Caledonia Course
Pawleys Island, SC, USA
Caledonia, carved from the remnants of a historic rice plantation near Pawleys Island, is a testament to the Lowcountry's enduring beauty and a golfer's paradise born from the land's rich history. Designed in the late 20th century, the course unfolds across terrain that retains the elegance of its past, with ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss framing meticulously manicured fairways. While not known for its arduous length, Caledonia subtly favors the strategic player, demanding intelligent course management and a deft touch around the greens rather than brute force. Architect Mike Strantz sculpted a course that seamlessly blends challenge and visual appeal. Undulating fairways and greens are guarded by strategically placed bunkers and water hazards, creating a thrilling test for golfers of all skill levels. Strantz’s bold design choices—his flair for the dramatic—are evident in the imaginative use of natural features, resulting in a layout that feels both organic and thoughtfully conceived. Beyond the golf, Caledonia has cultivated a tradition for Lowcountry hospitality. A place where golfers gather to enjoy a post-round meal, swapping stories of triumphant birdies and near misses alike. The atmosphere is relaxed and convivial, solidifying Caledonia's reputation as a place where the spirit of the game is celebrated as much as the competition.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Public: #205
Best in USA
Public: #109
Best in SC
Public: #3
Golfers say this Mike Strantz design stands out as a must-play destination, with reviewers praising its unique routing where every hole offers something different and the spectacular risk-reward 18th over marsh creates a memorable finish. Most highlight the classic aesthetic of large oaks draped in Spanish moss and the welcoming staff, while the fish chowder at the turn earns repeated mentions. Some note that conditioning suffers from heavy package play that wears down the greens, though reviewers still rate the course highly and find excellent value, especially with winter deals pairing it with nearby True Blue. The course draws consistent recommendations for Myrtle Beach-area golf trips, with several calling it one of the region's top layouts despite lacking its own driving range.
8.3
310 players
Played here a number of times great course and friendly staff
The best
The mossy oak and chowder made this course
Strantz killed it here. Every hole is unique. Special place. Probably not in the best shape a golf course can be in, but weather has apparently been not the best.
Mike Strantz doesn’t miss. Fantastic course undulating interesting greens not a boring hole on the course. Tougher than True Blue across the street. Big oaks with Spanish Moss complete the classic look. Got a great winter deal in Jan. Play Caledonia and True Blue for $100 bucks each. Can’t remember ever playing two courses of such quality for that amount of money.
Great fish chowder at the turn
If it got less play it could be one of the best courses in the country. The parade of package play clogs up the course and beats the greens to death. Still an excellent golf course.
Great layout and good pace. Last hole is spectacular!
Highly recommend. If you’re doing a golf trip in Myrtle Beach, make the drive down to Pawleys Island. Just make sure you hit the 18th green or the membership will boo from the clubhouse!
Must play in Myrtle Beach - only knock is that it does not have its own driving range but you can go to True Blue just across the street for a range as it is their sister course. Beautiful layout with some of my favorite risk-reward tee shots in the area. The best closing hole in the area with a risky second shot over the marsh and the clubhouse patio right behind the green. The drive in feels like Magnolia Lane… some have called this South Carolina’s Augusta National and they are right.
Public courses closest to Caledonia.
Most visitors arrive via Myrtle Beach International Airport, a straightforward forty-minute drive north along the Carolina coast, though Charleston International - roughly ninety minutes south - offers a more refined gateway for those approaching from points beyond. The final stretch peels away from the commercial sprawl of the Grand Strand, trading neon and traffic for the hushed, moss-draped corridor of Highway 17 as it threads through Pawleys Island's historic Lowcountry. Here, where tidal creeks lace through ancient marshland and the Atlantic hums just beyond the dunes, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club emerges from a former rice plantation, its entrance a quiet turn off the highway into a world where time moves to the rhythm of the tides.
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Caledonia has a Course Vaults score of 8.3 out of 10 based on 131 explicit golfer ratings.
Caledonia was designed by Mike Strantz.
Yes. Caledonia is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Caledonia is 70.
Caledonia plays 6,526 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Caledonia is 138.
