Stephen Szurlej
True Blue Golf Club
Pawleys Island, SC•Public
Awards
Panelists Score
True Blue Golf Club
900 Blue Stem Dr
Pawleys Island, SC 29585-7842
United States
Telephone
Overview
Strantz returned to Pawley’s Island just a few years after Caledonia opened, nearly to the exact same place, in fact. True Blue is Caledonia’s sister course, located on an inland property that sits just across the street, though sequestered from any marsh views. But what it lacks in scenery it makes up for in volume. Everything at True Blue is bigger and more heroic. Greens erupt out of sand barrens, fairways are 60 to 90 yards wide and holes take on the form of ambling caterpillars. The abrupt, hi-contrast shaping, made possible by the sandy terrain, is a not-so-subtle nod in the direction of Pine Valley.
About
Golf Digest Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 Greatest / Best In State Scores
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“A must for any Stranz fan. You start to get a feel for his genius with this course, highlighting large and broad sandy areas, strewn with greens with a lot if interesting slopes and humps."
Read More2026
Review
“Course is quite fun, staff are kind. Quite the gem in the Myrtle Beach area. For people looking to visit playing True Blue & Caledonia in the same weekend gives a fun look into the mind of Stranz."
Read More2025
Review
“True Blue is always fun. A lot of holes allow you to be aggressive off the tee while others don't. The greens are where the course really shines. Many contours and tiers require correct distances"
Read More2025
Review
“True Blue is a bold, sprawling, visually dramatic course that blends massive sandy waste areas, wide fairways, and distinctive green complexes. It is an artistic manifestation of Strantz's creative and ambitious mind, especially on the par threes, which at times look like brush strokes from the tee (with the 16th being perhaps the best example of this). At times the course plays tremendously wide but there is always a preferred angle. The course is unmistakably Strantz and, fortunately, retains its original layout and personality. It's a must-play for anyone in or near Myrtle Beach."
Read More2025
Review
“True Blue is a bold, sprawling, visually dramatic course that blends massive sandy waste areas, wide fairways, and distinctive green complexes. It is an artistic manifestation of Strantz's creative and ambitious mind, especially on the par threes, which at times look like brush strokes from the tee (with the 16th being perhaps the best example of this). At times the course plays tremendously wide but there is always a preferred angle. The course is unmistakably Strantz and, fortunately, retains its original layout and personality. It's a must-play for anyone in or near Myrtle Beach."
Read More2025
Review
“The design of the course kept your interest throughout the round. Some of the green complexes were very challenging particularly on some of the shorter holes. The primetime season had passed and the grass was becoming dormant. This made the conditioning spotty in places. The greens rolled true and pure with some subtle breaks. They were very receptive to approach shots."
Read More2025
Review
“Course was in excellent condition. Sand was a little too firm but that was from watering the course. Greens rolled well and were varied in both area and shape with lots of undulation. Some excellent risk / reward holes, number 4 being a good example. All in all, a fine test. Bunkerig added both visual appeal and difficulty."
Read More2025
Review
“Unlike Caledonia, True Blue felt very much like a Strantz layout with creative bunkering and green complexes leading to a very unique experience. Strantz did an excellent job of making some of the holes on less interesting land feel differentiated and added unique challenge. The green complexes on 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, and 18 were world class. Conditioning overall was excellent, albeit a bit soft which took away from some of the strategic value. Fantastic finishing hole rounded out the experience."
Read More2024
Review
“It just a lot of fun. Not quite Tobacco Road, but on the way there."
Read More2024
Review
“Shot options: On many holes, there are some great options, but for the player to choose, and the superintendant to set up (2/3/4/6/10/14/18), and a number of holes that require a precise approach; Hole by Hole comments: Hole #1: fun starting hole; Hole #2: narrow green; Hole #3: pretty hole, needs good approach; Hole #4: very good risk/reward hole, particularly going for it in 2; Hole #5: good driving hole; Hole #6: good green; Hole #7: ok hole; Hole #8: good driving hole; Hole #9: another good risk/reward hole; Hole #10: a good solid par 5, need strong approach to get there in 2; Hole #11: ok par 3; Hole #12: need good approach; Hole #13: great green contours; Hole #14: so many ways this hole could play, depending on which tee and pin position; Hole #15: strong 3-shotter; Hole #16: tough par 3; Hole #17: good driving hole; Hole #18: good finishing hole, need good drive and approach; : Challenge: I think the wind wouldn't play a big factor in most rounds given the big trees, and with the width off the tee, I don't think this would give a great challenge. Would have to make some tough pin positions to make this a big challenge. ; Layout variety: Great variety in green complexes, some that are very narrow, some that are wide; Aesthetics: Its just very enjoyable to go around this course, with trees and water that are in view; Conditioning: I found the conditions strangely average, thought they would be much better; Character: This isn't as unique as Stranz' Tobacco Road, but its up there. I think this Character is quite good for a contemporary design; Fun: All of us, which widely varying handicaps, all greatly enjoyed this course"
Read More2024
