BEST PUBLIC COURSE IN CHARLESTON?

[shadowCLV]

I'm looking for some answers on what the best public course in Charleston is, Im traveling down there next Friday and will be playing one of these three so far:

 

Patriots Point Links - Cheap and looks nice

Rivertowne CC - Looks great but $100 for after 12 starting on next Fri??

Links at Stono Ferry - Cool looking track and cheap

 

Any insight would be great, Thanks guys!

[rblmp32]

PP is nice. Couple holes with nice views.

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

I've not played much around Charleston. The Muni is cool but rather bare bones. Inexpensive though and I found it a good value for money when I played there a couple years back. It gets very crowded at weekends unless you play late in the day.

I've played Stono Ferry four or five times over a period of 10 years or so. Not in the last couple years though. I really like the course, it's a pretty basic Lowcountry type layout but except for a couple of housing-squeezed holes here and there it has a bit more room off the tee than some courses in the area. And the little stretch of three holes along the river are beautifully scenic. But hole for hole it seems pretty well thought out with a certain amount of subtlety, not quite plain vanilla although nothing terribly special. It also tends to be pretty well run in terms of the staff and the logistics of the place (comfy clubhouse with pretty decent food). And it does drain slightly better than the typical Lowcountry rice paddy. Not great but better than some courses.

[serveitup911]

Wescott Plantation is also a favorite. Reasonable prices, nice modern 27 hole layout, and good driving range + clubhouse.

[Chilidog]

I would also recommend Rivertowne.

[CaddiesFault]

stono is solid. how about charleston national in mt pleasant?

[Jrose]

Crowfield Plantation is in Goose Creek not too far away.

[jchan]

I lived in Charleston for about 15 years - lots of good courses.

I'm assuming you know of the Ocean Course @ Kiawah? It's not far from Charleston and open to the public. As a former resident I consider this a Charleston course.

I would pass on Patriots as I'm not a huge fan of the layout (links style). I do enjoy Crowfield, Legend Oaks, Coosaw Creek, Charleston National, and Stono Ferry (all within about 30 minutes away in various directions).

Other than Kiawah I don't know that there is a definitive "best". But, plenty of courses that you'll enjoy - have fun.

[Lenny Intensity]

I've been here 8 months or so, but have tried to play as much as my schedule allows. Skip Patriot's Point, unless you just want to hit balls (nice grass range close to downtown). Stono Ferry is a good track, as is Charleston National. Rivertowne is nice, a little overpriced but probably worth playing depending on your budget. I probably play Coosaw more than any other course due to being friends with a member (but I'm pretty sure you can play without one), good greens, but it's a little short and tight for my taste. Wescott Plantation is decent. I'd rate these courses as Rivertowne > Charleston National/Stono Ferry > Coosaw/Wescott >>> Patriot's Point.

The Ocean Course at Kiawah is obviously the best public course near Charleston, but if you're not staying there, the fee is like $330 plus at least 60 for the caddy. That being said, it's pretty special. Depending on your budget, it may be worth it, especially with the PGA coming up this year. If I only had time for one round in Charleston area, it would be here, no question.

The other Kiawah courses (I've played Osprey twice) are also good (but nowhere near Ocean course), though probably overpriced if not staying at the resort. I've heard the Wild Dunes courses and the Seabrook courses are pretty good (and overpriced), but haven't played them. Haven't played Legend Oaks or Crowfield.

[goplutus]

Are any of these walkable? Particularly stono or charleston national

[dpark]

[quote name='goplutus' timestamp='1329451012' post='4305527']
Are any of these walkable? Particularly stono or charleston national
[/quote]

Also, what are the green fees for these courses? 4 of us are going to be there in about a month and plan on playing the Ocean course and want a good second course that won't break the bank.

[CaddiesFault]

[quote name='dpark' timestamp='1329451653' post='4305613']
[quote name='goplutus' timestamp='1329451012' post='4305527']
Are any of these walkable? Particularly stono or charleston national
[/quote]

Also, what are the green fees for these courses? 4 of us are going to be there in about a month and plan on playing the Ocean course and want a good second course that won't break the bank.
[/quote]

great review by lenny, and go to wild dunes its a quality track. and seabrook is probably overpriced yes, i played crooked oaks which is the better of the two and i liked it, but it wasnt memorable.

as for the question,
i deemed them all walkable, but my life down there was as a caddy so thats probably why..hah. stono might have some distance between a couple holes but i dont truly remember. charleston natl i walked quite a few times, and its cheap this time of year i think.

[WilburnLong]

Was able to play The Muni in charleston recently. Great experience, greens are small and very well protected by bunkers lots of walkers on the course. Like another said earlier it is a little bare bones and there are very few forced carries but again I felt the small well protected greens were a great test.

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

[quote name='goplutus' timestamp='1329451012' post='4305527']
Are any of these walkable? Particularly stono or charleston national
[/quote]

When I've played at Stono Ferry in the past they've always let us walk, no problem. The layout itself is very walking-friendly with only one or two moderately long treks between holes. I'd call and ask first, though. Just in case they've quit allowing walking at weekends or something like that. No idea about Charleston National, sorry.

