Discover the Best Golf Courses in the US at The Cliffs
Golf course architects and designers, golf legends, and the most respected names in golf and lifestyle media all agree that the collection of courses at The Cliffs are among the very best golf courses in the U.S.
From sparkling lakeside courses to mountaintop links, no private golf club experience in America can quite match the incredible seven-course repertoire at The Cliffs. Discover what makes playing at our award-winning golf courses at The Cliffs an unforgettable experience for all those who step foot on the green.
The Cliffs at Glassy
From the moment designer Tom Jackson was invited to design the course, he knew he was given a special opportunity to create a world-class golf experience in South Carolina. As the state’s only mountaintop golf course, The Cliffs at Glassy golf course sits 3,000 feet above sea level and provides players with majestic 75-mile views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
Shortly after its debut, the course was ranked fourth most scenic in the nation by Golf Digest, behind only Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, and Augusta Golfweek | Golf News, Scores, Leaderboards, Tournaments & Rankings National. When you arrive at the signature 13th hole you’ll see why! Even Golfweek raters ranked it among the best residential courses in the country.
The Cliffs at Mountain Park
Coming in at No. 35 on Golfweek’s list of the top residential courses in the country is Gary Player’s masterpiece at The Cliffs at Mountain Park. The course, which debuted in 2013, is the latest addition to the repertoire of seven nationally-ranked championship courses at The Cliffs.
Unlike any other course in our collection, it boasts a walkable, links-style design that folds delicately into the topography and zig-zags along the banks of the North Saluda River. Native grasses and environmentally sensitive landscaping also define this delightful course –– representative of Player’s dedication to conservation.
Whether you’ve been golfing for five years or 20, it presents quite the challenge with 13 acres of bunkering and waste areas throughout and The Joust, an exciting Par 5-3-4-5 finish.
The Cliffs at Keowee Springs
The Tom Fazio-designed course at The Cliffs at Keowee Springs offers a challenging and rewarding experience for golfers of all ages and skill levels. With three approachable loops of six holes, designed to play six, 12 or 18 hole-rounds, this course is ideal if you’re short on time. In addition, the design includes a set of family tees, making it one of the most family-friendly designs at The Cliffs.
Practice areas are vital for members looking to improve their skills, and also for players just learning golf. The Cliffs at Keowee Springs boasts a world-class teaching facility, including a dedicated short-game area, for players to hone in on improving their shot-making ability.
The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards
Located along the shores of Lake Keowee, The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards golf course offers the finest in both mountain and lake living. With eight of its 18 holes played directly along the lake, and five offering splendid views of the Blue Ridge Mountains beyond—this picturesque course offers breathtaking views and exhilarating play.
It comes as no surprise that it has been recognized as No. 54 on Golfweek’s Best Residential Courses list. Even Tom Fazio himself noted that the 17th hole “may be the most picturesque in all of South Carolina.”
The Cliffs at Walnut Cove
No. 78 on Golfweek’s list of the top residential courses is The Cliffs at Walnut Cove. With a Jack Nicklaus Signature design, it has been named one of the best golf courses in the U.S. Upon its unveiling in 2005 the PGA TOUR recognized this memorable course as the only championship course to debut in tournament-ready conditions.
Here, the front nine holes wind across open fields and former farmlands, as the back nine crisscrosses over and around mountain streams and fields of wildflowers –– making it easy to appreciate the charming characteristics of the Blue Ridge Mountains throughout the course.
The Cliffs at Keowee Falls
Golfweek ranks The Cliffs at Keowee Falls No. 161 on the list of top residential courses for 2020. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this challenging course is named after Falls Creek that runs through seven of the holes. Players will enjoy the dramatic elevation changes, tree-lined fairways, and lengthy par 3s this course affords.
The Cliffs Valley
Debuting with honors from Golf Digest for the Best New Courses Award, The Cliffs Valley course is truly spectacular. Designed by Ben Wright, this parkland-style course has a walkable design and stays true to the natural landscape. Gentle mountain creeks and streams meander their way through the 18-holes, creating a rich golf experience for players.
Community Recognitions
Although our individual golf courses each have an atmosphere that is characterized by their specific location, they come together to create a private golf community that has everything any avid golfer could wish for.
Named one of North America’s 25 Best Golf Communities by GOLF MAGAZINE, The Cliffs communities offer access to seven of the best golf courses in the U.S. The magazine specifically praised the’ lakefront lifestyle of The Cliffs three communities on Lake Keowee, along with the variety of experiences offered to members within our gates.
Golf media aren’t the only ones in on our little secret, Travel + Leisure recognized all seven of The Cliffs communities among the best golf communities in the nation in 2014, highlighting our diverse collection of golf course designs, as well as the luxury amenities available in our clubhouses, wellness centers and more.
A Community Centered Around Golf
At The Cliffs, golf is much more than just a sport –– it is a way of life. Whether you’re looking to develop golf skills to improve your game, or simply unwind after a long day in the office, the golf experience at The Cliffs has it all. But it takes more than just spectacular courses to land in GOLF’s list of Best Places to Live –– luxury amenities, programming, and the community’s natural environment are all taken into consideration.
Each community at The Cliffs offers state-of-the-art wellness facilities with modern equipment for strength training, group fitness classes, and even private yoga classes. Additionally, our indoor and outdoor swimming pools provide an enjoyable workout, no matter the season.
If you’d rather swing a tennis racquet than a golf club, our tennis community is active throughout the year. With 22 hard and Har-Tru clay courts, 18 of which are lighted allowing for nighttime play, the tennis facilities are a wonderful place to socialize with other members who share your same love for the game. Many of our members who are tennis enthusiasts compete in tournaments throughout the year.
In order to take advantage of the exclusive lifestyle and amenities our club membership affords, you must first invest in a luxury mountain property at one of our seven premier mountain and lake communities. Once you determine which one best suits your wants and needs, we invite you to browse through our available listings and see for yourself how spectacular life at The Cliffs truly is.
If you would like to request additional information or plan an in-person visit to any of our communities, simply contact our team by clicking the button below.
This post was originally written on August 29th, 2016, and rewritten on January 26th, 2021.
