Michael Gress
Michael Gress
Michael Gress
Old Sawmill
Overview
Old Sawmill is Tyler Rae’s first solo design, and he’s moved his chips onto the table with confidence. Known for specializing in the renovation of old courses by Donald Ross, Seth Raynor and other 1920s architects, his creation at Old Sawmill is a blend of classical-era strategic ideas with an amplified presentation of steep greens and bunkers that comes across as a postmodern interpretation of Oakmont. The impression is especially strong given that the site, an hour northwest of Charleston, was essentially a deep, level field cut by a series of creeks and canals that he smartly incorporated into the hole designs.
About
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
Reviews
Review
“Fun track. Wide fairways allow for many shot options. Enjoyable and playable day in and day out."
Read More2026
Review
“Very nice course. Some really fun approach shots, not overly penal but an enjoyable day with it being wide fairways off the tee box."
Read More2026
Review
“The course has the oldest feel or character of any new course I have played. Felt like Oakmont with wide fairways and Plainfield without rolling hills. Green complexes are visually attractive and offer significant variety of shape, size and elevation, which creates a complete picture not individual pieces. Routing is seamless. Course flows smoothly from start to finish. More elevation change than expected, and it was used extremely well. Aesthetics and condition should be reevaluated at a later date. Extremely dry spring may have impacted the grow-in a bit. Open spaces between holes could be a positive, but they seem empty at the moment. Overall, the course felt like a serious, tournament capable course that will get better with age. Finishing stretch of holes offer great variety and challenge and will provide many topics for post round discussion. Second best course in the Charleston area; Ocean Course at Kiawah is first. Old Sawmill is the most non-Lowcountry course, and that adds to its character. Feels like playing a Golden Age course."
Read More2026
Review
“Great course, the last 5 holes are great and will make closing out. match very interesting."
Read More2026
Review
“Fantastic closing 5 holes that are both enjoyable, and exciting if a match is coming down to the wire."
Read More2026
Review
“Old Sawmill is a new, private parkland layout designed by Tyler J. Rae, his debut 18-hole course, and is located about 30 miles northwest of Charleston, South Carolina. Intended to be a cart path free, walking-only golf course, Old Sawmill plays at a stout 7,287 yards from the back (Lumber) tees to a rating of 76.5 and a slope of 146. The clearest indication that Old Sawmill is for serious golfers only is evident as you drive up to the course – no residential development. All you can see is golf in every direction, whether the 18-hole main course or the Lumber Yard short course. No tennis courts, no swimming pool, no McMansion clubhouse (although something tasteful is on the way) are there to mar the scene. Another indicator of the totality of the golfing experience is the presence of a couple of 5somes on the course and the touring pro’s comment that the club allows any number of people to play together as long as they do not affect anyone else’s enjoyment of the course. Shockingly refreshing when common sense trumps established tradition. The course itself is routed through about 200 acres of a 465-acre parcel of rolling farmland with the balance set aside for an eventual sportsman’s paradise of hunting, shooting, trails, and chest-thumping manliness with some well-hidden tennis and pool facilities for quieter moments. With only 250 anticipated members, 60% of whom are national, Old Sawmill will always be a place to relax and play golf without worrying about tee time availability or if Judge Smails is watching the number in your group. Old Sawmill starts off with a bang as the first 5 holes are a proverbial punch in the teeth, especially the 495-yard par 4 4th. Generally playing into a stiff wind, the opening 5 will test your resolve and make you wonder if the short course would’ve been the better choice. Without hitting one poor shot, I was somehow 4 over par (and happy to not be more) as I stood at the 585-yard 6th par 5. Fortunately, the next several holes were downwind and permitted a stabilization of the round, not easy by any stretch but certainly easier. The course flows beautifully from hole to hole with special emphasis on the par 5 8th with a bunker along the left side that scares mortals but apparently not our +6 pro, the 247-yard par 3 12th, the punchbowl green par 4 15th, and the drivable 280-yard par 4 16th. There is excellent variety at Old Sawmill with a nice mix of straight, dogleg left (5, 8, 13, 16, and 18) and right (1, 3, and 9). The course is flat with only a modest downhill on the short 16th as you get close to the green. Bunkers are copious and generally designed to be penal but not impossible. Fairway bunkers are intended to punish those seeking to carry them but failing as they are deep and the back walls are steep leaving little chance of advancement beyond a wedge or sideways extraction (hello #8). Misjudgments of club and rolling into the same bunkers leaves more opportunity to hit aggressive recovery shots as you are further from the tall, back wall. The lesson here is that you better be absolutely positive you can carry the bunkers. The generous fairways and general lack of trees or hazards allow you to use any shot shape from the tees, although certain holes will give better results with certain flights. The only exception would be the par 4 15th where an overhanging tree impedes anything more than a very slight draw. Most greens encourage lofted approaches, especially to some of the more diabolical pin positions, although skilled players can navigate many of the holes with lower, running approach shots. Old Sawmill is a very good test of golf, especially if the wind is strong. Our +6 pro host made it seem simple, but he should be able to get around far better than all but the most skilled players. After all, routine 320-yard drives in the middle of the fairway do simplify the game. The greens rolled at about an 8 or 9 and were not super difficult. However, the intention is for 12-13 to be the norm once they mature and that will make the greens a completely different beast. Some current 2 putts over mounds, levels and ridges will be nigh impossible at those speeds and the premium on placement below the hole