Category: Golf Trails

The Hammock Coast Golf Trail
South Carolina

Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, Pawleys Island SC

Hammock Coast Golf Trail

When you start to ponder the next golf get-away, Myrtle Beach is a destination that should immediately come to mind—and if you haven’t had a chance to get down there yet, now is the time to start getting a plan together. With more than 80 golf courses to choose from within an hour’s drive, great food, and fantastic beaches for when you want to cool out, MB is truly a golfer’s paradise.

And while you consider your options, take a good look at the Hammock Coast Golf Trail running along the coast just a touch south of Myrtle Beach. South Carolina offers many of the finest public courses in the country, and the Hammock Coast Trail includes many of the best.  

In addition to Jack’s great track at Pawley’s Plantation Golf & Country Club (recently updated) and TPC Myrtle Beach (a fantastic Tom Fazio layout), the Hammock Coast Trail also includes two amazing courses laid out by Mike Strantz—Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Plantation.

Although Mike Strantz passed away tragically at only fifty years of age, he left us with some of the greatest courses in the world (including Tobacco Road in Sanford, NC and Royal Kent in Providence Forge, VA).  

In 2000 Strantz was named one of the “Top 10 Greatest Architects of All Time” by Golfweek Magazine and his work has been heralded by many respected golf publications, including Golf Course Architecture.

All of the courses on the Hammock Coast Trail are terrific, so you won’t go wrong if you add this group to your list—and you’re pretty much guaranteed a trip to remember.     

The GolfDay Rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect(s) who did the original design(s), updates that have been done on the course(s), USGA Course and Slope Ratings, the quality and diversity of practice facilities, general course conditioning and current reviews.

Searching for courses that offer particular features? Click the GolfDay Search Engine to narrow it down.

Want to see all of the public courses in South Carolina listed by GolfDay Rating? Click S.C. Public Courses.   

The Courses

Blackmoor Golf Club
https://www.mbn.com/
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
    • Holes 18
    • Course Architects: Mike Strantz/Tyler Rae
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.4/144
    • Practice Facilities: Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker (Full Grass Driving Range and Steve Dresser Golf Academy available at True Blue Course).
    • Course Description
    • Photos
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 200 Resorts, Golfweek S.C. Top 15-Public, Golf Digest S.C. Top 45
    • GolfDay Rating: 98.5
    • Location
Founders Club at Pawleys Island
Litchfield Golf & Country Club
    • Holes 18
    • Architect: William Byrd
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.5/136
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
    • Photos
    • GolfDay Rating: 80.8
    • Location
Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club
River Club
    • Holes 18
    • Architect: Tom Jackson
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.5/139
    • Practice Facilities: Warm Up Bays with Net, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Photos
    • GolfDay Rating: 90.4
    • Location
TPC Myrtle Beach
https://www.mbn.com/
    • Holes 18
    • Architect: Tom Fazio
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.3/154
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Dustin Johnson Golf School.
    • Course Description
    • Golf School
    • Rankings: Golfweek S.C. Top 15-Public, Golf Digest S, C. Top 45
    • GolfDay Rating: 95.4
    • Location
Tradition Golf Club
    • Holes 18
    • Architect: Ron Garl
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.5/147
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
    • Photos
    • Video Tour
    • GolfDay Rating: 92.8
    • Location
True Blue Golf Club
    • Holes 18
    • Architects: Mike Strantz/Tyler Rae
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.1/143
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and Steve Dresser Golf Academy.
    • Rankings: Golfweek S.C. Top 15-Public, Golf Digest S, C. Top 45
    • Course Description
    • Photos
    • Golf Academy
    • GolfDay Rating: 97.8
    • Location
Wachesaw Plantation East
https://www.playgolfmyrtlebeach.com/
Wedgefield Country Club
Willbrook Plantation
    • Holes 18
    • Architect: Dan Maples
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.8/140
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
    • Photos
    • Video Tour
    • GolfDay Rating: 88.4
    • Location

Hammock Coast Golf Trail:

Golf Packages

Accommodations

Trail Map

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Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail/The Judge at Capitol Hill
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail/The Judge at Capitol Hill

When you start thinking about your next golf get-away, give serious consideration to one of the many great golf trails that have sprung up throughout the U.S. Golf trails offer the opportunity to play a wide variety of courses, while at the same time enjoying the diverse scenery and local cuisine in various regions of the country. Trail packages offer group discounts on greens fees, accommodations and dining—or you can plan your own journey along the trail. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama offers many of finest courses you will find anywhere in the country, and wonderful weather is pretty much guaranteed throughout the year.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

The RTJ Golf Trail includes eleven locations and twenty-six courses, from the southern-most point of the Appalachian mountain chain in northern Alabama to the tranquil waters of the gulf coast, each offering first-rate golf and gorgeous scenery. In addition to the great courses, eight of the locations offer wonderful accommodations including the Marriott Grand Hotel at Lakewood Golf Club in Point Clear on the gulf, and the Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort in Birmingham. All of the courses on the trail are either Robert Trent Jones, Sr. original designs (in collaboration with Roger Rulewich), or courses that were remodeled and updated by RTJ, with the exception of Ross Bridge that was designed by Roger Rulewich and Bobby Vaughn after Jones passed away in 2000.

