New Myrtle Beach Roads Save Golfers Time

Getting around the Grand Strand is now quicker and easier than ever, thanks to an impressive billion-dollar road-building program. Over the past few years three major highways have been constructed and several widening projects have been completed. Take a few minutes to learn the new roads along the Grand Strand and your next trip from the course to dinner to the hotel will be quick and effortless.

Highway 22

(Veterans Highway) – Opened in 2001, highway 22 offers visitors a direct route to North Myrtle Beach on a high speed, limited access road. Highway 22 begins on Hwy 501 past Aynor (West of Conway) and ends in the Restaurant Row section of Myrtle Beach, reducing an hour drive to little more than thirty minutes. This key corridor allows visitors to enter and exit Myrtle Beach and avoid the traffic on Hwy 501.

Highway 31

(Carolina Bays Parkway) – Designed as a true by-pass, the Carolina Bays Parkway allows you to get from one end of the Grand Strand to the other on an interstate style highway. Highway 31, which opened in 2003, stretches from Highway 9 south to Highway 544. While many visitors have yet to discover this convenient route, locals have come to rely on it to travel up and down the Grand Strand quickly. What was once a forty-five minute trip can now be completed in fifteen minutes. This put all the golf courses within easy reach regardless of where one is staying.

Robert Grissom Parkway

Probably the most praised new road constructed in Myrtle Beach, this key route moves travelers quickly through the heart of Myrtle Beach, from the Airport, north to 48th Avenue. The Robert Grissom passes between 17 Business and 17 By-pass and has become the best route to get to popular attractions and restaurants.

While the new road building has had an impressive effect on the area traffic, existing roads have also undergone a series of widening projects. Highway 544, which is a key artery into the south end of Myrtle Beach, has been expanded from two lanes to four. This, once congested route is now an easy alternative to 501. Highway 17 By-pass is also undergoing an extensive program to expand from four lanes to six.

Keep the new roads in mind on your next vacation to the area and you will be impressed by what good planning, oh yeah….and a billion dollars, can do to the area roads and transportation.

Reprinted from the Golf Town Times Spring & Summer edition                                                             

Golf Betting Games

Golf is one of those games where a small wager often helps sharpen the concentration. Here are a few popular games to keep you focused on yours. Don’t forget to adjust for handicaps, etc. to keep it a fair competition.

WOLF
Format: Team and/or Individual

Number of Players: Four

Wolf begins on the first tee with players in a foursome establishing an order of play. Players will rotate that same order throughout the round – in other words, if you hit 1st on #1, you’ll hit 2nd on #2, 3rd on #3, and so on. The player teeing off first is the Wolf. The player takes turns playing the Wolf based on the rotation of the established tee off order.

After teeing off, the Wolf has the following options:

1. Choosing one of the other three players as a partner for the hole based on the results of their tee shots, or

2. Play the hole alone against the other three players.

For example, the Wolf tees off first. Then, the second player in the rotation tees off. Based on the results of the second players drive, the Wolf has the option to select the second player as a partner or pass. Once the third player hits their tee shot, the second player is no longer eligible as a partner for the Wolf. Likewise, once the fourth player has hit their drive, the third player is no longer eligible as a partner for the Wolf.

After the fourth player tees off, the Wolf must select the fourth player as a partner for the hole, or play the hole alone against the other three players. Wolf can be played low ball or low total.

Points are earned as follows:

Winning team: 2 points each player

Wolf wins playing alone: 3 points

Wolf loses playing alone: 2 points each for all other players

SCRAMBLE
Format: Team Scramble

Number of Players: 2, 3, 4

Scrambles are the all time favorite team game for special events and tournaments. Four member teams are the most common, but a scramble can also be played with two or three players per team

In a scramble, each player tees off and the best drive is selected. The other team members will move their balls to the spot of the chosen drive and all players hit their second shot from this location. The best second shot is selected and the procedure is repeated until the ball is holed out.

Long drivers are beneficial to a team in this game, but short game skills are also necessary for posting competitive scores. Since putting plays a big part in a scramble, every player on a team has an opportunity to contribute.

NINES
Format: Individual

Number of Players: 3

Each hole has a total point value of nine points. Players earn points as follows:

Low score = 5 Pts

2nd lowest score = 3 Pts

High score = 1 Pt

In the event two players tie for low score, the two tied players receive 4 points each. When two players tie for high score, the tied players get 2 points each. If all three players tie for low score, each player gets 3 points.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO
Format: Individual

Number of Players: 2, 3 or 4

Bingo, Bango, Bongo allows players to be competitive regardless of the differences in handicaps.

Each hole has three points available. Any monetary value desired may be assigned to each point. Points are earned as follows:

Bingo – 1st ball on the green = 1 Point

Bango – Closest to the pin after every one is on the green = 1 Point

Bongo – First ball in the hole = 1 Point

The player that is furthest away must play first.

This is an excellent game to play for groups with a wide range of handicaps. High handicappers may do well if they have a good short game as good chipping or bunker play will keep them competitive for that second point (Bango)

LAS VEGAS
Format: Team

Number of Players: 4

Las Vegas begins with the foursome splitting into 2 teams – one twosome against the other. On each hole, the players on each team combine their net scores to make the lowest possible two digit number. The betting points awarded per hole is determined by the difference between the two team scores.

For example, if on Team A, one player scores a 4 and the other makes a 5, the scores would be combined and their collective score would be 45. If Team B’s score was 55 (a 5 and a 5) then Team A would win the hole by 10 points.

NASSAU

Format: Individual or Team

Number of Players: 2, 3, 4, more

Nassau is one of the most popular gambling games on the golf course. A Nassau is made up of three matches. The front nine holes make up the first match, the back nine the second and the 18-hole total makes up the third.

The point value assigned to each match is equal and is determined prior to the round. For example, a “10 – 10 – 10 – “ would indicate a $10 bet on the front nine, a $10 bet on the back, and a $10 bet on the entire 18 holes.