Hickory Knob State Park
About Hickory Knob State Park
The Hickory Knob State Resort Park & Golf Course cozies up to the shores of Lake Thurmond, a reservoir lake that is visible or in play on every hole. Hickory Knob is the state's only resort state park. Not only is there a comfortable clubhouse with a snack bar and pro shop, but lodge rooms, cabins, a campground and a full-service restaurant make this a destination for anybody looking for outdoor recreation.Facts
Amenities & Services
Rules
Golf courses at Hickory Knob State Park
Images from Hickory Knob State Park
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by u000008034888 on 07/05/2025
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Photo submitted by u6507859 on 07/05/2025
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Photo submitted by u314159696502 on 05/23/2023
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Photo submitted by u314159696502 on 05/23/2023
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Beautiful Layouts Photo submitted by PKStamm2418 on 03/18/2023
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Photo submitted by u314163747171 on 03/12/2023
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Photo submitted by Kahle on 06/12/2021
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Photo submitted by u314159933905 on 11/13/2020
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Photo submitted by ash0414 on 09/10/2020
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Photo submitted by Kahle on 06/04/2020
Awesome Scenery
This is a SC State Park golf course. The workers are mostly volunteers and extremely cordial. The course is next to the lake with plenty of trees, therefore during hot days the temp in the shade is cool. Most courses out in the open can get very hot.
Shaping up nicely
Grounds are in decent shape. Greens had been aerated in last few weeks which caused many issues with putting. Only issue I have with the course is the greens. Aeration not withstanding, the last two rounds we played here, the greens were exceptionally slow and spongy. They did reduce size of the greens within the last couple years, so I assume they did this to help hold approach shots, but it has caused the greens to be way to slow. Other than that, all good and we will be back to play in the future.
Nice Layout,
I enjoyed the round. The course was in good condition with the exceptions of the greens. Very rough. Very nice setting. Hope the greens improve, I would like to play it again.
First time I have ever left a golf course before finishing.
This used to be one of my favorite courses. It has gone down hill tremendously. The layout is absolutely perfect but the greens were garbage. They we like sponges I've never seen a green that felt like that. They over booked the course with tee times 8 minutes apart and pace of play was horrible. It took us 3 hours to play the front and played number 10 and waited 15 minutes on number 11 tee box. So needless to say we left. It's a shame because this course has so much potential
Hickory Knob State Park, SC
I have periodically played this course since the 1980s, and it is a beautiful and challenging layout. However, cutbacks in maintenance funding over the last two decades have really hurt the course's condition. In all fairness the Golfnow review did say the greens were aerated on 4/11, but normally a week later they're not too bad. Very little sand was used in top dressing them, thus the holes were very pronounced. Essentially, the greens were unplayable. Recommend you wait a full month after aerating greens before playing this course.
One of My Favorites
I wished I lived closer, it takes me about 45 minutes to get to this course but it's one of my favorites. No, it's not the prettiest although it is really nice and it's so peaceful and quite generally. The course has a great layout, with some really challenging holes. I learned how to play the course and shot my best ever round to date here (86, I suck) and it will always be one of my favorite courses. You cannot beat this course for the money, anywhere. I've been to quite a few low-budget courses and this is not like any of those. The fairways are always n really good shape and the greens are pretty nice too. I love this course.
A fun course!
I've played here many times. This is a fun layout. Great staff! You can get a hamburger or hotdog at the turn without waiting! Great job Hickory Knob!
Slow play..
Only real problem with course was extreme slowness of play and no Ranger to alleviate problem.
great course
we played this for the first time and enjoyed it. blind shots and changes of elevation throughout. we didn't know how to play it since we are not pros and get 3 days to play it before but we have made mental notes of what's to come next time. weather was perfect and people let us play through sinece we were a 2 some. the greens were not as sandy as some poeple have said and they were very soft under your feet. lots of water hazards as well. If you play for the first time take a ride ahead to see what you are up against on some holes.
Love this Golf Course
Love this golf course. The course opened in 1982. I played here is l983...32 years ago. Wanted to make a return visit and so glad I did. Please understand that it's winter, so the grass wasn't green and the wind was about 15 mph. They had some rain so it was cart path only. But I still enjoyed the course. Given the conditions, the fairways were in good shape. The greens were Green, and smooth, but slow. The lake was down so I missed the scenic view that I remembered. I'm age 65 so playing from the white tees was long for me. There are several holes in excess of 500 yards. That being said, it's a great golf course that you will find challenging, rewarding and fun to play. Go Play !
Course appeared to be good shape, only played four because of weather..
Only played four holes because of rain and coldness..hopefully the weather will be more cooperative the next time we play.
great value
great value for money. great setting
Great course
This was the first time I played this course. It was in good shape but the cart paths are very bumpy. Greens were good also. I would definitely come back and play again.
Lake neds water
Great weather, and course in good condition, fairways thick and plush, greens some thin some thick and putt differently. What was bad and not anything the course can fix is the lake must be 10 to15 feet below full pool and the views just are not the same.
great round of golf...other than extremely hot
We play Hickory Knob on the July 26th at 11am. extremely hot...but the course was in very good condition. Good grass in the fairways..and the greens were in extremely good shape....held the ball on most approach shots.
Tee Boxes and Greens
The tee boxes needed some maintenance. The boxes needed to be mowed and some filler dirt added to level in some places. Overall they were not that bad. I have seen worse, not that big of a deal really.
The greens were in good condition overall, but were very slow, you really had to give the ball a good rap if you had a long putt. The slowness of the greens did allow for an aggressive shot attacking the pin. This did not help me that much since my short game is not very good, like most recreational golfers.
Overall Hickory Knob is a fun course for me with lots of memories playing there with my uncle when I was a young man.
Good layout
Very scenic layout with lots of views of Thurmond lake. Nice elevation changes with challenging doglegs and tight fairways. Greens were on the small side and were very slow and bumpy. Pace of play was slow but that could have been due to the holiday special rate of $17.76 for 18 hole with cart they were running for the 4th of July weekend. No course ranger so play was slow as there were a couple of fivesomes holding us up. No beverage cart either so take a cooler.
The Champ
Great course, lots of elevation changes, beautiful lake views.