South Carolina's Top Golf Courses Ranked

0:00On March 26, golf fans in South Carolina have a new list to debate as the state's golf course rankings panel releases its latest top courses. They split them into classics built before 1980 and modern ones after that date. The top modern pick is the ocean course at Kiawa Island Resort, followed by a Congri Golf Club and Old Barnwell in Akin. On the classic side, Yeamans Hall Club leads with C-Pines Resorts Harbortown Golf Links and Paul Meadow Golf Club, rounding out the top three. These rankings come every year for the overall best, with the panel playing each course they vote on. Criteria cover everything from routing and strategy to aesthetics and overall experience. Architects like Donald Ross and Seth Rainer shine in the classics, while Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus and others dominate the moderns. Pete Die and Robert Trent Jones courses fit both eras. Things are heating up because new spots like the tree farm and broom sedge are shaking things up alongside restorations of older tracks.

1:02Courses vary wildly, from the ocean courses nearly 8,000 yards to shorter gyms like Akin Golf Club at about 5,800. Panelists emit no ranking as perfect, and that's part of the fun in a state packed with world-class options. Meanwhile, in College Golf, University of South Carolina senior Frankie Harris grabbed his sixth career win at the Hoody at Bulls Bay, Intercollegiate. The Florida native shot 12 under par over three rounds, including a program record, nine under 63. His Gamecox team finished second behind the host College of Charleston. With the masters around the corner, the South Carolina gyms offer perfect warm-up inspiration for golf lovers everywhere.