Secession Golf Club in Beaufort, SC is an exclusive, private course known for its traditional, caddy-only experience and links-style design reminiscent of Scotland.
It offers a challenging, scenic round of golf with a historical theme tied to the Civil War.
Keep reading for a detailed look at the course, membership, and what makes this club so unique.
Course Design and Layout
Secession Golf Club’s design is a masterful blend of history, tradition, and challenging golf, offering a playing experience that mirrors the classic links courses of Scotland.
Designed by Bruce Devlin, the course incorporates thoughtful architecture, varied landscapes, and a strong historical connection, making it a truly unique golfing destination.
Architectural Influence
Bruce Devlin, a former PGA Tour player turned renowned course designer, is the mastermind behind Secession Golf Club's layout.
His vision was to create a course that captured the essence of Scotland’s legendary links-style courses, which are famous for their open landscapes, natural hazards, and reliance on weather conditions to shape the game.
By incorporating wide, wind-swept fairways and strategically placed bunkers, Devlin ensures that every round offers a fresh challenge, depending on how the coastal winds are behaving that day.
The layout promotes a traditional walking experience, requiring golfers to navigate the course on foot, as is customary in Scottish golf, and fully engage with the natural surroundings.
Course Length and Structure
Secession Golf Club stretches to 7,035 yards from the back tees, known as the Grant Tees, and plays to a par of 72.
This length offers a robust challenge for skilled players, but the course features multiple tee options, making it adaptable to different skill levels.
Each hole is carefully crafted to provide a variety of shot-making opportunities, with wide fairways that allow for different strategies depending on wind direction and pin placement.
The course is relatively flat, but don’t be deceived—its complexity lies in the placement of bunkers and undulating greens that require precise approach shots.
The open design makes wind a constant factor, meaning you’ll need to adjust your play to the ever-changing conditions.
Historical Hole Naming
Adding to the course’s distinctive character, each hole is named after significant battles from the American Civil War.
This historical touch not only pays homage to the rich history of Beaufort, where discussions of South Carolina’s secession from the Union first began, but it also adds depth to the experience.
The names serve as subtle reminders of the region’s past, enriching the round with a sense of place and history.
Far from being just a golf course, Secession immerses players in a thematic journey through history, with each hole telling its own story.
This connection to the past makes every round at Secession feel like a walk through history, enhancing the overall golfing experience.
Terrain and Natural Environment
Secession Golf Club’s terrain and natural setting provide an immersive golf experience, free from distractions and modern development.
Its flat layout and natural landscape transport players to a simpler, more traditional style of golf that emphasizes the connection between player and environment.
Flat, Walkable Course
The absence of surrounding real estate at Secession Golf Club plays a key role in preserving its natural beauty and enhancing the overall experience.
Without houses or commercial development cluttering the landscape, golfers are treated to uninterrupted views of the course’s wide-open fairways and the surrounding marshland.
This allows the player to fully engage with the game and the natural environment, rather than being distracted by nearby construction or residential noise.
The course itself is notably flat, which makes it easily walkable, reinforcing the traditional walking-only policy.
The flat terrain allows players to comfortably navigate the course on foot, and this walkability also adds to the strategic nature of the game, giving players the opportunity to read the landscape and make thoughtful decisions with each shot.
The lack of elevation changes ensures that golfers of varying fitness levels can enjoy their round without undue physical strain, keeping the focus on the mental challenge posed by the course’s design and environmental factors, like the wind.
Immersive Environment
One of the most striking aspects of Secession Golf Club is its serene, nature-dominated setting.
With no buildings or roads to intrude on the landscape, golfers are surrounded by the coastal marshes of South Carolina’s Lowcountry.
This isolated environment fosters a sense of peace and focus, allowing players to escape the distractions of daily life and fully immerse themselves in the game.
This nature-centric approach aligns perfectly with traditional golf values, where the sport is meant to be played in harmony with the land rather than imposed upon it.
By keeping the environment as untouched as possible, Secession upholds the idea that golf is about the relationship between player and nature.
The result is a pure golfing experience where the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world become part of the game itself, creating a deeper connection to the course and enhancing the overall enjoyment of the round.
Exclusivity and Membership Structure
Secession Golf Club is known for its exclusivity, offering membership to a select few and maintaining a level of privacy and prestige that makes it one of the most sought-after private clubs in the country.
The club’s approach to membership ensures that it remains intimate, traditional, and reserved for those deeply invested in the game.
