If there’s a phrase that suits the best description for Bald Head Island, it would be “stepping back in time”. That would mean wandering around the island on board bicycles or golf carts. No cars and no honking of horns. Peaceful isn’t it? Now try to mix solitude with golf, wouldn’t it be amazing? That’s what you’ll get when you head your way to one of Myrtle Beach’s finest golf courses, the Bald Head Island Golf Club.

This stunning golf course is a George Cobb masterpiece that was opened way back in 1972. The course is perfectly set on the island’s magnificent acres of white dunes ringed by tidal creeks, salt marshes, fresh water lagoons, and the lush tropical palm trees. Most of the layout’s holes are left undisturbed and are being bordered by lively natural habitats. Among the exciting holes that you have to look forward to include the 16^th, 17^th, and 18^th holes. The 16^th offers the 187-yard par 7 play that would require you to hit a driver from the tee box. But what makes it more challenging is that when the wind from the ocean starts to blow off towards the course, chances are, your shots would barely reach the green. Same goes to the 17^th and 18^th holes. When dealing with these three final holes, you must be able to come up with techniques on how to make the wind work to your advantage. That is where the excitement begins.

Another thing that makes Bald Head Island Golf Club amazing is that despite its secluded location, it keeps on receiving various accolades from reputable publications. Some of the citations include North Carolina Magazine’s “Top 10 Coastal Golf Course”, Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play”, and Travel + Leisure Magazine’s “ Top 3 Golf Communities in North Carolina”. Now, want to give Bald Head golfing experience a try? Look for affordable golf vacation packages heading to Myrtle Beach and have the best days of your life.

The Carolina Shores Golf and Country Club is a Tom Jackson masterpiece acknowledged with a top notch rating by the Golf Course Rankings of America in 1990. This unique golf course that is often flocked by golfers of all skill levels features the large, challenging greens, natural crater lakes, the tree-lined narrow fairways, and nearly 100 bunkers that dot the entire course. In 2006, when the Carolina Shores Golf and Country Club underwent major renovations, the fairway sand bunkers were removed paving way for the unobstructed average drives. Since then, golfers of all ages feel confident enough when challenged by a par 72 play as well as the five sets of tees.

Although Carolina Shores Golf and Country Club may be considered as a player-friendly layout, there are still plenty of challenges that await an avid golfer. Never let the wide-open fairways deceive you as there are hazards that you need to come across with in order to go through the entire golf round. The Bermuda greens can be your ally since they provide sound speed and accuracy. However, be mindful of the well disguised elevation changes as well as the subtle breaks. Not only that. The par 5s in particular is very strong and can serve as the greatest test of golfing skills. Sand bunkers and water guards were carefully crafted to each of the holes in order to challenge you with a good and accurate drive. The par 4s on the other hand would require you a solid drive if you intend to position the golf ball into the green that is well protected. About the layout’s par 3s, they can be very playable but still needs your concentration since there are water hazards and sand bunkers that you have to deal with.

Aside from the challenging holes, Carolina Shores Golf and Country Club also provides golfers with the best driving range, chipping greens, and a putting green. And after a tough day at the greens, guests can relax and dine at the grill area.

The Bali Hai Golf Club has been dubbed as a tropical golfer’s paradise. Located just right on the famous Las Vegas Strip, the golf course is being highlighted by acres of water features, thousands of towering palms, a signature island green, and about a hundred of thousands of tropical plants and flowers. The layout’s transition zones are being accented with the super fine Augusta white sand and a set off by the outcroppings of black volcanic rocks. Designed by Brian Curley and Lee Schmidt in 2000, Bali Hai was considered as a worthy namesake of a popular Indonesian land of enchantment.

This 7,002-yard par-71 golf course, aside from providing challenging golf rounds to its guests, also boasts of the stunning views of the Strip high-end resorts from the fairways. To provide the fair test of golfing skills, Bali Hai Golf Club also features the par-3 island green #16 hole and the par-4, 468-yard hole #3 popularly known as the “Shipwreck.” This is what makes Bali Hai Golf Club unique from the rest of the Las Vegas courses. Breathtaking scenery, challenging play, and world-class facilities are among the many things that guests can discover on their stay. Among the many citations that the golf club has been receiving include the “Top 50 Resort Course” by Golf Digest, “Best Course in Las Vegas” as cited by Vegas Golfer Magazine, and “America’s Top 40 Resort Courses” given by GolfWeek Magazine.

While on play, guests can enjoy the on-course beverage cart service. After the challenging golf rounds at the greens, guests can relax in the cozy ambiance of the Cabana snack bar or the Cili Restaurant & Bar where good food is served. Bali Hai Golf Club also takes pride in having one of America’s top golf shops as cited by the Golf World Business Magazine. Proper implementation of dress code is also being observed by the golf club.

