Golf vacations article in Newsweek hits nail on head

I read an interesting, and very well written, golf article about Myrtle Beach in Newsweek last week. It took time to go into the history of golf in the area, even the first major condominium that was erected, Ocean Forest.

Seemed though, the main point of the article was to highlight just how resilient the golf industry is here in the Grand Stand. Even with the down economy, Myrtle Beach still stands out as a great VALUE destination, simply meaning your buck will go a long way.

Accommodation prices have dropped in the last year, with a few golf course price changes as well. This hasn't lead to more rounds being played though. According to the article, rounds played are down 4.1 percent compared with 2008. The golf groups have also gotten smaller and their stays shorter.

Of course, that is all to be expected. Bad economy equates to less money to spend on golf vacations. Myrtle Beach is popular on drive vacations, and since Spirit and Direct Air has started their direct flights to Myrtle Beach, we are seeing a rise the quick golf vacations.

Will Myrtle Beach golf continue to suffer? Nah. Pine Lakes Country Club just went though a $15 million restoration on the course and clubhouse, which will only drive more traffic to the classic course. Pine Lakes, also known as the Granddaddy, used to be the Ocean Forest Club, so if there is any history to share, it is definitely that course.

All in all, since Myrtle Beach is less reliant on corporate golf travel (and has been) and more focused on golf groups and family golf vacations, I see the overall value of a golf vacation in this area to be the biggest attraction of all.

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