Exploring South Carolina’s Golfing Riches: From Harbour Town to The Cliffs
Explore the diverse golfing landscape of South Carolina, from the iconic Harbour Town Golf Links with its intimate setting and dramatic finish to The Cliffs communities’ parkland-oriented experiences. South Carolina caters to golfers of all levels and preferences.
Harbour Town Golf Links: A Jewel in South Carolina’s Golfing Tapestry
Golf enthusiasts seeking diverse golfing experiences will find South Carolina, the Palmetto State, a true haven. With 351 golf courses spread across the state, the golfing landscape in South Carolina offers a remarkable variety, from coastal gems to mountain-framed layouts.
The state’s golf offerings cater to a wide range of players, from public course enthusiasts seeking affordable access to resort-goers seeking a golf vacation, and even second-home residents from other states. In fact, four out of every 10 rounds played in South Carolina are by out-of-state golfers, making it the fourth-highest in the country.
Harbour Town Golf Links, the perennial host venue for the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage, stands out as a true golfing gem. Designed by the legendary Pete Dye and debuting in 1969, this course is renowned for its low-lying intimacy, small greens, and dramatic finish along the Calibogue Sound, with the iconic lighthouse serving as a backdrop to the 18th green.
The golfing riches in South Carolina extend well beyond Harbour Town. The state boasts a diverse array of designs, from elegant real estate developments like Colleton River and Belfair, to the upscale May River Golf Club, and the privacy of intimate clubs such as Chechessee Creek and Secession. Each course is uniquely shaped by the native land and the ever-changing tides and winds of the Intracoastal Waterway.
In the Charleston area, the quality of golf is exemplified by the classic Seth Raynor designs of the Country Club of Charleston and Yeamans Hall Club, as well as the recently restored Charleston Municipal Golf Course, which bears Raynor’s influence. Further up the coast, the Tom Fazio-designed Links Course at Wild Dunes Resort continues to captivate golfers decades after its 1981 opening.
Inland, the state offers equally compelling golf experiences. The Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken showcases the distinctive design flair of Herbert Leeds, complemented by a historic clubhouse designed by Stanford White. The Aiken Golf Club, a 1912 design, challenges golfers with its Pinehurst-style shot-making demands.
In the western, more mountainous regions of South Carolina, The Cliffs communities bring together the design talents of renowned architects like Tom Fazio, Tom Jackson, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Ben Wright, offering a diverse range of parkland-oriented golf experiences that contrast with the state’s coastal offerings.
South Carolina’s golfing landscape continues to evolve, with the recent debut of courses like Old Barnwell and The Tree Farm, which have captured the attention of golf architecture enthusiasts. These new additions further solidify the state’s reputation as a premier golfing destination, offering a wide variety of experiences that cater to golfers of all preferences.
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