Hey Greg: I live in Mt Pleasant, across the river from Charleston. First when will you be coming to our lovely city? There are a lot of options all depending on your pocketbook. An hours north of Charleston of I-95 at Santee there are three courses that are affordable and fun. We play a couple of tournaments up there in the summer and they can be challenging. Myrtle Beach is about two hours up the coast from Charleston and it is the number one golf destination. Tidewater and TPC Myrtle Beach are two great course up that way. Two hours down the coast is Bluffton and Hilton Head. The RBC Heritage Tournament is next week at Sea Pines and that is the course most people want to play down there, but with the tour in town that will be out of the question. If you are coming at a later date I would recommend it. There are a number of courses on Hilton Head Island that are worthy as well as in Bluffton which is before you cross over to Bluffton. In Charleston you could try Dunes West, Wild Dunes, Kiawah Island (The Ocean Course, Turtle Point, Osprey Point). We had a bad freeze in the area a few weeks ago and it did not help the greens in the area. Some courses lost a number of their greens and some are punching at this time. I would asking about this when you call and try to get a tee time. If you are looking for less expensive public courses, you could go with Patriots Point in Mt Pleasant (next to the Yorktown aircraft carrier), Wescott, North Charleston's Municipal (27 holes), and City of Charleston has a old Municipal course that was built in 1929 with $35 rates and tiny slow greens. There are a number of great private courses the area. If you belong to a club and your pro can get you on I would recommend any of these: Yeahmans Hall, Country Club of Charleston, Bulls Bay, The River Course, Cassique, Belfair (Bluffton).

Kiawah island - plenty of golf there to occupy you. Head to Bohicket Marina after your round for local food/drink. I spend time on Seabrook/Kiawah each year and always have a great time.

Now for food and drink, downtown Charleston and Mt Pleasant is where you want to go. Every type of eatery you could imagine and to fit every pocket book. A number of local brewery's that offer afternoon tastings. Lewis' BBQ moved here last year from Austin Texas and their brisket is to die for and they have the best BBQ is SC. SC BBQ is mustard based I do not consider it real BBQ. I am from Tennessee and am a fan of Memphis BBQ. Fresh seafood. Sullivan's Restaurant on Sullivan's Island a great local seafood eatery and Pages Okra Grill in Mt Pleasant was a local favorite until the critics and the tourists found out about it. The food is to die for. Shem Creek has some great restaurants and is picturesque. One of the most photographed areas in SC. The shrimping fleet use to dock there. A few boats are still there. Commercial real estate is taking over. Kiawah is a tourist attraction. May is the beginning of the tourist season which runs through Labor Day. Might try GolfNow to book a tee time and save a few bucks. Stono Ferry is an alright club. Caters more to the tourist than the locals. Kiawah Island has great courses but is expensive. The Ocean Course runs around $400 depending on whether you are staying on property or not. I have played it many times and it is a challenge. I played it right after 1991 Ryder Cup and it was a monster. If the wind is blowing, it is easy to shoot over a 100. Some images I shot during one of our events at the Ocean Course. Mr Furyk.

Chuck and Jonathan, thanks for your replies. I'll be there over the 2nd weekend in May - 4 days. Trying to stay under $100 per round, or less, and a couple of up to $200 to "splurge". Looking at Wild Dunes and Stono Ferry, and also Kiawah Island.

Chuck, which are the three courses at Santee you recommend?

"An hours north of Charleston of I-95 at Santee there are three courses that are affordable and fun. We play a couple of tournaments up there in the summer and they can be challenging"

Santee Country Club, Lamke Marion, Santee National. We do tournaments at the first two. When you go up I26 from Charleston you go up to I95 and go north and get off at first exit at Santee. Turn right and both courses with be on your left. Lake Marion is first and has one of the largest FJ stores in the state and the CC is the second entrance. Managed by the same company. Prices during the week are good. Prices at Kiawah will be way above $100. I do not play there. Over priced. Leave it for those on vacation. Ocean Course around $400. If I am available might join you at Santee. Do not care for Stono. Do no like the greens or the way the fairways run. Domed. Just me.

I have played both courses at Wild Dunes and they are very nice. I would also recommend going to Harbor Town in Hilton Head if you have time.