Myrtle Beach is a fun place for golf. True Blue Golf Club is special. Mike Strantz made this course. It has big fairways and tricky greens. Golfers love it, but it’s not easy. This article tells you how to play True Blue well. You’ll learn about the course and smart ways to win. I’m Warren Driscoll. I’ve played golf for seven years. I’ve stayed in fancy places like Ibiza and the French Alps. My tips and photos help you plan a great golf day.
Why True Blue Is Special
True Blue opened in 1998. It’s on an old farm in Pawleys Island. Mike Strantz, a golf designer, built it. People call him a golf artist. True Blue is one of the best public courses in South Carolina. Its fairways are very wide. The greens are big but hard to play. Sand traps and hills make every hole different. All golfers enjoy it, but you need to think smart.
True Blue is in Myrtle Beach, the “Golf Capital of the World.” It’s part of the Waccamaw Golf Trail. The course starts hard with tough holes. I’ve played many top courses. My experience helps me explain True Blue’s special design.
What Makes True Blue Different
Mike Strantz made True Blue fun and bold. He used the land’s sand and plants. There’s no rough, just fairways and sand traps. The greens are big with slopes. For example, the 7th green has three levels. You must hit the right spot.
The course is long, from 4,900 to 7,100 yards. It has five tee boxes. Most people pick the white tees at 6,375 yards. They’re not too hard. You need to plan your shots, not just hit far. I’ve learned this on fancy courses worldwide.
Things to Know About True Blue
- Big Fairways: Some are 100 yards wide. You have room to hit.
- Sand Traps: Sand is all around. It makes shots tricky.
- Big Greens: They look easy but have slopes.
- Hills: The course has ups and downs, rare for a beach course.
- Curved Holes: Many holes bend. Pick your target carefully.
These things make True Blue fun. My trips to places like Saint-Tropez show me great course designs. True Blue feels like art. You must stay smart to play well.
What Makes True Blue Hard
True Blue is fun but tough. Its design tests you. Wide fairways let you hit far, but sand traps catch bad shots. The greens have slopes that make putting hard. The first four holes are the toughest. They have two long holes and one with an island green.
The 7th hole is a short par 3. Its green has three levels. If you miss the right spot, your ball rolls far. The 18th hole has water on the left. A bad shot can ruin your game. I’ve seen this on hard courses in the French Alps.
Hard Parts of True Blue
- Sand Traps: They’re big and deep. Getting out is hard.
- Greens: Slopes make putting tricky.
- First Four Holes: They’re tough. You need focus.
- Shot Choices: Big fairways don’t mean easy shots. Aim well.
These make True Blue special. My years playing golf help me see why it’s hard. You need skill and a plan.
How to Play True Blue Well
To do well at True Blue, you need a plan. The course gives choices, but some are bad. Here are easy tips to play better. I’ve learned these from playing top courses.
Play the First Four Holes Well
The first four holes are hard. Hole 1 is long with sand on both sides. Hit to the middle. Hole 2 is a short hole with a small green. Use a safe club. Hole 3 has an island green. Aim for the center. Hole 4 bends left around water. Hit three safe shots. I stay calm on tough courses. A good start helps your whole game.
Handle Sand Traps
Sand traps are everywhere at True Blue. They frame the holes. Treat them like normal sand shots. Swing smoothly to get out. Practice sand shots before you play. I learned this on sandy courses in Ibiza. Pick a spot and swing with care.
Read the Greens
True Blue’s greens are big but tricky. They have slopes and levels. The 7th green has three parts. Look at the green before you putt. Aim for the right level. On the 10th hole, the green slopes down. Keep your shot low. My time on top courses helps me read greens.
Play What You’re Good At
You can hit far on True Blue’s big fairways. But don’t always hit hard. Pick a spot, like a sand trap’s edge. On hole 5, a curvy hole, hit short if you’re not accurate. I’ve learned from fancy courses to stick to my best shots.
Finish Well on the Last Holes
The last three holes are hard. Hole 16 is a par 3 over water. Use a strong club. Hole 17 has sand everywhere. Keep your drive straight. Hole 18 has water on the left. Aim right. These holes test you. My experience on big courses taught me to stay focused.
