Persimmon Hill (Saluda SC)

Persimmon has the type of southern charm I find irresistible. The clubhouse is a functional pro shop yet it serves an excellent lunch with the best sweet tea. Simple but great quality. And the golf course is the exact same way. The course has a simple look to it, but it demands exact shotmaking to post a good score.

Persimmon Hill is a Russell Breeden course that is defined by large sloping greens and large oval bunkers. On a few holes, the greens are on elevated pads and the large traps make them appear even smaller. Holes 4-6 all employ this feature, and this is one of the best sequences on the front. The fourth plays across a lake before going uphill to the elevated green. The fifth is a short par four where the player lays up to the turn, and then must hit a perfect wedge shot to the pedestal green. Six doglegs right to another uphill green flanked by deep bunkers.

The par fives are the other topic of discussion at Persimmon. Eight and eleven are both reachable in two shots, but the player must attack the proper line off the tee to have a good shot. Both greens are protected by water and at the eleventh it protects three sides, left, front, and right. The par five eighteenth is the longest hole in SC at 630 yards, and that tidbit is constantly reiterated on all the photos throughout the clubhouse. It requires three good shots but otherwise is not memorable.

A couple holes that are memorable are the 10th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th. Ten has another pedestal green surrounded by traps, thirteen is beautiful uphill par three, fourteen is a mid par four where a drawn ball is rewarded with a short iron approach while a ball that fails to do so will run into the trees, fifteen is an excellent long par three across water to another pedestal green, and sixteen is a short par four with a cool green. It has a roll on the right side that flattens out on the left. Pin locations on the right are very tricky.

Persimmon Hill is one of my favorite courses down in Columbia, and overall was very well received by the guys in our group. The added atmosphere really gives it an edge. The course is a five (5) and if ambiance matters then bump it up one. Either way it's a a lot of fun.

(pics from Internet)

Rustic Canyon (Moorpark CA)

Gil Hanse and Geoff Shackleford designed Rustic Canyon in 2006 to huge fanfare. The course is a throwback to golden age architecture when little dirt was moved, and strategy focused on ground game options. It takes advantage of the natural features of the land, and forces you to visualize a shot. Most greens are surrounded by short grass chipping areas so bump n runs, Texas wedges, and every type of chip is available.

Rustic Canyon does have an unusual routing. It has five par 3s, five par 5s, and eight par 4s, including three short, possibly driveable ones. The course starts off with a par five. It is reachable but a sandy fault line cuts across the fairway and fronts the green. The fault line is somewhat narrow so a ball that finds it may not have very good stance or lie. The second hole is a long par four. A large mound in the green strategically affects how the approach is played. Putting over it is certainly a three putt so players must really think bout the type of shot they're trying to play.

The third is the first of three short par fours. Basically it has two sight lines. Laying up out to the right or trying to carry the diagonal bunkers. The conservative play leaves a pitch into the green but the view is hindered by a cluster of traps. The aggressive play if it successfully carried the sand, had a clear path to the green. Both options are well conceived and change pending weather and wind direction. The fourth has a diagonal sand trap fronting well short of the green and a large mound in the putting surface. Then the par five fifth greets us with a beautiful designed cape second shot that must carry over a sandy wash. Golfers get to pick their line pending their ability and comfort. I felt it was the best three shorter on the course.

Six is a long par three over the wash to green that is significantly raised in the rear and to the right so that the ball can catch the slope and funnel to the center. It's a great hole. And one where you can see some really crazy putts. Seven is the second short par four. The wash crosses the fairway and the player must decide how much of a risk is he willing to take. The green is elevated on the left and is seriously guarded by a couple deep traps. There are many ways to play the hole. It's a keeper!! Then eight is a pitch shot par three with nowhere to land except the green!! The golf on the front nine is damn good!!

Nine and ten are both par fives. Nine is a straightaway hole which is defended by a crazy contoured green. It lulls the player with its simplicity but it requires thinking. Ten starts the back nine with a dogleg right. The green is pressed next to the desert with no bunkers guarding the entrance. It's a good birdie opportunity.

Eleven is a solid par four. Player must pick correct side of the fairway to get a good angle to the pin. Twelve is the final short par four, and potentially the most driveable. The green is the only real threat as a raised back tier is the best place to hide the flag. Otherwise the player can use the slope as backstop to attack the front locations. Thirteen is the last par five, and has the coolest green on the course. The bowl green is fronted by a principle nose bunker that doesn't allow head on shots to the pin. Golfers can hit up to the side and watch their ball funnel back towards the cup. But remember, the bowl both giveth and taketh away.

The player is now at the furthest point in the course. And it's a long par four playing back to the clubhouse. From the back tees its a monsterous carry just to reach the fairway! Many people will struggle to reach in regulation so a four is a wonderful score. Fifteen is an uphill par three which I felt was the least favorite hole on the course. Its nearly two clubs longer than the yardage, and the severely pitch green is a bear to putt.

