its start.

I will be sharing my new-found, insider's knowledge about the "Birthplace of Golf" with readers on MBN.com; answers to questions such as:

• Which hole is the most notorious?
• Tips on what to expect when playing golf at Pine Lakes, aka “The Granddaddy”.
• Which sports magazine (with ladies who sometimes grace the cover) kicked off right on the premises of Pine Lakes (go ahead, take a guess!)
• And, can you name the uber-famous celebrity who had to change his company logo because it was too much like the Pine Lakes moniker?


If you are considering a Myrtle Beach golf vacation to Pine Lakes and need to make golf tee times and lodging accommodations, check out MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com, the easy and affordable way to book.


Read about two other southern-traditional Myrtle Beach golf courses: Caledonia and True Blue!

Share your thoughts on The Granddaddy, Pine Lakes, on our golf blog and tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Is True Blue for You? #golf

After playing Caledonia Golf Club in Pawleys Island last week, Golf for Beginners decided to play her sister course, True Blue. Both are designed by Mike Strantz, beautifully landscaped, have challenging layouts and both are ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.

Like many sisters, though, these two courses are like different flowers from the same garden. In our link above, we mention the pros and cons of Caledonia; below is our take on True Blue golf course.

True Blue is neither easy nor obliging for the casual golfer.

Most of the fairways on True Blue are forgiving...conversely, the approaches to the greens are very well protected with water and waste areas.

The greens are fast, deceiving and have subtle breaks, oftentimes looking like they break one way when they break entirely different from your read. To compound the already difficult greens, they were just aerated so, as a tip to all who play any fine golf course this season, call before you make a tee time to confirm that the greens are ready to roll.

Waste areas, not typical bunkers, are found throughout the entire golf course from tee to green. These waste areas dominate the sides of the fairways as well as surround the greens. On True Blue golf course, we mainly drove our golf carts within the waste areas and used wooden ramps to make our way onto the fairway.

Tips for hitting out of waste areas:
The one major difference between a "regular" bunker and a waste area is that you are allowed to ground your club, take practice swings in the sand, move the ball if it lands in a tire track and remove loose impediments like leaves and rocks.

According to this PGATour.com blog, hit the ball first. If you don't hit the ball before the sand in a waste area, you could "find yourself in the waste bunker for your next shot".

In my Caledonia Golf blog, I asked readers if a relative beginner should attempt to play the course. I will respond to my question for True Blue with a "no". True Blue is definitely a shot-maker's course and is rated "Difficult" by NorthMyrtleBeach.com website.

I would suggest that True Blue not be the first golf course you play this season; get your golf game up to speed first! Then, if you think you have the right shots in your bag, you will find that True Blue lives up to its difficulty level and you will enjoy it.

Thanks to Bob Seganti for the invitation!

Have you played True Blue and/or Caledonia? What were your thoughts on the difficulty of these golf courses? Let us know in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Should Beginners Attempt to Play Caledonia Golf Course?

Passing beneath the stately oaks that lead to the clubhouse of the famed Pawley's Island Caledonia Golf and Fish Club, I wondered about the course we were about to play; would it be a test or an easy walk along the fairway?

From which tee box would I hit?

What awaits me, as well as others at my skill level, better players as well as beginners? A golf blog was formulating in my mind right at the entrance to this scenic experience.

Although this golf course is considered a bucket list must-play for Southerners and Northerners alike, Caledonia, as well as other well-known upscale masterpieces, may not be suited to all levels of golfer unless he or she is there for the high-end experience more than for the score.

Natural beauty surrounds, and dominates, the senses - egrets are in flight,  alligators are lazily surrounding the lakes; yes, Caledonia is most certainly a beautiful golf course and, on the first day of March, it was wonderful to see the azaleas in bloom, reminding me that The Masters Tournament is just around the turn.

This Mike Strantz masterpiece proudly shows itself to be the perfect respite for the vacationing golfer and for players like myself and my husband who wanted to feel like we are on vacation even though we live only half an hour up the road in Myrtle Beach. The greens are in perfect shape, the fairways are cushioned and the course is immaculately maintained.

