The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards – Played March 2021
- Rankings: None of the four lists
- Location: 824 Clubhouse Drive, Sunset, South Carolina
- Year: 1999
- Architect: Tom Fazio
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Black: 6,999 yards, Par 71, 74.2 Rating/141 Slope
- Blue: 6,637 yards, Par 71, 72.6 Rating/137 Slope
- White: 6,214 yards, Par 71, 70.6 Rating/132 Slope
- Combo: 5,991 yards, Par 71, 69.6 Rating/130 Slope
- Gold: 5,773 yards, Par 71, 68.8 Rating/127 Slope (Men’s), 73.8 Rating/133 Slope (Women’s)
- Red: 5,007 yards, Par 71, 65.6 Rating/113 Slope (Men’s), 69.6 Rating/125 Slope (Women’s)
- Orange: 4,073 yards, Par 71, 61.6 Rating/105 Slope (Men’s), 64.5 Rating/112 Slope (Women’s)
I am slowly making my way through the portfolio of golf courses that The Cliffs has to offer. They have seven courses and Keowee Vineyards was my fifth course played. I was able to cross this one of the list with my buddy Fred. We had Chamber of Commerce weather, which is always wonderful in March!
This is a Tom Fazio course, who along with Jack Nicklaus has done two courses for The Cliffs. His other is Keowee Springs, which I have not yet played. Like with most Fazio courses, you are going to see plenty of hole framing and the golf course will have a pretty aesthetic. There are eight holes overlooking Lake Keowee and plenty of mountain views as well.
Hole 1 – 361 yards – Par 4
The “gentle handshake” opener should provide a good start to your round.
Hole 2 – 187 yards – Par 3
Now that you’re warmed up, go attack this long par three. The green is a large target, but the bunkers are deep and treacherous.
Hole 3 – 399 yards – Par 4
I’d be lying if I said I remembered which way this hole turned 🤣. Either way, the fairway is a generous width and par should be achieved if you can avoid the bunkers.
Hole 4 – 610 yards – Par 5
Fazio took advantage of the elevation change to create this long par five. You can really launch your driver from this elevated tee box. Stay out of the hay on the left though or you will feel all 600+ yards of this hole.
Hole 5 – 368 yards – Par 4
It’s not often you get to play between a vineyard and a lake. Favoring the left side of this fairway is the play here.
Hole 6 – 176 yards – Par 3
There is no trickery here. Find the green or you will be fighting hard for a par.
Hole 7 – 311 yards – Par 4
There are options here. I played for the fairway, while Fred (much longer) took a shot at the green. Both have their merits, but if you go for it and are a bit off, trees and bunkers are your penalty.
The green is a small target for a driver.
Hole 8 – 416 yards – Par 4
You need two good shots to find this green in regulation. It plays slightly uphill to an undulating green.
Hole 9 – 534 yards – Par 5
We’ve got another long, downhill hole, but you have to be a bit more precise with the narrower landing area.
Hole 10 – 412 yards – Par 4
We had to go up a large hill to get to the this tee box. Something tells me this hole is a bridge to keep the routing going. It’s straight all the way to the green.
Hole 11 – 188 yards – Par 3
Like the others, this par three is straightforward. If you miss left the ball can run away a bit.
Hole 12 – 420 yards – Par 4
If you miss left, this dogleg right plays much longer. Power fades and cutting the corner are a big advantage here.
Hole 13 – 390 yards – Par 4
We’ve got back to back dogleg rights, but this time we’ve got a water hazard guarding the right side. The middle bunker is a great line for the drive.
Hole 14 – 520 yards – Par 5
With the uphill grade, this one plays every bit of the listed yardage. It’s another hole that bends right.
Hole 15 – 532 yards – Par 5
The last par five plays downhill making it 3/4 that go downhill. I like that you can see the green from the tee box, keeping your goal in mind.
Hole 16 – 171 yards – Par 3
This green is quite firm. I landed in the middle and we never found the ball. Oh well!
Hole 17 – 234 yards – Par 3
This is the view from the tips. Thank goodness we weren’t playing back here. Our tee is in the second photo. Either way, this is the signature hole here at Keowee Vineyards.
Hole 18 – 408 yards – Par 4
The final hole is a stern test that plays uphill and doglegs right. The green is a big target but you may have to perform for an audience at the clubhouse.
Keowee Vineyards is very picturesque romp through the mountains and lake. The course doesn’t show you anything revolutionary or quirky, but it is a solid test of golf that I imagine is quite well liked by the members. With the elevation change and the good conditions, I can see why.
