Help with Fall Trip - best of rest

Carolina National has some beautiful holes but the conditions are hit or miss. It's a pretty long drive to get there from Myrtle Beach proper, though. Leopard's Chase is a better course than any of the 5 you listed, but again, the conditions are an issue there. It's supposedly finally getting better, but I'd want to hear a lot of good reports before I committed to playing there.

The Sea Trail courses are less than they used to be. The conditions aren't as good for one, but they've also started building a ton of houses everywhere which can really detract from the experience when you feel like you're just playing in someone's backyard.

Myrtlewood Palmetto usually costs more and has a nice 18th hole that runs along the waterway, but I think PineHills there is a better course. It has more interesting holes than Palmetto.

For most of the courses you listed you'd be better off staying nearby and playing King's North, Legends, TPC Myrtle Beach, True Blue, Caledonia, Heritage, etc. than driving 45+ minutes to play somewhere that's just not as good.

We played Carolina National 2 weeks ago & course was in good shape. Greens were smooth & pretty quick.

Also played Se Trail Jones, course good, but greens were still In transition, putted OK, but not near as good as most others we played.

Bald Head Island is a treat. Go as early as u can, greens fee is for all day. Spectacular course WAY off the beaten path. 

Diamondback greens were bad...stay away for now.

But by Fall, all this Intel will be obsolete.????

The 5 you listed is a good choice for your criteria of unplayed courses
and possibly the best 5 in your entire post.   
 
The best in your bigger not played list are: 
Burning Ridge, Carolina National, Litchfield, Either Myrtlewood, Whispering Pines,
Eagles Nest.   

Thanks Art - that is really what I am asking - thinking those are my best 5 options (outside of BHI).  Almost feels like play those 5 and then just mix one of the others in on occasion to complete the list.   One day we play 2 rounds - could be the day to just go to BHI.  Is Bald Head that much better than playing River Club/Tradition on same day?  Farmstead will be our last round, as it is on the way home to SE PA.  

Carolina National holds some intrigue as 27 hole complex (we play 27 first day).  Brunswick is another we have not played that would fit that.

@cbp-section-205

Played Brunswick 2 weeks ago....first time in about 20 years...was very impressed. Outstanding conditions.

Thanks Skippy, 27 on our opening day is always fun.  Have been by the course multiple times, but not one I have heard much about.  Seemed really great shape when I was last in MB (March 2020 at start of all this crap).

Your choices are all good ones, if you do play Bald Head course just remember it is a full day with the ferry rides to and from the island.  Brunswick will surprise you and playing all 27 will be a treat as all nines are different.  Good luck.

Great - glad to hear about Brunswick.  So if my basic plan goes like this:

Saturday - Brunswick 27

Sunday - TBD - we only play 18 then watch REDZONE - choices would be Arcadian, River Club, Blackmoor, Tradition or the lower tier courses

Monday - BHI (we usually play 36 this day - so works perfect)

Tuesday - Farmstead - which I think is the best of what we haven't played and on the way home.

Would guess any of those 4 would work.  

Awesome.  Group wants to play courses we have not played - certainly works.

@cbp-section-205

I think Tradition (or maybe River Club; they're right next to each other and I mix them up) is the best of those Sunday options, but I've never played Blackmoor.

My group didn't want to go to Bald Head and I don't like boats
myself, so it's the only MB course I have not played.  It was 
rebuilt into a modern course a few years ago.   If you only play 1
round there, it could fit as a last day drive home north course, 
using Rt 40.    See if others like the boat ride.    
 
Best of the Sunday courses is Arcadian or River club.  Maybe 
you want the shortest drive that day.  
 
You could also do a 36 hole day with one of the good courses 
you listed and a nearby not as good in the PM, when guys 
are drinking or less concerned with the course. 

The 5 you listed would fit the bill.  From the remaining list, I would recommend the following:  Leopards Chase, Burning Ridge, Carolina National, Litchfield, either Myrtlewood, & River Oaks.  

Conditions wise, Burning Ridge, Litchfield, and both Myrtlewoods will probably have the best or most reliable conditions of the list above.  The last two times I've played Carolina National, it was in great shape.  It can be hit or miss but hopefully it is a hit if you decide to play.  Leopards Chase seems to be improving too.  River Oaks is usually in decent shape.  Fun course and normally easy on the wallet.

Since you're staying on the south end, I'd play your not played south end courses Tradition, River Club, Litchfield Blackmoor, maybe Whispering Pines and do the north end courses the next year or one of the north ends on your way home.  My guys prefer shorter drives on golf days so they can spend more time golfing, sleeping, drinking back at the condo, whatever.  Your played list is similar to mine. I think I'm around 65 courses now so I have to pick and choose each trip. 

Bald Head Island is one of the five best golf courses I have ever played.  If it were closer to MB it would be a high Tier 1, up there with Caledonia and The Dunes.  It is an all-day trip.  If you are coming from somewhere off of 501 it will take you at least and hour & half to get to the ferry.  The ferry takes about half an hour from dock to dock.  Booking through Brian all ferry fees are included in the package price.  They have had two hurricanes hit the island in the past three years, so I am not up-to-date on how that affected the course.  

You will love Farmstead.

There ferry to BHI is pretty big with indoor an outdoor seating. It's back in a channel so its not like you are going to get sea sick or anything.