Oak Hill (Columbia SC)

Oak Hill was my favorite course that we played in South Carolina. It has a lot of width to it. The player can be aggressive and attack or he can be conservative and play for angles.

The first six holes offer a good chance to get off to a fast start. A couple short par fours and a par five can be birdied. The only real difficulty can be found on the fourth where a creek comes down the right and fronts the green. It's still just a short or mid iron approach but a mistake will cost a stroke or two.

The middle six holes is where the course really shines and shows its teeth. The seventh is a 178 yard par three over the corner of the lake. Players instinctually will bail out left but the slope of the green will make it a difficult two putt. Those who choose to challenge the water and sand will be left with a good birdie chance. It's a great par three. Eight is a long par four whose green is elevated above the fairway. The green slopes away in the rear, so players need to high a high approach to hold it. Nine is a lovely par five that plays downhill to a green that is on a shelf with a creek short. Long hitters will have to hit an excellent shot to reach it in two. Everyone else had to decide where to layup to get the best angle. Ten is the best hole, in my opinion. The green is just a pedestal and the second shot needs to be hit perfectly. It's possible to up n down from the upslope short, but it's a difficult shot. Eleven is like ten as in the green is on a pedestal. It's well bunkered and is an excellent one shotter.

The last six holes can go either way. Some birdie holes mixed in with a few tough ones. Sixteen is the tree hole as a giant oak blocks out the right side of the fairway. A good drive can lead to a three. Seventeen is a well conceived par four. It doglegs left and a draw will stay on the higher level, leaving a good view and much easier shot. Blow it to the right or hit it straight and the reeds in the water short block the view and punish a mishit very quickly. Eighteen is a fine ending hole. Play it like a three shotter and it plays quite easy. Try to reach it in two, and the water short will need two strong shots to carry it.

Oak Hill is a great course. Melnyk n Love did a great job, and it's enough to make me want to see more Love's work. It's a six rating. (6 very good)