What should all level of golfer know before playing Caledonia Golf and Fish Club?

Fairways are tight, strategically placed bunkers, water and waste areas abound so the golf course should be reviewed before heading out for the first time.

First tip? Pick up a play book at the front desk to help guide you through the holes, download a golf app for correct distances and watch video flyovers of the holes on the Caledonia website before you attempt to play the course. Don't go out unprepared if you plan to score well.

In my opinion, the holes got increasingly difficult as the round progressed. I ran out of fairway at hole thirteen as I couldn't see the trouble that lay at the edge of the fairway, causing a blow-up hole. Precision shots are important on Caledonia.

Try These Three Golf Swing Thoughts to Avoid Blow-Up Holes

For the first nine, we played with members of Caledonia who were invaluable as they helped us through trouble spots. As we came upon the ninth hole, it was relayed to us that the course ran out of room making the hole very short. Playing from the forward tees with my partners, the hole measured eighty yards with sand guarding the entire front of the green and through me for a loop as I was in between clubs. Feel shots are just as important as precision on Caledonia!

As we approached hole 18 on Caledonia Golf Club, I pulled out my camera as this is one of the most beautiful finishing holes in golf and was included in PGA.com's  "Dream 18 of South Carolina". Caledonia was also selected as America's 4th Best Golf Course by My Golf Spy.

The eighteenth hole did not disappoint; water along the right side of the fairway created an island green effect. I landed my drive too far left but still in the fairway, leaving me approximately 160 yards to the pin...it looked like 200 yards to the pin from where I stood and was extremely intimidating to me. I pulled out way too much club and choked on the shot. I said, "this round isn't going to end this way for me" and so I asked Barry if I could "mulligan" the shot, taking what I originally thought would be the right club. Since he won the round already, he agreed and I plunked the shot pin-high just off of the green. TIP? Don't be intimidated and select the club that you feel comfortable with that you know will do the job!

The final tip is for beginners: should a relative beginner golfer play Caledonia? It depends on how "new" you are - can you move the ball forward, do you understand strategy basics or are you still banging the ball on the driving range, trying to learn the basics of the swing and the game? Attempt to play Caledonia only if you can affirm that you are up for the challenge and follow the below tip in case you get into trouble.

To keep the game moving along, pick up your ball if you think you might be on a "blow-up hole" and move it forward to your playing partner's ball or play best ball instead of playing traditional stroke play.

Caledonia Golf and Fish Club will be a memorable experience to stand among the best resort courses that you play in your lifetime; it oozes with southern charm and makes you feel that you are in a very special place.

Thank you to Bob Seganti for the invitation.

Have you played Caledonia Golf Club? If so, what were your thoughts on the course? Let us know in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and @caledoniagolffi

Play #Golf on Your Own Magical Mystical Tour

For the past four years, I have been invited to play a trinity of the top golf courses in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as part of the Mystical Golf Writer's Tournament; The Witch, Wizard and Man O' War.

This year, instead of this terrific event being held during our usual mid-October dates, Hurricane Matthew touched down from Florida through to North Carolina, causing harm to many golf courses along the Grand Strand and our tournament was reassigned...just in case. How were these three immaculately maintained golf courses affected or, were Mystical forces at work keeping them protected from harm?

Just after the storm, Claude Pardue, president and CEO of DG Golf Management which operates the Mystical trio of golf courses issued this statement, "We didn’t suffer any significant damage, just a lost weekend in the middle of our season, but we can’t do anything about that...".

A sigh of relief was elicited...whew, good news! I was off to see the Wizard once again!

While playing each golf course, I silently nodded my head in agreement with Mr. Pardue and, although there were a number of trees felled (cleared due to the amazing job done by the groundskeepers) on each golf course and there were some wet areas still in play, it appeared that all three courses were ready and waiting for the next sojourner to travel their creaky, meandering wooden paths.

