Fazio's 17th: The Postcard
Tom Fazio once claimed Keowee Vineyards' 17th is “the most picturesque hole in South Carolina.” Hit it pure—or risk finding more water than view. This dramatic par 3 is the photo that brings golfers back.
The verdict
A Fazio Classic with Serious Bite
Keowee Vineyards blends Tom Fazio’s bold greens and bunkering with a knockout mountain-lake setting. It's a strategy-driven, scenery-rich round that rewards placement and demands precision, cementing its place among South Carolina’s most memorable private tests.
Course DNA
Difficulty
84
Scenery92
Conditioning87
Shot Variety81
Walkability62
Green Complexity83
Wow Factor79
Design Quality85
At a glance
Quick facts
Holes with lake views
8
Holes with mountain vistas
5
Course architect
Tom Fazio
Elevation change
Significant, rolling mountain terrain
Clubhouse
19,600 sq ft with new dining and pro shop
Longest hole
625 yards (No. 4)
Most famous hole
No. 17, par 3 over water
State ranking peak
Top 10 in SC (2001–07, Golf Digest)
The design
The architecture
Tom Fazio’s masterstroke at Keowee Vineyards is a routing that perfectly frames Lake Keowee and the Blue Ridge, delivering constant movement between elevation, water, and woodlands. Greens are devilishly contoured, bunkers flash from slopes, and the risk/reward proposition is in play from the first tee to the unforgettable close—especially on a back nine where mountain-lake drama constantly ups the ante. The layout’s variety—three beefy par 5s, four scenic par 3s, and a suite of punishing par 4s—keeps club choices fresh and nerves taut. It’s a modern private club that never feels generic, revealing new angles and challenges year after year.
Tom Fazio combined scenery, shotmaking, and rhythm to showcase both drama and subtlety on these Blue Ridge foothills.
Defining features
- Dramatic mountain-lake routing
- Frequent strategic choices on par 5s
- Massive elevation changes shaping shots
- Flashing bunkers guarding undulating greens
- Bold green contours with run-offs
- Long par-3s demanding precise irons
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 4
The Relentless Climb
PAR
5
YARDAGE
625
This is the beast of the front nine—a 625-yard three-shot giant where every swing is shaped by undulating terrain and punishing length. Positioning off both tee and layup is paramount, as bold bunkering and uphill slopes guard a perched green. It’s a par 5 that asks for brains over brawn.
Play it smart
Favor controlled placement over all-out distance from the tee and second shot—getting on in three with the right angle is the realistic path to par (or birdie).
Where it bites
Miss a fairway or flirt with the bunkers and bogey feels more likely than birdie; the green is well-defended, especially for aggressive lines.
Course management
Shots to think about
Long forced-carry par 3 (No. 17, 250 yards)
Take an extra club and trust the wind—avoid left at all costs.
Monster three-shotter (No. 4, 625 yards)
Map your layup for the right approach angle; don't chase extra yards if it brings bunkers into play.
Aggressive par 5 second shot over hazard
Only risk it if you’re certain; the safe layup leaves a scoring wedge and avoids disaster.
Precision required on demanding par 4 (No. 8, 458 yards)
Play for the fat part of fairway off the tee—take the longer approach if it avoids trouble.
Downhill approach with elevation change
Club down and control trajectory—mountain air can mislead distance.
Windy lakeside holes
Test the air at the tee and again at the green; conditions can shift rapidly.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Pristine, private-club surfaces, tight fairways, and championship-level greens.
Pace
Comfortable but not fast—expect deliberate rounds due to elevation and frequent strategic pauses.
Vibe
Exclusive, serene, mountain-lake escape with social members’ club feel.
Dress code
Proper golf attire required—collared shirts, tailored shorts/pants, no denim.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial in Long-Iron Play
The demanding par 3s and long par 4s put a premium on confidence with hybrids and woods.
02
Bring Stamina (or a Cart)
Elevation changes and green-to-tee distances add up—walk only if fit and ready for a hike.
03
Practice Uphill and Sidehill Lies
Mountain terrain ensures you’ll rarely have a flat stance—train for awkward lies.
04
Pack for Weather Shifts
Mountain weather can change quickly—light layers and rain gear are smart.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1999
Course opens, designed by Tom Fazio
- 2001
Debuts in Golf Digest's South Carolina Top 10
- 2007
Named 7th Best Private Course in the US by Golf Digest
- 2015
Honored in Golf Digest Best in State
- 2018
Maintains Top 15 South Carolina ranking
- 2021
New 19,600 sq ft clubhouse completed
- 2024
Golf Digest ranks #24 in SC
Stories & legends
What makes it special
The Lake Effect
Eight holes run along Lake Keowee, serving up not just vistas but wind shifts and pressure-packed carries. The boldest sights, and some tricky club decisions, come as the water wraps the back nine.
Par Fives Bring Choices
Fazio’s collection of par 5s—especially the monster 625-yard 4th—force you to weigh risk and reward on nearly every shot. Go for it, or lay up for position? The debate starts early and never lets up.
No Short Walks Here
Rollercoaster terrain and significant green-to-tee stretches make for a testy trek—many members opt for a cart, but the walk rewards with big mountain-lake reveals.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Eight holes have direct lake views—rare for any mountain course.
2
The 17th is often photographed as South Carolina’s most beautiful hole.
3
The course once ranked #7 among all US private courses (Golf Digest, 2007).
4
The Cliffs built a new 19,600-square-foot clubhouse in 2021.
5
Tom Fazio personally selected many of the course’s orientation points for maximum scenic value.
Build the trip
If you’re making a Carolina mountain-lakes golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Clemson University Walker Course
Public
Strong scenic reputation and public-friendly tee times
The Preserve at Verdae
Public
Accessible Greenville-area resort/public course
The Cliffs at Keowee Falls
Private
Another Fazio mountain-lake gem in the Cliffs network
The Cliffs at Glassy
Private
Dramatic elevation and spectacular views
The Cliffs at Mountain Park
Private
Broad vistas and different Fazio vibe
Greenville, Clemson, or Lake Keowee resort area for best access and amenities
Course DNA
If You Like The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.6
The Golf Club at Black Rock
Coeur d'Alene, IdahoScenery
Why it matches: The Golf Club at Black Rock is a natural next stop after The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards: it shares a memorable sense of place.
Strong DNA Match7.9
Dancing Rabbit Golf Club – Azaleas Course
Philadelphia, MississippiWhy it matches: If The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards is your kind of course, Dancing Rabbit Golf Club – Azaleas Course is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match8.5
Black Desert Resort
Ivins, UtahScenery
Why it matches: If The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards is your kind of course, Black Desert Resort is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.
Community Sentiment
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