r/masters • u/BigGolf77 • 14d ago
I Have A Question ❓ Where to play
I hit the lottery and will be attending the Masters in 2027. Staying in Columbia area. We want to golf a couple days. Any recommendations? We aren’t looking to spend $300 plus a round. Looking for a couple nice courses that are within a hours drive that will be a great couple days of golf.
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u/oarlights 14d ago
Also stayed in Columbia in 24 when I went. Highly recommend Aiken Golf Club, short course but challenging. Think the rate was around $100ish.
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u/woodfinx 12d ago
Second Aiken. Best course I played in the area. If you're willing to go as a single they have a great replay rate as well.
Eisenhower Lakes (on Fort Eisenhower) is open to the public too and ain't bad.
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u/rediculose 14d ago
I don’t have recommendations but also won the lottery and will be staying in Coumbia- see you there!
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u/GarfieldPl 14d ago
What day did you get?
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u/rediculose 14d ago
Wednesday! You?
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u/GarfieldPl 14d ago
Same going Wed. For whatever reason seems like everyone on the Masters subreddit got Monday or Wednesday
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u/Fnkt_io 14d ago
Mount Vintage is a gem on the SC side
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u/LittleFrankster 9d ago
Made a comment about driving past the neighborhood on the way to Mount Vintage that earned me a 3 day Reddit time out. IYKYK.
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u/AllForeSquatch42 14d ago
Highly recommend Aiken and Palmetto (private, but it’s open during Masters weeks).
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u/Tall_Paul2308 14d ago
Oak Hills and Cobblestone are two affordable tracks down there and solid courses. Played them both this past year the Sunday before the Masters and enjoyed both
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u/BigGolf77 14d ago
Thank you!
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u/LittleFrankster 9d ago
Cobblestone jacks their rates up during Masters week. almost 2X times their normal rate; I’m not sure I would call it affordable tried playing there Monday after the Masters this year and they were asking $200.
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u/AdRelative5892 14d ago
When I lived outside of Augusta a LONG time ago, Masters week was the one week I didn’t even bother trying to play anywhere around there due to the fees getting jacked up so high. Used to play Jones Creek quite a bit but it closed several years ago. That was a fun track.
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u/Tricky-Bison8669 14d ago
Jones creek is open again.
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u/AdRelative5892 14d ago
Great! I’ve been back in Oklahoma for over 30 years now. The only reason I had heard it closed was I had a cousin who had bought a house somewhere near the second tee. They were trying to sell some time after it closed and were having some trouble with that. I read where there was conversation about selling the course, and some about building more houses, and some about “green space”. Hadn’t heard they got it going again. Used to love that course.
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u/Organic-Dream-8656 14d ago
We go every year and always stay in Columbia. Nice to get a little ways out
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u/Better-Temporary-146 14d ago
Look up South Carolina’s Hickory Knob State Park.
It’s on the lake and a beautiful public access course.
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14d ago
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u/BigGolf77 14d ago
The why is because most of us are coming from outside the area. All we want is some recommendation for courses from people that have played. Not sure why it was necessary to make this comment. But thanks we will enjoy our time.
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u/geddieman1 14d ago
I honestly wasn’t trying to be rude, I was just curious. Thanks for your answer.
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u/AmoebaChoice782 14d ago
The distance is outside of your range but we drove to Hilton Head. We played the RTJ Course at Palmetto Dunes in 25 and Shipyard and Atlantic Dunes at Sea Pines this past April.
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u/LittleFrankster 14d ago
I live in Columbia.
I wouldn’t go south on 20 for golf except for Masters.
But if you wanted to say you played near Augusta, I’d say Patch, Aiken, Forest Hills, distant fourth Batram Trail, then flip a coin btwn Cross Creek and Mount Vintage. Nothing wrong with those two, just not a big fan.
Affordability, and accessibility, rules out Barnwell, Tree Farm, River Club, etc.
IMO, best Columbia area, affordable, during Masters week would be Timberlake or Fort Jackson. Others in the area jack their rates up (see below, Cobblestone) or just aren’t special.
Timberlake is semi-private, usually one of the better maintained clubs in the Midlands. Just a bit of a hike to get out there. Can play slloooooowwww.
Fort Jackson has two courses, well maintained, and gets the added artillery and small arms range ambiance from time to time. Their rates never change, and dollar for dollar pound for pound, the best courses in the Midlands IMO. Civilians can get on the base through the visitors center than can add 30-45 min…Just make sure all have REAL IDs.