Busy season re-starts in Myrtle Beach through Christmas as cities in the north and west experience their first snow fall. When you are booking your tee times, here are a few reasons to include The Witch, Wizard and Man O'War in your visit to South Carolina's Grand Strand.

The Mystical Golf Courses have different designs so you won't get bored.

- The Witch Golf Course really comes through on its name - a peaceful eerieness surrounds golfers as they make their way through the forest riding on creaky bridges.

Designed to be playable from tee to green, you still have to hit a straight shot, the bunkers are well-placed, the greens are different than the Wizard and Man O' War (I believe they are Tift Dwarf). If you hit a good shot you are rewarded but beware a mis-hit...it will cost you strokes.

My playing partners read that this was supposed to be the easiest of the three courses but, even though we struggled a bit, we all came out with praise for its level of difficulty.

Be ware of the alligators which laze by the lakes and, if your golf ball lands near one of these seemingly docile creatures, take a drop!

- The Wizard appeared to me to be the easiest for the three days. It is a links-style golf course, open, with rolling fairways but beware of the rough which is quite gnarly. Bentgrass greens are rolling yet playable and in great condition.

- Man O-War is definitely a golf course you should add to your vacation list while in Myrtle Beach if you like to be surrounded by water.

The course is scenic and always in pristine shape (as are the other two Mystical sites). Definitely practice your putting before heading out for your round as the greens are fast, tricky and unforgiving.

This tip from Mr. Pardue should carry you through as you make your way through each of the three Mystical Golf Courses - when you see trouble, stay away from it. Sounds like simple advice but how many of you will actually follow it when you come upon Dan Maples' "arsenal of weapons" within each course layout?

The "Magical Mystical Tour", as coined by Travel Industry Today, is in full swing during this time of year, offering great tee time values. The Witch and Man O'War are listed as two of the fifteen best courses in South Carolina, according to Golf Advisor reviews.

Staying in the Myrtle Beach area for a few days? The Witch, Wizard and Man O' War are centrally located so you don't have to travel huge distances when staying on the Grand Strand; all three courses are located near each other with The Wizard and Man O'War actually sharing a lake. All three have separate club houses and facilities but it's nice to know that, if you are not a local, you will easily find these three gems.

Thank you once again for your hospitality Claude Pardue and best regards to The Breakers Resort for the delicious food and attentive staff service. To all three Mystical Golf Courses and to their dedicated staff of ground crew and management (Tim, Graham and Randy), thanks for keeping the fairways and greens in such great shape.

Have you played any or all of the Myrtle Beach Mystical Golf courses? Share your experiences on this golf blog and tag us with your responses on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and @MysticalGolf.

Myrtle Beach World Amateur Championship - #Golf Major for the Rest of Us

It is the "granddaddy" of amateur tournaments and, each year, well over three thousand golfers turn out to play in the Myrtle Beach World Amateur wondering how their games compare to players from around the globe.

Anyone with a handicap can play in the World Am and many people return year after year to this tournament with a focus on fun. 

After speaking with several players, I learned that people come to this top South Carolina beach destination to play 72 holes of intense stroke play on amazing Myrtle Beach golf courses for the bonds that are formed and the ability to test oneself against others with similar handicaps.

One player and his wife in particular whom we met at the 19th hole told me that his wife first saw the event online, purchased entrance for him as a birthday present and are now here for their third annual tournament. He is a ten handicap and was very interested in sharing how he did during his rounds and how happy he was to be matched so evenly with his foursome. When I asked his wife if she played golf, she said yes and then we got into a conversation about how to get more power out of her driver.

In other words, the talk of the evening was all about golf, how to improve and about how to score low on some of the most pristine courses along the Grand Strand.

Top instructors were on hand to happily offer advice. Randy Joyner, who coaches players on both the Web.com and PGA Tour, took the stage and gave indispensable tips on ways to break 90, chipping and the full swing...I took notes during his lesson.

I was super stoked to receive a personal on-stage lesson from Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and PGA Master Professional in Instruction, Brad Redding, who showed me the benefits of improving my grip to increase my distance while maintaining accuracy (he also said I had great posture lol...thanks Brad!)