[shadowCLV]

Thanks all for the help. I made a T time at Rivertowne on Friday. Playing the Ocean Course on Sunday and Turtle Point on Saturday. Rivertowne looks like a great test and a cool layout.

[Chilidog]

I like Rivertowne a lot....tough course. I think you'll like it.

[CaddiesFault]

[quote name='shadowCLV' timestamp='1329789257' post='4336103']
Thanks all for the help. I made a T time at Rivertowne on Friday. Playing the Ocean Course on Sunday and Turtle Point on Saturday. Rivertowne looks like a great test and a cool layout.
[/quote]

a palmer, nicklaus and dye track. all are great. enjoy every minute of kiawah. id love to go play ocean one more time.

[shadowCLV]

Thanks, I will need every bit of my game for Rivertowne and the Ocean Course...too bad it is going to be one of the colder days in the last 2 months on Sunday when I play. It has been 64-75 everyday down there and it is 57 for a high on Sunday with possible rain. Fingers are crossed.
[quote name='MIgolfpro' timestamp='1329880232' post='4346943']
[quote name='shadowCLV' timestamp='1329789257' post='4336103']
Thanks all for the help. I made a T time at Rivertowne on Friday. Playing the Ocean Course on Sunday and Turtle Point on Saturday. Rivertowne looks like a great test and a cool layout.
[/quote]

a palmer, nicklaus and dye track. all are great. enjoy every minute of kiawah. id love to go play ocean one more time.
[/quote]

[dpark]

Just called to make a tee time at Charleston National. CARTS ARE MANDATORY. What a total load of crap...

I hate golf courses that force you to take a cart. Apparently if I was a local member and paid some extra money, me and my buddies would be allowed to walk but since we are out-of-towners, we have to take a cart.

I did confirm that I can cancel my tee time without penalty, so will start looking at the other courses mentioned in this thread that allow walking.

[CaddiesFault]

[quote name='dpark' timestamp='1329946018' post='4352479']
Just called to make a tee time at Charleston National. CARTS ARE MANDATORY. What a total load of crap...

I hate golf courses that force you to take a cart. Apparently if I was a local member and paid some extra money, me and my buddies would be allowed to walk but since we are out-of-towners, we have to take a cart.

I did confirm that I can cancel my tee time without penalty, so will start looking at the other courses mentioned in this thread that allow walking.
[/quote]

i had a friend that had worked there. never even crossed my mind that it could be cart mandatory, as we always walked. sorry for the poor information. i should have double checked online or something. try wild dunes, dunes west or rivertowne maybe.

[walts00]

I would pass on Patriots Point. Do try and play Charleston National and Dunes West...both in Mount Pleasant and usually reasonable priced. Nice layouts. Rivertowne is a great track but a bit overpriced, IMO.

[brraaadddd]

Rivertowne is nice...just whatever you do don't play charleston national..

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

You will find more courses cart-mandatory than not in South Carolina. I always assume that's the case until I check and find out otherwise. Even ones that mention walking typically have restrictions...no walking in the mornings, no walking on weekends, no walking peak season, only members can walk, etc.

[MyBluC4]

50 minute drive to Kiawah Island...The Ocean Course...expensive, magnificent experience, worth every penny!!!

[dpark]

[quote name='MIgolfpro' timestamp='1329955086' post='4353733']
[quote name='dpark' timestamp='1329946018' post='4352479']
Just called to make a tee time at Charleston National. CARTS ARE MANDATORY. What a total load of crap...

I hate golf courses that force you to take a cart. Apparently if I was a local member and paid some extra money, me and my buddies would be allowed to walk but since we are out-of-towners, we have to take a cart.

I did confirm that I can cancel my tee time without penalty, so will start looking at the other courses mentioned in this thread that allow walking.
[/quote]

i had a friend that had worked there. never even crossed my mind that it could be cart mandatory, as we always walked. sorry for the poor information. i should have double checked online or something. try wild dunes, dunes west or rivertowne maybe.
[/quote]

Just called Rivertowne. MANDATORY cart fee for out-of-towners. Again, only members can walk (and avoid the cart fee). WTF????

Carts suck, plain and simple. I can't believe that I want to walk at one of the "better" courses in Charleston and I am told I have to take a cart...

I guess Wild Dunes is next on the calling list. Was trying to play a good, lower cost course that we can walk since we are already playing Ocean (and walking) but what a pain...

[sbrass88]

[quote name='brraaadddd' timestamp='1330020598' post='4359269']
Rivertowne is nice...just whatever you do don't play charleston national..
[/quote]



Why?

[sivad53]

i actually like charleston national not a bad course at all. got my tee time for the ocean course for the 29th

[Whispering Eye]

Wild Dunes Oceans course is nice. It's North Charleston though. Not a golf recommendation, but just as important, do yourself a favor and go eat at Husk when you are in Charleston.

[damnorcross]

I'll be there next weekend for a wedding, and I'm trying to get 1 round in. Anyone play legend oaks or summerville CC? Thanks.

[ceasterb]

[quote name='goplutus' timestamp='1329451012' post='4305527']
Are any of these walkable? Particularly stono or charleston national
[/quote]
Stono is a wonderful walk. Charleston National is more suited to taking a cart.