Tag: Golf

Tee It Up at the Top 5 Pawleys Island Golf Courses

Posted on February 13, 2020 by - Golf

Drone of River Club Hole 14

Tee It Up at the Top 5 Pawleys Island Golf Courses

There are plenty of great reasons to visit Pawleys Island, from their magnificent beaches to wonderful restaurants and unique shops and boutiques. And since Pawleys Island is part of the Grand Strand, you can be assured that there are plenty of first-class golf courses in the area to challenge your game. When you’re planning your next vacation to Pawleys Island be sure to pack your clubs and book a tee time (or five) at one of these fantastic Pawleys Island golf courses.

Caledonia Golf and Fish Club

Hailed as one of the finest public courses in the entire US, Caledonia has delighted golfers far and wide since its opening back in 1994. Legendary course architect Mike Strantz created a masterpiece out of the Lowcountry landscape and the former grounds of rice plantations, featuring sprawling live oaks and vibrant annual and semiannual blooms. Both Golf Magazine and Golf Digest have featured Caledonia on their annual top 100 public courses lists. After the turn be sure to stop by the shack between the 9th and 10th holes for a free cup of their famous seafood chowder. Packed with southern charm and world class course design, Caledonia is an absolute must play course on your Pawleys Island golf vacation!

Drone of Hole 18 at Caledonia Golf Course

True Blue Golf Club

After playing the first Mike Strantz golf course along the Grand Strand, you’re sure to leave ready for another crack at his unparalleled course architecture. Luckily True Blue Golf Club is here to make that happen! This magnificent course opened in 1998 and poses golfers with a 7,126 yard layout that is equal parts challenging and rewarding. True Blue has found itself listed prominently on Golf Magazine’s list of top 100 public courses in the US. Strantz’s trademark design capitalizes on the coastal Lowcountry landscape of Pawleys Island, with natural saltwater marshes, native grasses and live oaks coming into play on many holes. Be sure to prepare for the challenge of True Blue on their fantastic practice range, as all rounds come with unlimited range balls to get ready.

Done of Hole 16at True Blue Golf Course

Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club

Why is Pawleys Plantation a can’t miss course during your vacation? Does the name Jack Nicklaus mean anything to you? The Golden Bear supervised the design of Pawleys Plantation, sculpting this 7,026 yard course among saltwater inlets just inland from the Atlantic Ocean. As golfers continue their round, gentle (and sometimes not-so-gentle) sea breezes leave coastal grasses dancing in the wind and demand accuracy to avoid water and devilishly-placed bunkers. Since opening in 1988, Pawleys Plantation has been a frequent mention on top public course lists from Golf World and a four-star review from Golf Digest.

Drone of Hole 7 at Pawleys Plantation Golf Course

Heritage Plantation

Hailed as the #7 golf course in South Carolina by GolfWeek Magazine, Heritage Plantation is one of the finest representatives of what coastal Carolina golf courses have to offer. Architect Dan Maples designed this 7,116 yard course, showcasing centuries-old live oaks, lush magnolia trees, freshwater lakes and saltwater marshes that ensure your round will be a memorable one. Water features creep into play heavily throughout the course, especially on the back nine, as a daunting three hole stretch on 12, 13 and 14 leads to a remarkable par 5 18th hole. Be sure to grab a bite to eat and a post-round cocktail at the clubhouse, regarded as one of the most visually stunning along the Grand Strand.

Drone of Heritage Golf Course Hole 13

River Club

With a name like River Club, you might expect water to come into play, and that’s exactly what architect Tom Jackson had in mind when he conceived this par 72, 6,700 yard course. The River Club will challenge your accuracy as water comes into play in 14 of 18 holes. Jackson also placed over a hundred bunkers throughout the course, demanding careful shot selection and rewarding well-placed shots. Golf Digest awarded River Club 4.5 stars, and we’re sure you will also thoroughly enjoy a round or two at this fantastic Pawleys Island course.

Drone of River Club Hole 14

On top of these tremendous golf courses, dozens upon dozens of other great courses will be within a short drive during your golf vacation to the Grand Strand. And no matter the time of year, you can be assured that it’s always a great time for a few rounds of golf along the Myrtle Beach area coast. Visit the accommodations page of The Litchfield Company website to browse our fantastic assortment of Pawleys Island condos at Litchfield Beach and Golf, Pawleys Island Resort, and True Blue Resort. We can help you book the best Pawleys Island vacation rentals for an unbeatable price in just a few minutes!

