The summer heat recedes, pleasant temperatures in the mid to upper 70s are the norm, and golf courses are in prime condition. Yes, the reasons to take a Myrtle Beach golf trip in the fall are many.

As we look toward October – the best month to play golf in Myrtle Beach – here five of our favorite fall golf courses:

— There are few layouts prettier than Pawleys Plantation and the opportunity to play the Jack Nicklaus design on a beautiful fall morning, with the sun having just risen over the horizon, is a treat. Most people prefer to tee off on No. 1 but starting on the 10th hole for an early-morning tee time maximizes the scenery. Pawleys in October is a must

— With the sound of bagpipes wafting through the air, a round at Thistle, home to golf artifacts dating back to the 1800s, will give you a taste of Scotland. One of the area’s most underrated courses, Thistle features 27 holes, wide fairways and large undulating greens. If you are looking for a place to watch the game after your round ends, Thistle’s clubhouse is nothing short of spectacular.

— Playing through a beautiful piece of lowcountry property, Willbrook (top photo) is a joy. Surrounded by some of the area’s most acclaimed courses, including Caledonia and TPC Myrtle Beach, people make the mistake of overlooking this Dan Maples design. Don’t be that person. Willbrook delivers value, scenery and a round of golf your group will enjoy.

— Over the last five years, Shaftesbury Glen (pictured right) has undergone the beach’s most dramatic transformation, adding 500,000 square feet of waste bunkers. I know that much sand sounds frightening but, in this case, it’s not. The sand is there to provide visual contrast and the bunkers are flat, making them easy to play out of. The changes make it worth your time to visit and as one of the area’s westernmost courses, the reduction in humidity benefits Shaftesbury more than most courses.

— We opened the list with one Nicklaus design and will close it with another, Long Bay Club. Defined by sprawling waste bunkers and mounded fairways, Long Bay is a layout deserving of a higher profile than it enjoys. The back nine, highlighted holes 10, 13 and 18 is among Myrtle Beach’s most memorable.

What courses are you most looking forward to playing this fall?