Course Review | Walker Course at Clemson University

Named as one of the nine favorite collegiate golf courses by PGA.com readers, the Walker Course at Clemson University definitely deserves that ranking. It's not only a beautiful course, but it's challenging enough to make you hit every club in your bag. At the same time, you can score well enough to leave the parking lot with a smile on your face.

And where else can you play a hole in the shape of a tiger paw?

PHOTO GALLERY: Views of the Walker Course at Clemson University

GETTING THERE: From Greenville and Spartanburg, take Interstate 85 south to exit 19-B. Turn right on U.S. 76/S.C. 28 for about 12 miles. From Atlanta, take Interstate 85 north to exit 14, turn left onto S.C. 187 and go six miles until it intersects with U.S. 76/S.C. 28. In both cases, turn left onto Perimeter Road and follow the campus signs to the Conference Center and Inn.

ABOUT THE COURSE: Designed by D.J. DeVictor and opened in 1995, the Walker Course has five sets of tees for all skill levels, measuring 6,911 yards from the championship Tiger Tees and a very challenging but playable 5,934 yards from the white tees.

PGA Professional Brent Jessup has served as the head golf professional at the Walker Course for the past 15 years, so he's quite knowledgeable about the course and its idiosyncrasies.

"The two nines are very different," Jessup said. "The front nine has a lot of hardwoods, a lot of rolling land and the creek meanders through the course a couple of times. It's the harder of the two nines.

"When you play the back nine, the last five holes run along Lake Hartwell. I always say we have the most expensive property in golf because it's the only place on Lake Hartwell where there are no homes right up against the lake."

And that's one of the beauties of the Walker Course. Even though it's on the Clemson University campus, most of the holes are tucked back in away from the main roads, and there's nothing to spoil the view, whether it's the leaves changing, the water lapping onto the shoreline or the water feature on the final hole that signals the end of your round. 

That gives you ample time to focus on your game, and you'd better be able to hit it long and straight. That's especially true on the back nine, where at least two tee shots require carry over water.

"There are only a couple of forced carries, but it does help if you can get the ball up in the air," Jessup said. "There's a lot of undulation. Depending on which mound you hit, it can turn what looked like a good shot into a tough one."

If you choose to walk the course, you will be faced with a lot of elevation changes in addition to the distance between holes. But the course is immaculate, not surprising since Clemson is well-renowned as one of the nation's top agricultural institutions.

MEMORABLE HOLES: The signature hole is the par-3 17th, which is instantly recognizable to any Clemson alum. The green is shaped like the school's iconic tiger's paw logo, with the bunkers spreading out like claws. Don't forget to bring your camera, because you'll want a photo to show your friends -- especially if you hit one close.

But don't spend all your time concerning yourself with the scenery. No. 17 may be pretty, but it's also pretty tough. Par is a good score here.

"Depending on which tee you play, it can make a huge difference," Jessup said. "It's 100 yards from the red tee markers to 127 at the whites, then there's a big jump to 209 from the back tees. We always have some wind coming across the lake, and it can make it an easy hole or a bear.

"There are a few times when the wind's coming in that you have to aim way out in the middle of the lake so the wind will blow it onto the green. Everybody wants to birdie that hole. But the wind does come into play there, so you have to hit a good shot there."

Jessup's personal favorite is No. 13, a 338-yard par-4, because it looks somewhat out of place compared to the rest of the layout.

'It reminds me more of a Jack Nicklaus design," Jessup said. "It has an elevated fairway that drops off on either side, and the green slopes from front to back. So anywhere you hit the green, it feeds all the way to the back. It's really hard to play a front pin position there."

Another interesting hole is No. 6. It's a right-to-left dogleg that's 375 yards from the white tees, but it requires a carry over a gully to an elevated fairway. If you're the gambling sort, you can attempt to cut the corner and shorten your second shot. But if you wind up short, you'll have a blind shot from thick grass, well below the hole.

CLAIM TO FAME: The course was named after Col. John E. Walker, who played football at Clemson University for three years before graduating in 1926 with a B.S. in engineering. He served in Panama, Alaska and the China-Burma-India Theater during WWII, receiving the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, and was executive officer and commander of the 104th Infantry Regiment. His son remains active at Clemson University and serves on the Foundation Board of Directors.

Current Tigers on the PGA Tour include Ben Martin, Jonathan Byrd, Kyle Stanley and Lucas Glover.

WHAT TO SEE: If you're a college football fanatic, Memorial Stadium on a Saturday is a no-brainer. At a capacity of 81,500, "Death Valley" is the second-largest stadium in the ACC, and the Tigers have won more than 70 percent of their games there. The South Carolina Botanical Gardens are nearby. There are concerts and other events at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts. And for history buffs, the Fort Hill Plantation is a step back in time.

KEY COURSE DETAILS

Address: 210 Madren Center Drive, Clemson, S.C.  29631

Phone: 864-656-0236 

Website: //www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/madren/golf/