Representative image Photo: Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand · CC BY 2.0
Old Barnwell
Aiken, South Carolina, United States
18 Holes · Par 73 · Private club — no published green fee; play is by member invitation or the club's limited public access · Links
— About
About Old Barnwell
Old Barnwell is a private 18-hole, par-73 course in Aiken, South Carolina, which opened in 2023. Brian Schneider and Blake Conant designed it on hilly, sandy ground in the Carolina sandhills, with valleys and changes of elevation across the property. Rather than following the naturalistic style that dominated recent decades, they took cues from Golden Age designers such as Walter Travis and from National Golf Links of America. The result is a strategic course where the direct line to the hole is usually not the correct one, and the greens carry strong contours. The club presents itself as a mission-focused national club, and its founder, Nick Schreiber, has tied it to giving back to golf and the community.
- Old Barnwell opened in 2023, so it is among the newest courses to reach a national top 100 list in the United States.
- Several fairways use a central hog's back, a raised spine running down the middle of the landing area.
- The course is routed for walking, and reviewers describe a round as a natural stroll around the property.
- The club opens its doors to public play around Masters week, although access is limited rather than open to all.
History of Old Barnwell
Nick Schreiber founded Old Barnwell, and the course opened in 2023 with a stated aim of giving back to golf and the community. Its architects, Brian Schneider and Blake Conant, produced a design that reviewers quickly placed among the best new American layouts, and GOLF magazine listed it 51st in its ranking of the top 100 courses in the United States. A 15-hole kids' course now sits alongside the main 18, and the club is developing a second 18-hole course, The Gilroy, with the same architects.
Signature holes at Old Barnwell
The short par-4 2nd sets the tone, with aggressive bunkering around the direct line to the green. The 8th is a par 4 whose green bends into a boomerang shape, with mounds close around it. The par-4 3rd is wide and carries a hog's back down the middle of the fairway, the feature that appears on several holes here.
When to play Old Barnwell
The one regular window for non-members is Masters week, when the club opens to public play, and places are usually limited. Outside that week a round depends on a member's invitation. The course is built for walking, so plan on covering the ground on foot rather than riding, whatever time of year you visit.
Playing Old Barnwell: tips
Walking is the way to play Old Barnwell, and caddies are available. The property is hilly, with valleys and changes of elevation, so expect a full walk and pack accordingly. The club also runs a 15-hole kids' course, which means children can play alongside the main course. Because the club is private, ask about guest arrangements before you travel.
— Facilities
Practical Information
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Old Barnwell
Can you take a cart at Old Barnwell?
No. Old Barnwell is a walking-only course, and caddies are available, so most visitors cover the hilly property on foot with a caddie.
Is Old Barnwell open to the public?
Only in a limited way. It is a private club, and it opens to public play around Masters week. Outside that window a round needs a member's invitation.
What is the kids' course at Old Barnwell?
It is a 15-hole course built for children and now open alongside the main 18, so younger family members have their own place to play.