The Dunes Golf & Beach Club: A Premier Myrtle Beach Venue for Weddings, Corporate Events, and Live Music

When you think of the most iconic and distinguished venues in Myrtle Beach, the Dunes Golf & Beach Club almost immediately comes to    mind. With its oceanfront views, rich history, championship golf course, and vibrant member community, the Dunes stands as a unique blend of Southern hospitality, coastal beauty, and timeless elegance. It is one of the longest-standing private clubs in the region, known for hosting everything from PGA tournaments to breathtaking front-lawn wedding ceremonies and upscale corporate gatherings.

I recently had the opportunity to perform with my jazz trio at one of their corporate holiday events, and that experience sparked a deeper appreciation for what the Dunes offers—not only to musicians like myself, but to couples, planners, members, and organizations throughout the Grand Strand. What I discovered goes far beyond a beautiful setting; it is a venue with character, care, and a level of professionalism that sets it apart.

This blog is a closer look at why the Dunes Golf & Beach Club is such a remarkable place for weddings, special events, and elegant entertainment—and why it has become one of Myrtle Beach’s most sought-after event destinations.

A Legacy Venue with a Prestigious Reputation

The Dunes Golf & Beach Club has been part of Myrtle Beach’s cultural fabric since the late 1940s, when a group of locals transformed a small oceanfront lodge into a social and recreational hub. Over the decades it has grown into one of the most respected private clubs on the East Coast.

One of its defining features is the Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course—frequently highlighted as not only a Myrtle Beach classic, but a national one. With a layout that offers ocean views, marshland, elevated greens, and challenging signature holes, the course has attracted players and events from around the world.

In recent years, the Dunes became host to the PGA TOUR’s Myrtle Beach Classic, an achievement that reflects both the course’s quality and the club’s commitment to large-scale, high-caliber events. As one of the banquet and catering staff explained during our conversation, this was only the second year hosting the PGA event, and yet it already feels like a defining part of the club’s identity.

Beyond golf, the club maintains a strong social presence in the community, with more than a thousand members and a full calendar of gatherings, celebrations, and signature events throughout the year.

A Top Choice for Weddings

According to Jessica from the Dunes’ banquet team, the club hosts approximately 40 to 50 weddings each year. That number alone says a lot, but it’s even more impressive considering that the club is private and not a commercial wedding factory.

So why do so many couples choose the Dunes Golf & Beach Club for their special day?

As Jessica explained, it usually starts with one word: the view.

The club’s oceanfront location offers a rare combination in Myrtle Beach: coastal charm without the unpredictability of a sandy beach ceremony. Weddings at the Dunes typically use the front lawn for ceremonies, giving couples a stunning backdrop of dunes, coastline, and shimmering water without sacrificing stability or comfort. Many couples hold both the ceremony and cocktail hour outside, making use of the lawn’s sweeping ocean views.

The main ballroom is another highlight. With large windows overlooking the Atlantic, it allows the ocean to stay part of the celebration even after guests move indoors. The ballroom can accommodate up to approximately 300 people when the air wall is open—far larger than most venues in the region—and yet still feels warm and inviting.

The venue’s amenities add to its appeal:
• A bridal suite for day-of preparations
• Full-service catering
• A built-in dance floor
• Access to the golf course for photography
• Plenty of picturesque spots for portraits
• A professional event team to assist with coordination

Jessica mentioned that many couples’ portrait sessions use well-known photography locations around the property, and she referenced popular local photographers such as Paula Player and Pasha Belman, whose websites are filled with stunning Dunes Club imagery.

With a combination of natural beauty, practical convenience, and refined presentation, it’s no surprise the Dunes is a favorite not only among locals but also among destination wedding couples drawn to Myrtle Beach.

Corporate Events with Coastal Sophistication

In addition to weddings, the Dunes Golf & Beach Club is a thriving venue for corporate functions—holiday parties, staff gatherings, appreciation dinners, networking events, retreats, and more.

The holiday party where my trio performed was set against the backdrop of enthusiastic members enjoying casino-style entertainment—blackjack tables, games, and lively conversation. The music naturally integrated into the space, supporting the energy of the night without overwhelming it. That balance—creating atmosphere rather than dominating it—is exactly what corporate events require, and the room lent itself beautifully to that dynamic.

