To answer the question about Litchfield/Pawley's. Litchfield is the development (and a former plantation. The original plantation house is now a B&B and is LOVELY)--mailing address is Pawley's Island. BUT the "real" Pawley's Island is across the causeway from mainland Pawley's and is a really interesting area to visit. It has a historic district of ocean front sites that date from the Revolutionary War when Pawley's was the summer haven for the Charleston rice planters to escape the malarial mosquitoes. Take a look.
Don't miss Brookgreen, or the Huntington residence across the highway--Atalanta.

Truth be told about NMB, MB, Garden City and Surfside--they totally run together along Business 17 for maybe 20 miles of beach stores, fast food, flea markets, water slides.

Do you like motorcycles? Bike Week is May 12-21 this year in Myrtle Beach.

http://www.myrtlebeachbikeweek.com/events/spring-rally/

uh oh, thanks for letting me know that, sally. I was looking around that time but probably a few days later. Maybe even earlier. But I'll definitely keep that in mind.

Well, guess what. After all that, it's not what he wants for his birthday. He says that by April, golf will have started here and he doesn't really feel the need to get away in the spring. He'd rather do something closer to home. That's OK. I'm just glad I asked before I made any plans.

I want to thank you all for you ideas and suggestions. I hope someone else looking for a golf vacation will get good use out of this thread!

Thanks again
gtg

I just read your last post but am going to add this anyway.

I pretty much avoid MB as well, but was there last month for work and the traffic/congestion was not bad at all. Nothing like the summer months. It's a great location for golfing because there are so many options to choose from - and yes, a beautiful coastal location. We used to go decades ago when a friend's family still had one of the original humble pine cottages in North MB - back when it was "country" and not crazy. My #1 complaint with it is the traffic and congestion. The center section is great if you like touristy places and want to walk to a lot of things to see and do.

Having said all that, my favorite place to stay is the Hampton Inn on the southside. It is beachfront and decor is more than New England that southern. We would drive from there to Murrells Inlet for dinner and walk along the marsh walk for dinner. On this last trip, I stayed at a Hilton property next to the mall - which worked out well because Singing in the Rain was playing at the theater next door (special airing twice that week).


For dinner I returned to the Sea Captain's House. Beachfront, fine dining with excellent food and service.
http://www.seacaptains.com/
I also left the car with the valet for a few minutes to walk on the beach for very limited "toes in the sand" time.

Here's the oceanfront Hampton Inn I like -
http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hot...FHX/index.html

Although for a golf vacation, a non-beach location would be fine.

Here's a link to the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk with info on restaurants -
http://www.marshwalk.com/

And I'll add this also. Glad Starrs mentioned her Hampton Inn--it does look a cut above and I couldn't remember if it was a Hilton.

AND while that is Harley week, over Memorial Day is Black Biker Week in MB and that you really may want to reschedule. 100,000 bikers.