Wade Hampton Golf Club – Played August 2024
- Rankings: Golf Digest #22, Golf Magazine #67
- Location: Highway 107 S, Cashiers, North Carolina
- Year: 1987
- Architect: Tom Fazio
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- The McKee Course: 7,054 yards, Par 72, 74.4 Rating/143 Slope
- The Tournament Course: 6,674 yards, Par 72, 72.7 Rating/139 Slope
- The Wade Hampton Course: 6,370 yards, Par 72, 71.1 Rating/136 Slope
I’d come to regard Wade Hampton Golf Club as a mythological site. Its superlatives have been ringing in my mind for as long as I’ve been interested in golf course architecture and golf travel. To get a chance to see it made my year!
It’s not typical for courses built in the 1980s to get a lot of shine. Wade Hampton, however, bucked the trend of many of the real-estate development courses of that era. It has homes on the course but they blend into the surroundings. It seems that the golf course was the priority in the build and that was unfortunately opposite in many of the courses built back then.
Besides that, I couldn’t dig up much history on the course, which happens on occasion. Wade Hampton is a mountain course but I think you’ll see in this tour that many of the negative connotations for that style are absent. Let’s get into it!
Hole 1 – 540 yards – Par 5
The first hole can feel a bit cramped but you don’t need to hit driver if you’re not trying to get home in two. The fairway runs out quickly on the left side. From there you play to a green that is open in front but is not overly large.
Hole 2 – 380 yards – Par 4
The majority of this hole slopes right to left which means you need to favor the right side of the fairway. Trees, rough, and some drop-offs on the left make should be avoided.
The green site has much more slope than it seems to from the fairway.
Hole 3 – 176 yards – Par 3
Waterfalls are a polarizing feature in golf course architecture but when the waterfall has been there for hundreds of years (as this supposedly has been) it’s much easier to be in favor. Once you take your eyes off of the scenery, you’re faced with a tough shot with a water hazard guarding the front and left portions of the green.
Here’s a better look at the waterfall.
Hole 4 – 565 yards – Par 5
This is a lengthy hole with trouble all down the left side that must be taken into account on the tee shot. Playing just inside the right rough line is the objective.
You can see that the hazard goes all the way down to the green and will factor in on any left misses.
The green has plenty of slope which means you’ll need to control your spin if your on the left side near the hazard.
Hole 5 – 435 yards – Par 4
This is simply a tough hole that requires a good drive to attack the elevated green. Anything on the left side brings potential tree trouble into play.
Hole 6 – 151 yards – Par 3
This is one of the holes that represents the style of Wade Hampton. The green is beautifully framed by the surrounding scenery while still asking for a quality shot.
Take note of the shallow green. Distance control is imperative here when combined with the elevated tee.
Hole 7 – 379 yards – Par 4
Trouble lurks all down the left side of this hole. Keep your tee shots shaded towards the bunkers.
With a good deal of slope from back to front, your approach shots can suck back, so be careful. The back bunkers make for really difficult recovery shots.
Hole 8 – 359 yards – Par 4
You might be short of breath once you walk up to this tee box so take some time to enjoy the view. The fairway is a generous target and urges you to rip driver.
This is another approach where you need to control your spin. In addition, it’s very important to carry your shot deep enough to avoid the steep false front.
Hole 9 – 379 yards – Par 4
The shape of this hole calls for a right to left tee shot. With the orientation of the green, anything in the fairway has a decent angle for the approach shot.
You can see in the photo below just how close the hazard is to the front of the green.
Hole 10 – 556 yards – Par 5
This is an intimidating tee shot for the hookers among us. If you have the fade in your arsenal, this dogleg right is the time to pull it out.
If you’ve found the fairway, the second shot feels comfier and more open.
With all the slope in this green, back right pins like this one can make for interesting putting challenges.
Hole 11 – 166 yards – Par 3
We’ve got another downhill par three here but it presents a different look than the last one. It’s much more open and is guarded by bunkers instead of water. The slope short right of the green can propel mishit shots onto the green.
Hole 12 – 317 yards – Par 4
It’s at this point in the round that Chimney Top comes into view. The dramatic landform adds to the overall views here. This short par four gives you options off the tee with the sensible play being a layup to the fairway to set up your favorite approach yardage.
Be careful with your spin in the front left section of this angled green.
Hole 13 – 432 yards – Par 4
Something about the low-lying clouds made for a very enjoyable visual here. I used that as comfort after a horrible tee shot 😂. If you can get a slinging draw out there it will take advantage of a downslope to dramatically shorten your second shot.
Hole 14 – 400 yards – Par 4
This tee shot is the time to step up and hit one of your best drives. That’s what this hole requires.
Take a moment while you are on the green to take a look back at the rock formation above you.
Hole 15 – 389 yards – Par 4
This hole plays a lot longer than the listed number. It’s uphill the entire way so you won’t be getting much roll on your tee shot.
Chipping from the left side of this green is difficult since the slope is running away from you.
Hole 16 – 412 yards – Par 4
The trees on the right guard a pond that is definitely in play. Keeping your drive in the left side of the fairway provides the best angle to the elevated green. I don’t recommend getting behind the trees.
Hole 17 – 165 yards – Par 3
The front pin is a tough one to get close to since the water is right there. Just take your medicine and hit the middle of the green. The two large trees provide one added layer of defense here.
Hole 18 – 473 yards – Par 5
When you look at the yardage, this seems like an easy birdie opportunity. The reality, however, is a much tougher hole. Trouble extends up the entire left side of the hole. Depending on your tee ball confidence, driver might not be the play.
The task doesn’t get any easier from the tee. It narrows as you get closer to the green making the layup no sleepy shot.
Wade Hampton is a challenging yet beautiful course. The setting provides a sense of serenity that not many golf courses can match. I was incredibly thankful to get to see this place after many years of hearing about it.