Picture your morning coffee on a screened porch, watching sunlight move across a Lowcountry fairway while the beach is just a short drive away. If you want a low-maintenance condo with real golf access and an easy coastal routine, True Blue in Pawleys Island deserves a close look. In this guide, you’ll learn how the community lives day to day, what condo layouts and HOA fees typically include, short-term rental considerations, and how True Blue compares to nearby options. Let’s dive in.
Why True Blue stands out
True Blue is a golf-centered condo community anchored by the public True Blue Golf Club, a celebrated Mike Strantz design known for bold waste areas and marsh views. The course stretches past 7,100 yards from the tips and offers an immersive Lowcountry routing that shapes the neighborhood’s scenery and pace of life. Because tee times are public, you get a strong golf amenity without the mandatory equity dues that private clubs often require. For many buyers, that mix of access and flexibility is a winning formula.
To get a feel for the course and facilities, explore the True Blue Golf Club overview. You can see current highlights, course details, and the on-site practice environment that supports both casual and committed players.
Golf course and instruction
Along with daily play, True Blue offers a large practice area, a well-stocked pro shop, and on-site instruction. The Steve Dresser Golf Academy operates locally, which is helpful if you or your guests want lessons or a structured clinic. After a round, the clubhouse grill serves as a casual social hub. You can preview the venue’s atmosphere via this clubhouse dining listing.
Condo types and layouts
True Blue’s housing stock leans toward low-rise condos and villa-style buildings, with some townhome and duplex clusters. Common floor plans include 2-bedroom, 2-bath and 3-bedroom, 2 to 3-bath layouts. Many units are roughly 1,000 to 1,400 square feet, which keeps upkeep straightforward and supports the lock-and-leave lifestyle.
Listings often highlight screened porches or decks with views of fairways, ponds, or wooded buffers. You’ll also see practical touches like in-unit laundry and exterior storage for golf and beach gear. Ground-floor units appeal to those who want to skip stairs, while upper-floor condos sometimes feature vaulted ceilings that bring in extra light.
HOA fees and maintenance
A key draw at True Blue is low exterior maintenance. Monthly HOA dues typically cover building exteriors, grounds and landscaping, common-area insurance, community pools, trash removal, and water and sewer. Some sub-associations also include a basic cable or internet package.
Actual dues vary by building and services, and they can change over time. In sample listings, ranges have spanned from the low $300s to above $500 per month. Always confirm the current budget, what your fee includes, and whether any special assessments are coming. For many buyers, the value is in the simplicity: you handle your interior and personal utilities while the association manages the exterior and shared amenities.
Short-term rentals at True Blue
True Blue has notable short-term rental activity, and many MLS entries note that short-term rentals are allowed. Local property managers actively market these condos to vacationers, which signals potential income if that fits your plan. For a sense of local rental presence, browse a regional firm like Peace Vacations.
Before you buy with rental goals, verify the sub-association’s rental policy, minimum stay requirements, and any town or county registration steps. Ask a property manager for sample gross and net projections, including management fees, cleaning, utilities that the HOA covers, and typical off-season vacancy. Do not rely on rough rules of thumb. Policies and returns vary by building and season.
Location and nearby highlights
True Blue sits on the Waccamaw Neck with quick access to beaches, nature, and dining. Brookgreen Gardens is roughly 7 to 8 miles away, and Huntington Beach State Park is about 8 miles, often a 12 to 15 minute drive depending on traffic. Public beach access points on Pawleys Island and Litchfield commonly fall within a 5 to 15 minute drive from the community. Area summaries in local listings reflect similar drive times, like those shown on this Pawleys Island area page.
For dining, the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk is a favorite for seafood, live music, and views. You will also find boutiques and everyday shopping along the Waccamaw Neck, plus casual and upscale restaurants in Pawleys Island and Litchfield.
Price context at a glance
Neighborhood snapshots have shown True Blue’s median listing prices trending in the mid $200,000s to mid $300,000s in recent snapshots, often below the broader Pawleys Island median. Exact numbers change with inventory, renovations, and seasonality. If price is your first filter, ask for a current list of active, pending, and recently sold True Blue condos so you can see real-time pricing and unit-level features.
