It’s admittedly difficult keeping up with all of the flashy new courses being built nowadays, but I was immediately enamored with Broomsedge when Shayne sent it my way. The pictures throughout the buildout looked mesmerizing, and we knew we had to try and get there before the word was out.
Making the course even more appealing was the story of the course’s founder and partner, Mike Koprowski. Mike’s journey is fascinating, and he’s a fellow Duke alum (I’m still trying to recover from the Final 4 defeat).
Koprowski teamed up with the renowned Kyle Franz, whom he previously cold emailed to get his feet wet in assisting any way he could, and the Broomsedge project was born.
We were extremely fortunate to secure a preview play tee time through the club a couple months in advance, and planning our 2025 Carolina trip was off to the races.
First Impressions
Much like other high end destination clubs popping up around the country, Broomsedge is out in the country and the middle of nowhere.
Before getting into the review, we’d be making a big mistake not giving a huge shout out to our caddie Shane. While we’re new to the caddie experience, but it’s hard to imagine a better one than Shane. We’re happy to call him a friend after our round, not our caddie. He went above and beyond to share great stories from how he became a caddie to some prolific courses he finds himself working at while giving us every chance to succeed at Broomsedge. His passion and knack for golf architecture was evident throughout the round, mentioning some really fun tee box ideas he’s shared with the team at the course, while being spot on for preferred lines and green reads.
It was frustrating not being able to execute the shots he suggested as consistently as I’d like, but if you’re lucky enough to play the course it’s worth your time to go out of your way to request Shane. He was kind enough to share his photos of the course in better lighting from earlier in the fall, which I’ll share at the bottom of the post. We can’t wait to see you again Shane!
The Course
Design: Mike Koprowski and Kyle Franz
Year Built: 2024
Yardage: 7501/6903/6619 (Blue/White Combo)/6326/5686/4982
Rating: Not yet rated
Accessibility: Private
Cost: $225 (Preview Play Unaccompanied Rate)
The Front 9
The first 5 holes are sequestered from the rest of the course by a valley and pond, both of which are likely to be welcome sights to players mercifully escaping the gauntlet that is the opening quintet at Broomsedge. 4 brute par 4s and an intimidating par 3 start the round, and it’s no surprise to hear the motto “Survive The First Five” circulating amongst members and visitors. (Get that on tee shirts in the pro shop!)
The round opens with a par 4 checking in at 493 yards from the tips and 455 yards from blue/white combos. The fairway is generous and a touch uphill leading to a semi blind tee shot. It’s tough to find trouble though as the fairway is really wide.
The fairway then slopes a bit downhill, with bunkers protecting the left side and front of the green. It’s a difficult green to hold considering the distance of the approach, as it slopes towards the back left. Far from a gentle handshake, thankfully the opening hole’s difficulty was softened a touch by the back left pin position, allowing wedge shots to bleed to the pin.
The second is outstanding and a strong contender for best hole on the course. While the first is long yet relatively straightforward, the second has distance (453 yards) but is filled with the complexities that make Broomsedge great.
While this is another generous fairway in width, there are several considerations to make off the tee. A small but frustratingly placed bunker splits the fairway and makes the polarity of your decision clear. The left side of the fairway is reminiscent of Eastward Ho!’s rolling landscape, a dramatic hill funneling balls towards the middle leading to a downhill approach. Longer hitters can clear the middle bunker and take advantage of the speed slope to ride their ball closer to the green on the left. The right side of the fairway also offers a half pipe shaped slope closer to the green, but can offer a trickier approach in depending on pin position.
While the strategic component off the tee is compelling (a predominant theme at Broomsedge), the versatility provided by the approach and green are what make this hole a standout.
The green is brilliantly tucked into an elevated plateau on the right side of the hole, protected on both sides by unique danger. The ride side of the green is guarded for about 75 yards by two bunkers, while the left side features a steep drop-off that will dispose balls into a landing area forcing a difficult pitch back up, making the right side of the green the preferred target.
In most cases, I think the left side of the fairway offers higher reward potential and a better angle into the green, but I’d love to be able to play this hole a few more times to get a more concrete answer. While the design of the hole is fantastic, my favorite part was the view through the trees of the grounds ahead, giving a grand feel to a compact space. It was a stellar feature that we mentioned several times on our walk down the second fairway.
The green itself is also great on the second, featuring a quasi Biarritz shape. A truly outstanding par 4 that will certainly be in contention for our best par 4 of the year in the 2025 HOTYs.
It’s difficult to follow up the second, yet the opening stretch of great but brawny par 4s continue with the third. At 453 yards from the whites (494 from the tips), the hole plays down a valley and is flanked by bunkers on both sides. The tee shot is downhill, but the fairway runs back uphill towards the green and the bunkers pinch closer as you approach the hole.
