Selection of golf courses when in Myrtle Beach (Poll)

When i am on a budget, my selection is a mix of middle and low tier golf courses. For me, a premium courses is like Caledonia, True Bue, The Dunes. A middle tier course would be like River Hills, Arcadian Shores, etc. A low tier course would be like Crown Park, River Oaks,etc. Each year i try to play a golf course that i have never played before. And, if possible, a premium course. This spring, i will play The Dunes. But i do not know for you. It should be fun to exchange about that.

My group started out with mid tier and gradually moved to most 
premium tier as guys in the group learned the courses and some 
private course group members were added.   For 2022, they 
rejected paying $250 for Caledonia and $325 for The Dunes. 
Those 2 courses have created a Super Premium price point.    
 
On additional days alone or with MBGT members, I play premium,  
mid and the good low tier.   

For all of our 26 trips to MB our group has played a combination of premium and mid-tier courses.  We play seven rounds so it is usually a combo of two premium and five mid-tier.  However, with rates increasing  so dramatically this year, I think I am going to mix in a couple of lower-tier to help control cost.  

@tadpole 

We have to adjust of course because of the increasing rates. However, there are some good lower tier golf courses, fun to play. 

@artmbgolf 

I agree concerning Caledonia and The Dunes. At these rates, not many golfers can be interested to play. Even if these two courses are probably the best ones in Myrtle Beach.  

When we came down for our weekly trip it was upper mid tier to higher end.  On a long stay it has changed to an assortment of mostly mid tier and better lower end, we do though toss in a higher end one when the prices are decent in January and February.

We do come down off season, last week of Feb, but for our 30th year we decided on Dunes, Caledonia, and Pine Lakes. Total package was $377. Must be some big rate hikes for the prime season. Brian did move Dunes in our schedule so I assume it was to avoid a substantial rate hike.

@kio57 

Congratulations for your 30th year in Myrtle Beach. This is probably near a record and it is a great loyalty to the place.

Posted by: @kio57

We do come down off season, last week of Feb, but for our 30th year we decided on Dunes, Caledonia, and Pine Lakes. Total package was $377. Must be some big rate hikes for the prime season. Brian did move Dunes in our schedule so I assume it was to avoid a substantial rate hike.

It's good to celebrate a significant milestone year. 
 
There are big rate hikes at the premium courses in 2022. 
With dynamic pricing, time of day and day of the week can 
make a decent difference in price.  With The Dunes, they don't 
have package tee times every day.  Mon-Wed are the best 
odds of getting a Dunes tee time.    

@artmbgolf 

Premium courses have their customers well-established and members. They do not care to increase their rates, they know they will always have sufficient golfers to make money. Their tee times are full during the high season. During the low season, it is less busy for them but they made enough money to compensate. 

I come down once a year, would like to be more but only once. I play the best, occasionally a lower but only if Kid picks it and has a good reason. 

Our choices are generally mid tier with an occasional premium course. I usually come in the summer so rates are low and I come back third week in November when winter rates kick in so prices are usually decent relatively speaking. I do agree with S***t that an objective is always to play one course we haven't played before. All this was pre covid. As a Canadian, haven't been down since March 2020 when we were down when the pandemic was declared. Hoping that 2022 will change that.  

Our annual trip is typically at the height of the season (late April).  Primarily we opt for mid-tier with something on the higher end thrown in.  We will try to save a few bucks by looking for value courses on arrival and departure day.  We drive through the night and we arrive early AM in SC so the guys are less picky and are just happy to be golfing.  Similar with departure, the thought of the 10+ hour drive following the round isn't very conducive to focusing on the round, so we will opt for another value course.

The poll results, so far, are not surprising. When in Myrtle Beach, 92% of us prefer to select middle and premium golf courses. There are many reasons behind that choice. One is probably because when you have a long trip to do for coming in Myrtle Beach, you do not want to play on courses like where you live. You want an upgrade on your home course, even if it cost you more. You want to play on memorable courses. And for those not coming each year in Myrtle Beach it is probably even more the choice. Lower tier courses will be select only for to complete your selection or for a budget reason. Golfers staying many weeks during the winter will have the chance to play on premium courses during the off season at lower rates.