Cambrian Ridge

The Courses

  • Cambrian Ridge/Greenville, AL 36037
    • Holes 36
    • 3 nine-hole courses (Loblolly/Sherling/Canyon) and 9-hole par 3
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Loblolly:         37.0/142
    • Sherling:         37.5/147
    • Canyon:           37.3/152
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker
    • Rankings: Golfweek Top 10 public courses-Alabama.
    • Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites
    • GolfDay Rating: 99.1

  • Capitol Hill/Prattville, AL 36066
    • Holes 54
    • 3 eighteen-hole courses (Judge/Legislator/Senator)
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Judge:              78.5/147
    • Legislator:       76.9/149
    • Senator:           77.4/132
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker
    • Rankings:        Golf Digest Top 10 courses-Alabama, Golfweek Top 10 public courses-Alabama

  • Grand National/Opelika, AL 36801
    • Holes 54
    • 2 eighteen-hole courses (Links/Lake) and eighteen-hole par 3
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Links:    75.2/142
    • Lake:      73.9/132
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker

  • Hampton Cove/Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763
    • Holes 54
    • 2 eighteen-hole courses(Highlands/River) and eighteen-hole executive course
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Highlands:      76.2/143
    • River:                76.6/143
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker

  • The Lakewood Club/Point Clear, AL 36564
    • Holes 36
    • 2 eighteen-hole courses (Azalea/Dogwood)
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Azalea:              74.4/131
    • Dogwood:        73.7/136
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (2). Range Balls included with Greens Fee (Callaway Chrome Soft Balls Provided for short-game practice)
    • Accommodations: Marriott Grand Hotel Resort & Spa
    • GolfDay Rating: 90.3

  • Highland Oaks/Dothan, AL 36305
    • Holes 36
    • 3 nine-hole courses (Highlands/Magnolia/Marshwood) and 9-hole par 3
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Highlands:     37.9/149
    • Magnolia:       37.1/139
    • Marshwood:  37.6/138
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (2)
    • Accommodations: Hampton Inn
    • GolfDay Rating: 93.5

  • Magnolia Grove/Mobile, AL 36618
    • Holes 54
    • 2 eighteen-hole courses (Falls/Crossings) and eighteen-hole par 3
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Falls:                  74.6/130
    • Crossings:        73.7/139
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker
  • Oxmoor Valley/Birmingham, AL 35211
    • Holes 54
    • 2 eighteen-hole courses (Ridge/Valley) and eighteen-hole par 3
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Ridge:             74.3/141
    • Valley:            74.9/146
    • Practice Facilities: Driving Range (Mats-Monday through Friday/Grass Saturday-Sunday), Putting and Chipping Greens

  • Silver Lakes/Glencoe, AL 35905
    • Holes 36
    • 3 nine-hole courses (Backbreaker/Heartbreaker/Mindbreaker) and eighteen-hole par 3
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Backbreaker:     38.5/143
    • Heartbreaker:    38.2/140
    • Mindbreaker:     37.7/151
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker

  • The Shoals/Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
    • Holes 36
    • 2 Eighteen Hole Courses: (Fighting Joe/Schoolmaster)
    • USGA Course/Slope Rating
    • Fighting Joe:         78.6/146
    • Schoolmaster:      77.6/148
    • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker
    • Rankings: Golf Digest Top 10 courses-Alabama

Trail History

Established in 1992, The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is the largest golf course project in history, with eleven locations, 26 courses, and 468 holes of golf. Stretching almost 400 miles from the gulf coast to Muscle Shoals in the northwest corner of Alabama. The concept for the RTJ Golf Trail sprung from the vision of David G. Bronner, head of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, which manages the pension funds for Alabama state employees. Bronner’s goal was to provide the residents of Alabama with world class golf facilities, strengthen the economy of the state and diversify the assets of the pension fund. The RTJ Golf Trail has achieved all of these, and provided every golfer in the country an unforgettable opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Alabama and the genius of Robert Trent Jones. To date, more than 13 million golfers have visited the trail—an experience you definitely should include in your bucket list.

The Architects

Robert Trent Jones is one of the most celebrated golf course architects in history. His original designs include Spyglass Hill, Bellerive Country Club, Firestone Country Club and Hazeltine National Golf Club. He has also updated and remodeled many of the great courses in the country, including Congressional, Oak Hill, The Olympic Club, and Baltusrol Golf Club. RTJ also collaborated with Bobby Jones to design both the 11th and 16th holes at Augusta National, and President Eisenhower asked him to design a putting green for the White House. Roger Rulewich received a degree in civil engineering from Yale University in 1958, and began working for Robert Trent Jones in 1961. Together they designed hundreds of great courses, including the Apple Rock course at Horseshoe Bay Resort in Texas, which was awarded best new resort course by Golf Digest in 1986. Since the passing of RTJ in 2000, Roger Rulewich has established himself as one of the finest course architects of his generation, with notable designs that include Ballyowen Golf Club in Hamburg, NJ and Grande Dunes Golf Course in South Carolina.

