300 Hamlet Circle
Goose Creek, SC  29445
843-764-4618

Crowfield Golf and Country Club is one of Charleston area’s most unique public golf courses. Nowhere else in the lowcountry can you find a golf course with undulating greens and fairways like the ones that adorn Crowfield.

The course, which opened in 1990, was built on what was originally the Crowfield Plantation, built in the 1730s. Most of the house was destroyed in the Charleston earthquake of 1886. Only portions of the first story wall remain. The ruins can be seen just off to the right of the 18th tee. Old black oaks draped with Spanish moss and typical South Carolina lowland wildlife abound. Crowfield has also hosted the South Carolina PGA Championship three times.

The 18 hole, par 72 course can play from 6,964 to 4,752 yards, depending on which of the 5 sets of tees you choose. Oh, that’s not nearly long enough for me to play, you say? Accuracy is more important than power at Crowfield. I consider this a thinking man’s golf course. Special attention and strategy is required throughout your round. Many of the greens are tiered. If you don’t find yourself on the correct level, three putting is easy.

The Bermuda fairways are decent width. I don’t remember getting a “pinched in” feeling on any of the driving holes. Sometimes you won’t get a level stance in the fairway; however, this beats the alternative of being in the rough. Moguls exist off the fairway and greens throughout the course, making approach shots much more difficult. I found playing from the white tees, rarely were my approach shots over 170 yards. Fairways are well marked with colored markers at the 100, 150, 200, and 250 yardages. Sprinkler heads are marked as well and there are 150 yard stakes marking the middle of each fairway.

Now you’re ready to attack the green. WAIT! SLOW DOWN! STOP! Take the time to think carefully about your next shot. Pay attention to which area of the green you want to hit. Hole #12 is a perfect example. If you want your ball to stay on the green, don’t hit the right side of the green. Many holes are guarded by bunkers requiring your ball to fly the green instead of rolling up onto the green.  The Bermuda greens do hold shots very well. Again, moguls around the greens can make chipping a challenge. Flagsticks are red, white, and blue representing front, middle, and back positions respectively.

Okay, now you’re on the green! Are you up for probably the most undulating greens in the area? Although they might look intimidating, you will find after a couple of holes the speed and breaks run extremely true. I much prefer these greens over subtle breaking greens that you need a microscope to read.

Hole #6 is a beautiful par 4. It plays anywhere from 250 to 403 yards depending on tee selected. Looking from the tee box, it seems all you see is bunkers everywhere. It is a bit deceiving. Aim for the 150 yard stake and bunkers will be avoided. Your approach shot will be downhill to a two tiered green, guarded completely in the front by a pond. The green slopes back to front, so long is better than short.  This has everything I like about a good golf hole.

Hole #16 is the most memorable par 3 at Crowfield. It is uphill and plays 153 yards from the middle tees. Once on the green, you have a gorgeous view of Crowfield Lake, which runs left of the hole. Look closely and you’ll see a gator or three swimming across the lake.

The home hole, #18 is my favorite par 5. At 591 yards from the tips, it is the longest hole on the course. Don’t forget to look to the right before leaving the tee area to see the Crowfield Plantation ruins. Most golfers should play this as a three shot par 5. An average tee shot is all that is required. Longer hitters might be able to reach a marsh area that is required to carry with your second shot. Two good shots will leave you with a wedge to yet another two tiered green. Hopefully, you will walk off the last hole with a birdie.

Snacks and refreshments as well as menu items are available at the grill. Prices are reasonable (hot dog and coke for $3.50, for example). Snack cart runs during busier times.  Water coolers are on course on numerous holes. The course does have a driving range.  The electric carts are clean and pack plenty of power to get you through the course.

Crowfield is a course that is a strategist’s delight, calling for well thought out shots on every hole. However, don’t let this discourage an inexperienced golfer from playing here. If the correct tee boxes are chosen, this course can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. In fact, Crowfield’s scorecard is the only one I have seen which lists recommended tees by handicap: 0-6 handicap – black tees, 7-11 – blue, 12-26 white, 27 and up – green.

Take a break from the ordinary and head out to Goose Creek. Play Crowfield Golf and Country Club once and I am almost certain you will be back for more.

By: The Rock Pile