THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has it’s pro shop and simulators open daily. So why not play the indoor version of Schaumburg Golf Club on the simulators. But while you golf order up some great food and beverage from Chandlers Chophouse right upstairs. Book a simulator online at Schaumburggolf.com or call the pro shop (847)-885-9000.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Rory at Grande Dunes Golf Club in Myrtle Beach SC.

DURING LAST YEAR”S TRIP to Myrtle Beach South Carolina, I was able to play of the area’s top golf courses.

Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand area, is one place you must visit if you love golf.

There are plenty of golf courses to choose from, in fact there are almost 90 courses in the area. Many of them won national awards from various golf publications, when they first opened or shortly thereafter.

The par 3, 12th hole at Tidewater Golf Club.

Tidewater is one of the courses that visiting golfers rave about, when they visit Myrtle Beach.

The Rees Jones-Ken Tomlinson design opened for play in 1990, and is now in it’s 32nd year of operation. Their is full size clubhouse, complete with a great menu and dining area to enjoy before or after your round.

But on the golf course there are six sets of tee’s, starting at 4,648 yards. But from the back tee’s its 7,044 yards, and a test for all golfers and big hitters. Some of the golf holes run along a water channel, so it’s not uncommon to see some nice boats racing past as you play. Tidewater’s par 3, 12th hole that plays 190 yards from the tips, is one of the most photographed holes in the area.

For more information and tee times visit Tidewatergolf.com or call the club at (843)-913-2424. Located at 1400 Tidewater Drive-North Myrtle Beach South Carolina.

Welcome to Grande Dunes, part of the Founders Group International.

The Founders Group International now contains 21 golf courses around the Myrtle Beach area.

Most of the courses are among the most requested courses to play for visiting golfers. Including the classic Pine Lakes Golf Club, just reopened from a restoration project.

Grande Dunes now in it’s 21st year of operation and designed by the Roger Rulewich Group, continues to attract golfers who want to play a fun, but challenging golf course. So while the course has six sets of tees to play from, the back tees are set at 7,578 yards. A test for even the best professionals who play the game.

The Par 3-11th hole at Grande Dunes. 190 yards.

Grande Dunes brings water into play on 12 of 18 holes.

During holes 13 and 14 water is a key factor on how to play the hole.

The 560 yard par 5, 13th hole has a double water crossing that requires a solid drive, and a better approach into the green.

But next up on the tee at the 14th hole, a 220 yard par 3, is a water crossing that runs into the water channel. A large bunker guards the right side of the green. But it does catch some shots and keeps them in play, instead of them ending up in the water. The Grande Dunes not only is 18 good holes of golf, it makes a great backdrop to the homes getting built around the golf course.

The club has a full size clubhouse for excellent dining and a fully stocked pro shop.  If your moving around Myrtle Beach playing golf, do it at the dunes. The Grande Dunes golf club is located at 8700 Golf Village Lane, Myrtle Beach. Tee times by calling the pro shop at (888)-886-8877 or visit Grandedunesgolf.com.

The Pete Dye Club at Barefoot Resort North Myrtle Beach.

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH is home to plenty of golf courses, including four of them at the Barefoot Resort.

The four designers include Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Tom Fazio and Pete Dye.

While the Norman course has fairways running up to long sandy waste area’s, there other styles through Barefoot Resorts four courses. The Love III has previously hosted the Big Break. The Hootie and the Blowfish-Monday after the Masters Outing has been played on the Dye Course.

The 185 yard par 3, 3rd hole on the Dye course at Barefoot Resort.

The Dye course is vintage Pete Dye, golfers who have played Dye courses in other states, will enjoy seeing some of Dye’s trademark hazards, or maybe they won’t.

But one thing is for sure, there will be a little down south Dye home cooking tossed-in.

While you won’t find any of Dye’s famous volcano bunkers like at the French Lick Resort, or trips through a cave-mine in West Virginia, there will be plenty of humps, bumps, pot bunkers and railroad ties to hold you over. The golf course has five sets of tees with yardage going from 5,021 up front, to 7,343 off the tips. But if you get off to a good start, hang on to your hats and visors. Because the closing holes (14-18) is where Dye makes you earn your score.

Between the yardage, the carry’s, a few more deep pot bunkers lurking, golfers will need to choose what club they hit, and where to leave the current shot, so the next one sets you up to score. The big clubhouse is a great place to dine, and the pro shop has plenty of options to pick from if your apparel or other shopping. The Dye Course is Semi-private so check for playing opportunities before arriving. The Club is located at 2600 Pete Dye Drive, more information at www.barefootgolf.com or call the resort at (843)-399-7238.

For more photo’s see Rory Spears Facebook, or Twitter @GogBlogGuy.