Trail Guide

Trail Map

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7 Tips for Planning Your First Golf Trip

It’s true that over 80% of golf in the USA takes place near home. Yet, at least 8.2 million golfers enjoyed the sport as part of business or leisure travel at the last count.

So, if you’d like to try something new when it comes to golf, you’re in good company. What’s more, your first golf trip could lead to many in the future if you follow these planning tips.

1. Get a Group Together

Golfing with friends is always better than going it alone. Get your golfing companions on board and get their input and ideas to help you plan your getaway.

The magic number for any trip is always a number that’s divisible by four. Most golf tour organizers swear that eight is the magic number of players for any trip.

It’s a manageable number for arranging flights, tee times, accommodation, and meals. You’ll also manage to play a variety of combinations when it comes to arranging your golf outings.

Arranging the Invitations

Start your planning at least 6 months in advance, as few people will have prior engagements that far ahead.

You want to avoid both hurt feelings by forgetting someone as well as disasters due to people pulling out at the last-minute cancellations. So, it’s best to send out one bulk invitation.

Write up an email with the main details of your trip such as the date and possible destination. Send it to at least 20 people, stating that the first seven people to respond get the spots.

That way you don’t have to choose who goes and who stays. If you end up with more than eight players, you can always put a couple of them on standby in case of cancellations.

2. Getting Organized

Once you’ve got a bunch of like minded people together, figure out between yourselves who’s going to be responsible for which details of the trip.

It’s difficult to get everyone to agree, so set up some ground rules from the start. If you find yourself in charge of this band of brothers, take charge and delegate when needed. Your enthusiasm will soon wane if you’re left doing all the work.

3. Pick a Destination

Fabulous Golf Destinations

There are hundreds of excellent golfing hot spots all over the USA. All of these have their merits, but for starters, you should choose one that’s closest to home.

Some of the country’s most popular golfing destinations include:

  • Myrtle Beach
  • Alabama (Robert Trent Jones golf trail)
  • Scottsdale, Arizona
  • Florida
  • Wisconsin
  • Oregon

If you’re traveling during the wintertime, be sure to choose a place where you’re likely to enjoy the best golfing temperature instead of freezing cold conditions, wind, or rain.

Florida or California are better choices for winter golfing. Many golf courses in snowy parts of the USA close during the colder months anyway.

4. Choose Your Courses

Choosing golf courses should be easy with so many fantastic ones available, but often this mind-boggling variety is what makes it so difficult.

While it’s always nice to tick the major signature courses off your bucket list, you can still have a lot of fun at lesser-known golf clubs. Getting into the top courses is sometimes difficult due to high demand.

You’ll have a better time if you choose courses that are in line with the skills and experience of the players in your group. That way everyone gets to enjoy a successful round or two.

Following one of the established golf trails makes planning a lot easier, especially for first-timers.

5. Go First Class on Your First Golf Trip

As soon as you’ve decided on a few courses that you’d like to play, book your accommodation. During busy periods you could end up having to travel miles to your chosen course if you don’t book early.

Stick within your golf trip budget but avoid cheap choices. Often you’ll get better value by booking everything through a golf tour agent.

Research your accommodation just as thoroughly as you did your golf courses. You’re bound to come across some hotels that offer group packages for golfers at a discount.

While it’s common to share rooms during a golf trip, everyone will enjoy themselves a lot more if they have their own. When you’re playing, eating, and socializing together all day, it’s good to have somewhere to escape for a little peace and quiet. Having your own space means you won’t get tired of each other’s company by the end of the trip.

Plan your meals carefully so you can afford at least one splurge at a fancy restaurant or a night out on the town during your golf trip.

Another option is to rent a house close to the courses you want to play and take turns cooking. A house offers a lot of freedoms that don’t come with a hotel or B&B accommodation.

6. Plan as Much in Advance as You Can

Apart from your accommodation, you should book your golfing experiences well in advance too. Traveling during the week will make it easier to get a slot on the busier courses, but you should still book ahead to guarantee yourself a game on the day.

You may need to reserve a golf cart or a caddy in advance at some courses. There’s no harm in arranging your meals at the halfway house beforehand either, if possible.

If you’re going to be eating out, call the restaurant long before you arrive so they can set up one table for your whole party. Many restaurants can’t accommodate large groups at short notice.

7. Packing for Your Golf Trip

You don’t want to worry about laundry during your golfing getaway, so pack one golfing outfit for each day.

Be sure to check the dress code of each course beforehand and pack accordingly. Don’t forget to let your teammates know if you come across any important information about how to dress appropriately for each course.

You’ll also need some casual outfits for relaxed times as well as some smarter gear for meals or evenings out.

Above all, make sure your golf bag’s packed with everything you need for your games. You can never have too many extra balls and tees. Most golf courses have a store onsite which stocks the basics as well as the latest clubs, shoes, and golf bag designs.

Get More From Your Golf

You need all the help you can get when planning a golfing adventure away from home. You’ll find our website is full of useful information to help you plan your first golf trip or even your next game.

You can read more of our blog for extra tips, or look up golf courses, golf ratings, and golf routes on our site.

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