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SOUTH CAROLINA
Blame courses like the Dunes and Pine "The Granddaddy" Lakes for the instantaneous glassy-eye expression that golfers display when Myrtle Beach is mentioned. The Dunes' par 5 13th hole was named one of the top 18 in the United States by Sports Illustrated, while Pine Lakes was recognized by SI as one of the 50 most historic golf courses in America. When you are met at the 62-room clubhouse (c. 1927) by white-gloved caddymasters in Scottish attire, you'll know why. And halfway through your round you'll encounter the Club Chef stirring Granddaddy's famed homemade clam chowder. Hole 17 is considered by many to be the round's toughest. 

Greens fees with cart at the Dunes are $90. Phone: (843) 449-5914. www.dunesgolfandbeachclub.com. Greens fees with cart at Pine Lakes are $52 in the morning and $42 in the afternoon. As the fees often change, it's best to call the clubhouse. Phone: (800) 446-6817. www.pinelakes.com. Local marinas include Hague Marina Phone: (843) 293-2141, Osprey Marina Phone: (843) 215-5353, and Myrtle Beach Yacht Club Phone: (843) 249-5376.

Kiawah Island Resorts offers four challenging courses: Cougar Point (13 water holes), Turtle Point (three spectacular oceanside holes), Osprey Point (lagoons, marshes, palmettos, oaks, magnolias, and moguls), and the Ocean Course (meandering along 2 3/4 miles of oceanfront).

Greens fees for Cougar and Turtle are $119 and $90, respectively. For Osprey it's $129, $90 after 2 p.m. For Ocean it's $175 all day. All fees include carts. Phone: (843) 768-2121. www.segetaway.com. Local marinas include Bohicket Phone: (843) 768-1280 and Edisto Phone: (843) 869-3504.

As long as you've got to slow down for the no-wake zone approaching Hilton Head Island, you may as well play a round at Harbour Town, home of the MCI Classic. One of the world's great lowland courses, it boasts grand oaks, towering pines, and twisting fairways. Pete Dye built it, Jack Nicklaus helped lay it out, and Arnold Palmer won its first tournament, held in 1969. Greens fees are $240 with cart. Phone: (843) 363-4485. www.harbourtownresorts.com. Harbour Town Yacht Basin Phone: (843) 671-2704 is on the premises.

GEORGIA
Ten minutes south of Savannah is the Southbridge Golf Club. This Rees Jones-designed 18-hole masterpiece is set amidst a mature forest and beautiful lagoons and offers southern golf hospitality at its finest. It's all Bermuda grass, and water is a factor. Mike Butler runs the prestigious Georgia School of Golf here, too.

Greens fees with carts are $35 during the week and $45 on weekends. Phone: (912) 651-5455. www.southbridgegolf.com. Local marinas include the Hyatt Regency Phone: (912) 238-1234 and Westin Harbor Resort Phone: (912) 201-2203.

Island golf, southern style, is offered up at St. Simons and Jekyll Island. St. Simons' Sea Palms (three nine-hole courses), the Island Club (watch the water hazards running along the entire left side of #6 as well as in front of the tee), and the Hampton Club (the par 5, 5 is guarded by nine bunkers) are all excellent options. The Jekyll Island Club has four courses: Oleander, Pine Lakes, Indian Mounds, and Great Dunes. The first three are 18-holers, while Great Dunes is a nine. All four are adjoining.

Greens fees with cart at Sea Palms is $80 before 12:30 p.m., $52 after that until 4 p.m., and $45 after that. Phone: (800) 841-6268. At the Island Club it's $110 and slightly higher in the summer. Phone: (912) 638-5130. And at the Hampton Club it's $87. Phone: (912) 634-0255. www.stsimonswebsite.com. Greens fees with cart at the Jekyll Island Club are $52, $37 for walkers, and $21 for Great Dunes. Phone: (912) 635-2368. www.jekyllclub.com. Local marinas for St. Simons include the Hampton River Club Phone: (912) 638-1210 and Golden Isles Phone: (912) 634-1128. For Jekyll Island it's Jekyll Wharf Phone: (912) 635-3152 and Jekyll Harbor Phone: (912) 635-3137.

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