Yeamans Hall Club, Located in Hanahan South Carolina, just outside of historic Charleston, opened in 1925 and was designed by Seth Raynor. The club was named after the original land owner Sir John Yeamans and started on the principles that it would be very nice winter retreat for northerners, mainly Metropolitan area golfers. Initially when the club was founded, the idea was to have 36 holes with home sites available for the membership but for whatever reason, only 18 holes were constructed and there are very few homes on the very large property. Raynor's initial design remains very much intact today thanks in large part to the membership's decision to commission our own Tom Doak's company in the late 1990's to restore a lot of the greens to their original state.
The vibe of the club is that it is a very private place and the members like to keep it that way. But what I found when talking to employees and members during my visit is that it is very private, but it is also very laid back and low key. Not up tight and stuffy at all! The whole place just oozes southern charm.
I arrived at the gate a little after 7:00 in the morning in mid October. The gate is very cool, sorry the picture didn't come out too well but it was actually pretty dark still! My man Daryl at the gate was extremely welcoming. He being a former mid westerner, we chatted about a few things and then he gave me directions to the clubhouse.
After a wonderful winding drive on a narrow dirt road, your anticipation to play the golf course really goes up a notch when you drive across the first fairway and get a look at the amazing 1st green complex, then see beautiful Redan green of #6. If you weren't excited to play YHC before, you definitely are now! Then you arrive at a the clubhouse, locker room and golf house, all separate buildings.
I thought the locker room house was really cool...
The golf course plays to a par 70 from every set of tees. It is at very low elevation as you can imagine in South Carolina "Low Country". We were warned to play a 1/2 club more, but we still opted for the back tees which are called the Rust tees at Yeamans. I will give yardages from the Rust and Yellow tees during the tour.
Rust: 6808
Yellow: 6494
After checking in at the golf shop and talking to some more very friendly folks, we were off to the practice range to hit a few balls, putts and be the first group off of the day!
Hole #1 Double Plateau. Par 4. 427/403
The first hole is a longish par 4 that is a gentle dogleg right. The fairways at Yeamans are some of the widest I have played in the US and the 1st hole his no exception. You just need to hit a solid tee shot that puts you in play because the first hole is all about your approach and putting!
Here's the 1st tee shot...
The approach plays over the entry road and the restored principles nose bunker, which isn't in play for many golfers. But getting to the green is where all the fun starts! As has been said before, no picture can do justice how much slope is in this magnificent green structure, but here's some pictures that will try to do it justice. The back right hole location is one of the toughest.
#2 Leven. Par 4. 384/358
The 2nd hole begins with you recapping your experience on the first green. Yeamans just recently hosted a Society of Seniors event just prior to my visit. I'd really like to know the putting stats of those guys during the event. It had to average over 2 putts per player. Anyway, to the 2nd, it's a shortish dogleg left that definitely favors a right to left shot off the tee. There are 3 bunkers down the right side that will make the proceedings very difficult if your tee shot happens to find one.
From the tee...
After hitting a good tee shot, the golfer is faced with an approach with most likely a short iron or wedge. However, as is Raynor's nature, it's not just an easy shot. The green is protected with a large, deep bunker on the left side. Hole locations on the left, like when we played that day are tricky because the shot plays uphill and you cannot see the putting surface. Also, you still are not sure how far the ball is flying this early in the round. However, I did find this hole to be rather benign, especially being sandwiched between such standout holes as #1 and #3.
Here's the approach...
#3 Short. Par 3 147/136
After you walk off the 2nd green to the left, the 3rd green comes into view and it is a special one. The Short hole at Yeamans Hall is a great rendition. The hole is almost completely encircled in bunkers and your depth perception is really thrown off by the lack of a backdrop behind the green. The setting is tremendous with the low country marsh lands in the distance. It is played on flat land, not downhill at all, unlike some other Shorts that I have played.
From the tee
Today's hole location was right inside the horseshoe or thumbprint feature on the green. The photo doesn't do it justice because of the early morning light, but trust me you can see the horseshoe very clearly on the green when you play it. Really cool!
Taken from behind the green, a beautiful wraparound bunker, that makes it very difficult for players to make 3 if their tee shot fails to find the putting surface. Notice the bunkers are flat. No easy uphill lies in these bunkers! Shots do also get caught up in the big slopes by the greens, again making it tough for the player to get it up and down if their shot misses the generously sized green.
