Getting behind the wheel for a golf trip can be a real game changer – driving allows you to venture at your own pace with a sense of freedom and discovery. Whether you want to book a course on your wish list (say, Kiawah’s Ocean Course or Hilton Head’s Harbourtown) or find a hidden gem, South Carolina offers a diverse playlist, ranging from picturesque mountain layouts to links along of white dunes. all within a few hours’ drive. Here are some highlights waiting for you to find out.
Mountain golf may not be the main topic of South Carolina golf vacation planning, but it should be. Upstate’s Edgewater Golf Course, about an hour from Columbia, in the peaceful village of Lancaster, it feels like it’s worlds away. This mountainous country jewel, which has been rising silently in the ranking of the best in the state, crosses lush pine forests with spectacular views and dramatic elevation changes, making it one of the most challenging in the region. Combine a day or night visit to Edgewater with a stroll on the adjacent Fishing Creek Lake, fish for bass or just quietly explore the hidden coves along the 61 miles of lakeside by kayak or canoe.
Further north of the state, Cherokee Valley Golf Club in Travelers Rest beckons with its 18-hole masterpiece designed by PB Dye. The views are as excellent as golf, with panoramic views that highlight the stunning landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The elevated tee of the eighth hole, with its drop of 21 meters, offers a panoramic view of Glassy Mountain and its famous chapel. With the Cherokee’s plum location just a short drive from Greenville, there’s a lot to discover off the course – take a scenic drive through downtown Falls Park, with its public gardens, bistros and iconic pedestrian bridge or take in the scenery exciting Greenville craft beer with over 20 breweries on tap. Let your post-round adventure begin at Swamp Rabbit Brewery, right at Travelers Rest.
As the only resort state park in South Carolina, Hickory Knob offers a variety of activities and accommodation options, including camps, all just minutes from its beautiful 18-hole professional golf course. (It is easy to reach by car from Upstate or the coast, making Hickory Knob a perfect mid-point for a stop.) The course unfolds through the gentle hills of the Midlands around the shore of Lake Thurmond. With its combination of value, challenging golf and picturesque scenery, Hickory Knob has everything you want on a golf course and more. After your round, relax in the park’s pool, take a shot at the target, or head to Hickory Knob’s hiking and bird watching trails. Greenwood, half an hour away, is home to the Inn on the Square, a full-service boutique hotel to call home while you discover other area treasures. For history buffs, Ninety Six National Historic Site is where one of the first land battles of the Revolutionary War unfolded. And no trip to South Carolina would be complete without sampling its famous barbecue: Fat Daddy’s in Greenwood is a great place to start.
If you’re the beach type, there’s still a lot to discover along the coast, where literally hundreds of fields beckon, from Hilton Head Island to Kiawah to Myrtle Beach.
In a city known for its star-studded fields, Myrtle Beach continues to surprise and delight. Much attention has been paid to stellar courses such as Caledonia (one of Golf Digest’s top 100 public courses) – while others go unnoticed. For a special treatment, look no further Prestwick Country Club, an immaculately conditioned field with ultra-fast greens and a Scottish accent, designed by PB and Peter Dye. You will need to discover your indoor tour player to master this very difficult test of golf that purists consider a hidden gem along the Strand.
For an equally surprising off-course challenge, face the Horry County Bike & Run Park. This 7-mile super-fast fluid trail is designed for mountain bikes, but hikers and hikers are also welcome. Trapped among the pines and the intracoastal minutes to the beach, it twists and turns on 72 acres and has an amazing altitude that will leave you wondering if you’re still in Myrtle Beach.
At the opposite end of the coast, near the southern border of South Carolina, is Sea Pines’ oldest and most prestigious golf community, which includes the world-class Harbor Town Golf Links. This oasis of Hilton Head is the perfect place to start or end your trip – in comfort and luxury. The classic resort overflows with new discoveries, including the award-winning Atlantic dunes golf course by Davis Love III. The PGA champion led a major overhaul of the old Ocean Course, drilling through the dunes to highlight the beautiful seaside setting. After your round, drink in all the beauty of the Lowcountry scene in the impressive new Frasers restaurant in the stylish Plantation Clubhouse.