Kiawah Island Club – Cassique Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews3 Comments

Many people know that Kiawah Island is home to 5 resort golf courses, including the famous Ocean Course. Fewer know that there is a private club on the island – the Kiawah Island Club – that has two additional golf courses, a beach club, a large sports center, and will soon have a sporting club. You could spend a week … Read More

Country Club of Charleston Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews3 Comments

My most recent trip to play the Country Club of Charleston marked my third round on the course. A generous friend of mine arranged for me to play in the Saturday morning “Gangsome,” and after chipping in a few dollars for a skins game, I was playing golf with new friends. Our round took place in early December, and the … Read More

Country Club of Spartanburg Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse ReviewsLeave a Comment

A full restoration taking place at my home club has caused me to branch out and explore some new tracks. The most recent of these golf adventures was a visit to a course that I hadn’t played in over four years. I was very happy to return. The Country Club of Spartanburg is a golf course that flies under the radar. … Read More

Bright’s Creek Golf Club Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews3 Comments

Bright’s Creek Golf Club is a hidden deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Mill Spring, North Carolina. The club has one of the most enjoyable Fazio designed golf courses that I have played. A number of mountain streams meander through the course, which sits in a valley, surrounded by impressive mountain ridges. Every direction you look during the round … Read More

Grove Park Inn Golf Course Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews1 Comment

 The Grove Park Inn is a historic site in Asheville, North Carolina. The distinctive looking building sits in the north part of the city, overlooking downtown and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains beyond. Everyone from Henry Ford and F. Scott Fitzgerald to President Obama and James Taylor have stayed at the Grove Park Inn. The picture below is taken from the … Read More

All Courses Played

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews5 Comments

Below is a list of many of the golf courses that I have played. I have not been able to review every course, but those with reviews are linked to the article (just click on them). If you have any questions or tips, leave a comment below. Scotland: Archerfield Links Blairgowrie (Rosemount) Braid Hills Brora Golf Links Bruntsfield Links Carnegie … Read More

The Reserve at Lake Keowee Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews2 Comments

The Reserve at Lake Keowee is a private community in Upstate South Carolina. The development’s proximity to Asheville, NC (1 hour 15 minute drive), among other cities, along with its pristine lake and consistently warm temperatures, make it a very popular destination for those who want warmth and water, without driving down to the beach. The Reserve offers tennis facilities, … Read More

Cypress Point Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews14 Comments

“No one but a poet should be allowed to write of the beauties of the Cypress Point Club…” – Samuel Morse I had an early morning tee time at Cypress Point, and the solitary drive down from San Francisco allowed plenty of time to reflect on the upcoming round. I purposefully drove the scenic California Highway 1 all the way … Read More

Olympic Club (Ocean Course) Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews13 Comments

The weeks leading up to my afternoon at Olympic Club in San Francisco were filled with anticipation for my rounds of golf in California. I was initially disappointed that a tournament was taking place on the famed Lake Course during my visit, but I was pleasantly surprised playing the “secondary” Ocean course! My very generous friends who took me to play … Read More

Boone Golf Club Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews6 Comments

You won’t find Boone Golf Club on a top 100 list or Golf Channel resort special. However, it is one of my favorite courses in the world. The views are great, the course is in excellent condition, and most importantly, it is extremely fun to play. You’ll find the course in Boone, North Carolina, a short 20-minute drive from Blowing Rock, … Read More

Royal Troon Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews5 Comments

The journey to Royal Troon took longer than expected. A delayed journey to Glasgow led to a rush at the train station, which was followed by a public transportation nightmare. We got on the wrong train. A forward and rear train were leaving from the same platform, and we absentmindedly chose the train to Wemyss Bay instead of Ayr. After … Read More

St Andrews Jubilee Course Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews, St. Andrews5 Comments

The St Andrews Jubilee course was my first choice for a quick afternoon round of golf during my four years in the town. The course flies under the radar for many golfers visiting St Andrews, and for others, including locals, it has a fearsome reputation as the hardest track in town. The course is a favorite of the University of … Read More

Cruden Bay Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews10 Comments

My latest trip to Cruden Bay cemented the course’s position as one of my favorites in Scotland. My first visit to the course occurred during a jam-packed golf trip in my first year at the University of St Andrews. Visiting the course again was a must, and luckily during this latest round, I had a knowledgeable local to show me … Read More

St Andrews Eden Course Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews, St. Andrews4 Comments

The Eden course does not immediately come to mind as a “destination course” for those on golf trips to St Andrews. The start of the course is a twenty-minute walk from the center of town, so visitors rarely stumble across the Eden. However, if you have played the Old Course, you have seen the Eden course to the right of … Read More

St Andrews New Course Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews, St. Andrews17 Comments

The St Andrews New Course holds a special place in my golfing heart. It was where I played my first round in St Andrews, and I cut my links golf teeth over its slopes and bunkers. A typically fast pace of play, first-come, first-served tee time system, and very enjoyable course design have made the New a favorite of many … Read More

Swinley Forest Golf Club Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews15 Comments

Swinley Forest is different than many other English clubs. It is comparatively exclusive and the membership includes British aristocracy, high ranking members of the British military, and royalty. There is a real sense of occasion when pulling through the gates onto the property. The beautiful traditional clubhouse is exactly what you would expect at a club whose course is ranked … Read More

Wentworth Golf Club (West Course) Review

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For interesting reading about recent (12/16) developments at Wentworth, read these two excellent articles from the FT. (One and Two) My visit to Wentworth Golf Club marked my third foray into the great golf that England has to offer. I was excited to play at Wentworth, which has hosted the Ryder Cup in 1926 and 1953 among many other European Tour … Read More

North Berwick (West Links) Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews9 Comments

North Berwick is one of the funnest golf courses of Scotland. Ancient stone walls dissect many of the holes, exposed rock surfaces on a number of the fairways, and stunning views frame large sections of the course. The town of North Berwick is charming in its own right, and the locals become part of the experience as they spill across … Read More

Carnoustie Golf Links Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews11 Comments

Carnoustie Golf Links is one of the strongest links course designs in Scotland. A round at Carnoustie tests every aspect of a golfer’s game, and any lapse in concentration destroys the scorecard. The course is most commonly known for Jean van de Velde’s self destruction during the 1999 Open Championship and the extremely difficult course setup that same year, which … Read More

Golf House Club – Elie Review

Graylyn LoomisCourse Reviews15 Comments

Golf House Club – Elie, better known as Elie Golf Club, is one of my favorite courses in Fife.  Elie exemplifies the best aspects of a traditional Scottish club. The course is short and features strong inland and seaside holes (without a single par 5). The club has a great historical background, having been James Braid’s home course. As with … Read More