| Play Myrtle in January is something of a crap shoot, but I've never
been burned yet. A group from my club go down there every year during
the last week of January--just before the February rate changes. The
rationale: it's cheap, and it breaks the winter up nicely (in half).In
the twenty years they've been going, they have only encountered
unplayable conditions once; they went on to Hilton Head that year. The
year of the shuttle disaster, they encountered a few VERY COLD days,
in which some played ans some elected to stay in their room and play
cards. I've gone with them 4 times and have yet to miss a day of golf.
I've played in temperatures ranging from 45 degrees to 75 degrees (F).
Some rain; never snow. It snowed one night a few years ago. One inch.
And they closed all the area schools the next day! We had to wait til
11:00 to tee off, after the snow had melted, but still got 27 in.
Actually, Myrtle is a crap shoot anytime before mid march. The first
time I played there, it snowed and sleeted all day--that was March 7.
As far as the best deals go, I don't have any insights to offer. The
crowd I went down with choose their accommodations based on location
(to golf and nightlife). Price was a secondary consideration.
Sounds to me like you're doing all the right things. You can't lose
really. No matter where you stay, it's a bargain. I'd pay more
attention to what courses you can get on than what price they're
levying.
Good luck and enjoy.
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| I was down in Myrtle this year in April. I asked the pro at the
hotel course (arcadian shores) about the winter month's. He said
that this past winter, 88/89, people were able to play the entire
winter with short sleeves. Temps approx. 60 througout. But then
again this was an abnormally warm winter.
John
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| First of all, December and January are not the months that would
yield you any assurance that there will be "golfable days" for you
to enjoy. I played in a T-shirt on this past 28 January and then
the weather went south the next day. These are normally cold/rainy
months are the quality of weather is reflected in Piedmont's fine
price offering.
Bear in mind that green fees run $25 to $85 and a cart is about
$15 per person per 18 holes. So, in seven days of golf, you could
be into $175 to $595 for green fees plus about $105 in cart rental.
You would clearly like to play the better courses after going that
far! Many of the "best" courses are only available thru packages
or via an invite by a member, so going it alone may not be the best
avenue if your group is into Pine Lakes or Pawleys Plantation type
of courses.
There is also a choice on living accomodations that vary from ocean
beach luxury hotels to villas on various golf course. If you do
not want to do your own booking or cooking, pay the price for one
of the many fine luxury hotel packages and they will get you on
the best of courses! The golf course villas run to as low as about
$400 per week for a large unit that would easily house a foursome.
MB is just not golf. There is an abundance of night life and good
eating establishments. There is much culture, deep sea fishing,
inter-coastal waterway trips and fresh water fishing. Charleston
is but a 100 mile trip away and worth the diversion. Tennis and
the 60 miles of Golden Strand beach front are also there for the
enjoyment. MB has the most tourist days of any U.S. vacation spot
which further attests to its diverse offerings.
We find that a drive down I95 allows us a sidetrip to a Civil War
battlefield in Virginia( 1/2 way to MB) and another stop on the
way back. This has proven to be very enjoyable as we travel back
and forth each Spring and Fall. If you like to drive, it is but
two 8 hour legs to MB in this way(the one year old Park Ave now
has 26K miles as proof!).
So, be it money for golf or money for creature comforts. Is it play
any courses you can book or only the best of the best? Is it only
golf or time for some culture? This is the dilemma you face!
My honest opinion is that for the first trip there, go for as much
golf as you yourself can book, spend the average on green fees, stay as low
as possible on lodging costs and SWING,SWING,SWING. On your next
trip to MB, and believe me there will be a next trip, go for the
best courses you heard about and the most challenging ones during
the best weather. Remember, there are about 60 courses there today
and more being constructed or designed as well talk!
Enjoy!
Tom
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