5 Things You Need to Know: Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

If you ask traveling golfers which course tops their Myrtle Beach bucket list, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club would likely be the most popular answer.

The Mike Strantz design is ranked among America’s top 100 public layouts by Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Golf Channel’s Matt Ginella, but with accolades come great expectations. Can Caledonia, a Lowcountry classic carved through majestic live oak trees draped in Spanish moss, meet or even exceed expectations?

The short answer is, yes. Few courses in America enjoy the twin benefits of Strantz’ architectural brilliance and an absolute commitment to service and conditioning like Caledonia.

With that being said, here are five things you need to know about a round at Caledonia:

Take It All In

How you play is important, but don’t get so caught up in your score that you neglect to enjoy the setting. From the nearly half-mile alley of live oak trees that welcomes golfers to one of the game’s best 19th holes, Caledonia delivers from the moment you arrive on property. A day at the Pawleys Island course is an experience; make sure you enjoy all of it.

So, About the Course …

Caledonia, Strantz’s first solo design, offers a superior layout. The challenges vary throughout, reaching a crescendo on the closing holes, highlighted by 18th. The dogleg right requires a carry over water to a green resting in the shadow of an antebellum style clubhouse. It’s an unforgettable finish to the round. That being said, it may not be the best hole on the back nine. The vote here is split between 13 and 16, par 4s that also feature daunting approaches.

Don’t Be Fooled

Golfers look at the scorecard, see a layout that plays 6,526 yards from the tips and think the course is short. Don’t fall for that trap. Caledonia is a par 70, and the 9th hole is an especially short par 3. The course plays 250-300 yards longer than the scorecard. The 6,121-yard blue tees will play more like 6,400 yards and all those oak trees, while beautiful, create a relatively tight layout. If your handicap is in the teens, don’t be afraid to play from the “short” white tees at 5,710 yards. Trust me, you will appreciate the advice, especially on the back nine.

One Thing You Must Do

After the final putt drops, go to the clubhouse, get the cold drink of your choice, and enjoy the view from the veranda watching golfers finish up on 18. If you are with a large group and the guys finishing are friends, so much the better! Sitting on the porch while enjoying a 75-degree day and a drink is the ideal end to the Caledonia experience.

March Mania is the Answer

If you want to play Caledonia this spring, checkout the March Mania special, a 3-night, 4-round deal that pairs Caledonia with its sister course, True Blue. With accommodations at True Blue Resort, you will be staying onsite and both courses deliver outstanding and contrasting challenges. March Mania starts at $549.