Alex Elias

Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, known for their minimalist approach, favoring natural landforms and organic routing over dramatic alterations, Anson Point weaves through four distinct Lowcountry ecosystems—upland pine terrain, maritime forest, live oak groves, and expansive salt marshes framed by sabal palms.

“On the first hole, you immediately see one of the best natural features on the course—a long-abandoned quarry. With the first green cut into it and The Roost (Anson Point’s comfort station) perched above, it sets the tone for the day,” said Nick Lykens, Head Golf Professional at Anson Point at Palmetto Bluff. “From there, the natural sandy terrain continues throughout the course as you play through beautiful towering pines and oak groves.”

Although the long-abandoned quarry is the site’s defining feature, much of the strategy is shaped by the trees, which defend the ideal angles into the greens on several holes. On the 430-yard Par-4 4th, the left side yields a shorter approach with a better angle to the green, requiring players to hug the treeline as closely as possible. Although the landing area to the right is wider, it leads to a longer approach shot to a green that runs away from that angle.

On the 520-yard Par-4 11th, for every yard off the aggressive right line, the more difficult the approach shot becomes—too far left, and players must carry a bunker as opposed to using the natural contours short.

Perhaps the clearest example comes on the Par-5 14th. One of Coore and Crenshaw’s most demanding Par-5s, drives that don’t intentionally hug the treeline on the right have no view of the green or preferred layup area, forcing players to hit long second shots toward a boundary on the right.

Even with that strategic principle reinforced, though, Anson Point still offers a variety of distinct holes.

“With Par-3s ranging from 100 yards to over 220 yards, and a drivable Par-4 immediately followed by a 600-yard Par-5, Anson Point gives you a little bit of everything,” said Lykens.

The greens are slightly smaller than average, with natural slopes, rewarding thoughtful play. For example, on the Par-4 10th, players can land the ball short of the green and let it release; on the Par-5 14th, the punchbowl green will funnel slightly long shots back toward the center; and on the Par-3 17th, players can utilize the backstop.

With tight runoffs of short grass, players of all skill levels have a variety of options for recovery shots.

“The short Zoysia grass throughout the golf course allows players to play a variety of shots around the greens,” said Lykens. “Unlike some of the Bermuda grasses you see in this area that can have grain and heavy thatch layers, Zoysia stays firm and gives you shot options. It’s an easy grass to putt through, as well as use the bounce of a wedge to hit more lofted shots. Also, because of the firmness, bumping a mid-iron through it onto the green is almost always an option as well.”

Anson Point: Coore & Crenshaw’s Newest Design

Quiet Golf