by Robert Borges on January 31, 2022
Just because a master-planned community doesn’t have a golf course doesn’t necessarily mean it lacks other classic country club spoils and amenities. Even in an immensely golf-friendly state like South Carolina, there are many homeowners who prefer the perks and conveniences of living in a lifestyle community, but don’t want the additional fees or busyness that often comes with golf-centric communities.
PCR features dozens of community showcases in South Carolina, with and without golf courses. Here, we’ll zero in on five unique non-golf South Carolina communities—from the coast to the Midlands to the mountainous Upcountry. You can learn more and see the complete list of South Carolina communities without golf here.
(Note that while the following don’t have onsite golf, there are plenty of golf courses within proximity of each of these communities.)
Carnes Crossroads- Goose Creek, SC
Carnes Crossroads is a master-planned community in Goose Creek, South Carolina offering a charming lifestyle. Residents enjoy parks, trails, an on-site farm, resort-style amenities, and a developing downtown area. The community fosters connection through social events and a central amenity center. With schools and convenient shopping nearby, Carnes Crossroads is ideal for families and retirees seeking a home near the coast.
Hampton Lake- Bluffton, SC
The Hilton Head area's premier private lake community, residents here are treated to a165-acre freshwater lake that includes 7 miles of navigable waterways and 15 miles of shoreline. The lake, together with approximately 340 surrounding acres of nature preserve, creates over 500 acres of open space in the just over 900-acre community. The award-winning South Carolina community is a haven for boaters, anglers, and anyone who appreciates the outdoors—with miles of nature trails and a community campsite providing even more recreational options.
Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head- Hardeeville, SC
Also near Hilton Head, this active adult community may not have golf, but it provides residents with the quintessential laid-back lifestyle. With island-style vibes reminiscent of the tropics, every day in Latitude Margaritaville is a Jimmy Buffet song come to life. Amenities include the Paradise Pool, FINS Up! Fitness Center, Last Mango Theater, Latitude Bar & Chill Restaurant, sports courts, and much more. The community’s lifestyle manager organizes year-round activities, events, and entertainment.
McCord’s Ferry at Lake Marion- Santee, SC
Situated in the heart of the Palmetto State’s beautiful Lowcountry, McCord’s Ferry at Lake Marion is non-golf community in South Carolina that instead revolves around the state’s largest freshwater lake. The community is adjacent to Santee State Park with boating, hiking, camping, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Other amenities include fitness facilities, swimming pool, pickleball court, and a large covered lakefront pavilion. The Santee region is also renowned as one of the best birding areas in South Carolina, where residents enjoy the Santee Birding & Nature Festival just outside of the community each April.
Crescent Communities on Lake Keowee- Seneca, SC
For our final South Carolina community sans golf, we head upstate to the charming little town of Seneca. Here, residents can explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, state and national parks, and the 18,500 surface acres and 300 shoreline miles of Lake Keowee. Rest assured there are plenty of championship golf courses nearby, but this community hangs its hat on magnificent waterfalls, mountains, and the nearly unlimited recreation opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts—from rafting to hunting to fishing, and more.
