20 Best Golf Courses in South Carolina (Latest Updates)

South Carolina boasts a golfing paradise, and we’re here to guide you through the greens and fairways of the Palmetto State’s best golf courses. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer looking for a challenge or a newcomer seeking scenic beauty, South Carolina’s diverse courses have something for everyone. From iconic coastal layouts to inland gems, we’ve scoured the state to curate a list of the twenty best golf courses in South Carolina, showcasing their unique features and histories. 

20. Colleton River Club: Jack Nicklaus Course

Address: 60 Colleton River Dr, Bluffton, SC 29910

Private

Colleton River Club: Jack Nicklaus Course stands proudly as one of the best golf courses in South Carolina. Nestled within a prestigious golf community, it has earned a coveted spot on Golf Magazine’s prestigious list of the “Top 100 Greatest Courses in the U.S.” The course embodies the perfect blend of Southern charm and a layout that offers an unmistakably challenging golfing experience. With its historical significance and commitment to excellence, it truly stands as one of the best golf courses in South Carolina.

19. The Cliffs At Mountain Park

Address: 201 Golf Bridge Rd, Marietta, SC 29661

Private

The Cliffs At Mountain Park is home to seven nationally acclaimed courses, making it a golfer’s paradise and an embodiment of the best golf courses in South Carolina. Each course provides a unique and unparalleled golfing experience against the breathtaking backdrop of the Western Carolinas. Crafted by legendary designers like Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and others, these courses offer the luxury of playing a different one every day of the week.

18. Colleton River Club: Pete Dye Course

Address: 60 Colleton River Dr, Bluffton, SC 29910

Private

Colleton River Club: Pete Dye Course is another gem among the best golf courses in South Carolina. This private course boasts a links-style layout, par-72, and a formidable 7,403 yards. With its Zoysia grass fairways and Bent Grass greens, it is a year-round destination that caters to golf enthusiasts seeking excellence. It’s more than just a golf course; it’s a testament to quality golfing.

17. Kiawah Island Club: Cassique 

Address: 100 Old Cedar Ln, Johns Island, SC 29455

Private

Kiawah Island Club: Cassique is a testament to the best golf courses in South Carolina. This classic course was meticulously designed by golf legend Tom Watson, and it intertwines seamlessly with the natural beauty of Kiawah’s landscape. Stretching across 7,050 yards, it meanders through maritime forests and marshes where the Kiawah River converges with the Atlantic Ocean. Its strategic layout, reminiscent of Celtic courses, invites golfers to harness their creativity in conquering Cassique’s par-72 links-style course.

16. Old Tabby Links

Address: 42 Mobley Oaks Ln Okatie, SC 29909-4012

Private

Old Tabby Links is a testament to the best golf courses in South Carolina. This private course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, stretches across 7,135 yards and offers more than just golf; it offers an experience. It is shrouded in history, providing golfers with an opportunity to immerse themselves in a rich golfing tradition while enjoying awe-inspiring views.

15. Country Club of Charleston

Address: 1 Country Club Dr, Charleston, SC 29412

Private

Country Club of Charleston is deeply rooted in the history of golf in Charleston, dating back to 1786. It’s an integral part of the golfing legacy in South Carolina and has seen legendary golfers like Beth Daniel and Henry Picard grace its fairways. Its historical significance and stunning course make it one of the best golf courses in South Carolina.

14. Bulls Bay Golf Club

Address: 995 Bulls Bay Blvd, Awendaw, SC 29429

Private

Bulls Bay Golf Club is an exclusive golf experience that stands as a testament to the best golf courses in South Carolina. With dramatic elevation changes and unparalleled views, it offers a true links-style golf experience reserved exclusively for its members and their guests. It provides an uninterrupted golf experience that truly embodies excellence.

13. Greenville Country Club: Chanticleer Course

Address: 502 Garden Trail, Greenville, SC 29605

Private

Greenville Country Club: Chanticleer Course offers a year-round golfer’s paradise and is among the best golf courses in South Carolina. With two championship courses designed by masters of the game, it caters to golfers of all skill levels. The club’s commitment to course maintenance and improvement ensures that it stands among the best golf courses in South Carolina, providing an outstanding golfing experience.

