Every year a group of guys from my industry (not Golf industry) do a Cinco de Mayo trip and last year was Myrtle Beach.

Below are the course we played with notes:

Arrowhead Country Club -

They have three nine hole courses and each are very different.  No straight up and down golf here!  Greens tend to be small accept for the Par 3's.   They've moved some dirt here so you will have some raised greens and "elevated" fairways and about 1/3 of the holes.   Lots of Hero shots across water or shortcutting corners some with a bunch a buddies egging people on it will make for a good time.   

This was voted favorite by the group.

Arcadian Shores -

This course had a great layout but the course conditions were not very good.  About half the holes fairways were a bit sparse.    If they've got the turf back it's a one I'd play again.   Very tight North East Woods style course for the area.

TPC Myrtle Beach -

I'll be polite and just say a good course but not the TPC standards I've played at the the course in Florida.

Dunes Golf & Beach Club -

This was my favorite course as it reminded me of the RTJ courses (My all time favs) in Alabama minus the elevation.   Still has elevated greens heavily protected by bunkers and overall the hardest course we played as a group.   Many of my buds lost golf balls here so bring extras if your going to just let it rip and see what happens.  They have small small gators here which probably means big ones we couldn't see so watch below!

Hope this helps.

Time of the year will really depend on your preference.  Middle of summer will be cheap, but expect to sweat a lot and risk a thunderstorm.  Mid spring will have great weather, but you'll pay for it.  Winter can be hit or miss.  One week it'll be sunny and warm, the next it will be cold and possible snow flurries.  I would say fall seems to be the "best" compromise.  It's not as busy since most of the golfers come in the spring and the beach-goers are back in school.  As for courses, you honestly could put names on a dart board and chose that way.  A lot comes down to price.  Personally, I like the courses in North Myrtle and up into North Carolina.  You can find some nice courses at very reasonable rates just across the NC/SC border.  

Check out Barefoot Resort..... four good courses plus three Restaurants/Bars ( counting the Clubhouse) in the complex. Great practice facility as well....you can get a good deal for a condo ( four people) on site. The only time you need to leave the complex and get in the Myrtle Beach traffic is if you want to go to the beach.

Thanks for your input guys! Truly appreciate it! 

I went to Myrtle last year and am heading back down in May.  One of the courses that stood out to me was The Witch.  Course was in unreal shape, cool layout and price was right.  From what I remember, we teed it up on a Thursday early afternoon and paid around 55 bucks that included 18 w. cart/lunch/2 cold ones.  If the price tag doesn't matter, obviously there are better tracks, but check this course out if you are looking for a deal.  Good luck and have fun!

Michael had nailed it above by listing Arrowhead and the TPC. My father lived on the TPC so I had played that a few times. Not overly challenging as to what you would expect but well taken care of. Arrowhead was a difficult round when I had played it, about 30 mph winds. If you are playing from the tips it proved to be challenging. 

The courses that I am really trying to play when I head down next are True Blue and Caledonia. If you have heard anything from other forums, or simply reputation of courses in that area these will come up every time. Old fashioned, well groomed, beautiful scenic drive-in. The only downfall is they are not cost effective if that is your goal. If you only head down there once or twice in your life these are a must play. 

Hope this helps!