Destination: South Carolina

The lowcountry comes to life in South Carolina, where Southern hospitality, world class seafood and plantation history help create one of America's most golf-friendly states year round.

Along the Atlantic coast, there are many different environments to experience South Carolina golf. Beginning in the north, Myrtle Beach offers an array of golf offerings along the 60-mile "Grand Strand." Many golf courses, from Little River down to lowcountry Pawleys Plantation play along the Intracoastal Waterway or saltwater marshes, making it the ideal tonic for sun-starved Northerners looking for affordable destination golf along the coast.

Head south on Highway 17 from Myrtle Beach and you'll discover Charleston, one of the South's beloved and charming coastal cities. Seafood restaurants abound in the historic city center which defines Southern hospitality and class. The golf gets more upscale in most spots, including numerous private clubs, but top resorts - such as Wild Dunes in the Isle of Palms to the north, as well as Kiawah Island to the south, home to a handful scenic and secluded coastal courses including Ryder Cup and PGA Championship host Ocean Course - make for some of the east coast's most dramatic ocean golf.

South of Charleston is another major golf vacation destination: Hilton Head Island. Scores of both private, public and resort courses litter the landscape both on the island and just off it in towns like Bluffton. While the iconic lighthouse of Harbour Town at Sea Pines Resort lures golfers to the historic PGA Tour stop, other resorts like The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa and Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort also beckon travelers looking to experience Hilton Head golf at its finest.

South Carolina's coastal golf gets just about all the publicity, but to the west, you can discover the state's mountain golf region near Greenville, home to scenic and affordable state park golf courses.