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Seven Great Public Golf Courses in South Carolina

If golf is your bag, consider these destinations

By Kevin Litwin on November 21, 2015

Five men golf in front of a lighthouse on the Harbour Town Course in Hilton Head, SC.
South Carolina / Courtesy of Bizgolf.org

Old joke:

Golfer: Do you think I can get to the green with a 5 iron?

Caddy: Eventually.

Millions of men and women play golf each year in South Carolina, which is ranked by Golf Digest as one of America’s leading states for elite golf venues. Full-time residents as well as visitors to the Palmetto State can enjoy challenging yet fair courses along with warmer climates from March through November, reasonably priced hotels and resorts, plus true Southern hospitality and cuisine.

My name is Kevin and I’m a golfer, so here are Kevin’s Seven top public golf courses in the great state of South Carolina:

Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, Pawleys Island

Salt marshes and century-old oak trees…not many courses are graced with such unusual amenities, but such is the interesting landscape at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club just south of Myrtle Beach. Lush fairways and greens are well manicured, and villas are available to rent along the first fairway.

Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island

In the famed Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head Island is Harbour Town Golf Links, which hosts a PGA Tour event the week after The Masters. Five holes have water hazards while the ninth is a par 4 that can be reached with a long drive. Greens fees range from $150-$250, depending on the season.

LinRick Golf Course, Columbia

The state capital is home to LinRick Golf Course, a scenic destination with eight ponds, sloping greens and rolling-hills fairways. The course measures 6,800 yards, plays at par 73, and is an honest test for players of all abilities. Greens fees including cart are $31 weekdays and $38 weekends, and the course hosts several leagues.

Shaftesbury Glen Golf & Fish Club, Conway

You can hit ’em long and straight at Shaftesbury Glen Golf & Fish Club, where wide fairways and large greens allow golfers to grip it and rip it. Several other amenities help make a day at Shaftesbury enjoyable, including an English manor clubhouse, a bar and an award-winning restaurant.

The Golf Club of South Carolina, Blythewood

Streams and big trees make up much of the topography at The Golf Club of South Carolina, consistently ranked by Golf Digest among the “Best Places to Play” in South Carolina. The course is well maintained and has several sets of tees, and greens fees are very reasonable – $20 on weekdays after 2 p.m., cart included.

The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island

Great views of the Atlantic Ocean accompanied by gusty trade winds are part of the experience at The Ocean Course, which has hosted all of the PGA major championships along with the Ryder Cup. Ten holes run along the Atlantic, and the resort includes villas, tennis courts, a spa and upscale dining.

TPC Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet

Set among towering pine trees and natural wetlands is TPC Myrtle Beach, with water coming into play on 11 holes and more than 70 bunkers lining the greens. TPC is the only course in Myrtle Beach with a five-star rating from Golf Digest, and their Grille Restaurant provides great views of the 18th green.

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