Several golf courses were represented in booths within the perimeter of the 19th hole; Caledonia, True Blue, Thistle and Legends to name a few and there were all kinds of new technology and fun giveaways to view, touch and play around with...for example...

I will be playing golf at Legends Golf Resort in a few weeks while trying out and reviewing their latest acquisition - the Golfboard (watch for my video and review).

Other companies showing off their wares at the 19th hole included gadgets such as Birdieball which is said to mimic the feel and flight path of a real golf ball but travel no more than forty yards, new ways to mark your ball from Golfdotz and Tin Cup and even nutritional energy bars...delicious snacks to help keep your hunger at bay on the course. PGA Tour Superstore had a large display of clothing to make sure attendees were dressed super-slick for the tournament.

Myrtle Beach is also a food-lovers destination. Visitors to the area can find every kind of delicacy that is available anywhere else in the country from sushi to ribs. At the 19th hole this week, delicious crab rangoons were served up by Black Thai Restaurant, awesome filet mignon was carved from Greg Norman’s Australian Grille and much, more including Barry's favorite...Chick-fil-A. Did I mention Friendly's ice-cream ...? Well, the Nuts over Caramel stole my heart...

Golf is the name of the game but the camaraderie, fun and sportsmanship found at the Myrtle Beach World Am is what keeps players coming back each year.

Did you attend this year's Myrtle Beach World Am? If not, do you plan to play golf in South Carolina sometime in the future? Send us a note either below in the comments section of this golf blog or on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

The Mystical Properties of Myrtle Beach Golf

Halloween may usher in a chill in many parts of the USA but in Myrtle Beach, with temperatures still balmy, golfers are happily driving onto fairways and fist-pumping as they hear the clink of their putt dropping decisively into the hole. What a great time to visit the Golf Capital of the World!

The Mystical Golf Writer's Tournament was in full swing once again this past week at The Witch, Wizard and Man O' War courses; in it's fifth year of operation, sports and travel writers converge upon Myrtle Beach to play these unique courses which are different yet which share a common bond. In spite of the wrath which Hurricane Joaquin laid in its path, these three gems were unaffected and remain in very nice condition, ready to cast their magical spell upon tourists and locals alike.

In previous articles about The Witch, Wizard and Man O' War golf courses, I gave an overview of each course, from the enclosed and "macabre" feeling you get driving on the creeky paths of the Witch to the breathtaking feeling of the Man O' War, where many holes are surrounded by water, where the wind can be your friend or not and where island greens test your resolve.



Bob Gillespie ready to putt on hole 9 at Man O War. Claude Pardue watches as Barry tends the pin.

The Wizard designed to be a links-style course, is as challenging as its sister courses but also offered scoring opportunities (especially from the forward tees, which is where the ladies played from during the tournament).

One big tip I can offer about all of the Mystical golf courses is, if you want to make a green in regulation, you must place your tee shot properly. These golf courses are built for shot makers - you can't just bomb away and wherever your ball lands you'll get onto the green - touch and thought is the name of the game.

The three Mystical golf courses are designed by Dan Maples, who has designed over thirty courses to date around the world and whose family has been involved in the business of golf since the late 1800's so now you know that, when you play a Maples course, your skills will be tested.

The Wizard Golf Course Club House

A Myrtle Beach golf vacation would not be complete without the ability to choose from sixty miles of accommodations and from over a thousand restaurants. This year, our group was treated to a stay at The Breakers, one of my favorite hotels from when we used to travel here for vacation. Upscale and with awesome views, this hotel is located in a prime position, only a few blocks from the 1.2 mile Boardwalk (named by Budget Travel as one of the country's most awesome boardwalks) and a two-minute drive to Broadway at the Beach.

As for the food, tournament participants were treated to dinner at Wild Wing Cafe and then, arguably, to the top show in Myrtle Beach, "One" The Show at the Alabama Theater in Barefoot Landing. We had been to both venues several years ago at a previous Mystical Golf Writers' Tournament and were happily surprised to be going once again.