12. Chechessee Creek Club

Address: 18 Chechessee Creek Dr, Okatie, SC 29909

Private

Chechessee Creek Club is a unique golfing destination that stands as one of the best golf courses in South Carolina. Designed by Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw, it rewards players for their strategy, precision, and short game skills. Set amidst the scenic Lowcountry landscape, it offers stunning views and an unparalleled golfing experience.

11. May River Golf Club At Palmetto Bluff

Address: 350 Mt Pelia Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910

Private

May River Golf Club At Palmetto Bluff is a golfer’s paradise designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. It challenges golfers of all skill levels with its 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, featuring wide fairways and Bermuda greens. It stands as one of the best golf courses in South Carolina, offering a luxurious setting for an unforgettable golfing experience.

10. Secession Golf Club

Address: 100 Islands Causeway, Beaufort, SC 29907

Private

Secession Golf Club is a unique golfing destination that demands a complete game, both aerial and ground. Designed by Bruce Devlin, it offers a low-profile architecture with challenging greens and panoramic views of marshes. It’s a golf experience like no other, making it one of the best golf courses in South Carolina.

9. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

Address: 369 Caledonia Dr, Pawleys Island, SC 29585

Public

Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is the epitome of golfing excellence and ranks among the best golf courses in South Carolina. Recognized and rated in all major publications’ “Top 100” lists, including Golf, Golf Digest, and Golfweek Magazines, it offers both a stunning design and incredible beauty. Its entrance, lined with centuries-old live oaks, is a visual spectacle, and its par-70 course has been described as having “18 signature holes.” It warmly welcomes all to experience its charm and golfing splendor.

8. Sage Valley Golf Club

Address: 2240 Sage Valley Dr, Graniteville, SC 29829

Private

Sage Valley Golf Club is a true testament to the pinnacle of golf course design, firmly establishing its place among the best golf courses in South Carolina. This golfing masterpiece is the realization of founder Weldon Wyatt’s dream, brought to life with the help of his son Tom Wyatt and the renowned architect Tom Fazio. The course, set amidst rolling hills, majestic pine forests, iconic azalea blooms, and pristine waters, beautifully captures the natural splendor of the South. 

Attention to detail has been a cornerstone of Sage Valley’s journey since its inception, starting with the careful selection of the 500 acres required for the course from a sprawling 10,000-acre untouched timberland. Weldon Wyatt and Tom Fazio seized this unique opportunity to craft a golf course that stands as a masterpiece of design, a harmonious blend of natural beauty and strategic playability.

7. Kiawah Island Club: River

Address: 10 River Course Ln, Johns Island, SC 29455

Private

Kiawah Island Club: River Course is a shining star among the best golf courses in South Carolina. As part of the Kiawah Island Club, it offers members a private golfing experience characterized by exceptional playability and stunning natural beauty. Designed by the renowned Tom Fazio, this masterwork unfolds along the scenic river’s edge, through captivating savannahs, and past shimmering ponds. The course takes golfers on a journey beneath the enchanting canopies of maritime forests, offering a challenging yet picturesque golfing experience that has become synonymous with Kiawah’s reputation for world-class golf.

6. Long Cove Club

Address: 399 Long Cove Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Private

Long Cove Club holds a special place among the best golf courses in South Carolina. Its rich history dates back to the early 1970s when it was originally routed by Frank Duane and Arnold Palmer. Pete Dye, famous for his innovative approach to golf course design, was later brought in to create Long Cove’s distinctive layout. Dye’s vision introduced unique features, including knobs, mounds, and framing berms, resulting in a course that stands out from the crowd. Moreover, it features two holes that skirt the scenic Colleton River, adding to the course’s appeal. Recently, the course underwent restoration by Bobby Weed to bring back the original design, allowing golfers to once again experience its unique characteristics.

