When I was in college at Furman University, I rarely strayed far from Greenville when it came to golf. Between free rounds at Furman’s own course during the week (huge perk as a student) and quick trips to Paris Mountain, Cherokee Valley, or Verdae, there was plenty of golf to keep us busy without ever leaving town. At the time, Anderson felt like “too far” to go play a casual round.

It wasn’t until after grad school, once I moved back to Greenville to work, that I started branching out to some of the Anderson-area courses—Saluda Valley, the Club at Brookstone, and eventually Cobbs Glen. I had heard the name before but never made it down there until 2024. Once I did, it quickly became one of the standouts for me.

Part of that has to do with its architect: George Cobb. A Greenville native, Cobb is one of the more prolific designers of the 20th century, with work spanning from Quail Hollow to the par-3 course at Augusta National. Personally, I’ve always had a soft spot for him because he designed Coosa Country Club in Rome, Georgia, where I was frequently a guest of the Lataif family. That connection made my first round at Cobbs Glen feel a little familiar, even before I hit a shot.

I played Cobbs Glen twice this past year—once in 2024 and again earlier this summer with my buddy (and blog partner) Grayson. Both rounds were in great shape, but it was especially impressive to see how much work had been done in between visits. When I checked in this August, the man in the pro shop mentioned that the club had recently been purchased and was undergoing improvements. It showed.

The greens are the highlight. They’re big, rolling, and never flat—fun without feeling unfair. On the day we played, they were at a perfect speed: quick enough to test you, but not so slick that the slopes turned into putt-putt. Any faster, though, and I imagine you’d need nerves of steel.

The layout itself doesn’t scream “flashy.” Fairways are fairly wide, and greens are generous. But it’s the subtleties that make Cobbs Glen worth your time. It’s a course that forces you to think. Distance alone won’t get you around here—you’ve got to manage landing zones, angles, and approaches carefully.

Take the par-4 16th, for example. Hit it too far and too straight off the tee, and you’re actually blocked out from the green. Lay back too much, and you’ve got no angle. It’s a perfect example of the way Cobbs Glen makes you pause on the tee box and ask, “Where do I really want to put this ball?”

Another strength is the variety of holes. The par 3s stretch anywhere from 130 to nearly 190 yards, demanding different clubs and shot shapes. Several par 4s are intentionally short, where driver isn’t the play—laying back with a hybrid or long iron sets up a much smarter approach. At the same time, there are a couple of longer par 4s where you’ll need to hit two strong shots to get to the green.

The par 5s follow the same pattern. They aren’t just “grip it and rip it.” More often than not, they reward a precise tee shot that opens up a chance at a clean layup or even an aggressive go at the green in two. That balance makes Cobbs Glen especially fun—it takes pure distance out of the equation and rewards smart golf.

In August, I posted a decent 82 (with a small asterisk). The asterisk came early: I started by hitting greenside bunkers on each of the first four holes, and when I found yet another trap on the par-5 5th, I gave myself a mulligan - a little birthday gift to myself. From the fairway, I knocked it onto the green in regulation and two-putted for par. Call it creative scoring—or maybe just bunker fatigue. 

What stood out most wasn’t the number on the card, but how engaged I felt on every hole. Cobbs Glen doesn’t let you go on autopilot. You’ve got to think your way around, pick your spots, and accept that some mistakes will leave you scrambling.

Cobbs Glen may not have the reputation of some other Upstate courses, but it’s absolutely worth the trip if you’re anywhere near Anderson or Greenville. The course has character, the greens are a blast, and with the recent improvements, it feels like it’s on the rise.

If you’re a fan of George Cobb’s work—or just enjoy a round where course management matters more than raw yardage—you’ll find a lot to like at Cobbs Glen Country Club.