South Carolina's Hidden Gems - Hole No. 7: The 17th Hole at The Walker Course

With "tiger paws" painted on all the highways leading into Clemson, you definitely know when you are in Clemson, South Carolina! But even that is not enough for the true Clemson golf fan, yet another tiger paw must be seen to have fully experienced Clemson.

On the quiet campus of Clemson University lies one of the most photographed and talked about golf holes in the state of South Carolina. Hilton Head has a lighthouse, The Dunes Club has an alligator, and yes, Clemson has another "tiger paw," the seventeenth hole at The Walker Course at Clemson University.

The 17th hole is the fourth of five finishing holes on the back nine at The Walker Course where the waters of Lake Hartwell come into play at the finish of the day to either make or break your round of golf. The 17th hole is a challenging par three with a forced carry across water to a peninsula green jutting out into Lake Hartwell in the shape of the famous "Clemson Tiger Paw." The green and surrounding bunkers are designed and shaped to create the largest "tiger paw" not only in "Tiger Town" but also in the entire state, maybe even the entire country!

The hole plays 192 yards from the Tiger tees, 175 yards from the Champion tees, 127 yards from the Member tees, 116 yards from the Senior tees, and 100 yards from the Forward tees. With winds coming across the lake on most days, it may be necessary to use any club you have in your bag from the woods to the wedges, including an awkward aiming point in the middle of Lake Hartwell to allow for the wind!

The hole is also a popular site for local boaters cruising by to check out the action on the course or to find a few golf balls that didn't quite make it across the water and onto the "tiger paw" green.

For the true Clemson fanatic, nothing completes a beautiful spring or summer wedding in Clemson like a photo of "the bride" standing on that famous green with the sun setting slowly into the blue waters of Lake Hartwell in the background.

Finally, the photo of the Clemson Tiger Mascot playing the 17th hole is the cover photo for our scorecard. Come to Clemson and "play the PAW"!