
The Reserve at Lake Keowee Course
The Reserve at Lake Keowee




About this course
The Reserve at Lake Keowee is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design located in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills of upstate South Carolina, approximately twenty miles west of Greenville. Opened in the late 1990s as the centerpiece of a private residential community, the course was designed by Nicklaus with associate Troy Vincent and takes full advantage of the dramatic topography and water views afforded by its setting along Lake Keowee, a 18,500-acre reservoir created in the 1970s. The routing moves through rolling hardwood forests and features significant elevation changes, with several holes playing along or toward the lake. The layout incorporates the natural terrain into a design that emphasizes strategic shot-making and course management typical of Nicklaus's work from this period. Multiple holes offer views of the lake and surrounding mountains, and the property's varied topography creates a range of playing angles and stances. The course serves as the golf amenity for The Reserve, a gated community that also includes a second Jack Nicklaus-designed course, The Reserve at Lake Keowee Vineyards, along with lakefront amenities and residential properties. The club operates as a private equity membership and caters to residents and non-resident members seeking a mountain golf experience in the South Carolina upcountry. The setting provides a contrast to the sandhills and coastal courses found elsewhere in the state, with the mountain backdrop and lake environment defining the character of the property.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in SC
Quick facts
- Location
- Sunset, SC, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 2002
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- Jack Nicklaus, Troy Vincent
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,112 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.8/144
- Course Vaults score
- 8.1
Getting there
The journey to The Reserve at Lake Keowee begins at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), roughly forty-five minutes northwest through the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge. Private arrivals often favor Oconee County Regional Airport, a discreet gateway just minutes from the property's guarded entrance. The drive traces SC-11, the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, as suburban sprawl gives way to hardwood forest and glimpses of shimmering water through the trees - a gradual ascent into the serene, gated enclave where Jack Nicklaus carved his masterpiece along the pristine shoreline of Lake Keowee.

FAQ
Common questions about The Reserve at Lake Keowee
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Reserve at Lake Keowee has a Course Vaults score of 8.1 out of 10 based on 19 logged golfers.
The Reserve at Lake Keowee was designed by Jack Nicklaus and Troy Vincent.
The Reserve at Lake Keowee is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at The Reserve at Lake Keowee is 72.
The Reserve at Lake Keowee plays 7,112 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at The Reserve at Lake Keowee is 144.