For Myrtle Beach vacationers and locals alike, "One" The Show is entertaining, patriotic and shows off great talent such as "Star Search" male vocalist and emcee, Greg Rowles, Grant Turner (aka the hilarious Ricky Mokel) and Irving the Dog from America's Got Talent.

Myrtle Beach...The Grand Strand...has seven of the "Top 100 Public Golf Courses in America" by Golf Digest and was ranked number one in 2014 on TripAdvisor's top summer destinations.

If you are looking for a golf vacation that fills your senses ...and your tummy... without taking a bite out of your wallet, which gives you an extensive choice of cushioned fairways and tricky greens, Myrtle Beach is the vacation spot for you and your family.

A special thanks goes out to the following people and companies for the warm welcome:

Mr. Claude Pardue
The Alabama Theater at Barefoot Landing- "One" The Show
Wild Wing Cafe at Barefoot Landing
The Breakers Resort
Mr. David Wood
Mr. Graham Williams, Director of Golf, The Witch Golf Course
Mr. Tim Sautter - The Wizard Golf Course
Mr. Randy Broughton - Man O'War Golf Course

For more information about The Witch, Man-0-War and The Wizard, please visit www.mysticalgolf.com, or call 843.282.2977.

Golf Club Demos, Food and John Daly at Myrtle Beach 19th Hole

Each year thousands of golfers descend upon the golf capital of the world for a chance at being named best in their flight - I am happily amazed at the growth of the Myrtle Beach Amateur Handicap Championship.

The tournament which started in 1982 with 682 participants has increased five-fold and is played on such well-known and beautiful golf courses as Caledonia Golf and Fish Club and the Barefoot Courses. Although there is a serious competitive spirit surrounding the Tournament, the focus is on FUN.

Myrtle Beach has around one-hundred golf courses, soft-sand beaches and, from last count, about 1700 restaurants so it's easy to understand why the Amateur Handicap Tournament is so popular year-after year. 

Is it the golf or the fun that brings the players back to the Beach? If you said both, you're RIGHT!

The BEST 19th Hole in the World in @myrtlebeach this week at the World Amateur #golf tournament! Ready, set, GOLF! pic.twitter.com/THZR1yYUDM

— Stacy Solomon (@Golf4Beginners) August 31, 2015

The World's Largest 19th Hole is a golfer's dream with celebrities, music and even a pro golfer in the midst. Taylor Hicks, American Idol winner, entertained, John Daly was mixing it up with his fans and stirring up the cocktails with his new vodka/tea drink (yes, it's another specialty of his) and there were putting and chipping contests, simulators and a line of PGA Tour Superstore booths filled with the latest golf equipment for hitting and testing by the participants.

My neighbor has been talking about the latest Wilson D200 driver and, lo and behold, there was a left-handed club waiting for me to test! My current driver is a Callaway X2 Hot so I went armed to the hitting booth ready to compare the two - here are my findings.

I could feel the "Reactive Face Technology" with every hit - there was definite forgiveness from the club as my shots seemed pretty straight from the get-go. I found the D200 to be very light but, for me, the head seemed to lag a bit (could have been the shaft). Overall a pretty good golf club to test against others when you go to PGA Tour Superstore to get fitted for your next driver. I also tried (and loved) the Ping G30 hybrid; high, straight, sweet-spot shots from the get-go, 

Barry got a hold of several irons too - he found the Titleist AP1 to have the best ball action off of the club face.

Booths each night were filled with a variety of tasty treats from southern barbecue and crab meat wontons to Shocktop and other refreshments. The lines, although a bit long, were quick moving and very chatty with golfers from Tennessee to Wisconsin talking about their day on the links.

I know that the Myrtle Beach World Am is all about the golf but...Thursday was the last night to attend the festivities and I'm getting hungry just thinking about my experience!

