Between the golf course and the bar, you've gotta eat. Myrtle Beach has plenty of dining options — from backyard rib joints — to upscale spots on the water. Staff writers Tim McDonald, Chris Baldwin and Brandon Tucker have all spent some time in the Grand Strand, and offer their favorite spots to fill up.

When Myrtle Beach golf early birds come out to the grand opening of the new Founders Club in February, they'll be met with a golf course seemingly wise beyond its youth.

Long Bay Club: Nicklaus sets out to challenge Myrtle Beach golfers - and succeeds
Long Bay Club is one of the best, most challenging rounds of golf you can hope to have during a Myrtle Beach golf vacation. That's a good thing. The care put in here in the course's conditioning and layout sets it apart from the pack, and thus it should easily find a place in even the most conservative itinerary.

The Dunes Club remains the pinnacle of golf in Myrtle Beach, thanks to an innovative Robert Trent Jones design on 24 acres. The design has been described as one of Jones' most influential courses among his 500-plus designs.

Myrtlewood's location, playability and affordability make it one of Myrtle Beach's most popular clubs. Its owners, Burrows & Chapin also give out a lot of free rounds here to those who book condo rentals at one of their many properties along the Grand Strand.

Sea Trail Plantation golf resort is far enough away from the overcrowded bustle of Myrtle Beach to put your focus entirely on its three player-friend golf courses.

Most big-name golf course architects have at least one course in Myrtle Beach. Here's a look at the Grand Strand's biggest names in design, including Nicklaus, Palmer, Dye, Fazio and more.

The tourism season in Myrtle Beach started slowly in May, picking up just slightly in June and July. It was August, however, where many Myrtle Beach businesses saw numbers go through the roof.