Caledonia Golf & Fish Club - Pawleys Island, SC

Driving from Charleston, Caledonia — and its sister course, True Blue — makes for the perfect day trip, solo or with friends. Just over an hour north on Highway 17, you’ll find two of the most distinctive Mike Strantz designs you can play. Strantz, known for his bold shaping and artistic flair, left behind something special here — Caledonia might be his most intimate work.

My buddy Tyler and I made the drive up from Charleston one early September morning. We were met with excellent course conditions, a top-tier on-course hot dog, and some local flair courtesy of a friend of Wellington Golf Co.: The Salty Golfer. Affectionately known as Salty, he’s built a creative brand centered around golf in the greater Myrtle Beach area. His self-titled pineapple wheat beer, brewed in collaboration with a local brewery, is as refreshing as it is photogenic — and it’s served ice cold by Caledonia’s hospitable staff. The artwork on the can sets the tone. It’s fun. Unpretentious. Local.

I haven’t played True Blue yet — that’s still high on the to-do list — but Caledonia stands firmly on its own. It’s not just the routing or the conditions; it’s the feeling. Tucked beneath the Spanish moss-covered live oaks just off the Intracoastal, the course moves with the land instead of over it. The tree-lined corridors offer plenty of visual deception off the tee. You’ll think you’ve run out of space — then walk up and find ample fairway. But position still matters. There’s often a better side to approach from, and while the course won’t penalize you harshly for being out of place, you’ll definitely notice when you’re on the wrong angle to a green.

Caledonia does the little details right. From the duck decoy tee markers to the complimentary fish chowder served during the cooler months, there’s a real sense of care and culture baked into the place. The pro shop is friendly, not fussy. The vibe is relaxed but refined. You feel welcome the moment you pull into the oak-lined drive.

The course itself is a case study in restraint and rhythm. It’s not trying to beat you up — it’s trying to invite you in. The short par-4s tempt you to swing big, but you’re rewarded more often by thinking small. The par-3s bring drama, framed by marsh and bunkers, while the greens are quietly complex — subtle shelves, gentle fall-offs, and just enough tilt to keep your wedge honest.

And then there’s 18.

One of the best finishing holes in the state. Maybe the region. A mid-length par-4 with water running up the left and the clubhouse veranda just behind the green. Locals sit with drinks in hand, offering unsolicited applause or commentary depending on your approach. It’s the right kind of pressure — the kind that makes you want to hit a good one. And if you do? That final walk in feels just about perfect.

We finished our day the way all good rounds should end: drinks in hand, clubs still dirty, and stories already aging into folklore. Caledonia isn’t just a great golf course — it’s a reminder of what golf can feel like when a place is built with vision, maintained with pride, and played with joy.

I'll be back. And definitely with another cold The Salty Golfer.