These folks (& ME) can't wait to taste tonight's Southern #BBQ at #MyrtleBeach World Am 19th hole! #golf pic.twitter.com/tHKtO2CyM4

— Stacy Solomon (@Golf4Beginners) August 31, 2015 

Have you attended the Myrtle Beach World Am Handicap Championship? Which was your favorite golf course...or was it the 19th hole that took center stage? Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on our Golf for Beginners blog.


Thanks to Chris King - Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday

Top Three #Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach Worth the Trip

If you have visited Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on previous golf vacations, chances are you have heard of, or played, one or more of the three Mystical Golf Courses within fifteen minutes of the Coast. With over one-hundred golf courses to choose from, here are a few reasons why the Witch, Wizard and Man O'War are definitely worth a trip to the Beach!

Survival is the name of the game on the three Mystical Golf Courses:

The Season of The Witch

Although the trifecta of Witch, Wizard and Man O'War are mystical, there is an eerie ambiance as you drive your golf cart along the creaky wooden plank paths on this eighteen hole maze through the natural beauty of marsh and forestry compelling you to move strategically onward.

Although The Witch website states, "There's nothing scary about The Witch", golf blogger Andy Reistetter thinks otherwise, "witnessing the wildlife and scenic insights into the surrounding marshes will definitely cast a spell over you."

Challenging doglegs and safe landings are the name of the game at The Witch and placement should be safe or your golf ball may be engulfed by water (or maybe by an alligator...).

I plan to play a round of golf on The Witch this Halloween, enough said.

Off to See The Wizard

In a previous golf blog about Mystical Golf, I mentioned that the Wizard requires, "thought in ball placement as the second cut of rough was deep."

Yes, this is a links course but there are elevation changes as well. According to MyrtleBeachGolf.com, "More than 1 million cubic yards of dirt were moved to form this layout of gently rolling hills and berms." The Wizard is in amazing shape, the greens roll fast and the course is basically humbling due to the wind and the elements.

If you think this is an easy course because of online reviews you might have read, think again. The Wizard will conjure its spell upon you.

Man O'War - Ready for Battle

Man O' War is designed for the golfer who thinks about the shot before stepping up to the ball. A Golf Digest 4-Star course with beautiful atmosphere with challenging wind and water captures your ball on the ninth hole island green and throughout the round. If you like a course with personality, stunning views, immaculate fairways and greens... which bites back, this is a must-play during your stay.

All three Dan Maples golf courses are in prime condition, the wind and pin placement should be considered and the greens are fast and require that you roll more than just a few on the practice putting green to get your speed and line.

Myrtle Beach Revelry

Since we attend this golf writers tournament in Myrtle Beach every year, there is also a bit of revelry in addition to playing golf on these three amazing courses. We were last off the tee on day one of The Witch, so we didn't make the yearly excursion to the fabulous Alabama Theater to see the production of "One" a family-themed show which was top-notch, fun and patriotic.

We did have dinner at the River City Cafe, eating up delicious burgers at their Surfside Beach location along with a beautiful view. The wonderful buffet spreads by Sea Mist Resort were delectable, from the salmon on toast points to the most delicious roast beef I had eaten in years.

Thank you once again for your hospitality Claude Pardue and Mystical Golf, Sea Mist Resort and to all the folks in Myrtle Beach who always say, "Welcome to the Beach" and mean it!

Stacy Captures the Flag at Man O War Golf Course!

And, to the three golf courses which put my team in the middle of the pack, as MacArthur stated, "I came through and I Shall Return". I will be better prepared and ready for battle next year.

Have you played golf at The Witch, Wizard or Man O'War? Share your thoughts on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and at the bottom of this golf blog!


photo credit: MyrtleBeachGolfDirectors.com, Golf for Beginners

Experience the Largest and Best 19th Hole in #Golf at Myrtle Beach

Thirty-four countries and fifty-eight states know where the largest and most fun 19th hole is in golf... do you?

The Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship of Golf - one of the most anticipated and swinging events of the year at The Beach - has over thirty-four hundred (3,400) entries that love competition and camaraderie of the sport. Since this is a handicap event, all ages and skill levels are encouraged and welcomed to join in this family event.