Private Membership
Secession Golf Club keeps its membership tightly limited to around 750 individuals, a key factor in preserving the club’s exclusive and intimate atmosphere.
Membership is strictly by invitation, meaning you can't simply apply to join.
This process ensures that only those with a strong connection to existing members or the club itself are considered, helping to maintain a sense of community and shared values among members.
The controlled membership size means that the course is never crowded, allowing for a more personal and unrushed experience on the course.
This invitation-only approach also keeps the membership elite, with a focus on tradition, respect for the game, and a commitment to preserving the club’s storied atmosphere.
For those fortunate enough to receive an invitation, joining Secession Golf Club is more than just gaining access to a prestigious golf course—it’s about becoming part of a small, tight-knit community of dedicated golfers.
Confidential Initiation Fees
The club’s initiation fees are kept strictly confidential, adding a layer of mystery and allure to the process of joining Secession.
It’s widely believed that these fees are substantial, but the secrecy around them adds to the club’s exclusivity.
The initiation cost is seen as part of the investment in the privilege of joining one of the most exclusive clubs in the country, where membership goes beyond just the financial commitment—it’s a lifestyle choice tied to tradition and a shared passion for the game.
In addition, Secession Golf Club typically has a waiting list, which only enhances its prestige.
The exclusivity of membership and the anticipation involved in waiting for an invitation elevate the sense of privilege associated with being part of the club.
A spot at Secession is coveted not only for the world-class golfing experience but also for the prestige that comes with being associated with such a private and selective institution.
Caddy-Only Policy
Secession Golf Club’s caddy-only policy is central to its dedication to traditional golf values.
By enforcing a walking-only rule and requiring the use of caddies, the club provides a playing experience that connects golfers to the roots of the sport and emphasizes the purity of the game.
Walking-Only Tradition
Secession Golf Club enforces a strict no-cart policy, requiring all players to walk the course.
This decision is deeply tied to the traditions of the game, particularly in how golf was originally played in Scotland.
Walking the course fosters a slower, more thoughtful approach to the game, allowing players to fully absorb the natural environment and consider each shot with greater care.
Without the distraction of carts, golfers are encouraged to stay more connected to their surroundings and to the flow of the round.
This walking-only tradition creates a sense of calm and mindfulness that is rare in modern golf, where convenience often takes precedence over tradition.
Additionally, walking ensures that the game is played at a more leisurely pace, encouraging golfers to reflect on the strategy of each hole while fully experiencing the beauty of the course.
This approach is not only a nod to history but also elevates the overall quality of the round, making it a more immersive and rewarding experience.
Mandatory Caddies
The use of caddies is another essential element of Secession’s commitment to tradition.
At Secession, caddies are not just a convenience—they are a requirement.
This rule not only preserves the historical feel of the game but also enhances the experience for players.
Caddies provide invaluable insight into the course, offering tips on club selection, course conditions, and the subtle nuances of each hole.
Their local knowledge is especially important at a course like Secession, where changing wind and coastal conditions can significantly alter how a round plays.
Beyond their practical contributions, caddies also help preserve the traditional social aspect of golf.
Walking alongside a caddy creates opportunities for conversation, advice, and camaraderie, enhancing the enjoyment of the round.
For many, this relationship adds a layer of depth to the game, fostering a connection that goes beyond the technical aspects of golf and into the shared love for the sport itself.
In this way, the mandatory caddy policy at Secession reinforces the club’s commitment to a more traditional, thoughtful approach to the game.
Clubhouse and Dining Amenities

Secession Golf Club's clubhouse offers more than just a place to relax after a round of golf; it provides members with a refined, yet comfortable, space to enjoy excellent dining and accommodations.
Whether you’re looking for a formal meal or an overnight stay, the clubhouse facilities cater to the needs of members with the same attention to detail that defines the rest of the club.
Dining Options
The clubhouse at Secession Golf Club features a range of dining options designed to suit different moods and occasions.
Members can choose between formal dining settings, where the atmosphere is more refined and suited for special occasions, and more casual spaces for relaxed, everyday meals.
The culinary offerings reflect the club’s commitment to quality, featuring a variety of dishes that showcase the best of local ingredients and Southern flavors.
Whether you’re sitting down for a hearty post-round meal or enjoying a lighter option on a warm afternoon, the kitchen offers menus that cater to all preferences.
The service is personalized, with staff attentive to members' individual tastes and dietary needs, ensuring that every dining experience is both enjoyable and tailored to the club’s high standards.
