The Cliffs at Glassy – Played August 2018
- Rankings: None of the four lists
- Location: 200 Fire Pink Way, Landrum, South Carolina
- Year: 1993
- Architect: Tom Jackson
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Black: 6,805 yards, Par 72, 72.7 Rating/146 Slope
- White: 6,321 yards, Par 72, 69.0 Rating/134 Slope
- Gold: 5,526 yards, Par 72, 67.4 Rating/120 Slope (Men’s), 70.8 Rating/127 Slope (Women’s)
- Red: 4,794 yards, Par 72, 67.9 Rating/119 Slope
Occasionally some course tours fall through the cracks and the Cliffs at Glassy is one instance. I played in a charity captain’s choice event back in 2018 and as you’ll see, taking my normal number of pictures wasn’t the priority. However, I think I got enough to give you a feel for the place.
The Cliffs at Glassy was the first course built in the Cliffs Communities. I’ve played a couple of the other courses you can check out here and here. In those posts, I get into some of the history of this development. It has gone through some financial trouble in the past but seems to be in a better place now.
The Cliffs at Glassy sits 3,000 feet above sea level which makes it unique for Upstate South Carolina. It has been rewarded for its scenic views by golf publications. Like many mountain courses, you can get some funky bounces and this course is no different. Most of the opinions I get on this course are about great views but not liking the playability. I can see that viewpoint and it’s why I loved playing it in a captain’s choice event. In that format, it’s hard to worry about bad breaks.
Alright, let’s get into the tour. We played the white tees and all distances are from those markers.
Hole 1 – 329 yards – Par 4
Since our event had a shotgun start this wasn’t our first hole. If you’re rolling up here from the driving range this shot can be troublesome with the water out to the right. Due to the shorter length though you can play for accuracy.
Hole 2 – 330 yards – Par 4
Just a short par four here. Normal length hitters can play for the fairway to have a short club into the green.
Hole 3 – 500 yards – Par 5
I missed the tee shot photo on this hole but it bends to the left. This view is from the extreme right side of the fairway.
Hole 4 – 338 yards – Par 4
I suppose long hitters could go for this one but with the perched green I’m not sure it’s worth the risk. The green is tucked up to the left.
Hole 5 – 144 yards – Par 3
Here you get a simple uphill shot but if you flare one right that bunker could give you some trouble.
Hole 6 – 528 yards – Par 5
You must climb the hill to reach this par five. Solid shots are required but if you’re giving it a go the green is pretty inviting.
Hole 7 – 389 yards – Par 4
This downhill par four requires precision to hit the fairway. Of course, in a captain’s choice event we just aimed left at the green and fired away.
Hole 8 – 150 yards – Par 3
Even though the distance here is similar to the last par three, with the downhill slope it will play shorter. Don’t go long.
Hole 9 – 353 yards – Par 4
The front nine finishes with a solid hole. I especially like the view on the approach shot.
Hole 10 – 365 yards – Par 4
The forced carry is pretty short here. The fairway starts going right and then goes back left up to the green.
Hole 11 – 470 yards – Par 5
You face a blind landing area for this short par five. If you can manufacture a fade it will fit this hole best.
Hole 12 – 407 yards – Par 4
I liked this hole quite a bit. You have to fit the drive between sand and water to be able to attack the green. This view definitely didn’t feel like I was on a mountain course.
Hole 13 – 142 yards – Par 3
This is probably the signature hole and definitely one that features the scenic views. Just take a look once you get to the green to soak in the scenery.
Hole 14 – 334 yards – Par 4
As you make your way to 14, make sure to stop for this view. It really illustrates the elevation of the course.
The hole itself is a short dogleg right. The smart play is a precise shot into the fairway to your preferred approach distance.
Hole 15 – 398 yards – Par 4
You want to stay away from the left side of this hole with the bunker and trees looming. Once you crest the hill, you get a glimpse of the green and realize it is a generous target.
Hole 16 – 378 yards – Par 4
Unlike 12, you definitely feel like you’re on a mountain here. The terrain slopes downward all the way to the green but you need to be straight to hold the fairway.
Hole 17 – 184 yards – Par 3
This hole didn’t play as downhill as it appears. The green is massive, so pin position matters for club choice. I can say that you want no part of that front bunker.
Hole 18 – 582 yards – Par 5
The finishing hole can be a brute when you’re playing your own ball. In my charity event, we could take aggressive lines. The hole bends to the right and plays downhill.
When going for it in two this target can be daunting. Bailing out to the left is pretty common, I would imagine.
I can understand where some of the negative opinions of this course come from. For me though, I enjoyed it. There are some severe slopes and you can get bad bounces. But if you plot your way around the course you can stay out of trouble. Like the other Cliffs course, it is in great shape and the facilities are excellent. I would recommend you play it at least once. Like most opinions, I like to experience something for myself to form one!