Caledonia in Pawleys Island named best public golf course in South Carolina
Golfers visiting Pawleys Island can choose from four of the best courses in South Carolina, complete with award-winning designs and scenic beauty.
That is according to the GolfPass’ Top 25 Public Golf Courses in South Carolina in 2026 list.
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club has been named No. 1 in the list of the top 25 best public courses in South Carolina by readers of GolfPass as part of the website’s annual Golfers’ Choice rankings. Pawleys Plantation Golf Club was No. 8, Willbrook Plantation Golf Club was No. 12, and River Club was No. 22 on the same list. All four golf courses are on the Hammock Coast Golf Trail, a collection of 11 public courses in Georgetown County, spanning from Pawleys Island to Murrells Inlet.
(Photo courtesy of Caledonia Golf & Fish Club)
GolfPass’ Top 25 Public Golf Courses in South Carolina list is based entirely on reviews from golfers, making the recognition a true reflection of the player experience. In 2025, GolfPass analyzed nearly 6,100 reviews of South Carolina golf courses to determine the rankings.
The Golfers’ Choice rankings are determined using GolfPass’ Ratings Index, which places greater weight on recent reviews and feedback from golfers who consistently submit evaluations. In total, 127 South Carolina courses were reviewed in 2025, 6,097 reviews were analyzed, and rankings emphasized playability, enjoyment, value, and service.
“This award means a lot because it comes directly from golfers who’ve played the course,” said Bart Romano, PGA and director of operations for Caledonia. “We always strive to deliver an unforgettable experience from the moment a golfer drives through Caledonia’s alley of live oak trees, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see that effort resonating so strongly with players.”
Bob Seganti, PGA general manager for Caledonia, who also serves as the chair of Georgetown County Tourism Management Commission, said he is humbled that readers of GolfPass chose Caledonia as the best in the state.
“Golf tourism is very important for South Carolina’s Hammock Coast,” he said. “Receiving accolades like this from people who love golf make all of our efforts worthwhile.”
(Photo courtesy of Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club)
About Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Located in the heart of Pawleys Island, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is celebrated for its timeless Lowcountry beauty and the architectural brilliance of Mike Strantz. The course pairs stunning visuals with unforgettable golf, highlighted by the par-4 18th hole, which requires an approach over water to a green residing in the shadow of the course’s stately clubhouse.
Caledonia’s top spot in the GolfPass rankings further solidifies its reputation as not only one of South Carolina’s premier public courses, but one of the finest public golf experiences in America.
Consistently ranked on top public course lists including Golf, Golf Digest and Golfweek Magazines since opening in 1994, Caledonia is a 6,526-yard, par-70 course recognized for its design and incredible beauty. USA Today recently named Caledonia in the top 10 best courses in the country.
(Photo courtesy of Caledonia Golf & Fish Club)
It impresses visitors with its contrasting topography, including towering oaks, deep greens, and curving streams that provide a welcome challenge to golfers. Caledonia was the first solo design of the late, great golf course architect Mike Strantz, who considered himself an artist rather than an engineer.
About Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club
Playing under moss-draped oak trees and along a stunning tidal marsh, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Pawleys Plantation delivers the type of experience golfers expect of a layout designed by the game’s greatest champion.
The opening nine winds through a maritime forest that rewards the shot-making and creativity the Golden Bear has long valued, but the Pawleys Plantation experience reaches its zenith on the Pawleys Island area’s most memorable back nine. Featuring six holes that play along the marsh, Pawleys complements stunning natural beauty with a design that rewards bold play, a combination that has made it one of the area’s most sought after tee times.
Consistently ranked as one of the area’s premier golf courses, Pawleys Plantation, which also includes a full-service clubhouse, meeting space and villas featuring up to four bedrooms, is the ideal home for your golf trip, wedding or business meeting.
About Willbrook Plantation Golf Club
Willbrook Plantation Golf Club artfully balances beauty and playability. Water and wetlands accent the layout without overwhelming it, offering a course that challenges experienced players while remaining enjoyable for all. Throughout the course, take time to read the historical markers detailing the property’s storied past—land once granted by King Charles II in the 1700s. Designed by renowned architect Dan Maples, the golf course at Willbrook Plantation Golf Club opened in 1988.
(Photo courtesy of Willbrook Plantation Golf Club)
About River Club
Designed by renowned architect Tom Jackson, the River Club course combines Lowcountry beauty with a layout that’s both challenging and enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels.
Water comes into play on nearly every hole, with strategically placed bunkers adding both challenge and visual appeal. While accuracy off the tee helps, success at River Club is all about precise approach shots and confident putting. The par-5 18th hole, a dogleg left framed by water, is a highlight—featured in the book, “The 100 Greatest Holes Along the Grand Strand.”
The other seven courses on the Hammock Coast Golf Trail are the Litchfield Country Club, True Blue Golf Club, the Founders Club, and Tradition Club, all in Pawleys Island; and Wachesaw Plantation East, The Players Club (TPC), and Blackmoor Golf Club, all in Murrells Inlet.
By Clayton Stairs, tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®