Discover One of the Jack Nicklaus Golf Courses at The Cliffs

During the grand opening of The Cliffs at Walnut Cove in 2005, Jack Nicklaus and his design team were already busy planning their next golf course at The Cliffs, this time tucked off the shores of Lake Keowee. 

Widely recognized by members as one of the most challenging courses to play in the community, The Cliffs at Keowee Falls golf course marries the natural landscape with the 18-holes. This creates a memorable experience for all who are fortunate enough to play here.

Continue reading to learn more about this course’s incredible design and the coveted golf membership at The Cliffs.

Inspiration for the Design

The imagination that lured many to the Blue Ridge Mountains over the last decade for an all-encompassing membership to 126 holes of championship golf was buzzing with enthusiasm in the mid-2000s. From soaring peaks at Glassy Mountain to water-lined holes at The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards, The Cliffs planned to take advantage of another vital and natural element for its newest golf course to characterize its name. 

The namesake of The Cliffs at Keowee Falls centered around the Falls Creek waterfall, which is considered by many to be the signature feature on Lake Keowee and a favorite attraction among the thousands who visit the waters each year. 

“With all our golf course designs, we take our cue from the terrain provided to us,” says Nicklaus. “In the case of The Cliffs, the difference in the pieces of property creates the unique look, personality and strategy of each course we have designed for them.” 

The Design 

In order to maximize the piece of land, The Cliffs gave Nicklaus and his team the opportunity and freedom to follow the natural topography of the land to keep its integrity of the natural environment. The clubhouse, perched high atop the most dramatic point in the community, offers sweeping views of Falls Creek and up to 10 of the course’s 18 holes. However, privacy intertwined with the landscape consumes players from the start at the first tee.

Limited housing around the course meant that The Cliffs at Keowee Falls was able to keep more of the existing vegetation. During the design phase, the site was heavily wooded, and to this day, stays true on the boundaries of the course. Housing is seldom seen on the grounds, providing a tranquil setting. During the construction of the Keowee Falls golf course, The Cliffs and the Nicklaus Design teams initiated several key efforts to restore, preserve, and protect original, natural features that add to the course’s uniqueness and beauty. That includes an emphasis on playability, too.

Construction 

During the construction phase, Falls Creek was completely restored, making history in the process by becoming the largest creek restoration in South Carolina’s history at the time. More than 5,300 linear feet of creek bed was restored during a period of four months, an environmental responsibility that should be celebrated. Nearly 5,000 boulders were used to stabilize and beautify Falls Creek, which now flows freely through the heart of the course.

“We used the existing streams that run through the valley to set up the strategy for parts of holes 1, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, and 18,” says Jack Nicklaus.

Other smaller, environmentally sensitive measures in Keowee Falls’ construction included the creation of two ponds on holes 8 and 17, which add to the beauty of the course as well as helping to create a habitat for migrating waterfowl. According to Nicklaus Design, the layout of hole 15 was designed around what was identified, researched, and confirmed as the largest known fruit-bearing North American Pear tree.

Historic man-made accents also are prevalent within the pristinely manicured fairways and greens, and sprawl throughout all seven properties at The Cliffs. In particular, Keowee Falls pays homage to the past by preserving the remains of a “likker still” to the left of the 8th tee box. Players also will come across a century-old log cabin found on the property during construction. It was disassembled, relocated, meticulously reassembled, and retrofitted to serve as one of the course’s pump houses.

Play

Falls Creek was destined to be the pivotal feature of the golf course, and Nicklaus focused on the natural flow to shape holes and present players with distinctive challenges – a primary reason many members claim The Cliffs at Keowee Falls may play as the toughest of the seven. But with five sets of tees to choose from, players of all skill levels will undoubtedly enjoy a highly rewarding round. A non-traditional par 72 course, Keowee Falls offers five par 3s in addition to five par 5s, and don’t be surprised if you pull out every club in your bag trying to decipher the optimal approach for each hole.

 “I feel as if we placed the premium on second-shot accuracy with Keowee (Falls), using smallish greens but giving the higher-handicapped golfer ample bail-out areas,” says Nicklaus. “This translates into an ability to maintain the challenge for the better player to get close to the pin, while at the same time giving the higher-handicapped golfer a larger target to hit into safely. I think what every golfer will notice and appreciate are the water features throughout the course. Falls Creek and other existing streams became key components in our strategy, and you will see that they impact parts of at least seven holes.”

Fifteen years after its 2007 opening, The Cliffs at Keowee Falls continues to stand the test of time and has played host to all types of events from the annual Clemson Invitational to the NCAA Men’s Golf East Regional to countless member tournaments held throughout the year.

“The Cliffs has given us two wonderful opportunities, first at Walnut Cove and Keowee Falls,” says Nicklaus. “We hope we have delivered to them two exceptional and unique golf experiences, but experiences linked by the same level of quality associated with both our organizations.”

Discover Golf Membership at The Cliffs

Imagine playing 18-holes up high in the blue-toned mountain peaks one day, and by the sandy lake shores the next –– this is what our Cliffs members enjoy all year round! With not one but seven world-class golf courses to choose from, every day offers a new experience for golfers. However, the courses are just the beginning, our communities also boast state-of-the-art practice facilities, stately locker rooms, private bar and lounge areas, exclusive golf shops, and much more. 

So, you may be asking yourself: how do I become a member? Once you purchase a qualifying home, you will be offered the opportunity to choose between our two levels of membership –– golf membership and active membership. Yet, if you are looking to take full advantage of the golf experience we have created at The Cliffs, the all-encompassing golf membership is a must! 

To learn more about the many ways you will benefit from this level of membership, click on the button below.