So I had this dilemma about where to play golf during my South Carolina trip – The Links in North Myrtle Beach or Pine Lakes. Both kept popping up when I searched, so last week I grabbed my clubs and hit both places to figure it out myself.
The Links First Stop
Rolled into The Links around 7am last Tuesday. Paid $68 for morning tee time – pretty standard price. Immediately noticed how FLAT everything looked. Like seriously flat, zero elevation changes whatsoever. Felt kinda like hitting balls on a giant putting green. Water hazards everywhere though – lost two balls by hole 3 thanks to those sneaky ponds.
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What surprised me:
- Greens rolled crazy fast, like marble floors after recent aeration
- No starter monitoring pace – our group got stuck behind 8 retirees putting five times each
- No beverage cart until hole 9 – nearly died of thirst in humidity
Pine Lakes Experience
Tried Pine Lakes next day paying $80. Whole different vibe right at the entrance – giant old oak trees lining driveway, actual clubhouse that doesn’t smell like stale beer. Starter named Joe gave us course map and warned about their “gator hole” (number 7).
Course layout felt more interesting with actual doglegs and elevation dips. Didn’t lose a single ball despite thick rough. Their fairways? Softer than my couch at home – irons just stuck where they landed. And get this – beverage cart girl came around three times before hole 6. Cold Gatorade never tasted better.
The Side-By-Side
Here’s what my scorecard showed:
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Conditions
- The Links: Fast but patchy greens, bare spots in fairways
- Pine Lakes: Lush grass everywhere, bunkers actually raked
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Playability
- The Links: Target golf torture with all that water
- Pine Lakes: Tough but fair – hazards visible upfront
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Atmosphere
- The Links: Felt like practice range with groups waiting on every tee
- Pine Lakes: Historic southern charm, staff remembered names
My Final Takeaway
If you’re training for punishment or love water hazards more than golf, The Links might suit you. But I’d pay the extra $12 at Pine Lakes every time. Better maintained, more interesting holes, and you’ll actually finish under 5 hours. Left Pine Lakes wanting another round, while The Links just made me want Advil.