Unmatched golfing experience is what the Royal Links Golf Club is all about. This golf gem was created to honor golf’s rich tradition and history. The entire layout recreates some of the British Open rotation including St. Andrews’ “Hell Bunker” and “The Road Hole”, and Royal Troon’s “The Postage Stamp”. Other courses that were included in the loop are Royal Liverpool, Turnberry, Royal Lytham, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Royal Birkdale, and Prestwick. And in order to commemorate British Open’s great moments, monuments were erected at the golf course’s various points. The Champions Wall for instance was erected in an area near the practice green to honor British Open American champions.

The Royal Links Golf Club also features the authentic Scottish designed holes with the perfect combination of deep and hidden bunkers and hazards to complete the challenging rounds of golf. And in order to cater various skill levels, the course has the four sets of tees. The Royal tees offer the 7,029-yard play with the course rating of 73.7 and a slope rating of 135. The Gold tees offer a 6,602-yard play with course rating of 71.2 and slope rating of 135. The Ruby tees play at 5,864 yards with a course rating of 68.4 and slope rating of 125 while the Emerald tees offer the 5,142-yard of play with the course rating of 69.8 and a slope rating of 115.  Forecaddies are highly recommended while on play.

Aside from the challenging golf layout, the Royal Links Golf Club also boasts of its castle-style clubhouse which was named as one of America’s top golf shops as cited by the Golf World Business Magazine in 2004. Guests can find an assortment of quality merchandise including Callaway clubs, FootJoy shoe rentals, and the collectible memorabilia. Golfing guests are required to have the proper golfing outfit.

Superior course conditions and five-star customer service is what the Desert Pines Golf Club is all about. Perfectly set in the vast lands of Nevada, this course offers golfers with the 6,810-yard par-71 challenging play. The entire golf layout also features the three sets of tees with the bent grass putting greens, mounding, and the generous fairways. To provide golfers with a fair golf challenge, the layout is also being highlighted by some narrow fairways, water hazards, and plenty of bunkers. There are even tricky undulations, plenty of breaks, and railroad tie bunkers to keep golfers challenged the entire golf round. Since its debut in 1997, Desert Pines has been attracting all sorts of golfers with various skill levels.

In 2007, the Desert Pines Golf Club underwent an extensive renovation. The greens were rebuilt and topped with new putting surfaces in order to provide high-quality golfing experience. The golf course was also chosen to host the popular Big Break II by Golf Channel.  That is why the golf course has been cited as one of the “Top 50 Resort Courses” by Golf Digest. What makes each round unique is that golfers are required to have the good course management skills to make the most out of the game. And to add a little excitement to your golf round, Desert Pines also offers the “Beat the Pro” where golfers can challenge a course personnel with a par-3 play that is “closest to the hole”. The prize is a merchandise credit in the resort’s golf shop.

Aside from the challenging golf course, Desert Pines also boasts about its high-end clubhouse that features a golf shop, restaurant, locker rooms with exemplary service from the clubhouse staff.

Just fifteen minutes off the Las Vegas Strip is the spectacular Anthem Country Club. This Hale Irwin – Keith Foster golf gem stands in a breathtaking natural desert terrain with six lakes, sparkling waterfalls, dramatic elevation changes, and the sweeping panoramic mountain views. The strategic bunkers that dot the 7,267-yard par-72 layout also make the course challenging enough even for the skilled golfer. With the rough that is PGA Tour-like, playing at the Anthem Country Club is just like playing like the champions. That is why this golf course has been considered as a must play when visiting Las Vegas.

Aside from the demanding golf course, the Anthem Country Club also offers the state-of-the-art practice facility. The driving range, all in grass, is being highlighted by multiple pins with distances that have been accurately lasered. The chipping green on the other hand has the practice balls as well as the shag bags included in the set up, in order for you to stop by and practice your short game before hitting a golf round. You can also encounter the strategic bunkers even during your practice and the putting green that will serve as a definite challenge. And with the undulating bent grass greens and the 4-foot elevation change, it is just like playing in the real golf course. The golf club also implements the strict dress code and the non-metal spikes golf shoes.

Although the Anthem Country Club is a fully private facility, the club just recently opened the limited non-member play. If you want to experience the finest PGA-like golfing as well as get a glimpse of the scenic vistas, this place will serve as the perfect golf vacation destination for the entire family.

The Legacy Golf Club is an 18-hole desert jewel designed by Arthur Hills, an acclaimed golf course architect. This 7,233-yard golf masterpiece features the large undulating greens, multi-tiered fairways, and the manicured playing conditions. To make the layout more challenging for the beginner golfers, the generous landing areas and the well-spaced tee boxes were also added. Each of the golf course’s tee boxes is shaped like the playing cards: Spades, Clubs, Hearts, and Diamonds. This premier facility also boasts of the popular “Devil’s Triangle” at holes #11, #12, and #13. From the black tees, The Legacy was given a course rating of 74.5 and a slope rating of 137.

