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 through 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 together with a natural, almost cinematic flow. The way the course opens and then tightens, stretches and then compresses, mirrors a story unfolding 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 struck 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 limited in number, it is deeply revered, with each course standing as 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 consistently 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 as well. Before Strantz ever set foot on the site, the property was flat and unremarkable, low lying and marshy like much of the surrounding Lowcountry. Through an extensive earth moving effort, the landscape was completely transformed. What was once featureless terrain is now defined by elevation changes that are rare for this part of the country. The elevated clubhouse serves as the course’s visual compass, appearing from multiple points along the routing and offering one of the finest panoramic views in South Carolina golf.
Over the years, Bulls Bay has developed a quiet, exclusive reputation. It is not flashy and never feels overly commercial. While there are a handful of residential elements, none crowd the fairways or distract from the experience. The focus remains on the golf itself, thoughtfully designed and impeccably maintained. It is the kind of place where conversations happen naturally between shots and the game is allowed to unfold at its intended pace.
By the time you complete the round and climb back toward the elevated clubhouse, looking out over the ground you have just walked, there is a distinct sense that you have played somewhere special. Crafted by a visionary yet firmly rooted in the character of the Lowcountry, Bulls Bay does more than challenge your game. It leaves a lasting 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.
