What's good in and around Greenville, SC?

[TheCityGame]

Hey guys --

 

Gonna be in Greenville Friday-Sunday this week. Might be able to sneak out for 18 a couple of those days.

 

What do I like in a golf course?

 

I like to walk. I don't mind "quirky". I don't need lush or well-manicured, but if that stuff is there, that's fine.

 

I prefer challenging (not looking for a muni where the highest rated tees are 68/117).

 

I might or might not play 7000 yards, but if the course has a set of tees there, that's a good sign. I prefer something in the 6800 range.

 

I looked at "The Preserve at Verdae". That looked pretty nice.

 

"Bonnie Brae" looks a little small.

 

Legacy Pines came up.

 

Furman University.

 

I'm a little thrown-off because everything is in the $40 range. Up here, the $40 range are the dog tracks, basically.

 

Don't mind driving 45 minutes or so from Greenville. I'm staying right around Main Street.

[ws6]

Of those choices, I'd play Furman. If your looking for convenience Verdae is it.

[TheCityGame]

Thanks. I'm not limited those those choices if there's something better around.

 

I'll probably play 2 days.

[OutBackHack]

They are playing a web.com tour event on both Verdae and Furman courses next week, they should be in decent condition at least I would think.

Caddied at Verdae last year, it's not very good.

Furman has replaced a course at lake keowee that was fairly decent, probably 45 minutes from Greenville, not sure if it's publicly accessable though.

[SnowBound Golfer]

I like Cherokee Valley. About 30 minute drive.

Fun, challenging and scenic.

Played Holly Tree and didn't think much of it.

[Spicoli]

I liked Verde, especially #9 and the backside.

[upanddown52]

Furman would be a good choice. Also, The Walker Course at Clemson is good as well. (pretty easy 40-45 minute drive) Furman is probably more walker friendly and both will be crowded on weekends. Verdae is an interesting course(fairly penal) and fun to play on occasion if greens in good shape. My last experience there a few weeks back was not good, but I think they were leaving the greens long in preparation for the upcoming Web.com event.

 

Definitely would steer clear of BB or LP on the weekends.

[TheCityGame]

Thanks everyone. Hitting the road today.

 

That Cherokee Valley looks pretty interesting. PB Dye course. He has a course up here in Maryland that I really like.

 

I have some options.

[TheCityGame]

Played Cherokee Valley on Friday, Verdae on Saturday, and Walker course on Sunday.

 

I REALLY LIKED all 3 courses. Walked Verdae and Walker. Guy says "no walkers" on Cherokee Valley and believe me, I'll walk anything, but you could not have walked that course.

 

I don't know how anyone would describe Verdae as "not very good". The greens were PERFECT. Great elevation changes. Have to work the ball both ways. Some pure stunners for golf holes. Fun green complexes. I thought that course was pretty special. The 11th looks like 12 at Augusta with about 50 yards added to it.

 

That green on 9 was crazy. That downhill par 4 on the front is a great golf hole. Beautiful downhill par 3 on the back (15 ish?). 10 is a very nice golf golf hole. The way that fairway just lies on the top of that hill reminds me of Ross design. I was VERY IMPRESSED.

 

You guys are spoiled if that course is "not very good". This came up a lot last weekend, but that course could be $100 up here, and it would be PACKED.

 

Cherokee Valley was cool, but I went out as a single in between foursomes, which is never fun. Paired up after 6 holes, and that made it better. Some fun holes there. The yardage on the card was wrong in several cases. Short course, but approaches to uphill small greens with shaved sides make it difficult. Great views, for instance on the 226 yard down hill par 3 on the back (I only had 7 clubs with me. I hit a 4 iron long left, then tried to hit a bunt drive, and missed pin high left). I also had no idea there was a "run out" area short right that I could have hit into. Fun course.

 

Walker was nice. I played from the back tees and never missed a fairway by more than a yard or two all day, and made everything inside 10 feet, which helped. Doubled hole 1 from 30 yards off the green, then made 13 pars and 4 bogeys from there. Had to hit driver to the long par 3 on the front (hole 6?). Long was better than short there. Parred 17 with a nice up and down.

 

Hole 9 was a beast. I hit a pretty good drive, but had 210 in, slightly into the wind, all carry, and decided to lay up. I did not have a club to get me there.

 

Thanks for the recommendations.

[SnowBound Golfer]

Glad you enjoyed those 3 courses. I have a buddy that lives in Greenville. He said Verdae is good too. I will try it on my next visit down.

[cmatthews77]

My parents live in Greenville and the public golf is lacking. I've played Verdae several times. I used to really like it. Then last time I was there they had quit maintaining many of the areas calling it "natural". Instead you just can't see what used to be pretty creeks and such that ran throughout the course. Now just looks like weeds