Greenville Country Club (Riverside) – Played September 2020
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 502 Garden Trail, Greenville, South Carolina
- Year: 1923
- Original Architect: William Langford
- Additional Work By: George Cobb & Brian Silva
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Blue: 6,667 yards, Par 71, 72.5 Rating/139 Slope
- White: 6,309 yards, Par 71, 70.6 Rating/137 Slope
- Gold: 5,760 yards, Par 71, 67.7 Rating/133 Slope
- Red: 5,012 yards, Par 71, 64.5 Rating/120 Slope (Men’s), 69.6 Rating/122 Slope (Women’s)
Greenville Country Club played a prominent role in my early golf life. The 36-hole club served as a home base for our high school golf team for a number of years.
Unfortunately, that was interrupted due to some bad behavior from some of the guys on the team. After a couple of years of punishment, we were allowed back. I was very happy with the return since as a non-member, it was the only time I got to play the courses.
As I mentioned, Greenville Country Club is a 36-hole club, with the 18s on separate sites. I delved into the details of some of the history Greenville Country Club when I did the write up for the Chanticleer course. You can check that out here.
On this day I was played the Riverside course. It is known as the member’s course. It is a bit less severe than Chanticleer but still provides plenty of challenge and fun.
We played the blue tees with all yardages reflecting that.
Hole 1 – 432 yards – Par 4
With the elevated tee, this hole doesn’t play nearly as long as the yardage. The fairway is generous so go ahead a blast driver.
You’ll want to avoid the bunkers around this green. They are quite deep.
Hole 2 – 138 yards – Par 3
This is the normal tee shot for the second hole at Riverside. It plays a bit shorter with the downhill slope. For a short shot, the green is quite generous.
Due to some weather issues, an important bridge was closed. So we had to play this hole and 8 differently than normal.
Hole 3 – 395 yards – Par 4
A left miss is better than right here with the creek running along the entire right side. A good drive leaves you with a short iron to an expansive green.
Hole 4 – 404 yards – Par 4
The best angle into this green is from the right side of the fairway. From that side, you get an open look at the green without having to traverse the bunkers.
Hole 5 – 394 yards – Par 4
It’s all about the approach shot on this hole. It plays severely uphill to an interesting green. More on that in a minute.
The green has a big ridge running front to back. Certain pins locations can be gathering spots for golf balls while others are really difficult to get close. Subtle but interesting.
Hole 6 – 560 yards – Par 5
The first of back to back par fives plays long after the elevated tee shot. Bunkers are all over the place here so you need to plot your way to the hole.
The green is a pretty small target with the bailout area to the right. Getting up and down is much easier from there compared to the bunkers.
Hole 7 – 514 yards – Par 5
Compared to the last hole, seven is much more scoreable. The drive gets a boost with a downhill landing area. Take note, you’ll want to stay up the left side due to a large tree on the right as you get to the green.
Hole 8 – 153 yards – Par 3
This little hole can wreck your round. It features deep bunkers on the front and back. Also, you can get a rules refresher! If you hit the power lines you are required to replay your shot with no penalty.
Hole 9 – 333 yards – Par 4
It might be advisable to hit less than driver on this dogleg right. If you go too far on a straight line you can bound through the fairway.
During the renovation at Riverside, this green was moved way down the hill to shorten the hole. In my early days, the green was on top of the hill behind the current green complex. It made for a much more difficult approach shot.
There are plenty of huge breaking putts on this green.
Hole 10 – 382 yards – Par 4
You’ll want all the driver carry possible on this uphill hole. The challenge doesn’t end there as you play your approach to a semi-blind green guarded by sand.
Hole 11 – 464 yards – Par 4
This is undoubtedly the longest and toughest par four. With trees on the right, it begs for a power fade. If you’re like me though, you can put it in the left trees.
Cross bunkers sit well short of the green ready to gobble up mishits. The green is an understated punchbowl variation.
Hole 12 – 366 yards – Par 4
Try to keep it straight on this hole. OB or bunkers are no good for your score.
Hole 13 – 186 yards – Par 3
Long is wrong on this one for two reasons. First, the green slopes severely back to front. Second, there is a bunker behind the green.
It’s damn near impossible to get up and down from the back bunker.
Hole 14 – 426 yards – Par 4
This hole plays mega downhill. The trees encroach a bit too much on the right for my liking. Depending on conditions it is a good idea to land your approach a little short of the green.
Hole 15 – 518 yards – Par 5
You have to be precise with your shots and not stray to the right on this rollercoaster hole.
Depending on your drive, the second shot can be decision time.
Hole 16 – 448 yards – Par 4
On this tee shot, you want to hit the slinging draw to get the most out of your drive. The bunkers aren’t really in play as the hole bends left.
You can probably tell that a left miss will leave you with an almost impossible attempt for par.
Hole 17 – 158 yards – Par 3
The final par three exhibits the most elevation change of the short holes. The deep front bunker is no place to be, so take enough club.
Hole 18 – 396 yards – Par 4
You hit into the unknown from this tee but your goal should be to land the ball to the right of the walkway. Approaches from the right side of the fairway are much more open to the green.
The Riverside course at Greenville Country Club is an excellent member course. It provides enough challenge without too many forced carries that would give less-accomplished players too much trouble. Especially when paired with Chanticleer, Riverside gives the members all they need in 36 holes.