Country Club of Charleston – Played August 2020
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 1 Country Club Drive, Charleston, South Carolina
- Year: 1925
- Original Architect: Seth Raynor
- Additional Work By: George Cobb, John LaFoy, Brian Silve, and Kyle Franz
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Blue: 6,790 yards, Par 71, 72.6 Rating/136 Slope
- White: 6,367 yards, Par 71, 71.0 Rating/130 Slope
I’ve stated before that I really enjoy Seth Raynor golf courses. It’s kind of wild that Charleston has two of them, the other being Yeamans Hall. Lucky for me, I had gotten to know a member throughout my travels. Once we got schedules lined up (much tougher during Covid times), I made my way down for a day trip.
The history of golf in Charleston is very long. A shipment of golf clubs from Scotland was documented in 1739. The organization of the Country Club of Charleston dates to 1786 when the Charlestown Golfing Society met at Harleston Green to play.
Over the years they moved around before acquiring the current location in 1922. Seth Raynor was recommended to design the course. Raynor, like his mention CB MacDonald, was an advocate of template holes. These template holes have certain designs taken from famous Scottish golf courses. You’ll notice the templates here by the names of the holes.
Over the years other architects have worked on the course. John LaFoy restored the course after the damage wrought by Hurricane Hugo. Later, Brian Silva added back 39 bunkers from old photos and restored the layout as close to its origin as possible. As is the case with many older clubs, more information was uncovered and Kyle Franz was brought in to restore six holes to their original design.
I know the history interests some of you but we know we’re all for the golf. Let’s get into the course tour. All yardages are from the white tees.
Hole 1 – 416 yards – Par 4 – Westward Ho!
The land for Country Club of Charleston is incredibly flat. Raynor was able to place incredibly interesting holes despite this limitation.
The first hole is no easy start. You need two solid shots for a chance at birdie.
Hole 2 – 359 yards – Par 4 – Valley
You can carry the right bunker but there is room to the left of it. The left side of the fairway provides the best angle to the green.
We got a good bit of rain during this round and it started here.
Hole 3 – 163 yards – Par 3 – Eden
The Eden template is meant to test your mid-irons modeled after the 11th hole at St Andrews Links Old Course. It also includes distinct bunkering on the left (called Hill), right (Strath), behind (Eden), and short (Cockleshell/Shelly). All of this is on display at Country Club of Charleston’s Eden rendition.
Hole 4 – 384 yards – Par 4 – Leven
Two bunkers cross the fairway here and must be avoided.
The green is open in front but you need to know where the pin is located on this undulating green.
Hole 5 – 489 yards – Par 5 – Narrows
When the course is playing firm and fast it is much easier to get home in two but you also have to worry about running into the bunker.
The open green is very inviting.
Hole 6 – 204 yards – Par 3 – Pond
The heavy rain started coming down here so I got a picture from under my umbrella. The long shot plays partially over the water.
Hole 7 – 354 yards – Par 4 – Maiden
This hole bends to the left. Other than that it started raining hard and we got called off the course, so the following photos are all I have!
Hole 10 – 365 yards – Par 4 – Alps
After a thunderstorm delay we got back out to the tenth hole. While it’s named Alps, this dogleg left doesn’t feature the blind second shot the template is known for. It does play over the traditional cross bunkers though.
I really liked the setting of the green on the river.
Hole 11 – 165 yards – Par 3 – Redan
This is a replica of the 15th hole at North Berwick in Scotland. The green is truly wild with the massive false front you can see below. There is so much of the green you cannot see. Left is essentially dead.
Hole 12 – 326 yards – Par 4 – Road
Almost all golfers know the Road Hole. This is the version at Country Club of Charleston. There is no hotel to deal with but I visited the bunker in front of the green. I do not recommend it!
Here is the bunker I hit into.
Hole 13 – 356 yards – Par 4 – Wappoo
We have a straight hole here. Most of the intrigue is contained in the green with its internal contouring.
Hole 14 – 333 yards – Par 4 – Double Plateau
My host said this was the toughest approach shot for him and I can see why. The hole is short but with severe slopes the green complex is heavily defended.
You can see what I’m talking about with the green slopes below.
Hole 15 – 485 yards – Par 5 – McLeod
You should be thinking birdie on this tee box. The landing area is plenty wide to unleash the driver.
The mounds covered in rough are a nice touch to the aesthetic.
Hole 16 – 436 yards – Par 4 – Lion’s Mouth
The Lion’s Mouth name refers to the green and who it wraps around the front bunker (see photos below). With the length of this hole you might be approaching the green with a longer club. It’s a tough par for sure!
Hole 17 – 154 yards – Par 3 – Short
A Raynor trademark, as you’ve seen, is deep bunkers with flat bottoms and high grass faces. This bunker is a great example and wraps almost all the way around the green.
Hole 18 – 462 yards – Par 4 – Home
If you’re on the line for a personal best score you will definitely have to earn it here. This long finisher has a fairway bunker in play and finishes going uphill. It’s time to hit good shots.
The Country Club of Charleston was an absolute delight. Even though they had gotten a lot of rain before and during my round I could still get a feel for its playing characteristics. I can only imagine how fun it would be when it plays firm and fast. Seth Raynor pulled off a great feat on a flat piece of land. If you find a way on this course, take it!