or on the same level will be of paramount importance. Native grasses have been planted that, once fully grown, should provide additional challenge for poorly struck shots. For a course that debuted in late 2025, Old Sawmill is in excellent condition, as one would expect from a premier private course. While slightly slow, the greens were firm and receptive to well-struck balls (mostly the pro’s but a few of mine as well). Fairways were firm, fast but not shaved down to billiard table levels, making them very playable for all golfing abilities. The bunkers were perfect consistency, not squishy soft but firm enough to spin or run the ball depending on the need. Old Sawmill is a golfer’s Golf Club. You go there to play golf, whether the full 18-holes or the short course. There are no distractions, physical or visual, to interfere with the golfing experience. The scenery is pleasant but irrelevant. The golf course is the story here and it is exceptional. As the course matures and the greens fulfill their promise (or is it threat), Old Sawmill will become one of the limited courses where you work all of your friends and contacts to score an invitation."
Read More2026
Review
“Old Sawmill is a new, private parkland layout designed by Tyler J. Rae, his debut 18-hole course, and is located about 30 miles northwest of Charleston, South Carolina. Intended to be a cart path free, walking-only golf course, Old Sawmill plays at a stout 7,287 yards from the back (Lumber) tees to a rating of 76.5 and a slope of 146. The clearest indication that Old Sawmill is for serious golfers only is evident as you drive up to the course – no residential development. All you can see is golf in every direction, whether the 18-hole main course or the Lumber Yard short course. No tennis courts, no swimming pool, no McMansion clubhouse (although something tasteful is on the way) are there to mar the scene. Another indicator of the totality of the golfing experience is the presence of a couple of 5somes on the course and the touring pro’s comment that the club allows any number of people to play together as long as they do not affect anyone else’s enjoyment of the course. Shockingly refreshing when common sense trumps established tradition. The course itself is routed through about 200 acres of a 465-acre parcel of rolling farmland with the balance set aside for an eventual sportsman’s paradise of hunting, shooting, trails, and chest-thumping manliness with some well-hidden tennis and pool facilities for quieter moments. With only 250 anticipated members, 60% of whom are national, Old Sawmill will always be a place to relax and play golf without worrying about tee time availability or if Judge Smails is watching the number in your group. Old Sawmill starts off with a bang as the first 5 holes are a proverbial punch in the teeth, especially the 495-yard par 4 4th. Generally playing into a stiff wind, the opening 5 will test your resolve and make you wonder if the short course would’ve been the better choice. Without hitting one poor shot, I was somehow 4 over par (and happy to not be more) as I stood at the 585-yard 6th par 5. Fortunately, the next several holes were downwind and permitted a stabilization of the round, not easy by any stretch but certainly easier. The course flows beautifully from hole to hole with special emphasis on the par 5 8th with a bunker along the left side that scares mortals but apparently not our +6 pro, the 247-yard par 3 12th, the punchbowl green par 4 15th, and the drivable 280-yard par 4 16th. There is excellent variety at Old Sawmill with a nice mix of straight, dogleg left (5, 8, 13, 16, and 18) and right (1, 3, and 9). The course is flat with only a modest downhill on the short 16th as you get close to the green. Bunkers are copious and generally designed to be penal but not impossible. Fairway bunkers are intended to punish those seeking to carry them but failing as they are deep and the back walls are steep leaving little chance of advancement beyond a wedge or sideways extraction (hello #8). Misjudgments of club and rolling into the same bunkers leaves more opportunity to hit aggressive recovery shots as you are further from the tall, back wall. The lesson here is that you better be absolutely positive you can carry the bunkers. The generous fairways and general lack of trees or hazards allow you to use any shot shape from the tees, although certain holes will give better results with certain flights. The only exception would be the par 4 15th where an overhanging tree impedes anything more than a very slight draw. Most greens encourage lofted approaches, especially to some of the more diabolical pin positions, although skilled players can navigate many of the holes with lower, running approach shots. Old Sawmill is a very good test of golf, especially if the wind is strong. Our +6 pro host made it seem simple, but he should be able to get around far better than all but the most skilled players. After all, routine 320-yard drives in the middle of the fairway do simplify the game. The greens rolled at about an 8 or 9 and were not super difficult. However, the intention is for 12-13 to be the norm once they mature and that will make the greens a completely different beast. Some current 2 putts over mounds, levels and ridges will be nigh impossible at those speeds and the premium on placement below the hole or on the same level will be of paramount importance. Native grasses have been planted that, once fully grown, should provide additional challenge for poorly struck shots. For a course that debuted in late 2025, Old Sawmill is in excellent condition, as one would expect from a premier private course. While slightly slow, the greens were firm and receptive to well-struck balls (mostly the pro’s but a few of mine as well). Fairways were firm, fast but not shaved down to billiard table levels, making them very playable for all golfing abilities. The bunkers were perfect consistency, not squishy soft but firm enough to spin or run the ball depending on the need. Old Sawmill is a golfer’s Golf Club. You go there to play golf, whether the full 18-holes or the short course. There are no distractions, physical or visual, to interfere with the golfing experience. The scenery is pleasant but irrelevant. The golf course is the story here and it is exceptional. As the course matures and the greens fulfill their promise (or is it threat), Old Sawmill will become one of the limited courses where you work all of your friends and contacts to score an invitation."