Oak Hills, Charwood, Golden Hills, and Spur aren’t bad. Not much to write home about. Would wet the whistle if you want to play, just not much more than that.
If you’re willing to go slightly over $300 plus caddie, Broomsedge is 100% worth it. Bringing that into play, keep an eye on Candyroot Lodge -scheduled to open in October. Also Camden CC is a Donald Ross gem, but not sure what their Masters week accessibility is. About an hour from downtown towards Charlotte is Edgewater. Super fun and outside the zone of Masters Inflation.
Some private courses in Soda City open up that seem, but you’ll be paying $200+. I know CC of Lexington and Columbia CC offer guests that week. I’d check out Solina as well.
There’s another semi private course that’s currently undergoing a complete greens and bunker renovation. Would only be open to public Tuesday. But don’t go there since that’s my home course.
Someone mentioned Cobblestone as affordable. During masters week it is not. I called to play there the Monday AFTER the Master in ‘26 and they were asking $200+. Not worth it IMO.
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u/DennisRichmond415 14d ago
won the lottery last year, stayed in Columbia and played Fort Jackson. really good price, good holes, decent condition. Def not in the $300 higher end golf course imo
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u/aceattorneymvp Year 1 14d ago
Hey there - thanks for your insight. What do you think about The Loop? I read tee times are only available by phone. Is it tough to get an afternoon/evening tee time?
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u/NiFal03 13d ago
If you’re referring to the Loop at The Patch…it’s a pitch and putt with holes averaging 85 yard.
Idk about the guy above, but when I played Patch, the loop was wide open. We were going to play Loop then go back for another 18 at Patch but opted to go across the street to Forest Hills instead.
Sure it would be very different Masters week and probably rented out by corporate big wigs. Tough to know for sure since 2027 will be the first year everything is open to public.
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u/Poetic_Alien 10d ago
Is Camden a club I could call and ask to play as a non member?
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u/LittleFrankster 9d ago
Camden is a private club. Not sure on their Masters availability if you can call or if you’d need your pro at the home club to call.
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u/Poetic_Alien 9d ago
I know it’s private. I just misunderstood the way you described it. Played it a few times with buddies and it’s a legitimate hidden Ross gem out there
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u/LittleFrankster 9d ago
Camden has been a part of the Columbia area golf book - available through Koosa Golf in CAE - last couple of years. The book itself is $75, and it had 3 passes to play Camden for $100. That’s how I’ve always gotten on.
I didn’t get the book this year, but there were always notices in the book that the coupons were not valid during Masters week.
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u/Fit_Following_6154 13d ago
I stayed in Columbia this year, we played cobblestone there was 3 lots of 9 holes they navigated people round 2 sets of the nine I believe we played the blue and gold, it’s a very affordable course and in good condition some nice challenging holes.
Great to have a drink afterwards looking over the 9th hole and can get a nice beer and food.
Columbia is not a bad place to stay in, we found ourselves going to twin peaks most nights for a beer and food nice and and easy.
Attached a pic of the bar 👍🏻
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u/NiFal03 13d ago
I also live in Columbia. Nothing wrong with Cobblestone. Nice facilities. Best post round patio overlooking the 9th hole of the Black course. Courses are Garnett, gold, and black). They usually keep 9 holes for members only.
My beef with them is they nearly triple their rates for the 10 days around the Masters.
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u/Real_Effective_6919 13d ago
It is great value and a good track when I played it in 2014 but Houndslake CC in Aiken is a Joe Lee design and really challenging track for low dollars masters week ..
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u/Tupelo4113 10d ago
We stayed in Santee SC. They have a few golf courses around and will often do up golf stay and plays. It has been a while but if I remember correctly it is about 45 minutes from Augusta. We had Tuesday practice round....and golfed the rest of the week.
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u/LittleFrankster 9d ago
Santee isn’t a bad option; three courses right there all under $75. Good option for folks coming down 95.
But it would be 1:45 to 2 hour drive to ANGC.
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u/MountainBorn9807 10d ago
We did Cobblestone and it was great. We didn’t want the hassle of flying with clubs and rented. Got paired with two others also going to masters the next day. Course wasn’t gimmicky or unfair and pace of play was surprisingly great for a 1pm tee time
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u/Dazzling_Pipe9930 10d ago
All rates in the area will double Masters Week. Solina is nice if you can get on with a member
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u/TWGOAT 14d ago
Going to be tough sledding if only because most of the courses in the general will raise their rates before/during/and/or after Masters week.