GUARANTEED TEE TIMES - are opened to booking ONE YEAR IN ADVANCE. The earlier you call, the better the chance to get your preferred tee time as the better courses get booked early. With only 30 morning tee times, you can see how difficult it is to arrange a tee time at a top 10 course.

NONSURCHARGE COURSES - were built years ago for a fraction of the cost of today's courses. Many of the courses were nominated best new course in the country when they were built. Seven non-surcharge courses are BEST BUY$. Call your GolfMaster and find out which ones.

SURCHARGE COURSES - It's costing $14 million to pay an architect to build a club house and course. Developers don't discriminate ...they've got to charge BIG BUCK$ to recoup this money. Guess who pays? Some surcharge courses are worth paying the extra surcharge fee, SOME ARE DEFINITELY ...NOT! Want to save money and PLAY the very best courses... ASK YOUR GOLFMASTER.

There are a range of Course Values...

COMPARABLE COURSES? Of the 6 different types of courses at the beach there are a variety of courses under each category. If you enjoyed a particular course in previous years, there is a high probability that there are similar courses in design that will match your preferred course. We have played all of the beach courses.... thousands and thousands of rounds and know all of the courses tee to green. Want to know a comparable course? Just ask your GolfMaster for a recommendation.

STAR RATING? This is very important. The majority of beach courses are rated by thousands of golfers just like you and me for Golf Digest's "Places to Play" booklet. Some 6,800 North American courses are rated from 1 to 5 stars. Historically less than 20 courses are rated the very best 5 stars. Courses such as Pebble Beach and Pinhurst #2 are rated 5 stars. 18 states do not have either a 4.5 or 5 course. 4 stars or better rated courses represent less than 8% of the courses in North America and the Caribbean. We have approximately 50 courses with this prestigious rating in the Myrtle Beach area. Many of these preferred courses are included in many of Golf Trek's $pecial Deal$. Ask you GolfMaster for his recommendation.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.... Buyer beware... many of the large hotels own or manage a large variety of courses. In their best interest, guess which courses they'll recommend that you play?...and play and play.

CART FEES? Are expensive at the beach. No way to sugar coat this item. 95% of the courses require carts all of the time. The cart fee ranges from $22 to $25 per person per round.

GUARANTEED TEE TIMES? Are pre-booked tee times with guaranteed payment to the course whether you PLAY or DON'T PLAY. These tee times may be cancelled within the course approved cancellation period.

TEE TIME SCHEDULING? Tee times are normally scheduled 8 minutes apart. This equates to 7 tee times per hour or 17 tee times during the morning from 7:00 am to 9:20 am. 17 tee times off hole #1 and 17 tee times off hole #10 are double teed. Depending upon daylight, tee times are then rescheduled in the afternoon. Shorter daylight means less tee times in the afternoon in November, December, January and February. Tee times will run from noon until 1:00-1:30 pm. As daylight lengthens, tee times will be scheduled from noon to 2:30 pm. Tee Times are opened to booking one year in advance. PLANNING as far in advance will help you secure your preferred course(s).

WHY DOUBLE TEE?
If you owned a golf course would you only open 1/2 of your course? If a course (probably like your home course) books STRAIGHT THRU tee times with everyone teeing off on hole #1 that means the back nine holes will be closed for the first 2 1/2 hours in the morning. By double teeing off #1 and #10 simultaneously, a course doubles its early morning tee times and gains an additional 17 tee times or 68 golfers each morning ($3,000 - $7,000). Both mornings and afternoons are double teed at the majority of courses.

CONFLICTING GOLF COURSE REVIEWS - on different Internet websites. What should I believe? The Internet has some good and some bogus information. Many chat room postings are negative...that's normal as many people vent their frustrations. Some organizations give skewed personal recommendations based on financial considerations. Golf Digest's "Places to Play" and your GolfMasters lay it on the line...the good, the bad and the ugly. Want the real scoop...good or *!* bad. Ask your GolfMaster.

SECRETARIES/RECEPTIONISTS - now that's an interesting subject, but not when they're recommending courses to you or booking your courses. Avoid order takers who don't have a clue as to what a golf course looks like. 80% of the people booking golf at the beach are reading from a prepared script to tell you what a course is like. They don't play golf or know the courses. In looking at a magazine you'll see a beautiful picture of a signature hole at a course... unfortunately you've got 17 other holes to play. What are they like? We've played thousands and thousands of rounds at the courses you'll play. We know the beach courses TEE to GREEN and most of the rough, bunkers, and water hazards you'll encounter.

WEATHER REFUNDS - Beware of any competitor's legal language that reads... "NO REFUNDS FOR ANY UNUSED portion of package!" 90% of our competitors keep ALL of your monies regardless of the weather conditions. We don't believe it's fair... do you? The Golden Rule applies for us. If GOLF TREK isn't charged by the course... then you get a REFUND!

PACKAGE DEALS THAT SEEM TO BE TO GOOD TO BE TRUE - NORMALLY ARE! You can lower the golf package rate by either playing dog tracks or laying with the cockroaches at the 40% of the lodging properties that are substandard. Maybe you'll get both. A lethal 1...2 punch. Buyer Beware! Golf Trek does neither...we recommend quality accommodations and well maintained courses. By testing the product constantly we discover from time to time glitches in maintenance at good courses. When we get back to the office, we'll be on the phone to you, letting you know what we found, and what course replacement that will best fit your game.

