Looking to plan the perfect golf trip to Waccamaw Golf Trail, Pawleys Island, SC? Planning a buddies trip or a romantic golf getaway can be a full time job not to mention pressure filled to deliver a memorable experience. Below is an interview with John Rusher, Executive Director of Waccamaw Golf Trail who shares some insider information about golfing and traveling to Waccamaw Golf Trail, Pawleys Island, SC, must play courses, a sample itinerary and where you can go for more planning tools.
Give our readers an overview of your destination and why they should consider it for their next golf trip? If your quest is to play some of the best courses in America, then head for the Waccamaw Golf Trail. Located just south of Myrtle Beach, SC, and about an hour north of Charleston, the Waccamaw Golf Trail is located along the historic Hammock Coast, one of the oldest resort destinations in America. The area was once home to some of the world's largest producers of rice and indigo. Today, it offers visitors a combination of beautiful beaches, award-winning restaurants and some of the top-ranked golf courses in America.
Within a 10-mile radius, vacationing golfers have a choice of twelve highly-acclaimed courses, most built on former plantations, accented with ancient moss-draped oaks, magnolias and azaleas, set along the banks of the scenic Waccamaw River.
Among the featured courses are several that are ranked among the 100 Greatest Resort Courses in America, one of only three courses receiving 5 Stars in Golf Digest's "Guide to Best Places to Play", and two or three that have been ranked among the Top 50 in America for Women.
What are the must play courses in Waccamaw Golf Trail, Pawleys Island, SC?
Blackmoor Golf Club It is the only Gary Player signature course in the Myrtle Beach area, and, just as you would expect, it is a player-friendly layout that rewards good shots and often forgives the occasional stray shot. It is built upon the old Longwood Plantation that is tucked along the banks of the Waccamaw River. www.blackmoor.com 800-952-5555 6100 Longwood Drive Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club Designed by one of modern golf's most gifted architects, the late Mike Strantz, Caledonia traverses a magnificent 18th century plantation and is ranked among Golf Digest's list of "100 Greatest Public Courses in America" and GOLF Magazine's list of "Top 100 Courses You Can Play in America." The setting is serene, with ancient moss-draped oaks nestled against former rice fields and a tidal river. It is regarded by many as the #1 course on the Grand Strand. www.fishclub.com 888-483-6800 369 Caledonia Drive Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Founders Club of Pawleys Island The southern most course on the Waccamaw Golf Trail, Founders Club immediately impresses you with the striking beauty of the 9th hole as it runs parallel to the Ocean Highway 17. In 2011, Founders earned the distinction of being named "Golf Course of the Year" by the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association, a distinction that is well deserved for design, condition and service. www.foundersclubpawleysisland.com 877-283-2122 7829 Ocean Highway Pawleys Island SC 29585
Heritage Club A perennial Top 100, the Heritage Club's marshfront setting is breathtaking, and the consistently high quality and condition have earned national acclaim, including 4.5 stars in Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play." This is s stunning Dan Maples design that never disappoints. www.heritageclub.com 888-530-1875 478 Heritage Drive Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Litchfield Country Club Established in the early 1960s, Litchfield Country Club is the oldest course on the Grand Strand, and still maintains a private membership, so tee times are limited and highly coveted. It is a Willard Byrd design that just keeps getting better with age. www.litchfieldgolf.com 888-466-7884 Highway 17 South Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club This gem is located on the south end of the Waccamaw Golf Trail, the focal point of Pawleys Plantation is its award-winning Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, featuring several holes that literally extend out into the saltwater marsh. Great golf, a golf school, onsite dining, accommodations and meeting facitlities are all available at Pawleys Plantation, recently ranked one of the top golf meeting destinations in the Southeast by Convention South. www.pawleysplantation.com 888-466-7884 70 Tanglewood Drive Pawleys Island, SC 29585
