Myrtle rut, where to go next?

I go on two different golf trips each year. One is my dad's highschool friends mostly, and one that I organize is my fraternity brothers and guys our age (mid-30s). Both trips have gone exclusively to Myrtle Beach, and we often do Legends. That is very convenient since everything is on site, you don't have to worry about drinking and driving, they have restaurants, etc. We could probably keep going to Myrtle indefinitely as there are a ton of great courses, we can all drive there from the DC area (for the most part) and value is really really good. Some of my guys that have been going a while are getting restless though. They want new challenges. I've been considering a Pinehurst/Tobacco Road trip. I also have a buddy who fly down to Florida with his guys. They do something different each time, but the flights don't seem crazy and the courses always look nice. Does anyone have any suggestions at places/packages I should look into?

My dream trip for the group would be Bandon. We have about 4 beginners that wouldn't be able to do it though. Another two are big guys who may not be athletic enough to walk 18 a few days in a row. The expense would be much greater, but I bet it would be like Legends on steroids. Better courses and accommodations, everything on site, even a cigar bar from what I hear.

Pinehurst will definitely fit your demographics and if you stay on the resort you get pretty much the same situation as Myrtle as you can use the resort shuttle service. You could also throw in a couple of off resort courses like Tobacco Road/Mid Pines/Pine Needles.

That said you should really try to do Bandon. The big guys can get caddies to help them out. We went for my 50th birthday and walked 36 a day without any issues. The cigar bar is awesome and the beer and wine selection at the different bars is great too.

I really appreciate your reply, but the last thing I need is more encouragement to go to Bandon

I'll look into Pinehurst. I think that could be a lot of fun. Maybe I'll try to get a smaller group interested in Bandon. All I hear is rave reviews.

Streamsong is another options that has all in one spot for you.

Pinehurst area from the DC Metro is a pretty easy ride, has tons of course options that aren't necessarily the resort, and the courses are a blast. I played Mid Pines, Dormie, and Tobacco Road last July and loved them. I'm heading back down at the end of March too! I've yet to do Bandon, but I've heard it's just as easy to get to Scotland as it is Bandon from the East Coast haha. If you're looking for great golf and convenience from the DC Metro then Pinehurst is a great option.

Another vote for Pinehurst. If you have a large-ish group you can get some really good deals that include golf, lodging, and meals at a variety of restaurants. I went in a group of 24 last summer and it was a better deal than some of our other trips to much less exciting courses.

We mix in mountains, beach, and pinehurst area trips. For the money mid pines and tobacco road may be your best option. If you go to tobacco road website they can build you a custom package for exactly what you're looking for. Pinehurst itself is great it just can be overpriced even in summer.

I had a group of 16 last year, but I'm expecting to add at least 4 this year. If you could DM me just a general idea of the total or per person cost, I would be very interested.

Tobacco Road is constantly sending me emails about packages (which I think I signed up for). I've never played there, but I'd love to. I also have family in the area, so it would make a lot of sense for me personally.

You didn't mention what time of year. But would the Greenbrier be an option? They have the 3 courses and a short course.

Good point. We do a spring trip, late May/early April with my dad's folks, and a fall trip which was in early November. I could probably change the time. It already cuts into my hunting season, but I think people were pretty happy with the early November timeframe.

I had a tee time at the Old White a few years back and they got flooded out. I ended up staying and playing at The Homestead. The Greenbrier would probably be too rich for most of my guy's blood, but that is a great suggestion.

Not sure it would be much more than Pinehurst and definitely not more than Streamsong.

I was looking at a few packages and may be doing the tournament package they have.

But here is one for Sep: $1500 for the 3 nights. https://greenbrier.com/Packages/Golf-Offers/Sunday-s-Pins-Golf-Package.aspx

Wow, that's not as bad as I'd have thought. Yeah, I think Streamsong is probably out of budget for my group or at least not top priority. For a smaller group of my friends, I think Bandon or even Scotland could be in our future, but those Greenbrier rates are pretty good too. I think the wives would kill us though. They don't care so much about Myrtle, but they'd be jelly they missed The Greenbrier.