Accommodation Options
For those staying overnight, Secession Golf Club provides dormitory-style accommodations within the clubhouse itself, creating a convenient option for members who want to fully immerse themselves in the club experience.
These lodgings are designed to be both comfortable and functional, allowing members to stay on-site and make the most of the club’s amenities.
For added privacy, additional cottage-style lodging is available just across the street from the clubhouse.
These cottages offer a bit more seclusion and space, perfect for members traveling with guests or looking for a more private stay.
The combination of on-site and nearby accommodations makes it easy for members to extend their stay and enjoy multiple rounds of golf without ever needing to leave the property, enhancing the sense of escape and relaxation that defines Secession.
Practice Facilities
Secession Golf Club’s practice facilities are designed to prepare golfers for the challenges of the main course while offering the same high-quality experience found throughout the club.
From the driving range to the putting greens, these facilities allow members to fine-tune their game in a setting that mirrors the course's conditions.
Driving Range and Putting Greens
The club’s practice areas include a well-maintained driving range and spacious putting greens, offering everything a golfer needs to warm up or sharpen their skills.
The driving range provides ample space for full-swing practice, with target areas set up to help players work on their accuracy and distance control.
Importantly, the range’s layout and positioning take into account the same coastal winds that are a defining feature of the course itself, allowing golfers to adjust their swings and club selection in preparation for the real round.
The putting greens at Secession are crafted to replicate the conditions found on the main course’s greens, giving players the chance to practice their short game on surfaces that match the speed and undulation they will face.
These greens are maintained with the same attention to detail, ensuring that golfers can develop the touch and feel necessary for the challenging pin placements on the course.
Preparation for the Main Course
Before heading out to tackle Secession’s main course, it’s essential to make the most of the practice facilities.
Warming up on the driving range not only helps loosen up but also allows players to gauge how the wind will affect their shots during the round.
Given the unpredictability of the coastal conditions, spending time here is crucial for adjusting your game to the day’s specific weather patterns.
Additionally, practicing bunker shots and chipping around the putting greens can help players prepare for the strategic placement of bunkers and tricky green complexes they’ll encounter on the course.
Using these facilities to practice various shots—from long drives to delicate putts—will give golfers the confidence and insight needed to navigate the unique challenges of Secession Golf Club, ensuring that they are well-prepared for the demands of the course ahead.
Playing Experience
The playing experience at Secession Golf Club is dynamic, shaped by the unique coastal environment and a thoughtfully designed course that challenges even the most seasoned golfers.
The combination of wind, tides, and intricate hole layouts means no two rounds are the same, creating a rewarding test of skill and strategy.
Influence of Coastal Winds and Tides
One of the most defining features of playing at Secession Golf Club is the influence of the coastal winds and tidal conditions.
Since the course is set along the tidal marshes of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, the wind patterns are ever-changing, adding an extra layer of difficulty to every round.
On any given day, golfers must adjust their shot selection and club choice to account for the direction and strength of the wind.
For example, a seemingly simple par-4 can become a formidable challenge when the wind shifts against you, requiring a combination of power and finesse to stay on target.
In addition to wind, the proximity to water means the course is affected by the tides, which can subtly change the firmness of the ground, particularly in the low-lying areas.
These environmental factors demand that golfers remain adaptable throughout their round, constantly reevaluating their approach based on the conditions.
The key strategy here is to stay flexible: keep an eye on the wind’s direction, avoid trying to overpower your shots, and focus on keeping the ball low to minimize its exposure to the elements.
Signature 17th Hole
The 17th hole at Secession Golf Club is a short par 3 that stands out as the course’s signature challenge.
What makes this hole particularly memorable is its island green, a feature that requires absolute precision from the tee.
At just around 145 yards, the distance might seem manageable, but the water surrounding the green makes it a high-stakes shot.
Any misjudgment in club selection or wind assessment can result in your ball landing in the surrounding marsh.
This hole is a mental test as much as it is a physical one.
Even experienced golfers may find the island green intimidating, especially when the wind picks up.
The strategy here is to carefully factor in the wind direction and commit fully to your shot.
Half-hearted swings or hesitations can easily lead to penalties.
For those who successfully navigate the 17th, it’s a satisfying triumph that adds to the course’s overall allure and reputation as a true test of skill.
Conclusion
Secession Golf Club offers a unique and challenging golf experience, blending tradition, history, and natural beauty.
From its exclusive membership to its dynamic coastal environment, every round provides something new.
If you get the chance to play at Secession, it’s a rare opportunity to enjoy golf in its purest form.