River Club This award-winning Tom Jackson design boasts a 4.5-star rating in "Best Places to Play." It features water on practically every hole, which fortunately does not, or maybe we say, "should not" come into play. The par-5 18th is one of the most thrilling finishing holes at the Beach, offering an excellent opportunity for birdie or eagle. www.playriverclub.com 888-466-7884 11 Pine Drive Pawleys Island, SC 29585
True Blue Plantation True Blue is another highly acclaimed Mike Strantz layout, True Blue has earned national notoriety for its beauty and challenge. It recently moved up the rankings on GOLF Magazine's list of "Top 100 Courses You Can Play in America." This is another 4.5-star layout that is a must play on your next visit. www.fishclub.com 888-483-6801 900 Bluestem Drive Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Tournament Players Club of Myrtle Beach This stadium course was created as a collaboration of Tom Fazio and Lanny Wadkins, intended to provide a major event venue in Myrtle Beach and to offer vacationing golfers the experience of playing a PGA TOUR caliber course. In addition to hosting the prestigious Senior Tour Championship in 2001, TPC Myrtle Beach has earned a perfect 5-star rating from Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play." www.tpcmyrtlebeach.com 888-466-7884 1199 TPC Boulevard Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Tradition Club Another member of the "Course of the Year" club, Tradition Club is a Ron Garl design that has earned a 4.5 star rating and is recognized for special design considerations that make it friendly to the women golfers, as well as the men. www.traditionclubmyrtlebeach.com 888-466-7884 1027 Willbrook Blvd. Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Wachesaw Plantation East Five-time tournament host of the LPGA and 2007-08 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year, Wachesaw Plantation East is a Clyde Johnston design that offers challenge and reward at every turn. www.wachesaweast.com/ 800-882-2614 Hwy. 17 South Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Willbrook Plantation Golf Club Accomplished course architect Dan Maples calls it "One of my best," and those who play it agree. Situated on the site of two 18th century plantations, it easy to see why this course has earned a 4.5-star rating in "Best Places to Play." www.willbrookgolf.com 888-466-7884 Highway 17 South Pawleys Island, SC 29585
What is the hidden gem and/or best value course? If you are looking to add some adventure to your round, check out the new Golf Boards at True Blue Golf Club. They are available, same as a golf cart, and a lot more fun. Check them out! Popular for all ages.
After golf, what are the "must do" things or attractions to see? Off the course, the Hammock Coast area offers an abundance of places to see and activities to enjoy. You'll find a complete list at HammockCoastSC.com.
You'll discover some of the most pristine beaches on the entire East Coast, and one of South Carolina's most coveted state parks, Huntington Beach State Park, that is nestled against the Atlantic Ocean. Bike trails and walking paths provide up-close-access to birds, deer, alligators and other indigenous wildlife.
Just across the way is Brookgreen Gardens, a showplace of art and nature developed in the 1930s by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington on the site of four colonial rice plantations. Over 550 pieces of America's finest 19th and 20th century sculptures, by artists such as Frederic Remington, Daniel Chester French and Mrs. Huntington, are exhibited among 2,000 species of plants.
Numerous other historic points of interest include museums and 18th Century Plantation, with even more historic attractions just an hour south in nearby Charleston.
The Hammock Coast also offers a mouth-watering selection of restaurants, many set along the scenic Marshwalk of Murrells Inlet, one of the most popular seafood districts on the East Coast.
What is the best time to travel? The Waccamaw Trail and Hammock Coast welcome visitors year-round. Family vacationers prefer the summer to enjoy the beaches, but empty nesters and golfers tend to prefer the fall and the spring, when the temperature is milder and the beaches and restaurants a bit less crowded.
While travailing, not looking to endure the hassle of lugging golf clubs? May want to consider renting premium golf clubs from www.clubhub.com.
Where can golfers go for more information to research and plan their trip? To learn more about the golf, dining and accommodations on the Waccamaw Golf Trail, including seasonal specials, golf rates and available tee times, visit online at www.WaccamawGolfTrail.com or call (888) 293-7385.