Park City, Utah.

Took 8 guys from So Cal there 2 summers ago as an alternative to Myrtle. Never paid more than 40-50 bucks for some fantastic courses. (Wasatch Lakes & Mtn, Soldier Hollow Gold & Silver among several others. Only 45 min from Salt Lake Airport and great golf everywhere within a 45 min drive. Scenery is beyond description.

Same group goes to Bandon every year and they keep asking me “when we going back to Utah?” It is that good

Also, if I was in DC I would go to Ireland. There hasn’t to be direct flights to Shannon so it would be half the time to get to Bandon and it’s Ireland. Your buddies will love it

Interesting. I've been for skiing and like the town, but I've never been in the summer. I'll definitely look into that.

I have seen some decent flights to Ireland. That could be a great time too. Thanks again for the info!

If you are going to a walking place or far like Scotland, you will lose some from your group.

Pinehurst is somewhat like Myrtle Beach, where the cost varies with the courses played.

For a short drive from DC, Ocean City MD has some good courses.

Maybe your group gets tired of MB because you do the Legends Pkg every year. You can stay in different areas of MB and play courses nearby.

It's a lot easier on the group leader to travel to the same place.

Fly into Tampa and play courses there ,,, or Fort Lauderdale

That's what my buddy does. Any suggestions on packages or courses?

Yeah, exactly. Half love legends, half want something new. On my dad's trip, some guys won't even come unless we go to legends, others want to stay at the beach. Can't please everyone.

Ocean City could be a good idea. I'm going down there for a wedding this summer and I'm staying very close to Rum Pointe and Ocean City Golf Club, hopefully I can scout a few out... Do you have any favorites?

We switched from several Legends trips to Pawleys island just south of Myrtle. Total different Vibe. Played Caledonia and True blue last fall. Will repeat next fall

Treetops in Michigan has several outstanding golf courses with reasonable package prices. Dining/lodging/drinking on site.

Its a great course. A lot of really fun and interesting holes. They always have some good deals and also offer a package to play the other local pinehurst courses like mid pines. Not to mention its a top 50 public course in the country. I'm headed there the first weekend in March for a tournament they're putting together for 3 days. I highly recommend.

This is also a good idea .. i always stay south end when i am in MB

In Tampa, you have World Woods x 2 .. TPC Tampa Bay and a handful of others ... Tampa Palms etc

Now you may need to drive 40 mins but so what

I have found on organizing these trips that 8 guys in a large house is the most fun .. thru VRBO

You won't find many places that provide better a bang for the buck than the Legends. As others have said the Pinehurst area is a good choice. Near Pinehurst, Mid Pines resort is great value and great golf you get to play both Mid Pines and Pine Needles, plus there are a bunch of other courses nearby. If you want to go a little upscale, Kiawah Island has four good courses and one great one ...the Ocean Course, but the Ocean Course is very expensive. Reynolds at Lake Oconnee, GA has four good courses, but its further from DC and can be pricey. There is some very good golf in the Richmond/Williamsburg area and that's an easy drive from DC

Thanks. I've played a bunch of Richmond and Williamsburg area courses. My fraternity has alumni tournaments in Newport News, Williamsburg, and Richmond so I used to get out there at least once a year. A lot of my friends still live in those areas, so it wouldn't be a trip for them. I think I'm going to stay with my old roommate that got me into golf this summer and try to play a few Suffolk and Williamsburg courses.

In Ocean City, some of the best are: Bayside, Baywood Greens, Lighthouse Sound, Rum Pointe, Bear Trap, Eagle Landing, Newport Bay, GR War Admiral.

Baywood would be the only long drive is staying in OC.

Your drinkers must be the Legends lovers, so no driving. It's good, but variety is more fun.