Carolina Lakes ☆ Follow

Carolina Lakes Golf Course is an 18-hole military golf course located at Shaw Air Force Base near Sumter, South Carolina. The course was designed by Ed Riccoboni and opened in 1954. It features 6,495 yards of golf from the back tees with a par of 71, set on bermuda grass with a course rating of 69.3 and slope rating of 122. The layout is characterized by lush bermuda greens and fairways within a gently rolling landscape.

The course emphasizes shot placement and approach shots, with fast and undulating greens. Water hazards including ponds, lakes, and streams come into play on seven holes. The fairways are relatively wide open with mostly flat terrain, though subtle elevation changes add strategic difficulty. Notable features include several challenging par 3s and bunkers positioned throughout the layout. A particularly memorable hole is the first par 3 on the front nine, which requires a forced carry over a pond.

As a military facility, the course is restricted to active-duty military, military retirees, reservists, National Guard members, and Department of Defense employees with valid identification, along with their family members. The facility includes a fully stocked pro shop, driving range, practice facilities, and an on-site restaurant called the Tee Top Café with views overlooking the 18th hole.