Golf Course Review: Santee National Golf Club

Kim Martinez
May 23
2 min read

Updated: Jun 29

Location: Santee, South Carolina

Visited: May 21, 2025

Green Fees: $59 regular rate (We snagged a GolfNow deal for $40!)

Course Overview

Santee National Golf Club offers what we like to call "the tale of two courses." The front nine welcomes you with wide-open, forgiving fairways that help build your confidence. Then comes the back nine – narrower fairways lined with trees that demand precision and strategic thinking.

What Manny and I particularly enjoyed was how creative the hole layouts were. Rather than the monotonous "hit as far as possible, then repeat" approach of some courses, Santee National forces you to think before each shot. Several holes feature strategically placed water hazards that cross the fairway, while challenging doglegs require careful club selection and shot placement.

Signature Experience

The 18th hole provides a memorable finish to your round. Standing on the tee box, you face a dramatic shot over a substantial water hazard. After clearing the water, you cross a charming bridge before tackling the uphill approach to the colonial-style clubhouse. This picturesque finale perfectly captures the essence of Southern golf.

Wildlife Sighting

Despite the hot, muggy conditions (it was 11:30 AM when we played), we spotted a raccoon crossing the fairway – an unexpected midday sighting! Beyond that, wildlife was scarce during our visit.

Pace of Play

One major advantage: we practically had the course to ourselves! This allowed us to complete all 18 holes in under 3 hours – a refreshing change from the 5+ hour rounds we sometimes encounter during peak season.

Amenities

The course has a driving range for warming up before your round. We didn't notice a restaurant during our visit, so you might want to pack snacks if you're planning a full day here.

Our Rating

Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Course Design: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Overall Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Bottom Line

If you're RVing through South Carolina and looking for an enjoyable round of golf that won't break the bank, Santee National offers excellent value with creative hole designs and a peaceful atmosphere. The contrasting front and back nines provide variety that keeps the round interesting from start to finish.