Legends Courses at Myrtle Beach

[iacas]

Last year I took the college team (Penn-State Behrend) to Myrtle Beach. Because it was easy, we played the four Barefoot courses and spent a day in the middle at Caledonia/True Blue.

The courses at Barefoot were "okay" but this year we're looking to do something else. As I want to avoid playing any "blah" courses while still taking advantage of a discount in lodging and a "package" of sorts, I'm considering playing four (they have five?) of the Legends courses with the same middle-of-the-trip excursion to Caledonia/True Blue again.

Anyone have any thoughts on the courses at Legends?

P.S. It's a college golf team, but we're Division III, and most of the guys going are about 6 handicaps or so.

[DaveP043]

Way back in the late 80's early 90's I organized a golf trip each spring for 8 to 12 guys.  The last 3 or 4 years we stayed at the Legends resort, and I've played all three courses on-site, as well as Oyster Bay.  First, understand that all of my impressions and memories are at least 20 years out of date.  At that time, we thought the accommodations were nice, plenty of room, in good shape.  Of the three golf courses on-site, I remember preferring the Heathland best.  The Moorland was a little tricky, the Parkland was pretty different, running through woods while the other two were pretty open.  Oyster Bay has a number of holes running alongside the marsh, so its completely different from the other three. Looking at Google Earth, it appears that now the Parkland runs through some housing, but I can't tell how intrusive the housing is.  I've never been to the Barefoot Resort, so I can't compare.  I can definitely say that in the early 90's, the Legends resort was a nice place to stay, and three good golf courses.

[coachjimsc]

As I stated in the other post, I have been organizing a trip there since 2001.

My list of the courses in order are: Parkland, Moorland and Heathland and they are all very close.

Parkland - does run thru the woods as @DaveP043 has mentioned. Has generous fairways and the houses that are there don't really come into play unless you hit it waaay offline.

Moorland - Pete and PB Dye design. Elevated greens, rolling fairways, big bunkers and undulating greens. Most of the older fellows (65 and up) did not like to play their own ball on this course. So we only play it on the captain's choice Sundays.

Heathland - It is a little easier than the other two. Scottish style course designed by Tom Doak. Depending on the wind (not many trees) could add to the difficulty. 

Accommodations - Most comments we get about this trip are how nice the accommodations are. One of the best deals in Myrtle with the free breakfast, lunch and range balls included.

I have played at Barefoot resort. I liked all of their courses. Other then the Dye course, nothing really distinguished themselves from the others. Their accommodations and pricing were not as appealing to us as well.

[iacas]

Thanks.

I got a package for about $750 per guy for this, too (including 2 4-person condo suites):

Prestwick, Arrowhead CC, Tidewater, True Blue/Caledonia, Thistle.

Don't know much about those courses either.

[DaveP043]

9 hours ago, iacas said:

Prestwick, Arrowhead CC, Tidewater, True Blue/Caledonia, Thistle.

Don't know much about those courses either.

We played Prestwick a couple of times, I remember it being a good challenge in good shape.  Designed by the Dye's, father and son, with large waste areas, bulkheaded water hazards, a few pot bunkers.

We also played Tidewater 3 or 4 times.  At the time, this was one of the best courses in the northern part of Myrtle Beach.  Lots of water, some beautiful holes along the marshes, at least a couple of really severe greens.  

You've been to Caledonia and True Blue, they're both good.  I played Arrowhead once, but honestly can't remember much about it.  Obviously it didn't make a big impression, but at least I don't remember disliking it.  I don't know the Thistle at all.  It seems to me that you have at least 4 really good courses in your list.  Sounds like a great time.

[coachjimsc]

Arrowhead is on the lower tier from the others. 

The rest of the list is top tier.

[iacas]

3 hours ago, coachjimsc said:

Arrowhead is on the lower tier from the others. 

The rest of the list is top tier.

With which course would you replace Arrowhead?

[coachjimsc]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

With which course would you replace Arrowhead?

King's North at Myrtle Beach National or The World Tour Golf Links. Both are in the same area as Arrowhead.

King's North has been on our trip the last two years and everyone loves it.

Edited November 3, 2016 by coachjimsc

[iacas]

17 minutes ago, coachjimsc said:

King's North at Myrtle Beach National or The World Tour Golf Links. Both are in the same area.

