Mini Golf on the South Strand: Our Complete Guide

Myrtle Beach is the mini golf capital of the world, and that title is well-earned. As you drive along the Grand Strand, you’ll pass course after impressive course, just begging you to play!

As part of our mission to explore every inch of our chosen forever town, we’ve been working through the Myrtle Beach Mini Golf Challenge — aiming to play every mini golf course in the Myrtle Beach area — and we recently completed part of that goal.

Over spring break, while Daniel and Carter were off exploring Washington D.C. and little Melody was busy with theatre camp, Vanessa, Harry, and I seized the opportunity to knock out all the mini golf courses along the South Strand, in Surfside Beach and Murrells Inlet.

Here’s our review of each course we played and your guide to where you should play the next time you’re in town!

Mini Golf Courses on Myrtle Beach’s South Strand

Below, you’ll find a detailed look at each South Strand mini golf course we played, but here’s our quick guide:

Best Overall & Best Theming: Mulligan’s Lagoon (2 courses)
Best Unique Feature (Mystery Hole): Runaway Bay (2 courses)
Most Challenging: Gilligan’s Island Funland (2 courses)
Best Value: Inlet Adventure Golf (1 course)

After countless putts, a few holes-in-one, and only a couple of lost balls, we completed all seven courses at the four mini golf locations along the South Strand! Let’s break down each spot.

Mulligan’s Lagoon (Surfside Beach)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars – Best Theming & Best Overall

Mulligan’s Lagoon is the new kid on the block, replacing what used to be Adventure Falls Golf. Even in our short time living in Myrtle Beach, I remember driving past the big purple octopus that stood guard over Adventure Falls, but Mulligan’s Lagoon is a wonderful replacement and the only Surfside Beach mini golf location!

With two beautifully designed courses and an arcade, Mulligan’s Lagoon quickly became our family favorite mini golf on the South Strand.

What we loved:

Brand new, beautifully landscaped grounds
Modern setup where you load a game onto an arcade card and scan the card to get your ball from a dispenser
That unique hole where you actually have to hit your ball into the water!
Great, colorful outdoor seating area (though they could use some food options!)

The only downside? It’s a bit pricey. But the courses hit that sweet spot of being challenging without being frustrating, and you just can’t beat the brand-new element. When you also consider the top-notch theming and the attached arcade, it’s easy to see why Mulligan’s Lagoon is our #1 pick on the South Strand.

Runaway Bay Miniature Golf (Murrells Inlet)

Rating: 4/5 stars – Best Unique Feature (Mystery Hole)

You’ll find Runaway Bay in Murrells Inlet, at the front of the Tupelo Bay golf complex, offering two courses with nice tropical theming that makes you feel like you’ve escaped to Jamaica.

What stood out:

Beautiful grounds with good theming
Mostly par 2 holes with smaller layouts
Not too many tricky obstacles (great for younger kids or beginners)
Mystery hole – if you get any holes-in-one, check back with the front desk to find out the mystery hole-of-the-day, to see if you won a prize!

The courses here are on the easier side, which made for a relaxing round. Definitely a solid choice for family fun. We really enjoyed how the courses were positioned around the pond, making each hole a photo op.

Runaway Bay has an attached ice cream parlor, perfect for rewarding yourselves with a sweet treat after your game!

Gilligan’s Island Funland (Murrells Inlet)

Rating: 2.5/5 stars – Most Challenging

Melody joined us for this one, and let’s just say it was an adventure! Based on the classic TV show, this spot has two courses that really put our skills to the test: The Castaways and The Minnow.

The lowdown:

CHALLENGING courses — sometimes too challenging for us, but great for skilled mini golfers
Some holes are on such steep hills we just had to give up and take the maximum score
Water hazards everywhere with minimal barriers (parents of young kids, take note!)
Spin a wheel for a prize if you get a hole-in-one on the final hole

If you’re looking for a real challenge, this is your spot. And the good news is that you can try again and again — they have a special price to play both courses all day from open until 6pm when the price goes up and becomes per round.

Bring your scorecard to nearby Stella’s Ice Cream afterward for 10% off!

Inlet Adventure Golf (Murrells Inlet)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars – Best Value

Our final South Strand mini golf adventure turned out to be quite the bargain! Inlet Adventure Golf is the southernmost course on the Grand Strand, and it has a lot to offer.

Why we loved it:

Pay just $9 and play all day until 6pm
Nice, well-maintained single course
Not too tricky — Harry amazed us with 2 back-to-back holes-in-one, and Vanessa scored 3 holes-in-one overall. (Well, apparently it was tricky for me, since they tied and beat me by 8 strokes!)
Show your scorecard at the ice cream shop next door for 10% off

Inlet Adventure offers the best bang for your buck if you want to play multiple rounds or just stop by for a quick round. It’s a solid experience with great value.

Tips for Mini Golfing the South Strand

If you’re planning to tackle these courses yourself, here are a few quick tips:

Wear sunscreen! Even courses with some shade will have you out in the sun for a while.
Look for deals. Many courses offer discounts if you play earlier in the day.
Hold onto your scorecard. Several places offer discounts at nearby ice cream shops after your round.
Go for a “play all day” location if you want to get more practice.

The Verdict: Which South Strand Course Is Best?

After completing our South Strand mini golf marathon, here’s our family ranking:

Mulligan’s Lagoon – Best overall experience and theming, but expensive
Runaway Bay – Great for families looking for fun without frustration
Inlet Adventure – Best location for a quick round or to play all day
Gilligan’s Island Funland – Best for serious mini golf competitors looking for a challenge

The best part about mini golf in Myrtle Beach is that each course has its own personality and charm. Whether you’re looking for serious competition or just a fun way to spend an hour or two with the family, the South Strand has options for everyone.

Next up on our mini golf bucket list? We’re heading north to tackle all the courses in central Myrtle Beach. Stay tuned for that adventure!