 CALEDONIA GOLF & FISH CLUB (843-237-3675)
Myrtle Beach Golf Course Review
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club in Pawleys Island south of Myrtle Beach, is simply put one of the best (open for public play) golf courses in the region, and on a national scale - one of the tops in the country! Golfers can expect world class service, immaculate conditioning, exquisite landscaping, fine amenities plus a layout that provides both challenge and playability. A nice touch is the FREE seafood chowder (spicy and delicious) that is offered to all golfers in near the wooden hut set up along the path to the first tee box. This amenity is available daily in the fall (parts of October and November) and again from mid-March through early May. NEW: stay and play packages now available for True Blue,Caledonia and other area courses - visit www.caledoniagolfvacations.com
The clubhouse features a nicely stocked pro shop, changing area with shower, restaurant/lounge plus banquet and outing facilities. The practice facilities are comprehensive, and include a targeted grass range, putting greens plus 3-hole short game area with sand bunkers - complimentary for members and green fee paying guests. The course is visually stunning, and is over-seeded from tee to green, providing green playing conditions (including the rough) all year long.
The environment is not unlike Augusta National, with exquisite landscaping and aesthetic touches that include abundant flower beds, wooden and stone bridges, tall pines and moss covered oaks, plus meandering creeks that line several fairways and cross in front of a number of greens. 84 white sand bunkers and sprawling waste areas provide challenge and aesthetics, and water hazards come into play on 8 holes. The manicured fairways are rolling in nature and tree lined, with landing zones that are defined by pine trees, water and sand. The sloping green complexes are often well protected by sand traps and grassy swales that form into collection areas.
There are 4 sets of tee boxes that play to distances and slopes measuring 6526 yards/140 slope, 6121 yards/134 slope, 5710 yards/129 slope for men and 138 for women, and 4957 yards with a slope of 122 from the red tees. Though not an overly long course - Caledonia will test the best of players with its undulating terrain and daunting hazards. Golfers have to be prepared to display accurate driving ability and a variety of short game shots to score well here. There are many memorable holes, including the gorgeous pare five 8th and par four 16th (with ponds in front of the green),and the par three 17th which plays over a huge waste area. The spectacular finishing hole doglegs to the right with an approach over a lake to a deep green with the beautiful clubhouse in the background. Our favorite green complex is on the par five 10th, which has a triad of stone stairways leading away from the putting surface - nice touch!
On course the cart paths conveniently have measurements to the center of the green at 100, 150 and 200 yards, and the Kirby marking system (yardage plates every 25 yards from 200-75) is in place on the fairways. Sprinkler heads also have measurements to the center, and color coded flags on the sloping greens indicate the holes front, middle or back pin placements. The golf carts have rear covers to protect clubs during inclement weather, as well as ball & club washers.
Caledonia begins gently with a score-able par four and a reasonable par five and three, but quickly gains momentum and does not let up (in challenge and beauty) for the remainder of the round. There is great variety in design, and the conditioning and landscaping help to make this one of Myrtle Beach's MUST PLAY courses. The scorecards have diagrams and tips on how to approach each hole...heed the advice - you will need all the assistance you can muster on this course. We highly recommend a round here - enjoy the unique style and beauty of this layout, which annually is rated 4-1/2 out of 5 stars by golf Digest Places to Play!
For more information, visit our page for the course, with direct ink to their website by clicking here.
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