Bottom line before we move on to the real golf? The Golf VI drove forever on a tank, fit 2 golf bags and accompanying items easily (and somewhat surprisingly), and proved quite adept at driving itself while we ate on our way to the course. Perfect. Can’t wait for the Golf GTI, which looks even cooler.
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Geographically, the "Grand Strand" runs about 60 miles from roughly across the North Carolina border to Georgetown, South Carolina, has around 125 courses ranging from pretty solid local tracks to luxury experiences centered around courses by most of the top golf architects around, and pretty much has something for everyone. A zippy little car was great.
Our favorite golf courses?
The Legends Golf courses – we only played the Moorland, but loved the look of the others. Nothing like “Hell’s Half-acre” to take you from what you thought was the top of your game by driving a par 4 to the gut wrench when you find your ball just off the 
back down a bank about twice your height. Luckily I still saved a bogey, but not the run-on sentence I just wrote.
Loved Myrtle Beach National. Don’t know why, but did. Nothing special, nothing bad. Island green is fun.
The Dunes looks fantastic also. We couldn't play this time, but stopped outside and dreamed of next time. Like that one great shot that keeps you playing the game – this one will bring us back some day.
Our non-favorites?
Any course with a $40 cart, a GPS system and a pro shop so complacent that the experience stinks and the course that used to be a perfect gem is flawed. Expect to find several like this. For the love of the game, we won’t name names, but hopefully “market forces” in this economy will set them straight.
Family Entertainment
We feel obligated to include this apparent “category” of travel writing, because we’d feel guilty if we didn’t. We also see the term “Entertainment abounds” written everywhere, so it must be a great PR phrase! Waves abound! Kids abound! A bounty of seafood abounds! In Australia, wallabies abound!
Anyway, check out The Pavilion, a classic oldie but goodie with a great roller coaster. Putt-putt courses are architectural landmarks. The boardwalk is fun, and you can’t come to South Carolina without a NASCAR mention, so check out the NASCAR SpeedPark, too. We couldn’t take the Golf VI out on the track, but thought about it.
Non-family Entertainment
This is even better than Family Entertainment. Trust us. And don’t be afraid of the Crazy Horse, where about 10 years ago I'm sure a "dancer" hit on me. Yes - she did. But why did I insist on asking her what she wanted from life? The Shag is the state's official Dance, so shouldn’t I have put two-and-two together?
Anyway, wrapping this up, a Myrtle Beach golf trip is a great notch in the belt. The courses can be fantastic, the hospitality charming, and the overall experience a pleasure. It’s not a Pebble Beach golf treasure (priced accordingly), but we drove a Golf VI, not a Gulf(stream). Great job, Myrtle.
