Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Stephen Szurlej
Wade Hampton Golf Club
Cashiers, NC•Private
Awards
Panelists Score
Wade Hampton Golf Club
Highway 107 South
Cashiers, NC 28717
United States
Overview
Built during the period when Tom Fazio was still working with the existing landscape rather than bulldozing it, Wade Hampton is an exercise in restraint. The fairways flow through a natural valley between flanking mountain peaks. Some holes are guarded by gurgling brooks, but Fazio piped several streams underground to make the course more playable and walkable. Selected as Golf Digest’s Best New Private Course of 1987, it has never been out of the top 40 since it joined America’s 100 Greatest.
About
Golf Digest Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 Greatest / Best In State Scores
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Wonderful layout set into the mountain with breathtaking views. My only criticisms are the sameness of the par threes (all downhill of similar length, three with creeks fronting the greens) and a rather funky 18th with water down the left and too many bunkers on the right. However, the overall layout is fun but challenging."
Read More2026
Review
“Wade Hampton is a really nice setting for golf. The North Carolina mountains are uniquely beautiful and offer a serene atmosphere with incredible aesthetics. That is one of the standout strengths of this golf course. The hilly terrain also contributes to some nice layout variety and challenge with a number of up and down hill approach shots. The course scores quite strongly in most of our categories, however it does not excel in the character category because there are few examples of ingenuity or uniqueness in the design characteristics."
Read More2026
Review
“Very good golf course in a beautiful setting. The scenery is elite being in the mountains. The Par 3s standout as the better golf holes. High level conditions, but wish the golf ball moved around more on the ground (more like links golf)."
Read More2025
Review
“The prettiest golf course I have ever played, plain and simple. These greens are absolutely fabulous and there were so many distinct golf holes through out the property. That said, the course from the Fazio / McKee tees provide a phenomenal challenge highlighted by their amazing par 3's, which may be some of the best par 3's I have ever played. The 241 yard third hole and 17, one of the signature holes in my opinion, are wonderfully designed using the land contours and aesthetics to provide a fun experience for all golfers. This is a must play!"
Read More2025
Review
“Play here at all costs. You will not be disappoointed."
Read More2025
Review
“Really a wonderful experience, from the time you pull in until the time you leave. The course never lets up, presenting one great hole after another. Beauty personified in a golf course."
Read More2025
Review
“I don't give 5 stars often, but this is one of the best. From the golf course to the experience, Wade Hampton gets the details right. Beautiful setting, strategic design that requires you to engage on every shot, and an attentive staff. Stay below the hole!"
Read More2025
Review
“Probably Tom Fazio's finest course in a beautiful mountain setting. The course was in all its glory with the fall colors popping. The course is not just a pretty face with numerous shot options and tremendous variety throughout. Conditions were excellent with greens that were very fast but rolling true. The staff was very accommodating. Do not hesitate to accept an invitation to play here."
Read More2024
Review
“A mountain course without the weird bounces and vagaries of those courses that many people don't care for. Fazio managed to route a challenging but fair course through the elevation changes."
Read More2024
Review
“Magnificent setting and stellar layout. Perfect greens. A real privilege to play"
Read More2023
