Green Valley Country Club – Played August 2019
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 225 Green Valley Drive, Greenville, South Carolina
- Year: 1958
- Original Architect: George Cobb
- Additional Work By: Tom Jackson & Jan Bel Jan
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Gold: 6,952 yards, Par 72, 74.8 Rating/139 Slope
- Green Combo: 6,755 yards, Par 72, 73.8 Rating/137 Slope
- Blue: 6,440 yards, Par 72, 71.9 Rating/135 Slope
- Black: 6,153 yards, Par 72, 70.5 Rating/134 Slope
- White: 5,659 yards, Par 72, 68.7 Rating/124 Slope (Men’s), 72.4 Rating/127 Slope (Women’s)
- Magenta Combo: 5,289 yards, Par 72, 66.5 Rating/116 Slope
- Red: 4,564 yards, Par 72, 66.3 Rating/114 Slope
I’ve played Green Valley Country Club a few times over the years but never had a camera with me. Fortunately, my club has a reciprocal agreement with them. I forget the circumstances that led me to play this past August but I was ready for photos to bring you this course tour.
I was playing with my good buddy Jay and we had the course mostly to ourselves on a Friday morning. The course was in great shape for late summer. I was impressed with that because August can be a very difficult time in SC as far as course conditions go.
Let’s take a look at some of the history of Green Valley Country Club. The idea for the club started in the mid-1950s when some Greenville businessmen wanted a course a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of town. Among this group were members at Augusta National.
That connection resulted in George Cobb being brought in as the architect. Cobb had done some work at Augusta so he was a comfortable fit.
The economic downturn in 2008 was hard on Green Valley Country Club. A ray of light shined when the Kaplan family purchased the club. Hopefully, it is on its way back to good health.
Hole 1 – 417 yards – Par 4
The first tee shot plays severely downhill and gives you a much shorter shot into the green. This more of a birdie opportunity than the length would suggest.
Hole 2 – 515 yards – Par 5
Drives are best played up the right side here, with the best approach shot coming in from left to right. The creek is an everpresent hazard.
Out of bounds and trees lurk close to the back of the green. Short and left is a good place to miss.
Hole 3 – 203 yards – Par 3
After some good birdie chances, you are greeted with a difficult test. Trees on the right dissuade you from hitting a draw. I’d like to see those trimmed back to open the hole up.
Hole 4 – 360 yards – Par 4
This tee shot is more visually intimidating than it is in reality. There is enough room on the right to stay away from the creek.
Hole 6 – 460 yards – Par 5
I didn’t get any shots of the fifth hole so we move along to the sixth. I’ll be honest, it’s a bit of a weird hole. It goes hard right, so long hitters have to play a big fade or club down. If you get the tee shot in play, getting home in two can be pretty easy.
Hole 8 – 178 yards – Par 3
I missed the seventh as well. Not much to think about here other than trying to hit the green.
Hole 9 – 403 yards – Par 4
The finishing hole on the front tilts hard from right to left. The more left you can stay in the fairway, the better angle you will have to the raised green.
Hole 10 – 415 yards – Par 4
I got you an off-center view here but you can still get the gist that you don’t want to miss left on this tee shot. The same creek that guards the first gree, stands watch here as well.
From the photo below, you can see the downward slope from the tee.
Hole 11 – 364 yards – Par 4
Like 1 and 10, hole 2 and 11 share close proximity. The tee boxes are separated only by bushes. The tree on the right is as close as it looks.
Hole 12 – 377 yards – Par 4
This is a fun hole that bends hard to the left. The tee shot should avoid the left side. Care must be taken on the approach shot to the small green.
Hole 13 – 525 yards – Par 5
Take big swings on this long hole. You can see the entire length from the tee so you know what faces you.
Hole 14 – 144 yards – Par 3
After two longer one-shot holes, you get the opportunity to attack with a shorter club.
Hole 15 – 352 yards – Par 4
This hole has an isolated feel. Trees line both sides and call for accuracy over length.
Hole 16 – 516 yards – Par 5
Most of my energy was focused on the tee shot on this hole. If you successfully find the fairway the hole can be attacked.
Hole 17 – 143 yards – Par 3
This slightly uphill hole can be tricky. The green is small and the bunkers are deep.
Hole 18 – 384 yards – Par 4
The final hole lets you be aggressive off the tee to set up a good approach. A drive just inside the left bunker leaves you with a great angle into the green.
We got our round in just before some thunderstorms rolled in. The impending weather allowed me to get the cool shot below.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this course tour of Green Valley Country Club. As I mentioned, hopefully, the club is making its way back to financial health. It’s a great part of the Greenville golf community.