When someone mentions Myrtle Beach golf, most people think of many courses and value for your golf dollar. In the past, it carried the reputation of having a lot of midlevel courses that you can package very economically. After all, there were over 100 courses to choose from and competition was fierce. Times have changed and so is the perception of Myrtle Beach golf. Due to the long recession earlier this decade and the growth of housing both before and after the recession, the Grand Strand area currently has 78 public golf courses. This is still an unbelievable number for a 60 mile stretch that runs from Brunswick County in North Carolina to Pawley’s Island in Georgetown County, South Carolina. But the biggest change to previous perception is the number of top rated courses by some of the world’s greatest course architects that are now part of the mix. There are 17 courses in the state of South Carolina that are included in the present and past lists of Top 100 Public courses. This is the most of any state. Of the 17 courses included, 12 are along the Grand Strand. Marilyn and I are fortunate enough to be members at two of the best, Caledonia (#87 on Current Rankings) and its sister course, True Blue (#87 Last Ranked in 2007). The highest course on the current 2017 list is The Dunes Club (#54 on Current Rankings).
Before discussing the individual courses in more detail, I would like to give a special shout out to True Blue. I feel that it is very underrated by the Golf Digest. Perhaps since it is just across the street from Caledonia, voters feel that they cannot give high marks to both. This has not stopped the rating panelists from Golf Magazine or Golf Week. On the list of Top 100 Public courses from the current Golf Magazine rankings, True Blue is listed as #77 in the United States. (Caledonia is #29 and The Dunes Club is #39.) Golf Week ranks its public courses by state and in the state of South Carolina, they rate The Dunes Club #3, Caledonia #4 and True Blue #5. (They have The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island as #1 and Harbor Town as #2.)
The first solo design by Mike Strantz, Caledonia, was so highly thought of, it kick-started an outstanding list of his designs over the next few years. Unfortunately, it was a career cut short by an early death due to cancer. Strantz was limited by space when designing Caledonia but pieced together a stunning and diverse masterpiece. Subtle elevation changes, century old live oaks, towering pines and gorgeous landscape beds make a round at Caledonia seem like a walk in a botanical garden. The holes are diverse and each has its own character. Bunkering, water hazards and strategically placed oak trees create interest and challenges but do not stop you from scoring well if you place your tee shots in the proper position. Strantz also built several greens that can vary your club choice on your approach shots by as much as three clubs. It is not only a beautiful course, it requires you to think your way around. Caledonia has many outstanding holes but my three favorites are 7, 16 and 18 Number seven is short but with a waste bunker and water on the left, you are nudged to favor the right side of the fairway, but that means you have to hit a high approach shot over a very large oak tree. Number 16 plays much longer, and if you cannot get your drive over the crest of the hill, you have a long approach over a pond to a large but very undulating green. The climax of this great test of golf is not a letdown as Number 18 is so gorgeous that its photograph is featured many times over in golf publications. The placement of your drive on 18 is more important than its length as the real challenge is the approach shot over the water to a long narrow green with a ridge in the middle. To make it more nerve-wracking, the porch of the clubhouse normally has a few spectators to cheer your good shots and sympathize with you when you add another ball to the many already in the water. Caledonia, from its beautiful tree lined entry to the antebellum clubhouse next to the 18th green oozes with southern charm.
Four years after the opening of Caledonia, Mike Strantz was brought back to build True Blue which is located just across the street. True Blue is just yards away from Caledonia, but the design is more like a world away. True Blue was built with massive fairways, very little rough, large sandy waste areas beyond the rough, large undulating greens and strategically placed water hazards on six holes. The five par 5’s and the five par 3’s are all outstanding. Strantz is more of an artist than golf course designer. The holes flow through the South Carolina low country and as you finish playing one hole, you are wondering what he has in store for you on the next. Strantz is also a master of visual deception and the first time around True Blue you are somewhat overwhelmed by the scope of the hole and its hazards in front of you. Once you play it, you realize that there was much more room than you thought and that many of the hazards are not even close to being in play. This course has some of the greatest hole variety you will find anywhere. When you want to experience something different from the norm and be amazed at the same time, be sure to play True Blue.
The third oldest course in the Myrtle Beach area and the one with the most history is The Dunes Club. This is actually a private club but has public access for golfers using select hotel packagers. If on a trip to Myrtle Beach, it is worth your effort to play The Dunes Golf and Beach Club. This is a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design and was renovated in both in 2003 and 2013 by his son Rees Jones. It has hosted two Senior Tour Championships and a U. S. Women’s Open in 1963 in addition to many other amateur and professional events. The Dunes Club is located in the middle of the Myrtle Beach hustle and bustle but you would not know it once on the course. It has the serenity you are looking for on a golf course and only a few homes on the perimeter. It is a very walkable course as most of the classics are and I noticed that many of the members were doing just that. There is a wonderful flow to the design, strategic water hazards and the bunkering is not overdone. Holes 10 through 13 give the back nine a very challenging beginning and are a terrific mixture with two par 4’s, a challenging par 3 and the famous “Waterloo” par 5. The condition was excellent and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The Dunes Club certainly deserves its place in the Top 100.
Another course that I have played recently is Grande Dunes Resort Course (#88 Last Ranked 2011). Roger Rulewich built this course in 2001 and its sits along the intracoastal waterway. The staff was friendly and helpful and the course was in very good condition. Rulewich did a nice job of creating variety in the hole designs and it definitely keeps your interest as you move around this layout. It can play long if you do not choose the proper tees so move up and enjoy your day. The two finishing holes on each side are two of the best holes on Grande Dunes. They provide an interesting and challenging end to each nine. Grande Dunes is one of the top 10 courses on the Grand Strand but does not quite measure up to the three courses discussed previously. Despite the homes and condos that line a few of the holes, this is a scenic course and one worth playing.
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