Since its opening in 1989, the golf course has already hosted several golf competitions including the American Junior Golf Association tournaments as well as the United States Open Qualifying. The Legacy Golf Club also served as the training ground for golf sensations like Tiger Woods, Trip Kuehene, and Chris Riley who in their junior years have competed in the American Junior Golf Tournament. The Legacy is also proud of being cited by Las Vegas Review Journal as the “Best Course in Nevada” as well as one of the “Top 10 Courses you can play in Nevada” named by Golf Digest.

What makes The Legacy Golf Club unique from the rest of the golf courses is that this nationally applauded facility also features the contrasting native grasses and desert flora, the jagged lava rock, multiple tier fairways, and the Love grass. The quick lofty greens, rolling topography, and deep bunkers are also perfectly integrated to the angled fairways that run all the way through the desert landscaping.

Amazing design, excellent condition, and true rolling slick greens are among the best things that suits the best description for Laurel Island Links. The course was designed by the famed David Love III and was opened for play in 1996. What makes this golf course unique from the rest of the traditional Georgia layouts are the seven bridges that span in the low-lying areas in order to connect the links. Not only that, the golf course also features the beautifully manicured Bermuda grass tees, greens, fairways, nearby marshlands, and the holes that wonders along the beautiful Crooked River Basin.

The golf course also offers golfers with the perfect starting hole at #1. This par-4, 386-yard layout features the slight left curve around a bunker and a wide fairway. The #1 hole, together with #4, #8, #9, and #18, has been considered as the most difficult greens in the entire layout. These greens offer the most inaccurate lag putting that can lead to certain three-putts. The rest of the greens in the layout are speedy which golfers also need to watch out for. If you want to take a peek on the perfect collection of excellent golf characteristics squeezed into one hole then get ready for the #15 hole. If you want to pass this fair test in golf then avoid going too far towards the left as another bunker awaits you on that side. These are some of the challenges that every golfer will be facing when playing in Laurel Island Links.

Among the many citations that the Laurel Island Links has been receiving include Golf Digest’s “Best New Courses in America” and the “Best Golf Course on the Georgia Coast” by Atlanta Magazine.

Perfectly nestled among the native wetlands and majestic timberlands of Mississippi, The Oaks Golf Club is all about unforgettable golfing experiences. This par-72 golf course is being highlighted by the dramatic green complexes, strategic bunkering, and a meandering routing that provides tranquil and serene golf atmosphere. The golf course was given a rating of 74.0 and a slope rating of 138. Since the course’s opening in 1998, the golf course has been receiving numerous awards and accolades from reputable publications. The awards include the “Top Ten Courses in Mississippi”, “Best Course on the Coast”, and the 2003 “Golf Course of the Year for the Mississippi Gulf Coast”. Golf Digest also cited The Oaks Golf Club as the “2008-2009 Best Places to Play”. The latter also rated The Oaks with 4 ½ stars based on a 1 to 5 scale with 4 being outstanding and 5 as superb. Aside from Golf Digest, the National Golf Course Owners Association, Golf Magazine, and the Coast Magazine have also cited the golf course as one of the best.

This prized golf gem has also challenged some of the world’s finest golfers through the series of golf championship matches that the golf course has already hosted. Among the major golf competitions include the Nike Mississippi Gulf Coast Open in 1999, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Open in 2002, the USGA Junior Amateur Qualifying Site in 2002, and the PGA Tour Q-School – Stage 1 in 2003.  The Oaks Golf Club is also known to have the popular “Hooters Girls” that provides golfing guests with refreshment and snacks through the club’s traditional refreshment cart.

The Preserve Golf Club is a Jerry Pate masterpiece that offers 18 holes of pure golfing experience. The entire course meanders through Mississippi’s 245 pristine acres also ringed by the acres of century-old nature preserve. Surrounding the 7,067-yard par-71 golf course are the pitcher plant bogs, long leaf pine savannah, cypress swamps, native grass prairies, and the live oak groves that manifest nature’s awesome beauty. The Jerry Pate signature layout also features the five sets of tees that will challenge even the highly skilled golfers.

Each year, golfers with various ability levels flock this award-winning golf course not just to experience one of the world’s finest golf, but also come across with nature’s wonders. Pate’s long experience in golf course designing has led him to create a masterpiece that is beyond compare. In 2007, The Preserve Golf Club has been designated as one of the 21 golf sanctuaries around the world with the prestigious Silver Audubon International Signature Sanctuary. This was done to assure of the development that is included in the comprehensive environmental planning before and after the construction. The Preserve Golf Club is dedicated to lend a hand in protecting its natural environment while the pristine conditions of the entire golf course are being maintained.

Although The Preserve has the limited space, Jerry Pate skillfully blended the long and short hole designs that are bounded by pure nature. He also made sure that nature and wildlife are unharmed. To add up to the diversity of each golf round, Pate took advantage of the natural swamps and wetlands in order to make The Preserve Golf Club a highly celebrated golf haven.