If you’ve made it to the 4th without any brutal numbers on the scorecard, you’re doing well but not out of the woods yet. At 514 yards from the blues (not a typo), this par 4 is just as formidable as the trio before it.
The stakes on the tee box are clear. Challenge the right side for the preferable look at the green, but don’t miss or you’re out of bounds. Trees hug the entire right side of the fairway up to the right to left sloped green. Bunkers pinch the fairway on the left, making hitting it long and straight not only the dream we all share, but a necessity on this hole.
The string of fierce par 4s ends for a bit, but the par 3 5th is no slouch in its own right.
The last of the holes on the rectangular portion of the property, the hole is an intimidating one shotter playing over waste and a large cross bunker guarding entry to the green. Bunkers also flank the right and left sides of the green, with the left bunker extending all the way to the back. The green slopes left to right and feeds from the back to the front, with misses long and right the most perilous as the slope of the hill is severe.
There are many memorable features to cover at Broomsedge, but the routing is without question the most unique we’ve experienced thus far, and that’s a byproduct of the multiple double green complexes the course offers.
The first of these is the 6th, a par 3 playing over water to either a left green at 212 yards, or the right green at a touch under 130 yards. The tee box wraps around the pond giving numerous options to the greenskeepers. We were fortunate to play the right green licking our wounds from the first 5 holes, and the gentle 6th was welcome.
The right green is a daring one shotter and the bunkering reminds me of the 16th at the Dunes in (semi) nearby Myrtle Beach. Getting on the green in one provides a strong chance for par as the green isn’t too extreme in undulation, gently sloping from back to front.
The 7th is another friendly hole, a shorter par 4 (relatively for Broomsedge) at 384 yards and a fairway that felt just as wide. The tee shot is semi blind and plays uphill, with the approach straightforward and contested by two bunkers flanking each side of the green.
At a course as strong as Broomsedge it’s hard to pick a favorite hole. However, the hole I’d love to play over and over again most is the par 3 8th. Playing as long as 310 yards, this par 3 (!!) is as fun a one shotter as we’ve experienced thus far.
The hole plays severely downhill into a valley that funnels balls towards a raised green. Bunkers guard the back right side of the green, but they won’t be a factor of the majority of us off the tee. The green is 3 tiered, with the highest tier in the back, and a false front leads up to the green. I really loved this hole and it’s a clear standout amongst many great options.
The wild ride continues with the front’s finale. The 9th is a par 5 clocking in at a gettable 495 yards, bending to the left with bunkers lining the left side of the fairway for your tee shot. The bunkers won’t be what catches your eye off the tee though, as a forced carry over a Mars like waste area makes the penalty for topping a drive transparent. The waste area juts out to the left as well, showcasing the design prowess in forcing players to make a decision between taking risk cutting off the left side and conservatively landing on the right at the expense of the attackability of the second shot.
The hole plays in the direction of the pond that the 6th plays over, and the right side of the fairway slopes towards the green allowing players to run their ball up if necessary. It’s worth noting that there are bunkers and a ridge to save balls that are long of the green from what is thought to be certain consequence in the pond. We wouldn’t advise the anxiety filled experience of walking beyond the green hoping to find your ball though, take it from experience!
A front 9 filled with character and undeniable difficulty, I’d rank the holes 2,8,3,6,5,7,4,1
The Back 9
The back kicks off with a par 4 playing into a valley before running back up a hill to the green. The fairway bunker to the right shouldn’t come into play for well struck drives, but a pair of bunkers not visible from the tee at the bottom of the valley will catch longer hitters by surprise. If you aren’t a long hitter, the fairway extends a mile to both the left and right and offers plenty of room.
From the fairway, a challenging uphill approach awaits, with a deep bunker guarding the front left side of the green. Approaches that are short will be rejected by a dramatic false front and run back down the hill. This par 4 requires precision on approach and is a strong start to the back 9.
The next of the double green holes is the 11th, a par 3 with a bullseye style green embedded in a hill as the right green and a longer left green, which can also be configured as a green for the 13th. It is unfortunate we were not playing the right green on this day as it looked to be amongst the best on the course, but hopefully our fortunes turn on our next trip back.
With the upper green for the 13th and countless bunkers in the ridge looming long and left, the 11th to the left green is also defended by bunkers on both sides and a nasty lip before the front of the green. The green slopes back to front and right to left.
The 12th is a welcome scoring opportunity and in my opinion the easiest par 4 on the course. The fairway is wide and welcoming, with OB on the right but not nearly as imposing as the 4th. Avoid the trouble on the left. A good drive leaves a wedge in as the hole only plays 376 yards. The green also slopes from back to the front, making the front pin position we had especially inviting.