5. Palmetto Golf Club

Address: 275 Berrie Rd SW, Aiken, SC 29801

Private

Palmetto Golf Club, a cherished treasure among the best golf courses in South Carolina, boasts a storied history that dates back to 1892. Its origins coincide with the growing interest in golf in America, with the club’s founder, Edward Douglass Hitchcock, laying out the first four holes on the land. Subsequent expansions led to the completion of 18 holes in 1895, with contributions from notable designers like Herbert Leeds and James Mackrell. Throughout the years, Palmetto Golf Club has seen several enhancements, including a conversion from sand greens to grass under the guidance of Dr. Alister MacKenzie, who also played a pivotal role in shaping Augusta National Golf Club. Recent renovations by Tom Doak and Gil Hanse have further restored the course to its former glory. With its rich heritage and commitment to preserving golf history, Palmetto Golf Club remains an essential destination for golf aficionados.

4. Harbour Town Golf Links

Address: 11 Lighthouse Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Public

Harbour Town Golf Links is undoubtedly one of the crown jewels among the best golf courses in South Carolina. Located within Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head Island, this public golf course has been a fixture in the golfing world since 1969, hosting the prestigious RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour. Renowned for its challenging layout, Harbour Town Golf Links weaves through narrow fairways, shaded by overhanging oaks and framed by palmettos, all while featuring picturesque lagoons. This course, often simply referred to as “Hilton Head,” consistently receives high accolades from Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. It is an integral part of the Sea Pines Resort, alongside other acclaimed courses like the Atlantic Dunes and Heron Point, solidifying its status as one of the best golf courses in South Carolina.

3. Congaree Golf Club

Address: 384 Davant Dr, Ridgeland, SC 29936

Private

Congaree Golf Club, situated amidst the breathtaking Lowcountry of South Carolina, emerges as a private golfing sanctuary and ranks among the best golf courses in South Carolina. Designed by Tom Fazio, this championship course blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings, encompassing historic 18th-century estates, sprawling lakes, and the serene beauty of longleaf pine forests. The club achieved recognition as Golf Digest’s best new private course in 2018 and continues to garner acclaim for its exceptional design. Earning a place among the top golf courses built during the 2010-2019 decade, Congaree Golf Club exemplifies a harmonious coexistence between golf and nature. Moreover, the club’s commitment to hosting PGA Tour events further underscores its significance in the world of golf.

2. Yeamans Hall Club

Address: 900 Yeamans Hall Rd, Hanahan, SC 29410

Private

Yeamans Hall Club is a testament to timeless golfing elegance and a cherished addition to the best golf courses in South Carolina. The course’s construction, initially designed by Seth Raynor, commenced in 1925, following a visit to Charleston by Raynor himself. Yeamans Hall Club features a meticulously crafted 18-hole golf course, measuring approximately 6,400 yards upon completion, with nine holes each on the front and back nine. The course’s historical significance is highlighted by the fact that it hosted the first golf game, played by former New Jersey senator Joseph S. Frelinghuysen Jr. and his guest Henry R. Sutphan, in November 1925.

1. Kiawah Island Golf Resort: The Ocean Course

Address: 1 Sanctuary Beach Dr, Kiawah Island, SC 29455

Resort

Kiawah Island Golf Resort: The Ocean Course stands as an iconic representation of the best golf courses in South Carolina. This American treasure, located on the easternmost tip of Kiawah Island, offers golfers a true test of skill and a remarkable seaside experience. Designed by the legendary Pete Dye, The Ocean Course boasts the distinction of having the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere, with ten hugging the Atlantic and another eight running parallel. The course’s layout was initially intended to sit behind the dunes, but a suggestion by Dye’s wife, Alice, led to elevating the entire course to provide golfers unobstructed views of Kiawah’s stunning coastline from every hole.

Indeed, few golf courses worldwide are as profoundly influenced by the wind as The Ocean Course. Players can encounter up to an 8-club difference from one round to the next, depending on the wind’s direction and strength. The Ocean Course’s historical significance extends to hosting each of the PGA of America’s major championships, including the dramatic 1991 Ryder Cup and the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships, further solidifying its status as one of the best golf courses in South Carolina.

Conclusion 

As our golf odyssey through South Carolina comes to a close, we hope you’ve discovered the true essence of the best golf courses in South Carolina – a blend of challenging designs, breathtaking natural surroundings, and a rich history that adds to the allure of each course. But this is just the beginning of your golfing adventures. If you’re hungry for more top-notch golf courses and insightful golfing content, head over to Golfbiz’s blogs, where you can explore an array of golfing destinations across the United States.