Patriot's Point Golf Links - Charleston, SC - A Quick Photo Tour

[Richard Hetzel]

I made a mad dash the day after Christmas to squeeze in a few rounds at Pinehurst. Due to the amount of snow there, I was "forced" to drive further South without any arranged plans. Since I was already in NC, I decided rather than cancel my trip I would go to Charleston, SC. I enjoy Charleston, and figured even if not very warm, it would be without snow so I could play. Plus I am familiar with the city so it was a decent enough choice given my options.

I decided I would play Patriot's Point Golf Links after taking a tour of the USS Yorktown in the morning. I had originally attempted to play Charleston Municipal in the morning but could not due to a freeze delay of several hours. I took the carrier/sub tour instead. Don't show up here thinking this is a real links course, it's NOT. It is a decent golf course located close to Charleston Harbor and is a decent round of golf. I probably enjoyed it more since if I was home, I would be outside in the snow.

Designed by Willard Byrd in approximately 1979. Has more water on the course than I originally expected it to have. They could improve the first tee shot by letting you drive it off the flight deck of the carrier to the first fairway...the last four holes were the best of the bunch. For late December, the greens were surprisingly good. Most likely painted green as I saw hardly any over seeding. I usually detest painted greens, but these were actually very nice. I was pleasantly surprised. There are some nice views with the Ravenel Bridge in the background.

Here are pics from my iPhone. A few non-golf pics to start out...

Battery Park

Patriot's Point



Golf Course

[Carl Johnson]

Three or four years ago I played Patriot's Point in late May or early June.  I thought it was a fairly nice public course, well maintained at that time, in a good location in Mount Pleasant just over the Cooper River from downtown Charleston.  I can't remember exactly what I paid, but at the time I thought it was a little pricey for what it was.  In any case, I'd recommend giving it a try as an nearby golf option if you're visiting old downtown Charleston.

[Jeff_Mingay]

I played Patriot's Point about 10 years ago. I can't remember any of the holes (which is unusual for me), but do recall having fun. It's a nice setting.

I also remember reading that Annika Sorenstam (of all people?) was going to redo the course. Apparently that hasn't panned out, yet.

[Michael Whitaker]

Annika Sorenstam had a relationship with the Ginn Company. Ginn bought the course with the intention of her doing a remodel and raising the value. We all know the end of that story.

[Clyde Johnston]

I was working for Mr. Byrd when this course was designed and built. The site was an old spoil area that the Patriots Point Authority acquired from the Corp of Engineers as I recall. The site was basically an area surrounded by a man-made dike and silt from the river/harbor had been pumped into it over the years to keep the shipping lane clear.

It was a treeless flat area. I remember walking the site and having to stop every 20 or 30 feet to wipe about 3 inches of silt off of the bottom of my boots. We have a contractor dug a large test hole and pile the dirt(silt) up to measure the amount of settlement. As a result of the test, we had to install a geotextile fabric under all of the greens and maybe under the cart paths and tees.

I haven't been back there since the opening so it's interesting to see the pictures - thanks for sharing.

[Richard Hetzel]

Clyde,

Are the ponds scattered around the course man made or natural? A quick look at historicaerials.com shows that there must be a lot of dredged fill from the harbor/shipping channel on that site.

[Matt MacIver]

I played last year and really enjoyed the lay-out and variety of holes, and there are a few excellent holes at that.  I think I paid in the $60 range? but whatever I paid I thought it was a fair price and would easily recommend it.  In fact I would probably play it again before playing Dunes West. 

[Mike Tanner]

Did you get a post-round meal at The Wreck, down on Shem's Creek?

[Richard Hetzel]

Did you get a post-round meal at The Wreck, down on Shem's Creek?

No I did not, I went down to King's Street in downtown Charleston...Is the Wreck good?

[Mike Tanner]

It's a classic, not-easy-to-find, unpretentious seafood-lover's dive. And that's good in my book.
 

[Clyde Johnston]

Richard,

The ponds were all man-made and provided the fill for the golf course features.

[Rob Marshall]

I played Patriot's point last weekend. I thought it was a pretty good course with some interesting holes. I would agree the last 4 holes are the best. Other than the obvious Yeamans and Kiawah are there any other courses in the area worth a look? I have family in town and plan on getting town there a few times a year.

[PCCraig]

I played Patriot's point last weekend. I thought it was a pretty good course with some interesting holes. I would agree the last 4 holes are the best. Other than the obvious Yeamans and Kiawah are there any other courses in the area worth a look? I have family in town and plan on getting town there a few times a year.

Check out the Charleston Muni. It's not flashy but it's a great classic routing, fun to play, some great marsh views and inexpensive. Rumor was that Raynor helped construct when in town working at Yeamans and CC of C. If the course ever just restored their greens to their original sizes, it would really be something.