Myrtle Beach and the surrounding region, commonly known as the Grand Strand, is one of the premier travel destinations when planning a golf vacation. There are over a hundred courses to choose from and even more options like where to stay, where to eat and what to do during your time off the golf course.

Visitors to the area also have options when it comes to golf packagers who pride themselves on planning every aspect of your trip down to the very last detail.

When picking a package provider you'd like to have intimate knowledge of the courses, flexibility and options when planning your trip and accountable service that's available from start to finish. Palmetto Discount Golf can guarantee all of this and also adds a personal touch.

Kim McCord, who started Palmetto Discount Golf three years ago with her husband Bob, has experienced the Grand Strand golf industry from every angle during her thirteen years in the business.

Her rise from cart girl to business owner makes Palmetto Discount Golf unique among other companies that specialize in golf packaging. McCord has been playing golf in Myrtle Beach, beginning with trips to local courses with her dad during vacations spent at the family's beach house since she was seven. She was a biology/chemistry double major at nearby Coastal Carolina, which is located in Conway, South Carolina; a path you wouldn't necessarily expect to lead to a career in the golf industry.

After completing her degree, she did an internship at MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina) in Charleston, South Carolina. It was there that she came to the realization that this wasn't what she saw herself doing for a living and instead decided to return to Myrtle Beach and pursue other avenues.

Upon her return, she started as a cart girl and waited tables on the side. One day a golf professional suggested to her that her personality and ability to communicate with people made her an ideal candidate to pursue a career in golf sales.

As they say, the rest is history.

She started with a small company, where she learned the golf lingo and everything else involved with the business. There she got familiar with local accommodations and got her foot in the door. She would then ascend the corporate ladder to a larger company where she managed on-site golf course directors for hotels before finally making it to Director of Operations at another outfit.

After acquiring all of that experience, McCord felt that she had compiled enough knowledge to start her own business if she wanted to. That's just what she did.

In the early days of her new venture, McCord relied on the existing relationships she had built over the years, starting with the golf professionals she had negotiated with in the past.

"I was very familiar with everyone having already gotten my foot in the door," said McCord. "When I called and said hey this is Kim, I've opened my own business, they were excited I made that change. It wasn't hard at all to rebuild those relationships on my companies' terms."

Starting a business venture is a considerable challenge no matter what the industry, but the presence of large companies with more resources and established name recognition combined with the overall competitive nature of the golf business in Myrtle Beach, made this task even more formidable.

"Like any new business, we've gone through some trials and tribulations," said McCord. "I feel like it's still a thriving industry and is in major demand in Myrtle Beach, but we're a small fish in a big sea.

"We've always kept that philosophy that we're the smaller company, and we are," she added. "But there is still plenty here to go around for everyone. The larger companies try to keep a monopoly of sorts but we don't see it in that way. We are here to provide a service, not necessarily to become millionaires."

While Palmetto Discount Golf had its own trials and tribulations, veterans as well as newcomers to the Myrtle Beach scene also routinely face obstacles when confronted with all the possibilities a Myrtle Beach golf vacation can present.

Palmetto Discount Golf is that company that can meet both your planned and unexpected needs as they arise in order to keep your trip running smoothly. McCord said it's her companies' ability to adapt and be flexible, along with personal accountability, intimate knowledge and attention to detail that makes her operation standout.

That, and the fact that she realizes a lot of her clients aren't necessarily operating as if money were no object and that many American or foreign travelers are working with a budget. Flexibility when customizing a golf package is the cornerstone of this company.

"Some people will visit three or four times during the year if they can't afford one big package per year," she said. "We definitely take budget into consideration. The smaller packages are just more affordable. Our custom packages are our No. 1 sellers. Especially with the average American now, we need to design something that fits into their budget."

McCord and her husband keep a watchful eye on the courses and their conditions during the year, as they do with their clients during the duration of their stay.

The pair drives around to each course to gather helpful information including which courses might be experiencing a drop in playing conditions at a particular time of the year.

"It lets us know if we can put people out there or not," she said.

The couple has also played many of the layouts and can make recommendations as to what courses would best suit a group based on actual experiences on the course.

Palmetto Discount Golf monitors its clients in the same way. Whether you're experiencing a problem on your trip or are just looking for a great place to eat, McCord says her cell phone is always on and she is more than willing to answer any questions or provide assistance from the very beginning to the end of her clients' visit.

"We continue our service from the time we place a quote until someone actually leaves," said McCord.

The intimate, local knowledge isn't merely limited to the golf course. McCord says staying in a big, fancy beachside palace isn't the only option Myrtle Beach has to offer.

"We primarily do golf packages, but can do affordable family vacations as well," she said. "Oceanfront hotels aren't the only option available. There are also villas with golf course views that have all the access to the beach, but just aren't as close."

That's what Palmetto Discount Golf is all about; exploring all the options available to a customer and following through with accountable and consistent service.

"That's what sets us apart; we put our heart into it and try to do the right thing that is fair and human."

There are nearly 100 courses and a number of different accommodations to choose from when booking a golf package with Palmetto Discount Golf. They do business with every public and semi-private course in the area, which stretches from Georgetown, S.C., on the southern tip of the Grand Strand all the way to Bolivia, N.C. and Bald Head Island.

For more information on Palmetto Discount Golf or to book your golf package today, visit www.palmettodiscountgolf.com or call 877.435.3341.