Sixteen is the most memorable hole as the tee is way above the fairway and provides an incredible view of the entire golf course. The hole is obviously downhill and balls that land just short can and will roll thru the green. Seventeen is a solid par three whose right side is protected by the desert. And finally eighteen is a downhill par four with desert all down the right side. The green will shed balls to the rear. It's hard to believe when you're hitting the approach just how much this green slopes away from you. A pretty good trick hidden well by Hanse.

Rustic Canyon has popped up on several lists as one the best courses you can play. I love the options you're given on every hole. And the course is super playable so you can shoot a good score too. I could play here everyday and not get tired of it. That is an endorsement not given lightly. In fact, I prefer playing here more than Pasatiempo. Add in the outrageously cheap green fees and this is a course that's gonna be around for a long time. It's a strong 7 rating.

Indian River (West Columbia SC)

Indian River was the only course I played on the spring golf trip of '03 that was better than I expected. When you pull into the gravel parking lot, and see the simple clubhouse, it's easy to be underwhelmed stepping to the first tee. However, after playing a few holes, you can't help but get excited by how well designed the
green complexes are. Here are a few examples.

The ninth is 184 yards with a creek fronting the green. Two swales in middle of green make front and rear pins exacting hole locations. Two putting from swale is difficult.

Eleven is 465 yard par four. The green is well bunkered on left which gives false sense that bailout is right but two mounds on right are very difficult to putt or chip over.

Twelve is 177 par three. A crisscross mound in middle of green forces you to start at the center and work ball towards flag. Putting across green is incredibly difficult.

Fifteen is short par five at 509 yards. Fairway grades into the green where a trough lowers in the middle and rear is elevated again. Very very cool green!!

Finally eighteen shows how one feature influences entire green. Huge mound middle right makes rear flags a precise target.

If love to see Lynn Young design more courses. These greens make this course much better than it normally would be. 4 rating (above average)

Windermere Club (Blythewood SC)

We did a spring golf trip to Columbia SC in 2003. Most people think Hilton Head, Charleston, or Myrtle Beach when golf is mentioned in SC, but the state capitol has some very good courses too.

The first course I'm going to talk bout is The Windermere Club, a Pete Dye course designed in 1987. It has many of Pete's architectural trademarks including railroad ties, waste areas, and switchback holes. Switchback holes are ones that move one way off the tee, and then the other way into the green. There are several holes that fit this profile but eleven and twelve best exemplify this strategy.

There are many memorable holes at Windermere. The first hole starts it off with a mid length par four that doglegs left. A creek guards the left side before crossing in front of the green. It's a good introduction and one where mistakes are punished quickly. A couple strong par fours, second and eighth holes, makes the front nine a real challenge. The ninth is the best hole on the course. A par three across the water that has a lima shaped green. The right pin location is several more yards of carry to reach the green safely. Add in any type of wind, and it can ruin a round.

The back nine starts off with a par five that is reachable. The bunker that guards the green is forty feet deep and will make you think twice before grabbing a club. The par three thirteenth has a bow tie shaped green with large mound fronting the middle. It's almost like having two separate greens. Then fourteen is a short par four whose line of charm is broken by deep traps. If you're going for this green, then you better strike it pure. Conservative plays typically leave a blind approach. Pete Dye just doesn't let you have an easy birdie!!

Finally the eighteenth hole sweeps along side the lake as this dogleg left par five finishes off the round with a gambling proposition. A perfect draw will shorten up the hole and leave a great angle to reach the green in two shots. Most players will blow it right and let it bounce off the hill. A safe strategy that can net a par on most plays. The clubhouse sits just up the hill overlooking the green, offering all those on the patio a chance to watch the action coming in.

Overall the Windermere Club is a challenging golf course. It has to be up there as one of the top courses in Columbia. I give it a solid 5 rating.

(Pictures taken from Internet.)

Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links

On the northern tip of Monterey Penisula is the little coastal town of Pacific Grove. As you drive thru town, you get the feeling that this is a more relaxed, down home type of place that is not as pretentious as its neighbor next door. And out by Sunset Drive lies the crown jewel, Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links.

Repeated named as one of the best municipal courses in the country, Pacific Grove has much pedigree to substantiate its ranking. US Amateur Champion Chandler Egan designed the front nine in 1932. Then in 1960 Jack Neville designed the back nine in the dunes surrounded by the ocean. Pacific Grove became an instant classic. However, what makes this place even more special, is the good grace to treat this as a municipal golf course. You can play here for a tenth of the price at Pebble Beach.

I played the back nine while on vacation, and I'm not sure if I ever felt more giddy on a course before. Between the sand dunes, the pounding ocean surf, and blowing wind, Pacific Grove was showing her assets from the very start. There's a couple lines of sand dunes that Neville took advantage of with his routing. Greens were placed in the dunes or along side them while several holes shared common space for fairways.

Without a doubt, the best hole is the par five twelfth. The hole makes a gentle "C" as it plays between the dunes. From the tee, the stunning ocean views makes this an awesome hole. It's possible to reach it in two, but you'll have to challenge the sand to cut off some distance.
13-16 are all parallel to each other as they play tween the sand. Each has it's own little wrinkle to gain an advantage for those looking to score. I felt fourteen was the next best hole as dunes guarded the right side which provided the best view into the green. From the left, one had to carry over a dune to a semi blind putting surface. Seventeen is the most recognized hole here. (several commercials were made here) It's just a mid length par three, but the tee is set near Sunset Drive, and the waves crash into the rocks a few yards away.

