Bulls Bay Golf Club - Awendaw, SC
A Mike Strantz masterpiece set in the Lowcountry. Although, with enough earth movement to convince yourself you’re not in the Lowcountry, you are soon reminded of your location after your bomb of a tee shot downhill on hole one, as you find yourself amongst the palmettos and Spanish moss once again. Bulls Bay, as described, is “truly, a one-of-a-kind club experience.” I really enjoy getting to hit every club in the bag, and Bulls Bay offers that opportunity during your round. There is no lack of vistas or enjoyment as your round routes you to and from the clubhouse on the hill, up and over mounds, through the charming Lowcountry landscape.
Strantz’s signature artistry is on full display here—bold contours, sprawling fairways framed by native grasses, and green complexes that demand imagination. Each hole feels like its own world, yet the routing ties them all together with a natural, almost cinematic flow. The way the course opens up and then tightens, stretches out and then compresses, mirrors a story unfolding—one that rewards strategy, patience, and at times, sheer nerve.
Strantz himself remains one of the most beloved and enigmatic figures in golf course architecture. A former lead shaper for Tom Fazio, he eventually broke out on his own, designing just seven original courses before his untimely passing in 2005 at the age of 50. Though his body of work is small, it's deeply revered—each course a distinct work of art. From the wild, theatrical corridors of Tobacco Road in North Carolina to the rugged, windswept edges of Monterey Peninsula Country Club’s Shore Course in California, Strantz always sought to evoke emotion and challenge convention. Bulls Bay was one of his final projects and remains one of his purest visions—largely untouched and unapologetically bold.
The land itself tells a story, too. Before Strantz ever touched it, the property was flat and nondescript—low-lying and marshy, like much of the surrounding Lowcountry. But through a massive earth-moving effort, the site was transformed. What was once featureless terrain is now a tapestry of elevation changes rare for this part of the country. The elevated clubhouse serves as the course’s compass point, visible from multiple spots across the routing, and offering one of the best panoramic views in South Carolina golf.
Over the years, Bulls Bay has built a quiet, exclusive reputation. It’s not flashy or overly commercial—there are a few real estate developments but none that crowd the fairways, no distractions. Just golf, thoughtfully designed and immaculately maintained. It’s the kind of place where conversations are had between shots, and the game is allowed to unfold at its natural pace.
By the time you finish your round, climbing back up to the elevated clubhouse with a view of what you’ve just walked, there’s a distinct feeling that you’ve played somewhere special—crafted by a visionary but grounded in the character of the Lowcountry. Bulls Bay doesn’t just challenge your game—it leaves an impression.
I have had the chance to play a few rounds out here, and each time you play, a new appreciation is gained. The first round was by invitation of my buddy Tyler, who gained access by volunteering at the annual Bulls Bay Rodeo. The second time was for the Charleston Riverdogs annual fundraiser tournament. If you find yourself in the Charleston area, be sure to find your way out to Bulls Bay with a member, and check out some of the other things to do in the area, listed in our full Charleston write up.