Top 5 Advantages of Staying on the South Strand

Posted on March 31, 2017 by - Golf, Travel Tips, Vacation

Drone of Litchfield Beach

Top 5 Advantages of Staying on the South Strand

What we refer to as the Grand Strand includes dozens of miles along the East Coast of South Carolina, jutting inward a few miles throughout the region. This area is filled with thrilling attractions, superb dining establishments, and plenty of golf courses for impeccable play. Although the hustle and bustle of downtown Myrtle Beach may be perfect for some visitors, there’s nothing like the beauty and tranquility of our Myrtle Beach vacation rentals along the South Strand.

Also known as the Hammock Coast, the Southern portion of the Grand Strand includes the areas of Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, and Georgetown, which can be found just miles south of Myrtle Beach. There are countless advantages of selecting this area as your vacation destination, and here are our Top 5:

Drone of Litchfield Beach

#1: Fewer Crowds and Less Traffic

Sometimes you want to be in the middle of all of the chaos and action, but at other times, not so much. The South Strand gives you the perfect combination of privacy and relaxation, with less crowded beaches. The family-friendly atmosphere of Pawleys Island and Murrells Inlet are perfect for groups looking for an easygoing and laidback trip. If you’re longing for quiet days on the beach, our South Strand vacation rentals are the perfect option.

As well, nothing is more frustrating than wasting most of your precious vacation time in traffic. While certain areas of Myrtle Beach may create nothing but headaches when it comes to navigating the area, the Litchfield /Pawleys Island / Murrells Inlet areas rely on one main highway (HWY 17) and a myriad of smaller, easy-to-access roads and streets. You’ll find it much quicker simpler to get around the South Strand.

#2: Sightseeing and Natural Beauty

Tired of looking at paved parking lots and hotel construction zones? When you stay in one of our South end vacation rentals, you’ll be surrounded by the natural beauty of the coast. Check out the MarshWalk, where you can gaze out over the inlets, as the sun rises over the horizon. Or make the extremely short trip to Huntington Beach State Park or Brookgreen Gardens to take in the sights and sounds of native coastal South Carolina animals, plants, and majestic sceneries. Spend a day roaming the castle ground at Atalaya, or go on a bike ride along the nature trails that pepper the coast. You won’t be disappointed in the natural beauty of the South Strand.

#3: Golf

There are more than 80 golf courses within a 60-mile radius of Myrtle Beach, but the vast majority of the top-rated layouts are located on the South Strand. The Waccamaw Golf Trail, a series of courses from Murrells Inlet to Georgetown, includes some of the most acclaimed layouts in the Carolinas. Award-winning courses like Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, True Blue Plantation, The Tradition, Pawleys Plantation, The River Club, TPC of Myrtle Beach and Willbrook Plantation are among the best courses on the coast, and our guests are only a short drive away from them all.

#4: Dining

There are more than 1,700 restaurants on the Grand Strand, and some of the best are located on the south side. From the ‘Seafood Capital of South Carolina’ in Murrells Inlet to artistic culinary centers in Pawleys Island, South Strand guests have a wide selection to choose from. The Murrells Inlet Marshwalk offers a dozen excellent restaurants along the waterfront, and Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach have such award-winning hot spots as BisQit, the Chive Blossom, Frank’s, Nosh, Pawleys Island Bar & Grill and, of course, Coastal Dish Lowcountry Dining on the Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort property.

#5: History

The city of Myrtle Beach is only about 80 years old, becoming a popular vacation destination in the 1950s. Settlement of the South Strand, however, dates back to the early 1700s, when rice and indigo plantations lined the coast and the area served as a Colonial era retreat for the wealthy. Our guests are in close proximity to some amazing remnants from that period, including plantation homes and grounds at Hobcaw Barony and Hopsewee Plantation and old churches and beach homes in Georgetown and Pawleys Island.

Of course, we and our guests believe that staying and playing at Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort is the main reason to vacation on the South Strand. Our wide variety of first-class accommodations, outstanding amenities like golf, tennis, cycling and swimming, and on-site restaurant and spa make Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort the perfect place for you to spend your next vacation getaway!

 

Top 3 Golf Courses Close to Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort

Posted on September 15, 2016 by - Golf, Travel Tips, Vacation

Top 3 Golf Courses Close to Litchfield Beach And Golf Resort

As part of the historic Waccamaw Golf Trail, Litchfield and the surrounding towns of Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet and Georgetown are home to several classic Lowcountry layouts. Utilizing the diverse terrain of maritime forests, swamps and salt marshes, neighboring courses look like scenes from the cover of golf magazines – and many are. Sporting four-plus ratings from national publications like Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, here are our top three links near Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort:

#1: Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

Your arrival at this former rice plantation is well worth the short trip to Pawleys Island. Live Oak trees draped with Spanish moss line both sides of the lane that leads to the antebellum-style clubhouse. Ranked No. 27 on Golf Magazine’s ‘Top 100 Courses You Can Play’ list, Caledonia is situated on a unique 125-acre property that runs along salt marshes and creeks that flow into the Waccamaw River. Measuring 6,526 yards from the championship tees, Caledonia is a challenging par 70. Designer Mike Stranz made use of terrain to create dangerous water hazards and waste bunkers, which closely guard the undulating greens. Caledonia saves its best for last – the 383-yard, par-4 18th hole that crosses a tidal creek. After you hole out, retire to the clubhouse patio to soak up the Southern hospitality and Lowcountry charm while you watch the groups behind you take a shot at No. 18.