The more than sixty golf courses on the World Am roster are the pride of South Carolina and are among the best in the USA.

From Caledonia Golf and Fish Club, number twenty-seven in GOLF Magazine‘s 2014 “Top 100 You Can Play” to Myrtle Beach National and Carolina National, if you have never played golf on and around the Grand Strand, this is a great opportunity to see what this vacation destination has to offer golfers of every age and ability.

After a day on the links, participants converge onto the 19th Hole - an experience, I heard, that you have to see to believe...and so I did!

The 19th hole, also known as the largest golf tournament party, adjourns nightly after entrants have had their fill of birdies, bogeys and beautiful scenery playing golf on one of the host courses.

So, what happens when thousands of party-loving golfers from millennials to seniors converge during a week-long super-extravaganza event at possibly the largest ever 19th Hole in the World and in no other place than Myrtle Beach, a City known for its golf courses and fun, beachy atmosphere?

Aside from the delicious and plentiful food provided by local restaurants with a different menu nightly, live entertainment and the Dark and Stormy's, you get the camaraderie of golfers sharing their day's good and bad shots, an array of putting greens, driving booths and anything and everything designed to make this a golfer's after-hours paradise.

Lessons from Golf-Tec teaching pro Trent had me hitting straight and removing that annoying left pull by showing me a video of my golf swing right on his smartphone. Announcers WinMcMurry and John Maginnes were on hand to call the shots on a 50-yard par-3 and I didn't know whether to play the Golden Tee games that were lined up or to hit a few into the golf simulator - so many choices but luckily there is an entire week to enjoy the fun.

The best part of my experience, however, had to be chatting with the players, many of whom return year-after-year. I asked several folks if it was the golf or 19th hole that kept them coming back for more and, I was told, both were hard to beat!

Have you attended the Myrtle Beach World Am Handicap Championship? Which was your favorite golf course...or was it the 19th hole that took center stage? Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on our Golf for Beginners blog.


Thanks to Chris King - Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday

Myrtle Beach #Golf Course Holes Rated The Best?

Approximately fourteen million visitors, snowbirds included, vacation in sunny Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, each year, eager to enjoy the one-hundred plus golf courses and sixty-mile beach which has made The Grand Strand famous world-wide.

On The Green Magazine recently sent out a survey to their subscribers asking which golf holes were their favorites - the ones which gave players "the most golfing enjoyment".

Which golf hole was the overall favorite?

Glen Dornoch hole number 16, a long par-4 which requires focus as the views of the Intracoastal Waterway will distract and the tight green will require an accurate finish.

How can you score par or better here?

GlensGolfGroup.com says, "your drive needs to avoid a small pond on the left, as well as fairway bunkers strategically placed on both the left and right...

Hit as close to the bunkers on the right as possible, and you’ll be in the best position to go for the green. Go over the crest and you’ll either have a severe downhill lie or end up in a catch basin bunker midway down the slope. Either way, you’ll need a spectacular shot to reach the green in two from there."

Glen Dornoch - 16th Hole

For out-of-towners who may not know the best golf courses to play and for those golfers who are "locals" but haven't yet played all one-hundred or so golf courses offered in Myrtle Beach, here are the top-three holes. Golf for Beginners has also listed the golf courses with the most multiple holes chosen as favorites.

On The Green 18 - Reader's Choice Top Three Golf Holes:
Glen Dornoch #16
Caledonia #18
Rivers Edge #9

Where Glen Dornoch's spectacular views are water and salt marsh, Caledonia's eighteenth hole borders this Plantation's rice field.

Caledonia 18th hole

According to the PGA.com website, the eighteenth hole of any golf course is probably the most important as, "It's the lasting impression golfers have as they leave their round, it's the hole they are looking forward to as they pull up."  How true.

Considered to be one of PGA's "Dream 18", Caledonia's 18th is a par-4, 383-yard hole with water down the right side which cuts into the fairway in front of a large green. The kicker is that, on any given day, there might be a grandstand of folks watching your approach shot, which can make that final iron shot a real tester.

