The Aiken Golf Club, Aiken, SC

With a mix of Southern charm, rich history and modern renovations, the Aiken Golf Course is the gem of Western South Carolina.

This 18-hole public golf course is fabulous and quirky, still possessing many of the unique features that were in place when it opened in 1912. Instead of the ninth hole ending at the clubhouse like most modern courses, the Aiken Golf Course has an out-and-back format. Once you tee of on the first hole, you will travel deep across the rolling terrain until the 11th tee where you will start golfing your way back towards the clubhouse.

The unique layout is enhanced by many subtle hills and slopes. The course is rather short – just over 6,000 yards from the back tees – but the challenge here is not how far you can hit. With bunkers at every turn, blind doglegs and fast, sloping greens, there are no easy shots and your short game will be more important than ever.

You'll see hints of the past everywhere from towering old pine trees to rock walls and rail ties. The old mixes well with the new as the fairways and greens are immaculate thanks to modern maintenance methods. In 1995, the course went under a major renovation with the removal of thousands of trees, improvements in the irrigation system and an overhaul of every green on the course.

The par-70 course features only one hole over 500 yards, the 520-yard tenth hole. There are five par-3s, a reminder that this is a short game course and your chipping and putting will be tested.

The Aiken Golf Course has received numerous local and national awards, including being rated in the Top 12 Courses to Play by Golf Digest, as well as being called the Most Charming Course in the United States by Sports Illustrated writer Michael Bamberger.

You would expect the cost to play such a decorated course to be three times what is actually charged. Play 18 holes during the week with a cart for just $35. Any golfer would agree that the deal is a steal.

This course is the best kept secret in aiken SC. One of golf digest top ten courses in south carolina says a lot when it has to go up against the likes of all the ocean courses from myrtle beach to Hilton head. Anyway not sure about the three and a half star rating. This course is an easy four star. It is a shot makers course. If you hit the shot you are usually rewarded. Immaculate but tough greens, stay below the hole and enjoy. Best rates going. Tons of history in the course. Only drawback is they do not have enough room for range.

Nice course, very difficult greens. Makes players use every club. Great value for the area.