All the golf course closures in Myrtle Beach in recent times - 20 in the last seven years - have caused economic ripples through the Grand Strand golf scene.

Rounds are down overall, but because there are fewer courses, rounds are up at individual courses.

What does this do? It raises green fees at the surviving courses. Sad to say, but that’s an inevitable result of golf economics 101.

Green fees have increased “as little as a couple of dollars at some courses and $15 or more at others including Panther’s Run, Lion’s Paw and Brunswick Plantation,” according to Myrtle Beach Online. Those last three have increased rates from $30-$45 over the past two years.

Since more people are moving to Myrtle Beach – a nationwide trend of northern baby boomers retiring to warmer climates – membership rates are also climbing, as well as those discount cards used so often as a means to survive the slow, summer months.

The upshot is that Myrtle Beach may be losing its reputation as the King of Discount Golf.

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