Problems at True Blue and How to Fix Them
No course is perfect. True Blue has some issues. Here’s how to handle them.
Slow Play
Some golfers say True Blue is slow. One review said the first four holes took almost two hours. This can mess up your game. Book an early tee time to avoid crowds. If it’s slow, plan your next shot. I’ve played busy courses and learned to stay patient.
Small Driving Range
The driving range is small. Some golfers don’t like it. Arrive early and use the big practice area. Hit short shots and putts. I’ve used small ranges before. A quick warm-up with short clubs works.
Hard for New Golfers
Sand traps and big greens are tough for new players. The course is hard from the back tees. Pick the white or black tees. Practice sand shots first. My reviews show picking the right tee makes golf fun.
Wet Ground
Rain can make the fairways wet. This slows your ball. Check the weather before you go. If it’s wet, use clubs that hit higher. I’ve played wet courses in coastal places. Adjust your game to win.
Golf Trends and True Blue
Golf is changing. True Blue fits these changes. Here’s how.
Fun Course Designs
Golfers like unique courses. True Blue’s big fairways and bold look are popular. People on X talk about loving fun layouts. True Blue’s curves and hills keep golfers happy.
Public Courses
Public courses are a big trend. Myrtle Beach has many, and True Blue is a top one. Golf Digest ranks it number 1 in the area. My trips to public courses show they’re loved by all.
Group Golf Trips
Groups love golf trips. Myrtle Beach offers packages with True Blue. Its fun design is great for friends. I’ve done group trips in Europe. True Blue is perfect for groups.
Golf All Year
Myrtle Beach is warm all year. True Blue’s grass stays nice, even in rain. Golfers say it’s in great shape. My trips to warm places show year-round golf is a big draw.
How to Plan Your True Blue Day
Playing True Blue needs a plan. Here are easy tips.
Book Early
True Blue is busy. Book your tee time weeks ahead. Spring and fall are busiest. Use truebluegolf.com to book. I always book early for top courses.
Pick the Right Tees
Choose tees for your skill. White tees (6,375 yards) are good for most. New golfers can try black tees (5,736 yards). I check tee options to have fun.
Learn the Course
Get a yardage book at the pro shop. True Blue’s curves and sand need a plan. Watch the course videos online. My reviews start with studying the course.
Practice First
Use the big practice area. Hit short shots and putts. The range is small, so focus on wedges. I warm up with short shots on top courses.
Bring Food and Water
The grill room has good food. Bring water for the course. It’s long, so you need energy. I stay fueled on hot courses.
Why True Blue Is Great
True Blue is more than a golf course. It’s a fun challenge. Its big fairways and greens look easy but test you. Mike Strantz made every hole special. From the island green to the water on 18, it’s exciting. My seven years playing top courses show True Blue is unique.
Golf Digest ranks it number 1 in Myrtle Beach. Golfweek says it’s one of America’s best resort courses. My photos of True Blue show its beauty, like sandy areas and green hills. It’s a course you won’t forget.
Final Thoughts
True Blue Golf Club is a top spot in Myrtle Beach. Mike Strantz’s design is bold and fun. Big fairways and greens hide tough sand and slopes. Play the first holes well, handle sand, and read greens to score. Watch for slow play or wet ground and plan ahead. Trends like fun designs and group trips make True Blue great. Use my tips to enjoy your round.
I’m Warren Driscoll. I’ve played golf in places like Ibiza and the French Alps. True Blue’s mix of beauty and challenge is special. Study the course, pick smart shots, and have fun. Tell me your favorite True Blue hole in the comments!
Disclaimer: This article is for fun and general advice only. It shares personal tips and ideas about playing golf at True Blue Golf Club. We are not part of the golf course or any official group. Always check with the course for the latest info. Play safe and enjoy your game!
Warren Driscoll writes about luxury travel. He has over seven years of experience. Since 2018, he has stayed in private villas in Ibiza and Saint-Tropez, and chalets in the French Alps. Warren’s stories have been shared by Indvidual Magazine. He writes honest reviews and gives helpful tips to help people plan great holidays. He also shares his own photos and real experiences to make his advice clear and useful.