The Aiken Golf Club – Played October 2020
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 555 Highland Park Drive SW, Aiken, South Carolina
- Year: 1912
- Original Architect: Donald Ross
- Additional Work By: John Inglis & Jim McNair, Jr
- Course Access: Semi-Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Medal: 5,795 yards, Par 70/71, 67.9 Rating/121 Slope
- Mid: 5,361 yards, Par 70/71, 65.9 Rating/118 Slope
- Fore: 4,572 yards, Par 70/71, 62.4 Rating/105 Slope (Men’s), 66.9 Rating/112 Slope (Women’s)
The Aiken Golf Club is a known gem in the golf course architecture community, but you may not have heard of it. The course is sub-6,000 yards but with its interesting mix of elevation change and green complexes, you will get plenty of challenges.
Driving into the course was a bit of a shock because it is basically in downtown Aiken. I was driving down the main drag and two turns later I was in the parking lot. It’s really cool to have a course that close to town but not have it feel cramped.
The history of the Aiken Golf Club is quite long. The course has persevered through the Great Depression and multiple ownership changes. It used to be part of a high-end winter resort before serving as Aiken’s municipal course. The club is now in the hands of the McNair family and what they do with a small crew is spectacular.
The course conditions are phenomenal. Now operating as a semi-private course, at $25 to walk on the weekend, the Aiken Golf Club is one of the best bargains in American golf.
Let’s get into the course tour. All yardages are from the Medal tees.
Hole 1 – 311 yards – Par 4
“Don’t go left” is the name of the game here. You have all the room to the right. With the undulating green, laying back to your preferred yardage is not the worst idea.
You get an immediate introduction to the green countours. Godspeed if you’re in the wrong spot.
Hole 2 – 446 yards – Par 5
You want to favor the left side of this short par five. This is a great chance to get an early birdie.
After turning left from the tee, the hole bends back to the right for the approach.
Hole 3 – 423 yards – Par 4
This hole is a great foil to the last one. The third is perhaps the most demanding at Aiken with a narrow fairway and ample length.
Beware of the hazard that sneaks in on the right side of the green.
Hole 4 – 194 yards – Par 3
We must have played from a different tee box because it wasn’t as long as the card says. With the elevation change, this is a tough green to hit.
Hole 5 – 403 yards – Par 4
You know by now that this hole fits my eye. Do your best to fit a draw around the corner.
Be careful with the left side of this green. The bunkers on that side are quite difficult.
Hole 6 – 351 yards – Par 4
For the best angle into the green play for the right side of the fairway. I decided to stay on the left and roll in a long putt for birdie!
Hole 7 – 379 yards – Par 4
You can see the entire hole from the tee, so you know what to do. Two solid shots are needed for a chance at birdie.
Hole 8 – 339 yards – Par 4
This might be my favorite hole at the Aiken Golf Club. The landing area is completely blind from the tee but everything is exposed as you walk down the fairway. The pushup green is a cool look.
Hole 9 – 185 yards – Par 3
We’ve got another uphill par three here. There’s no harm in missing a bit short here.
Hole 10 – 502 yards – Par 5
You can launch drives from this elevated tee. If you do, getting on the green in two is a realistic goal.
The green is angled from front left to back right and is quite narrow. It is a very long green with many pin position possibilities.
Hole 11 – 200 yards – Par 3
In my two attempts on this hole, I never could reach the green. For some reason, it plays longer than it looks.
Hole 12 – 337 yards – Par 4
Playing through the trees is a theme at Aiken Golf Club. Precision is a must on this uphill par four.
Hole 13 – 442 yards – Par 5
It can feel a bit claustrophobic on this tee. Don’t snipe on into the left trees or you might end up in a Taco Bell.
Hole 14 – 255 yards – Par 4
The final stretch features some cool short holes, starting with this one. Any length player can have fun on this short devil.
It may be short but the green contouring is vexing.
Hole 15 – 280 yards – Par 4
Due to the downhill slope, this green may be more reachable than the previous hole. You definitely want to be on the correct line because left of the green is diabolical.
Hole 16 – 183 yards – Par 3
I love a stadium-like experience and you get one here. The green is a generous target.
Hole 17 – 382 yards – Par 4
I basically can’t hit a fade so this tree is problematic for me. With the gradual uphill slope, this hole played longer than the yardage.
The elevated putting surface is actually a double green, shared with the first hole.
Hole 18 – 183 yards – Par 3
The Aiken Golf Club does things a little differently, so ending on a par three fits right into their template. This is the flattest of the one-shot holes with the parking lot and road lurking to the left.
I can’t think of enough good things to say about Aiken. I hope the charm has come through in the photos. The course is playable for high handicappers while still offering challenges to better players via the greens. Between the fun factor and the incredible value, the Aiken Golf Club gets a must play recommendation from me.