Conditions Update: Charleston

PapaJohick · July 23, 2019

Hey everyone! I know there are a lot of people starting to come down for one more vacation before school starts or even maybe soon for a mid fall excursion. I wanted to give a little insight to conditions on the courses in the area. I know we have a few people who regularly help out about the local courses so guys feel free to add in your thoughts as I haven't been able to get away from Mount pleasant golf lately (cheapest for me to play with discounts I have at Charelston National and Wild Dunes). This will be mainly public courses (at least on my end), but if any locals have private condition updates they want to report then have at it.

Mount Pleasant:

Charleston National: Greens are in good shape although running slightly slower than normal. Typically around September when they can start to firm them up and cut them. Fairways have been good. There are the usual spots that just don't grow super well, but not abundant. The bunkers have always been their weakness and I was under the assumption that was going to be worked on this year. So far no dice besides a little extra sand in a few green side. Tee boxes are mainly ok, but I do wish they rotated them more often/daily as there is plenty of room.

Dunes West: Still temporary greens as they lost all of them earlier this year due to a watering mistake (watered with salt water/contaminated water from their pumping station). Haven't played there yet due to this so other parts of the course I am unsure of at this time

Rivertowne: Greens are in decent shape. They run quickish as always, but way to many weird spots from old pitch marks to be considered good. The fairways are almost completely gone. When asked why, he told me that they just lost them. Now, this seems to happen to this place on some level every year (this year is the worse I have seen as they have two or so holes almost completely closed off). Their greens keeper needs the boot or they need to lower prices for the conditions they present 90% of the year.

Wild Dunes: Both courses are in great shape. Greens are running quick and smoothly. The fairways are in great to excellent shape depending on the course. Tee boxes are iffy on the harbor course (this is somewhat normal though). They are small with not much chance to rotate and many are lopsided. The Links course tee boxes are much better, but still maybe not as groomed as I wished they were for a resort.

Snee Farm: No real update that I know of, but they are owned/taken care of by the same group as Rivetowne and Dunes west so...... I guess you can build an assumption on that one.

Patriots Point: Slightly outdated I guess, but played there just after their initial punch of the year (early June) and besides rolling typical for aerated greens, they were decent. Some bad spots that were dying though. Fairways were in good condition. Bunkers always are in decent to good shape. Harder fairway bunkers and softer/sand filled green side. Tee boxes are in good shape grass wise, but as always they suffer from uneven/slanted boxes (weird pattern here in the low country).

Unfortunately I haven't been able to go play some of my other favorites in the area. I was supposed to go play Stono and Wescott recently, but didn't have a chance to due to work. Hopefully some of the other guys can fill in people.

willywads · July 30, 2019

Do you have any recommendations for a group of 12 in the $50-$60. We will be going down the weekend after labor day. Already have the Harbor Course booked at Wild Dunes. I played Rivertowne last year in February and as you mentioned the fairways were absolutely terrible. Also im not 100% familiar on driving distances, we have a house in Isle of Palms and looking to keep the drive 20 mins or less (if thats doable) each way. Thanks in advance.

PapaJohick · July 31, 2019

> @willywads said:

> Do you have any recommendations for a group of 12 in the $50-$60. We will be going down the weekend after labor day. Already have the Harbor Course booked at Wild Dunes. I played Rivertowne last year in February and as you mentioned the fairways were absolutely terrible. Also im not 100% familiar on driving distances, we have a house in Isle of Palms and looking to keep the drive 20 mins or less (if thats doable) each way. Thanks in advance.

Obviously the links course is right there but if you want something that is cheaper charleston nation fits that bill. Good course that generally stays in really good condition. Once you get off the connector, you go down rifle range road and it should be like 5 minutes. If you go on 17 it’ll be about 15 possibly due to traffic/lights.

Another option is patriots. Little further away but not bad. Not my first option as price typically is a let down for what you get.

Charleston National is a tough course though with lots of opportunity to lose golf balls. Patriots is more friendly for the wild driver.

PapaJohick · July 31, 2019

Oh just re read and saw your budget piece. Rates go up I think mid September so if it is the weekend after Labor Day you should be good but for the budget you may have to call and get the afternoon blocks. Morning will be roughly 70-80ish I believe for National. Cannot recall what patriots point would be

willywads · July 31, 2019

Thanks for the reply. I called yesterday and Patriots was $78, National was $78 and Dunes West was $58. Downside to Dunes west is they are converting the greens to Paspalum in mid Aug so they obviously wont be great...Probably going to go with National or a 2nd round at the Harbor Course.

PapaJohick · August 2, 2019

> @willywads said:

> Thanks for the reply. I called yesterday and Patriots was $78, National was $78 and Dunes West was $58. Downside to Dunes west is they are converting the greens to Paspalum in mid Aug so they obviously wont be great...Probably going to go with National or a 2nd round at the Harbor Course.

yes dunes west is still temporary greens I am pretty sure.