Daniel Island (Ralston Creek)

Daniel Island is an area northeast of Charleston, squeezed between the Cooper and Wando Rivers. The north side of the island revolves around the Daniel Island Club, which hosts golf courses by Tom Fazio and Rees Jones (making it the only private club in South Carolina to do so). Jones came in after Fazio’s Beresford Creek course and added the 7,500 yard Ralston Creek option (about 300 yards longer than Fazio’s from the tips).

The course winds its way around surrounding residential developments, while offering scenic views out across the native salt marshes prevalent in the area. At its most daring, those marshes become part of the challenge during Ralston. For example, the Cape-style No. 8 invites players to take an advantageous line across the marsh to an angled fairway. Distance isn’t the only name of the game, however; those who hit it farther along a less risky line may find they have a better attack angle to the green (although a longer approach shot) on this lengthy par four.