Our List of the Best Golf Courses on the East Coast

Ask any avid golfer and they will surely agree that there’s nothing more beautiful than the green fairways of a pristine golf course. The eastern seaboard is home to some of the most prestigious and scenic golf courses in the country. Among this list of courses is a handful of our very own golf courses here at The Cliffs. 

Discover the most scenic golf courses on the East Coast, and what makes them so inherently beautiful. 

The Cliffs at Glassy Golf Course in Landrum, South Carolina

72 Par | 6,805 Yards | 73.1 Rating | 148 Slope

Sitting on a mountaintop is the utterly scenic The The Cliffs at Glassy Golf Course. Designed by Tom Jackson in 1993, this course features sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and its craggy blue-toned peaks. Golfers who have been here before know that the drive up to the actual course itself is spectacular to see. In particular, the 13th hole is renowned for being the most scenic golf course hole in the country. As you come up to a clearing, you can see out for over 75 miles. 

The Red Course in Streamsong, Florida

72 Par | 7,148 Yards | 74.2 Rating | 130 Slope

Streamsong Red possesses a dramatic landscape for an East Coast golf course. Behind the course’s design is the team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw — two of the top golf architects in the world. The course’s landscape consists of sand dunes, rolling hills, savannah-like terrain, natural bunkers, and pristine lakes. Together, these create not just a pretty view, but a game of strategy that tests the skills of even the greatest player.

The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards in Sunset, South Carolina 

72 Par | 7,200 Yards | 73.9 Rating | 143 Slope

Year after year, The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards continues to accumulate various awards as one of the best golf courses on the East Coast and beyond. Tom Fazio designed the course to be mesmerizing, between the breathtaking views and challenging play. At the 17th hole you come across a perfect view of Lake Keowee and its tree-lined shores, with a range of mountains in the far distance. On certain days, a light mist floats above the water, adding to the dreamy landscape of it all. 

The Cascades Golf Course in Hot Springs, Virginia

70 Par | 6,873 Yards | 72.8 Rating | 135 Slope

One of the best golf courses on the East Coast is The Cascades at the Omni Homestead Resort in Virginia. Long stretches of greens kiss the foothills of the tree-covered Allegheny Mountains. William S. Flynn was the original mastermind behind this legendary course, but the venue eventually went through a bit of a makeover in 2005 — courtesy of Wayne Morrison and Tom Paul. 

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove Golf Course in Arden, North Carolina

71 Par | 7,167 Yards | 75.2 Rating | 148 Slope

Tucked away in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina is The Cliffs at Walnut Cove golf course. The course stretches across a verdant valley with an almost ethereal quality. The course is split between open fields that were once home to mountaintop farmland and winding streams with pockets of deep woods. Jack Nicklaus designed the venue and garnered the esteemed title of being the only course to debut with tournament-ready conditions. 

The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, South Carolina

72 Par | 7,676 Yards | 77.3 Rating | 144 Slope

Home to the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships is The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island. This bucket-list course is known for giving players a run for their money. Though satisfyingly tough, it’s also considered to be one of the best golf courses on the East Coast due to its panoramic views of the Atlantic. 

Seaside Golf Course on St. Simons Island, Georgia

70 Par | 6,657 Yards | 72.3 Rating | 137 Slope

Seaside on St. Simons Island is another oceanfront venue with incredible views. As a links-style course, a variety of landscapes create a tricky game at each hole. The Mackay River runs alongside several of them before eventually spilling out into the breathtaking Saint Simons Sound. 

Friar’s Head in Baiting Hollow, New York

71 Par | 7,078 Yards | 74.4 Rating | 140 Slope

Another Coore and Crenshaw property on our list, Friar’s Head in New York looks over the Long Island Sound. The landscape features heavily wooded sand dunes — a natural haphazard for a golf course. Steep elevation changes provide several vantage points along the holes, making for a beautiful escape from the busyness of New York City.

The Cliffs at Keowee Falls Golf Course in Salem, South Carolina

72 Par | 7,171 Yards | 75.6 Rating | 144 Slope

Undulating terrain plays a major role in creating the unmatched scenery at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls. As you navigate the course you stumble upon tranquil ponds and trickling streams that lend to the serenity. Jack Nicklaus took his time in framing the natural beauty apparent at each hole. Add an East Coast Adirondack-style clubhouse and you are suddenly at one of the best courses on the East Coast. 

Belgrades Lakes Golf Course in Belgrades Lake, Maine

71 Par | 6,723 Yards | 72.2 Rating | 135 Slope

Witness Maine’s beautiful countryside at The Belgrades Lakes Golf Course and Club. Rolling hills intermingle with several large blue lakes lined with tall grasses and cattails — a scene that looks like something out of a children’s storybook. Areas of dense woods provide brilliant colors in the fall, undoubtedly one of the most ideal times to visit the course. 

The Cliffs at Keowee Springs Golf Course in Six Mile, South Carolina

72 Par | 7,200 Yards | 73.9 Rating | 143 Slope

A lake course with elongated fairways and exhilarating views describes the golf course at The Cliffs at Keowee Springs. As Tom Fazio’s second course here at The Cliffs, he designed this one with families in mind with three loops of six holes and a set of family tees, designed to play six or two holes when time is tight. Thus resulting in a fun, yet approachable golf game.

The Cliffs at Mountain Park Golf Course in Marietta, South Carolina

72 Par | 7,213 Yards | 74.0 Rating | 139 Slope

Majestic fairways that lend to a links-style layout make the Mountain Park golf course a club member favorite. As far as the scenery goes, it doesn’t get better than the slow-moving North Saluda River that greets you from time to time. Blue skies and lush fairways make for a picture-perfect mountain course in this quaint corner of South Carolina.

The Cliffs Valley Golf Course in Travelers Rest, South Carolina

72 Par | 7,050 Yards | 73.4 Rating | 130 Slope

Take a rest in Travelers Rest at The Cliffs Valley golf course with its parkland-style layout that takes you on a journey from beginning to end. Impeccably maintained fairways feel too good to be true, but the modern design brings you back to reality as you traverse the unique layout designed by Ben Wright. 

Golf Course Living at The Cliffs

Golf is considered to be far more than just a game here at The Cliffs. Instead, members see it as a way of life, cultivating a deep appreciation for the sport and its long history. As a result, our communities have been able to offer golf courses designed by some of the greatest names in history. 

Each of our seven golf courses provides you with a unique opportunity to play at a premier golf venue, and residents of our communities get to enjoy access to all seven of them. View homes at The Cliffs on the best golf courses on the East Coast by clicking the button below.