The built-in sound system in the ballroom provides planners flexibility, but as Jessica told me, many members prefer the experience of live musicians over simply running audio through the speakers. Whether for wine tastings, small member mixers, or milestone celebrations, the club often receives requests for live entertainment that complements the elegant surroundings.

What struck me was the range of event types they host:
• Member holiday parties (often with 300–400 guests)
• Wine tastings
• Smaller member events where live acoustic music or jazz is ideal
• Large holiday galas featuring bands like Julio and the Saltines
• Birthday and anniversary parties
• Community gatherings and themed celebrations

For each of these, the Dunes offers a polished environment, attentive service, and a layout that makes transitions between spaces smooth and intuitive.

A Flexible Music-Friendly Venue

It’s rare to find a venue that works equally well for multiple musical configurations, but the Dunes is one of them. The ballroom is large enough to support full bands for high-energy events, yet the same space can accommodate more intimate settings like solo guitar, jazz trios, or instrumental background music for elevated cocktail hours.

During our conversation, Jessica mentioned that many of their older members enjoy live music that is tasteful, not overpowering—acoustic guitar with voice, light jazz, or small ensembles that create ambiance without demanding the spotlight. At the same time, the club regularly brings in full party bands for major events, showing just how adaptable the space is.

As someone who offers multiple formats—solo guitar and voice, solo instrumental guitar, jazz trio or quartet, and a full cover/party trio (The Way Band)—I immediately saw how naturally these options fit the venue’s range of events. While my jazz trio performance was my first gig at the Dunes, I could easily envision returning for weddings, rehearsal dinners, member socials, outdoor cocktail hours, or even high-energy ballroom events with The Way Band.

A venue that supports this kind of diversity is not common. The Dunes manages it seamlessly.

A Member Community That Brings the Club to Life

Beyond the physical beauty of the property, what impressed me most was the club’s sense of community. With over a thousand members, the Dunes hosts a wide range of events that bring people together. And because so many events are member-driven, there is a natural demand for quality live entertainment.

Jessica mentioned annual traditions like the member holiday party, Halloween events, themed nights, and large seasonal gatherings. The ballroom’s capacity makes it ideal for these community-wide celebrations, while the club’s smaller rooms serve more intimate groups of members marking life milestones with family and friends.

This built-in community is one of the reasons the club thrives. Guests feel connected, staff members stay long-term, and the consistency in event quality keeps people returning. It also makes the Dunes a venue where musicians can build ongoing relationships—not just one-off performances. For a musician new to the area, that continuity means a great deal.

What Makes the Dunes Stand Out Among Myrtle Beach Venues

In a region full of event spaces—from oceanfront hotels to golf resorts to convention centers—the Dunes Golf & Beach Club holds a distinct place.

Here are some of the traits that make it exceptional:

• Oceanfront ceremony site without the complication of being on the sand
• A large, elegant ballroom with sweeping coastal views
• Capacity for 300+ guests, larger than most local venues
• A Robert Trent Jones championship course that appeals to golfers and creates stunning photo opportunities
• A bridal suite for pre-wedding preparation
• A full-service catering team and experienced event staff
• A member community that brings ongoing activity and vibrancy
• Strong reputation for hospitality and consistency
• A blend of history, prestige, and coastal beauty that few locations can match

Whether for weddings, fundraisers, milestone celebrations, or corporate functions, the Dunes offers both the infrastructure and the atmosphere for memorable events.

Final Thoughts

My introduction to the Dunes Golf & Beach Club began with a jazz trio holiday performance. But what I found was far more than a gig. I discovered a venue rooted in history, elevated by its coastal location, energized by its membership, and defined by the quality of the events it hosts.

It is a place that treats events with care, that values live music, and that provides an unforgettable setting for anyone who walks through its doors—whether they are newlyweds, corporate guests, members celebrating a milestone, or musicians contributing to the soundtrack.

The Dunes Golf & Beach Club is more than one of Myrtle Beach’s premier venues. It is a community and a landmark, offering beauty, hospitality, and professionalism in equal measure. And for anyone planning a wedding, a corporate gathering, or a special celebration in the Grand Strand, it is a location that truly stands out.

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