City and county golf courses on the Grand Strand: rates, resident discounts and booking
Myrtle Beach owns a golf course: Whispering Pines Golf Course in Myrtle Beach, owned by the City of Myrtle Beach. As of Oct. 30, 2026, residents of Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick counties pay $45 per round plus tax, cart included, according to the City of Myrtle Beach. The Hackler Course in Conway, run by Coastal Carolina University, a public university, is also open to visitors.
Most Grand Strand courses are run by private companies and set their own prices. This article covers the two publicly owned courses: who owns them, what they charge and how to book a tee time.
Which golf courses on the Grand Strand are owned by a city, county or state school?
| Course | Owner | Holes | Where | Local rate | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whispering Pines Golf Course | City of Myrtle Beach | 18; 6,771 yards | 900 Harrelson Blvd., Myrtle Beach | $45 plus tax, with cart, for Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick county residents | City of Myrtle Beach, checked Oct. 30, 2026 |
| The Hackler Course at Coastal Carolina University | Coastal Carolina University | 18; par 72 | 107 Citadel Drive, Conway | Not published by the university | Coastal Carolina University, checked Oct. 30, 2026 |
How did Myrtle Beach end up owning a golf course?
Whispering Pines began as the golf course of Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. When the base closed in 1993, the city acquired the course through the federal Lands-to-Parks program, according to the City of Myrtle Beach. The course sits across Harrelson Boulevard from Myrtle Beach International Airport.
The city does not run the course day to day. A private management company operates it under a city contract, and City Council approved a 10-year extension of that contract, according to a city news release. In 2016 the course added 27 signs and redesigned scorecards that tell the history of the air base, the city said.
Who gets the local rate at Whispering Pines?
The city lists the $45 local rate for residents of Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick counties, which means Brunswick County, North Carolina, residents qualify too. The rate includes the cart and does not include tax. The city page does not list rates for visitors or seasonal rates; those are set by the course operator and shown when booking.
An earlier city news release listed the local rate at $32 with cart. The current city page lists $45.
How do I book a tee time at Whispering Pines?
The course takes tee times online through the booking link on its official website, which shows the rate for each time slot. The course can also be reached at 843-918-2305 or [email protected]. The course describes itself as a 6,771-yard layout on 200 acres of pines and hardwoods.
Can the public play the Hackler Course at Coastal Carolina University?
Yes. The Hackler Course is the home course of Coastal Carolina University’s PGA Golf Management program, and the university invites visitors to be “our guest for the day,” according to Coastal Carolina University. It is an 18-hole, par-72 course next to the campus in Conway. The university says advance reservations are recommended but not always necessary, and it mentions a walking rate without listing an amount.
The course is at 107 Citadel Drive, Conway, and its phone number is 843-349-6600, according to the course’s booking page.
What should I know before I go?
- Rates change by season and by time of day. The rate shown when booking is the one that applies.
- The local rate is for county residents. Ask the pro shop which proof of residence it accepts.
- Both courses are inland from the beach, so a golf cart is not a way to get there from the oceanfront. South Carolina golf cart law limits carts to roads posted 35 mph or less and 4 miles from the registered address.
Who do I contact?
- Whispering Pines Golf Course: 900 Harrelson Blvd., Myrtle Beach; 843-918-2305
- The Hackler Course at Coastal Carolina University: 107 Citadel Drive, Conway; 843-349-6600
- City of Myrtle Beach: [email protected]
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Questions and answers
- Does Myrtle Beach have a municipal golf course?
- Yes. Whispering Pines Golf Course, at 900 Harrelson Blvd., is owned by the City of Myrtle Beach. The city acquired it when Myrtle Beach Air Force Base closed in 1993.
- How much is the local rate at Whispering Pines?
- $45 per round plus tax, including a cart, for residents of Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick counties, according to the City of Myrtle Beach as of Oct. 30, 2026.
- Can the public play the Hackler Course at Coastal Carolina University?
- Yes. The university invites visitors to play its 18-hole, par-72 course in Conway and recommends advance reservations.
- Do Brunswick County residents get the Whispering Pines local rate?
- Yes. The City of Myrtle Beach lists the local rate for residents of Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick counties.