How True Blue compares nearby
- True Blue. Golf-front condos and villas beside a highly regarded public course. Strong lock-and-leave appeal thanks to HOA-managed exteriors and shared amenities. Short-term rentals are common in many buildings.
- Litchfield by the Sea. Oceanfront resort lifestyle with beach boardwalks, resort pools, and coastal programming. If walkable beach access is your top priority, this is a different feel than golf-front.
- Pawleys Plantation. Gated community with a Jack Nicklaus-designed course, a broader mix of single-family homes and villas, and optional or required club fees depending on membership structure.
- Caledonia Golf & Fish Club. A trophy Mike Strantz course with a more exclusive feel and limited condo options, often at higher price points. Explore the course character via the Caledonia profile.
- Wachesaw Plantation. Private, gated setting with a Tom Fazio course and riverfront club amenities, with membership typically separate from POA dues.
Practical takeaway: True Blue emphasizes public golf access, condo-level maintenance, and potential for short-term rentals. Nearby private-club communities lean toward single-family ownership, a different fee structure, and a more private club atmosphere.
What to verify before you buy
Do your homework upfront so you can buy with confidence. Use this checklist during due diligence:
- Request the full HOA packet. Ask for governing documents and the last 12 months of board minutes. Confirm rules for rentals, pets, and golf cart storage and use.
- Review the budget and reserves. Verify roof, paint, and major replacement schedules and check whether any special assessments are planned.
- Confirm flood zone and elevation. Check FEMA resources to understand insurance needs and whether an elevation certificate exists for the building or unit. Start with this FEMA primer on flood zone basics.
- Check coastal permitting history. If any marsh or shoreline work is involved, confirm permits and feasibility of future work under South Carolina coastal rules. See the state’s coastal regulations overview on Justia’s code library.
- Get insurance quotes. Price homeowner, wind and hail, and flood coverage for the specific building and unit. Ask about impact-rated windows or doors, roof ties, and any recent storm claims.
- Verify rental operations. If you plan to rent, confirm the HOA’s rental process, minimum stays, and any local registrations. Compare net income projections with management fees and seasonality. A local firm like Peace Vacations can share realistic scenarios.
- Walk the property. Visit the clubhouse, watch course conditions, and speak with the HOA manager if possible. Confirm parking, storage, and any elevator logistics for owners and guests.
Is True Blue right for you?
If you want a golf-forward lifestyle, a relaxed coastal setting, and a condo that lets you “turn the key and go,” True Blue checks the boxes. You can play a memorable Lowcountry course, unwind by the pool, and reach the beach in minutes, all while the association handles the exterior care. Whether you plan to live here full-time, use it as a second home, or explore short-term rentals, the community offers a flexible way to enjoy Pawleys Island.
Curious which buildings and floor plans fit your goals, HOA fees, and timeline? Let’s match you with the right options and the facts you need to move forward. Connect with the Taylor Keenan Team for on-the-ground guidance, current listings, and a smooth path to your Lowcountry place.
FAQs
What makes True Blue different from other Pawleys Island condo communities?
- It delivers golf-front living on a highly regarded public course, with condo-level maintenance and potential for short-term rentals in many buildings.
Are short-term rentals allowed in True Blue condos?
- Many buildings allow short-term rentals, but rules vary by sub-association; verify current policies, minimum stays, and local registration requirements before you buy.
How far are True Blue condos from the beach and parks?
- Typical drives are about 5 to 15 minutes to Pawleys Island and Litchfield public beach accesses, and roughly 12 to 15 minutes to Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park.
What do True Blue HOA fees usually cover?
- Dues commonly include building exterior maintenance, landscaping, common-area insurance, pools, trash, water and sewer, and sometimes basic cable or internet; confirm specifics for each building.
How does True Blue compare to private-club communities nearby?
- True Blue emphasizes public course access and condo convenience, while private-club areas like Caledonia and Wachesaw focus on membership-driven amenities and more single-family homes.