Read More2026
Review
“A wonderful new design outside Charleston. Wonderful framing of holes with excellent approach to green shot values. A fair course with plenty of challenge."
Read More2026
Review
“Old Sawmill is engaging, novel, and memorable. It’s both challenging and friendly. Bold par-4’s mix in more than a few quirks, and they work. The par-4, 15th has a punch bowl green. On the reachable par-4, 16th, a well-placed second should land short of a steep, downhill slope, and bound to the flag. Those holes and others are interesting plays for first-timers, and evermore endearing for the regulars. Architect Tyler Rae’s Old Sawmill lies in rural country on former farmland north of Charleston. It makes a strong first impression. Many competent architects can design terrific courses on great pieces of land. The test? To manufacture one on a relatively flat landscape, and make it feel natural. Rae pulled it off. He used all the property including its borders, and mades the most of existing features, especially water running through it . Rae’s first four holes play in different directions, each influenced differently by the prevailing wind. Early in the round, players may notice Rae took inspirations from Harry Colt in the use of boundaries, Seth Rainer in some of the steep banking around greens and bunkers, and Donald Ross in the use of diagonal cross-bunkering. Old Sawmill is eminently walkable. Many greens step off to the next teeing grounds. The course ranges from 6251 – 7287 yards. And it is fun. Generous fairways keep marginal golfers mostly in play. Lines of charm reward the experts. The conditioning was excellent for a new course and as good as many established ones. As of May, 2026, Old Sawmill remained a work-in-progress. We’re told that Rae plans to elevate the 4th fairway by three-feet. He wants to make the green more visible and reduce drainage. If 18-holes are not enough, Old Sawmill also has a separate par-3 course, with lights for night play by national members when staying over. We did not play them, but those nine holes look enticing. Also worth noting, Old Sawmill is a very exclusive, members-only course with a nod to tradition. Caddies are mandatory and knowledgeable. Locals cannot join unless they belong to another club. The course will close in summer."
Read More2026
Review
“Old Sawmill is engaging, novel, and memorable. It’s both challenging and friendly. Bold par-4’s mix in more than a few quirks, and they work. The par-4, 15th has a punch bowl green. On the reachable par-4, 16th, a well-placed second should land short of a steep, downhill slope, and bound to the flag. Those holes and others are interesting plays for first-timers, and evermore endearing for the regulars. Architect Tyler Rae’s Old Sawmill lies in rural country on former farmland north of Charleston. It makes a strong first impression. Many competent architects can design terrific courses on great pieces of land. The test? To manufacture one on a relatively flat landscape, and make it feel natural. Rae pulled it off. He used all the property including its borders, and mades the most of existing features, especially water running through it . Rae’s first four holes play in different directions, each influenced differently by the prevailing wind. Early in the round, players may notice Rae took inspirations from Harry Colt in the use of boundaries, Seth Rainer in some of the steep banking around greens and bunkers, and Donald Ross in the use of diagonal cross-bunkering. Old Sawmill is eminently walkable. Many greens step off to the next teeing grounds. The course ranges from 6251 – 7287 yards. And it is fun. Generous fairways keep marginal golfers mostly in play. Lines of charm reward the experts. The conditioning was excellent for a new course and as good as many established ones. As of May, 2026, Old Sawmill remained a work-in-progress. We’re told that Rae plans to elevate the 4th fairway by three-feet. He wants to make the green more visible and reduce drainage. If 18-holes are not enough, Old Sawmill also has a separate par-3 course, with lights for night play by national members when staying over. We did not play them, but those nine holes look enticing. Also worth noting, Old Sawmill is a very exclusive, members-only course with a nod to tradition. Caddies are mandatory and knowledgeable. Locals cannot join unless they belong to another club. The course will close in summer."
Read More2026