MAPS of the area ARE NEVER DRAWN TO SCALE- 1st Find SC Hwy 544. This should be in the center of your map as it is the EXACT geographic center of the Grand Strand. U.S. 501 which is 5 miles north of SC 544 comes directly into the center of the city of Myrtle Beach. 52 courses and 7 of the Top 10 courses at the beach are located SOUTH of U.S. 501. 24 courses are in North Myrtle Beach and 35 courses are located in Brunswick County, NC

AIRLINES? Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is served by a variety of airlines. An alternate airport 80 miles south of Myrtle Beach, Charleston, SC is three times the size of Myrtle Beach and is served by additional carriers. Flights on discount carriers from a variety of cities are under $200 round trip. The primary airlines serving Myrtle Beach:

BREAKFAST? Is the cheapest meal at the beach at over 500 breakfast/pancake houses. Menus start at $1.99 for a full breakfast and $3.99 for an all-you-can-eat breakfast. Many hotels force you to pay and eat breakfast in their restaurant. What if you don't like the food? Too Bad! It's simpler for you to pick your own restaurant and the food you'll enjoy at the price you want to pay.

NITE LIFE? With 150 night clubs of every type and enjoyment and 10 theaters with 16,000 seats, there is plenty to do and enjoy. The majority of attractions are in Myrtle Beach. Most of the clubs close at 4:00 am weekdays and 2:00 am Sunday morning.

STAY CLOSE TO WHERE I PLAY?? DAY...OR NIGHT - Now that's a funny question...No it's critical. Most groups stay close to where they'll play at night. Daylight driving to the courses is normally light traffic in the early A.M.. Driving at night on the Grand Strand can be confusing and challenging at best. It's a fact in our resort area that at least 60% of the drivers on the road after 10 PM have been drinking... and not soft drinks. The Bubble Top Blue Lights depend upon this revenue to make their quotas. A trip to jail, finger printing, a $300+ fine and loss of drivers license awaits DUI drivers in South Carolina. If you are in a group, you may wish to go to back to your lodging early. If you catch a cab locally, your cab fee will be reasonable. Travel far or between cities and the meter may read $50 or more. The closer you stay to where you play is very important. It's your choice.

The GOLF NUT NEWSLETTER is published periodically by GOLFMASTER JIM. A variety of topics are discussed. New Golf courses are evaluated, current courses under construction are discussed, Golf Tip$ for playing Myrtle Beach courses and local beach, golf news and gossip are discussed. If you want to be included on the Golf Nut Newsletter mail list, email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text93139 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

STATE LAWS

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal. Penalties include a fine of more than $200 and loss of driving license both in South Carolina and your home state. It is unlawful for any person under the age of 21 to buy, possess or consume alcoholic beverages. Open containers of beer, wine or liquor are prohibited in vehicles or any public place including streets, sidewalks and beach areas. Vehicle headlights must be on if you are operating your windshield wipers due to rain or poor road conditions. Motorcyclists are required to use headlights at all times.All children in a moving vehicle under the age of six years old must by restrained at all times be means appropriate for the child's age and seating location according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Right turns may be made on a red light throughout the state, except where a sign denotes "No Right on Red". Remember, you must stop before turning and give way to traffic already in the intersection.

FIREWORKS - Discharging of fireworks is illegal within the city limits of municipalities along the Grand Strand.

SWIMMING

• Swimming is not permitted beyond 50 yards from the beach or over shoulder depth, unless otherwise stated by the lifeguard. Jumping and diving from piers is prohibited.Only canvas rafts may be used in the ocean. Rafts must be equipped with safety ropes.
• Swimwear is subject to city ordinances in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach. It is illegal for anyone to wear a thong bathing suit. Violators will be fined.

LITTERING - Littering is illegal. Offenders may be required by law to assist officials in cleaning up the litter. All glass containers are prohibited on the beach.

SEA OATS - It is illegal to cut, break or otherwise destroy sea oat plants, beach grass and sand fencing.

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH - Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Pawleys Island, Brunswick Isles- North, Middle and South. Golf Trek has accommodation properties in ALL sections of the Grand Strand....close to all of the courses you'd like to play.

NO HYPE ...NO BULL ...JUST PLAIN STRAIGHT GOLF ANSWERS.

That's been Golf Master Jim's personalized service over the past 25+ years and all of the other GolfMasters operate the same way. During that time, GolfMaster Jim and Golf Trek have booked over 1,000,000 rounds and 100,000 golfers. Jim has also played 4,000 rounds on the Beach courses and holds several course records including a 62 at Indigo Creek. He arranges 3 to 4 out of town golf outings each year Jim and the rest of the GolfMasters know exactly what you are going through in planning your GOLF TRIP.

Golf Trek specializes in CUSTOMIZED golf vacations. Since 1979, golfers have been depending on our knowledge and expertise to select the most memorable and enjoyable courses, to choose convenient and comfortable accommodations, and to recommend the best in dining and scenic travel touring. Our clients keep coming back year after year, because they find us dedicated to the specific details that can make your golf vacation truly memorable. We have assisted tens of thousands in planning their 'golf nut' package. Our expert GolfMasters are argueably the most knowledgeable in the business and are personally involved in providing you with the best service possible.

Your Golf Master will customize your trip to any number of nights and golf rounds to fit your game. Prices will vary depending on how many nights and rounds of golf you prefer. Non golfer rates are available and any combination of nights and rounds of golf can be arranged.

Bring your "A" game and we will do the rest.

Play Well & Often
GolfMaster Jim