Drone of Hole 18 at Caledonia Golf Course

#2: TPC of Myrtle Beach

Don’t let the name fool you; the TPC of Myrtle Beach is actually in Murrells Inlet, just a few miles north of Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort. Renowned architect Tommy Fazio designed this course to host championship events, and the layout was home to the 2000 Senior (Legends) Tour Championship. But this challenging design is also open for amateurs to take a swing – if they dare. Featuring tight, tree-lined fairways on the front nine and difficult water hazards on the back, this par 72 finishes with a 1-2 punch of the par-3 17th hole’s island green, followed by the par-5 18th hole that tempts players into a make-or-break water crossing.

#3: True Blue Golf Club

Although located just across the road from sister course Caledonia, True Blue has its own distinct character and ranks as one of the top courses on the entire Grand Strand. Architect Mike Stranz created a more open, link-style layout in True Blue, but made full use of the same Lowcountry landscape as Caledonia to make another masterpiece.  This par 72 is filled with risk-reward opportunities, including five par-5s that tempt you into trying to shave a stroke.

Done of Hole 16at True Blue Golf Course

One of the only things harder than breaking par at these layouts is trying to narrow the number of great local courses down to three. You really can’t go wrong by playing such nearby courses as Pawleys Plantation, The River Club, Willbrook Plantation, the Heritage Club, Wachesaw East Plantation, and The Tradition Club, just to name a few. In addition to getting access to prime tee times at Litchfield Country Club, guests can also save on rounds at nearby courses and accommodations by booking a golf package!

A Leisurely 18 at Litchfield Country Club

Posted on May 11, 2016 by - Golf, Vacation

Fairway and Green at Litchfield Country Club

A Leisurely 18 at Litchfield Country Club

Some days we’re up for a challenge, a feat, a triumph of will.

And some days we just want to have a good time.

For those days, we love to recommend the Litchfield Country Club to visiting Lowcountry golfers for its scenic environs, forgiving design and, this time of year, steeply discounted prices.

And don’t let the name fool you — this is not the snooty, too-exclusive country club experience with which you might be familiar. All are welcome, and all are treated wonderfully by the knowledgeable and helpful staff.

Fairway and Green at Litchfield Country Club

The course prides itself on catering to the “well-rounded” player who perhaps doesn’t boast John Daly-esque long drives. However, the original Willard Byrd design is not going to let you completely off the hook with its bends and doglegs that force players to strategize and work through second shots and tees. It measures less than 6,700 yards from the back tees, which the country club contends makes the course popular with women and seniors — but we’ll go a step further and say that’s good for anyone still working on that power drive.

While we’re not talking about Pebble Beach-levels of mind-boggling challenges here, there are rumblings about unassuming-looking Hole 17 and the hoops you may have to jump through to get out of this one with the your score intact. Take stock of the water on both sides, and the perilously placed sand that can throw a curve in your game. Just when you think you’re walking out of there with a personal best, this one might put you through the ringer.

This is a great spot for out-of-towners who want a side of history with their back nine. The exquisitely maintained course was built on the site of an old rice plantation and is surrounded by mature live oaks and palmettos, dotted with ponds and bridges, and featuring some gentle sloping for both added challenge as well as eye candy. Opened in 1966, it’s the oldest course in the Pawleys Island area. It was once named one of the World’s 50 Best courses by Condé Nast Traveler.

The fall and winter are fabulous times to golf Litchfield for not only the cooler temps, but the much hotter prices. Expect to pay up to 75 percent less than you would in the peak travel months, making coming back again and again oh-so feasible. Weekends understandably see a slightly higher rate, but still one half of what we find in the summer.

Traveling with some non-golfers? Litchfield Country Club also offers excellent tennis facilities. Clay courts, some of which are lighted, are a fabulous spot to play some round robins or take a quick lesson, offered year round by certified and talented staffers.

Even better, Litchfield Country Club is a mere mile-and-a-half from Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort and can be reached by car in five minutes. After exiting Country Club Drive, head south on Route 17 for less than a mile. Litchfield Country Club will be on your right.

Ever played Litchfield Country Club? What did you think?