I think everyone needs to play Pacific Grove if they're anywhere near Monterey. It's the type of place that reminds you why you fell in love with the game. It's just a very special place. And to me, that overcomes any shortfalls that the course may have. Point Pinos Lighthouse oversees the play on the back, adding to the ambiance of an already unforgettable day of golf!! (5 rating)

Gokfweek #22 best municipal golf course

Pasatiempo (Santa Cruz CA)

Its hard to fathom a course having more expectations then those I had towards Pasatiempo. Alister MacKenzie, arguably the greatest golf course architect, designed it in 1929, and quite simply it's the only public MacKenzie course in the United States. It's said that Pasatiempo is the reason Bobby Jones hired the good doctor to design Augusta National. He played in the inaugural round and felt it was that good a golf course.

The first thing one notices as one makes his way to the clubhouse is the bunkering. They re flashy, dramatic, and force you to hit the ball to a certain point if one wants to score well. I have Mackenzie's "Spirit of St Andrews" book and I misunderstood his design philosophy til I played here. When he talks about the handicap golfer avoiding a trap, he's suggesting giving a wide berth to obtain an angle. Theres no running the ball up on the green here!

The second thing one notices is how hilly the terrain is. Pasatiempo is located in the Santa Cruz mountains. From the clubhouse veranda, one can view Monterey Bay in the distance, and on a clear day, can see all the way to Monterey itself. It's such a beautiful place MacKenzie made this his home.

Pasatiempo is a tale of two golf courses. The front nine is good but there's a few holes I think are pretty ordinary. The course gets off to a strong start with a couple long par fours followed by the best hole on the front, the par three third. The 235 yarder is uphill to a well bunkered green set at an angle. It's very difficult to get the ball on putting surface and it usually plays as the toughest hole in the Intercollegiate Championship.

After the short par four fourth, the player comes to the difficult fifth, an uphill 190 yard par three. A central bunker fronting the green influences all pin positions including a flag located in the tongue. Then we come to the MacKenzie hole, a par five that literally has OB and a net to keep balls from going into other peoples yards just feet away from the fairway. It s shocking when you see it. And this is a very narrow hole too. Seven is another very narrow hole. I felt MacKenzie was trying very hard to fit three holes into this space of land. A cool green on seven is the redeeming factor as it pinches in the back right tween the sand. A pin located here requires a deft shot.

Eight is the just off the side of seven. In fact, my playing companion nearly drove his ball onto the eighth green from seven tee!! It's a downhill par three with a big green that has a lot of slope in it. The ninth is an uphill par five that plays in front of the crowd watching from the veranda. It was the only time I had an "Augusta" feeling.


The back nine at Pasatiempo is excellent and is the reason why this is considered one of the top courses in the country. It has three par fours that are world class, two very intriguing par threes, and one of the coolest hazards I've seen. This is the genius of MacKenzie. And it starts on ten.

Ten is a long par four whose drive must carry over a deep barranca. The barranca is so cool. The only unfortunate thing is it doesn't influence the drive like it used to do. Players now can carry it up and over the hill. The green is wider than it is deep so you have to control a longer iron to hit it. Eleven is then an uphill par four with the barranca splitting the hole right down the middle. The closer you hit to the hazard, the better angle you have to the green. Shy away and the angle and carry over the barranca becomes more difficult. It is the best uphill par four I've ever played.

Twelve plays back down the hill and the green sits on the other side of the barranca. It s just short iron if you hit a good drive, however, the ball is below your feet, making it somewhat tricky. Thirteen is par five with some great bunkering. The green is heart shaped with narrow pin positions in the back right and back left corners. I'm surprised by the shape of some of these greens. Not what I would considered classical. Gives me new insight.

After the fourteenth, the golfer comes to a pitch of a par three. The green is sited in the loop of creek. Three bunkers add to the overall danger of the shot. It's a great lil hole. Then we come to sixteen, the hole MacKenzie declared to be his best par four anywhere. A hill in front of the tee rewards a well struck draw. The green is located across the creek on the hill. It has five tiers and is dramatically bunkered. Tiger Woods five putted this green to give an example how tough it is.


Seventeen is the only average hole on this side. It's slightly uphill and has no green side bunkers! Finally eighteen is a rare par three ending hole. It plays across barranca to green set into the hill. It has a severe slope in it and three putts are a common occurrence. It is an awesome shot! It's commonly thought of as the best ending par three hole in the country!

Everyone should try to play Pasatiempo. It's a real eye opener to see how Alister MacKenzie designed his greens and used his bunkers to influence play. I wish the greens would've been in better shape when I played it. The back nine was excellent and made up for an underperforming front side. Yes I felt holes 6-9 were average. Nonetheless it's a great course. (7 rating) It's easy to see why it's one of the top courses in the country.

(Golfweek has Pasatiempo as the 31st best course in the country and the 3rd best course you can play in California )