King's North has been on our trip the last two years and everyone loves it.

Thanks. I'll see about swapping one of those in instead.

And, because it may be simpler, I put a call in to Legends. The NCAA asks you to compete during your spring break trip (or something), so we have a few colleges we can do that with, too.

[WUTiger]

On 11/2/2016 at 9:47 PM, iacas said:

Prestwick, Arrowhead CC, Tidewater, True Blue/Caledonia, Thistle.

I did a review on Tidewater  in March. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Wish I could have played it a week later, as the low parts of the course were damp from heavy rains and the fairways were really shaggy.

Variety in terrain, with interesting and challenging - but not impossible - hole designs. Nos. 3 and 4 alone are worth the trip.

Course manager Archie Lemon and head pro Chris Cooper are really great guys.

[sabram]

I've been to Myrtle Beach for golf trips about twenty times and have played more than 60 courses along the Grand Strand. Some of the advice on this thread is pretty wacky.

If you thought that the four Barefoot courses were just "okay", you probably won't think the replacement courses that you've chosen are anything more than just "okay."

Caledonia and True Blue are among the best of MB. If you are looking for a course that compares favorably to those you have to play the Dunes Club.The Dunes Club is a must play

Caledonia and True Blue are at the very south end of the strand, Thistle is quite far North. Legends is in the middle. Do you really want to do so much driving? I usually focus my trips either on the south and central or the north and central, but very rarely go all the distance form Caledonia to Thistle in the same trip.

Of Prestwick, Arrowhead, Tidewater, and Thistle I would guess you won't think that any are as good as Barefoot Love, Fazio or Dye except possibly Tidewater. Tidewater has a few beautiful marshland holes and a few good strategic holes, but it also has a few clunkers and the routing has long cart rides through housing. If your team walks I'd stay away.

Arrowhead is scenic and always well conditioned but it is very tight with lots of water. You really need to be a straight hitter there.  I like Prestwick. It has a nice variety of holes but it won't make you say wow. It was a joint effort of Pete and PB Dye and is not one of their best courses. Thistle has 27 holes and is always in good condition, but nowhere near the layout of Caledonia, True Blue or the Dunes Club.

The Legends are one of the best value set of courses in MB. The Heathland courses is not a heathland at all. It is a faux links (few trees, wide fairways) and is quite good and fun to play although not very scenic. The Moorland is tougher and funkier than Heathland and also worth playing. Moorland is a love it or hate it course. Parkland is my least favorite of the three at Legends Resort, but okay. It is more tree-lined than the other two and more of a typical Carolina style course. Legends Group also operates  Heritage which is down south near Caledonia and True Blue. Heritage has the look and feel of Caledonia but the Heritage greens are not as interesting as Caledonia. If you stay at the south end (True Blue has inexpensive condos to rent) you could add Heritage as a good choice to go with TB and Cally. Oyster Bay is up North in Calabash. I like Oyster Bay as much as or more than Thistle (Oyster Bay is more scenic), although they are fairly comparable courses.

World Tour and Kings North are okay but If I had ten rounds to play, I'd play the Dunes 8 times, Kings North once and World Tour once. I'd also play TPC and Grande Dunes over WT or KN.

Here's a link to photo tours of about 50 Myrtle Beach courses I've photographed: 

Myrtle Beach Course photos

In addition to Caledonia, True Blue and the Dunes Club,  you should consider TPC and Grande Dunes. Also, if you are going up north near Thistle, I'd suggest, Rivers Edge, Tigers Eye and Leopards Chase.

If you are looking for a course to replace Arrowhead in that same area and decide not to play the Legends, consider TPC or the Witch.

Edited December 26, 2016 by sabram
fix link

[sabram]

Legends Heathland #14 pitcjh to green over hazard

Legends Moorland #3 green

Edited December 26, 2016 by sabram

[sabram]

Legends Parkland #11 approach at dusk

[jmanbooyaa]

I understand this is a super old thread. Golf trip this year looks to be landing in mid May with the destination being Myrtle Beach. Legends golf resort looks like the front runner. 6-7 guys. 4 day stay 3 rounds of golf. Any recent visits from anyone?