The late architect Mike Strantz was a landscape artist, many of his designs looking from the air and the ground like surrealist paintings. Two of his courses are not only next-door neighbors near the southern end of the Strand on Pawleys Island, but the fraternal twins of Myrtle Beach golf: They’re obviously related, but far from identical. 

The Caledonia Fish and Golf Club (86) is the gentler of the two, but hardly warm and fuzzy. There is a beach-full of sand, both waste areas and deep, steep-sided bunkers. The fairways and greens are undulating, sometimes severely, which creates blind shots, hidden trouble, and long putts. But the visual audacity of Strantz courses usually masks that these are very strategic layouts, which demand clear thinking and precision hitting. 

True Blue (87) — which takes its name from the fact that this area was once an indigo plantation— is even more colorful and more diabolical, which means more sand and more water, often both lavishly in play on the same hole. The fairways are wide and not hard to hit, but some of the tees are placed so as to cause discomfort even before the shot is struck. Plus there are many forced carries and countless chances to attempt a heroic shot. If you dare.

Just a few yards from the terrible twins sits the Heritage Club (46), a traditional design that is easy on the eyes. The Southern charm begins with the drive in, under a vast canopy of moss-draped oaks. Dan Maples’ course is just as charming, with wide fairways, big, swooping greens, more wonderful old trees, and abundant wildlife. The feel is that of a private club, from the service to the course condition, and you will be warmly welcomed. If you’d like to thank the former owners, stop at the graveyard just off the

fourth green, where the Pawley family was buried in the 18th and 19th centuries. Then, near the 8th tee is a much more natural looking slave cemetery, which was in use by descendants until the early 20th century. The plaques by both offer a little history lesson on the region.

That’s 10, just a taste of each. Be sure to help yourself to the full servings.