Cherokee Valley Course & Club – Played 2001-2012
- Rankings: None of the four lists
- Location: 450 Cherokee Valley Way, Travelers Rest, South Carolina
- Year: 1992
- Architect: P.B. Dye
- Course Access: Public
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Gold: 6,612 yards, Par 72, 71.7 Rating/134 Slope (Men’s)
- Blue: 6,100 yards, Par 72, 69.3 Rating/126 Slope
- White: 5,469 yards, Par 72, 67.5 Rating/118 Slope
- Silver: 4,771 yards, Par 72, 63.7 Rating/116 Slope
- Red: 4,308 yards, Par 72, 65.3 Rating/116 Slope
I admittedly have some history with this Cherokee Valley dating back to junior golf. We’ll get into that in a bit.
This mountain-like course just north of Greenville underwent ownership change in 2017. From the website, it seems they have taken the course in a good direction. I’m happy for that because Cherokee Valley is an affordable, public track that can be quite fun. Golf needs plenty of those.
I mention above that the course can be fun, which is true as a whole, but some holes are silly. You’ll see that in the photo tour. Thanks go out to Brian again at Virginia Golf Guy for help with the pictures.
I teased that I had history here. Some of that involves large scores on certain holes (I’m looking at you #2). Overall though the history is positive. My high school played our region matches here and we always won comfortably. Ever since, I’ve associated Cherokee Valley with good feelings.
I haven’t been back to play it much over the years but I think you will see from the photos that it is worth a visit. Also, the photos and hole descriptions should help you if you’re reading this before you play. You’ll need that help in certain spots, believe me!
Finally, they may have switched the nines since these pictures were taken, so keep that in mind.
Hole 1 – 350 yards – Par 4
The round gets off to a mild start with a dogleg left. Longer hitters can cut the corner but you only need something 200-210 yards down the middle.
Hole 2 – 540 yards – Par 5
As I said above, this hole has eaten my lunch in the past. It is straight uphill making the listed yardage an under-representation of how long it plays. Due to the meandering fairway, the hole is a testament to target golf all the way to the green.
Hole 3 – 190 yards – Par 3
This one shot hole is slightly downhill but on the longer side. You don’t want to miss left or long.
Hole 4 – 378 yards – Par 4
This is probably the silliest and my least favorite hole on the course. It really only requires 160-170 yards off the tee before you run out of room. Once over this stupid hill the hole goes progressively downhill to the green.
Hole 5 – 289 yards – Par 4
Five is a fun risk/reward hole. The risk is the creek that touches most of the hole. To get to the green you have to take on this water and hit a big draw. The conservative play to the fairway is an option to make birdie as well.
Hole 6 – 166 yards – Par 3
Not much to see here, straightforward par three.
Hole 7 – 521 yards – Par 5
Here we have one of the more dramatic holes on the course. The tee shot plays to the raised and blind fairway. Once you get to the top you see the drop down towards the green that is guarded by a large pond.
Hole 8 – 461 yards – Par 4
This long and straight hole requires you to hit a solid drive to have a manageable distance into the green. Once you get there you must deal with a sharp face on the front of the putting surface that will repel indifferent shots.
Hole 9 – 422 yards – Par 4
This dogleg left goes around a bunker on the inside corner. There is ample room to the right but that line leaves a long way home to the green.
Hole 10 – 422 yards – Par 4
This hole is the same distance at #9, which I think is a bit silly. The preferred line is up the left side. The green has some mounding next to it but not much else in the way of danger.
Hole 11 – 143 yards – Par 3
Eleven plays uphill but is not long at all. Be careful in club selection though since you do not want to go over this green.
Hole 12 – 479 yards – Par 5
You should be licking your chops since you can almost taste a birdie on this short par five. The landing area is plenty wide. The steep slope in front of the green should be the only thing preventing getting on in two.
Hole 13 – 365 yards – Par 4
Left, left, left is the mantra here. The land runs away the further right you go. This is very evident at the green.
Hole 14 – 500 yards – Par 5
The landing area here is pretty tight. If you are not planning to get home in two, a shorter club off the tee for position makes a lot of sense. The layup area is wider. From there you’ll play to a small, raised green.
Hole 15 – 226 yards – Par 3
You can get the best view on the course from this tee if the skies are clear. The hole is severely downhill and you don’t want to miss long. Club selection is difficult here. The optimal miss is short and to the right.
Hole 16 – 387 yards – Par 4
I’ve found this to be a tough driving hole. The fairway is narrow and the ball hangs in the air forever from the elevated tee. Make sure to focus on your line.
Hole 17 – 363 yards – Par 4
This tee shot plays into a funnel that puts most balls into the middle of the fairway. The green is slightly uphill from the fairway.
Hole 18 – 410 yards – Par 4
The round finished with a conventional par four. You have a large landing area with more room right than it would appear. Things are different on the approach because a steep slope runs down the right side of the green.
Overall, I wouldn’t travel a great distance to play Cherokee Valley. I will emphasize that’s just my opinion. However, if you live around the Upstate the rates are awesome and you can get some wonderful views. I can safely say you’ll always remember the course from its quirky holes and scenery.