Caledonia Golf & Fish Club | Caledonia Golf Course
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is a Public 18 hole golf course located in Pawleys Island, South Carolina.
The Caledonia Golf Course first opened for play in 1994, The course was designed by Mike Strantz.
The Caledonia Golf Course is located on the site of a former rice plantation bordering the Waccamaw River, and was later turned into an exclusive fishing and hunting preserve. The course is extremely scenic and home to an abundance of wildlife. The fairways are wide open, and the greens are large and undulating. Water hazards come into play on at least three different occasions. Each tee is marked by replicas of the native waterfowl that inhabit the plantation's rice fields. The clubhouse is a replica of a colonial plantation house from the 1700's. Caledonia is consistently ranked as one of the Top 100 Courses You Can Play by Golf Magazine's panel of experts.
Par for the course is 70. From the back tees the course plays to 6,526 yards. From the forward tees the course measures 4,957 yards. The longest hole on the course is # 2, a par-5 that plays to 571 yards. The shortest hole on the course is # 9, a par-3 that plays to 118 yards from the back tees.
Watch out for # 16, a 417 yard par-4 challenge and the #1 handicap hole on the course. The easiest hole at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is # 9, the118 yard par-3.
This course has been reviewed 14 time
To golfers in Myrtle Beach and those who travel from many miles away, Caledonia Golf and Fish Club is Myrtle Beach golf. Since opening to the public in January 1994, Caledonia has rapidly gained and maintained a reputation as one of the premier resort courses in America.
A quick look at the scorecard tells you that at 6,526 yards from the back tees, Caledonia is not likely to overwhelm the long hitter. But consider that it's a par 70 course and the rating/slope from the tips is 71.8/138, and you quickly learn this course is no pushover. In fact, the White Tees at 5,710 yards (67.6/127) will show most golfers a challenge and a good time.
Ask any newcomer to the course which hole was their favorite, and the majority will choose Number 18. It's a 377-yard par 4 that requires something less than driver off the tee. The goal here is to avoid the water and leave yourself a second shot, over water into an oddly angled green that has two tiers. The top tier tends to funnel back towards the water. Bunkers surround the green and to top things off, and you may have a gallery watching your approach and putt from the balcony directly behind the green. It's fun and intimidating at the same time!
I asked several members and Assistant Professional Mike Foley the same question and, interesting enough, all agreed that the risk/reward par 5, Number 8 was their favorite. At 512 yards from the Blue Tees, a well-struck drive off the tee over the left fairway bunker on the right leaves you with a decision. The rest of the hole plays downhill and a good drive will leave around 225 yards to the green. Again, it's downhill, which makes it play shorter, however, there is a pond in front of the green that you must carry. Something else to consider is pin location. If it's front, it is slightly above water level. If it's a back pin, the upper level of the green sits about four feet higher. It's the ultimate risk/reward hole on the course.
My favorite was Number 10, a 531-yard par 5 that I almost reached in two. Fairway bunkers on either side create a narrow landing area for your drive and the waste bunker dotted with grass islands that make up the right side of the fairway is an imposing obstacle to overcome on your layup. The double-tiered green demands a good long look if you want to score well, unfortunately, I did not!
Even the short par 3, 9th hole (110 yards/Blue Tees) requires a certain amount of distance control and accuracy. Although it's short, it's all carry over sand, and with the green being very shallow, the two back bunkers see a lot of play. Number 7 is a short but interesting hole. It plays 346 yards from the Blue Tees and, with a right-side pin placement, 9 out of 10 players will have to play their approach shot over or under a massive moss-draped oak tree. Find the fairway bunker on the left off the tee, and big numbers await.
These are just some of the holes I have fond memories of, however, I'm sure every hole out here has special meaning to somebody. After all, Caledonia realistically has 18 signature holes. No houses infringe on your play; it's just you, nature and that darned little white ball.
After your round, do what many locals and other golfers do: visit the restaurant in the Old South-style clubhouse. They have a tremendous menu and, of course, your favorite post-golf libations. Now it's your turn to sit in a porch rocker and offer encouragement to fellow golfers' approach to the 18th green.
No round at Caledonia is complete without a souvenir of the day's events and the pro shop can hook you up with a hat, shirt or towel from your favorite designer, complete with the Caledonia logo.
So, you want a special golf experience, one day to remember? This is it. From the moment you drive down the main avenue of 100+ yr. old oaks you will be intoxicated with what is before your eyes. The holes are each incredible and unique. Some are very challenging, even hard.
A great test of golf. You will have to accept bogeys unless you are really on. Play the right set of tees for your game. The 18th hole is one of the greatest finishers I have ever played. And then when you are finished playing, you must go in the clubhouse and have a great meal or your favorite beverage while sitting on the delightful rockers on the porch overlooking the wonderfully challenging 18th hole. Cheer or jeer the players as they hit their second shots over the water onto the two tiered hourglass green.
Some people complain about the short 9th hole(under 100 yards). But lots of great courses, even major championship sites from the past, have had holes similar to this. It is not easy. Tell me if the 11th hole is not one of the nicest Par 3 challenges and beauties you have ever seen. Pay up and enjoy.