Shallotte, North Carolina, just north of Myrtle Beach, is the location of the third top reader's choice golf hole. The signature ninth hole at River's Edge is a 570-yard, par-5 has it all...views, blind tee shot, frustrating with the question of "go for the green or lay up?"

Rivers Edge 9th hole

Here are a few of the Golf Courses with Multiple Holes Chosen as Favorites:
Heather Glen - 9 holes
Tidewater - 8 holes
The Witch - 7 holes

For the complete Reader's Choice list, visit onthegreenmagazine.com.

None of these golf courses, in my opinion, should be taken on by beginners unless it is for a friendly round and the others in the foursome know that you can pick up your ball at will. I don't believe in giving up, just moving on at a reasonable pace of play.


Have you played golf in Myrtle Beach? Do you agree/disagree with the reader survey? Voice your opinion on this blog, on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and LIKE us on Facebook.



photo credits: glensgolfgroup.com, golfcarolina.com, thegolfcourseguru.com

Golf Tournaments and Myrtle Beach Entertainment are Par for the Course

A vacation in Myrtle Beach, for most sun-loving folks, in one way or another includes both beach and golf. This past week, I was fortunate enough to have at my disposal an ocean view to die for, terrific food, great entertainment and some of the best golf courses in the United States.

Being invited to a golf tournament is always exciting but there is something special when it takes place in Myrtle Beach. Although driving time is about eleven hours from New York, Myrtle Beach is definitely worth the effort. Of course, at just under two hours from the big city, you can always fly down to this golfer’s haven but, having a dog in the family mandated us to take the longer route…and so we did.

Mystical Golf’s 3rd Annual Golf Media Tournament also allowed me to bring a guest which, of course, was my husband Barry who always delights in a challenge. 

Off we went - Barry, Einstein (my loveable german shepherd puppy) and me – golf clubs in the trunk and ready for our adventure. Einstein wound up staying at K9 Cabana, a very caring dog "resort" he frequents when we’re here at the Beach and Barry and I were excited to have the Sea Mist beach front hotel as our "home-away-from-home". 

The accommodations at Sea Mist were very comfortable with in-room kitchenette and the ocean at our doorstep, we were wined and dined and the food was yummy and plentiful…thank you to our hosts!

Fresh air, great lodgings, delicious food and three of the best golf courses in Myrtle Beach - The Witch, Wizard and Man O'War - what more could any golf aficionado ask for?

How about one of the most delightful shows I have seen in a long time…a patriotic, country-loving extravaganza at the Alabama Theatre - “One”. The talent was extraordinary; comedian Ricky Mokel was hilarious and host Greg Rowles ("Star Search" Male Vocalist of the Year) kept us entertained with music that you don’t get to hear too much of on New York City radio stations. A quick mention that, before the show, I had some of the best ribs I have eaten in a long time at Wild Wing Cafe; if you want wings and ribs, these are finger-lickin' good!!

The week and the golf tournament went by in a flash: the Witch cast her mighty spell on us, The Wizard was captivating and Man O'War had very sharp teeth and should be renamed, "Man O' Water!". Barry and I captured five skins, won low net and wound up with a few bucks to spend at either of the three well-stocked Clubhouses but, most importantly, bragging rights!

With spring-like temperatures in Myrtle Beach probably sticking around through Christmas and prices being very fair, I encourage golfers with families to visit the Grand Strand. You will all come away with memories to last you a lifetime!

A few accolades that Myrtle Beach earned in 2012 from US News & World Report:

  #6 Best Family Beach Vacations

  #4 Best Family Vacations in the U.S.A. 

  #7 Best Affordable U.S. Vacations

  #9 Best Beaches U.S.A.

Tell Golf for Beginners about your Myrtle Beach golf experience in our comments section below, on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on Facebook .


Thank you to Mystical Golf group and to Claude Pardue for making the Golf Writers Tournament a magical event.
Learn about how to contribute to the Pardue Children in Need Fund.