The 13th is a great example of the beauty of having a great caddie. As you can see, there’s quite a bit to take in from the tee box. The lower green on the left functioned as the 11th on this day, but doubles as the lower green on the 13th. The upper green is beyond the plethora of bunkers in the ridge. The bunker in the middle of the fairway is the reference point to split the holes, but the desired line isn’t what you think. Our caddie Shane suggested aiming as far right as we could, and he was on the mark yet again. From there, a blind but docile uphill approach remains. Longer hitters can challenge the run up area to the green off the tee, but the far right line is more prudent.
The path to the upper green on the 13th is certainly the more dramatic option, with the bunkering reminiscent of #2 at Pine Valley. The green itself is defined by a hump in the middle, but is tame in relation to the rest of the hole.
The 14th is another shorter par 4 at 351 yards with a downhill tee shot that heads towards the trees at the end of the property. While a bit shorter than 12, there’s more danger on this hole. The landing area is appetizing, the left side is safe but danger is present on the right as fairway bunkers line the entirety of the fairway. The hole bends slightly to the left for the approach, but there isn’t any unique danger to speak of near the green.
When writing the review, I found that hole #15 is more intricate and complex than I gave it credit for on the course, and it’s actually an excellent risk reward hole highlighting Franz/Koprowski’s use of the property’s boundary.
Like the 4th, out of bounds runs down the entirety of the hole on the right side hugging the fairway throughout. However, a clear decision looms on the tee box. The right bunker can be challenged to set up an easy birdie opportunity with a short, straight on approach to the green. However, the bunker and out of bounds make the danger of this decision transparent.
The left side of the fairway is large and welcoming, but leaves a far more difficult uphill approach to the green at a diagonal angle with the greenside bunker and OB long as threats. The green is fairly tame in comparison to the others, circular in shape and gently sloping back to front. A great risk reward par 4 I wish I appreciated more while playing.
The 16th is a stark contrast to the visual overload on the tee boxes of 14 and 15. A mid length par 4 at 415 yards, it’s bombs away off the tee as there’s almost nowhere you’ll be in trouble as you hit into what could be the most welcoming fairway on the course. The hole is a dogleg left running downhill on approach, with bunkers on each side of the green. Avoid long as you’ll be contending with the same ridge that defends the backside of the 9th green. This is a really fun hole that is a great contrast to the other par 4s on the course.
The 17th is another flat dogleg left, daring you to take on a waste area and 3 fairway bunkers to shorten your approach. The right side of the fairway offers the clearer angle into the green, albeit a longer shot. The waste bisects the fairway about 80 yards out from the green, which is defended by 2 deep bunkers in the front.
I’m a real sucker for epic finishing holes, and the 18th at Broomsedge is far from a disappointment. It’s the opposite in fact, an exclamation point on a round highlighted by an intricately assembled mixture of drama, finesse, and strategy. The closer manages to integrate all 3 into this exceptional par 5.
At 539 yards, only the longest hitters will have a chance at getting there in 2 shots, and the precision necessary for the final approach makes this almost assuredly a 3 shot hole for most players.
The view from the tee box is a teaser for the hole to come and reveals a sweeping downhill dogleg left fairway. In deciding whether to cut off the leg on the aggressive line to the left, a successful carry of around 250 yards over wasteland rewards the bold with a dramatic slope that adds significant yardage to their drives.
I was fortunate to hit one of my better drives of the day, but lacking the distance to get there in 2 I opted to lay up beyond the devilishly placed center bunker complex splitting the fairway closer to the pond. Shane was excellent in scoping one of the trees standing far above the fairway to the left for optimal layup yardage, and I’d recommend referencing them whenever playing the hole.
From there, a dramatic approach awaits to punctuate the adrenaline of the final hole. The green is wedged between the pond on the left and bunkers on the right, with no more than 10 yards of wiggle room on either side. While I was happy to avoid those hazards, a bunker shot that delicate with the pond looming would be extremely nervy.
The 18th is a loud and fitting finale to a round that crescendos in drama throughout, while easing up when needed to allow the next “wow” moment to pop.
I’d rank the back 18,11 (if right green),15,16, 13,10,14,17,12
Final Thoughts
What a course this already is. We were told that memberships are flying and the initiation fee is rising, it’s easy to see why.
While we have yet to experience nearby heavyweights Old Barnwell and The Tree Farm, it’s undeniable that Broomsedge has a unique identity and holds its weight amongst the trendy high end clubs popping up in the area. The branding is top tier, and we can’t wait to see how the amenities develop over time.
The layout is a standout, with the versatility offered by the multiple green complexes a true asset. Despite a compact piece of property, the elevation changes and sightlines were thought out perfectly to make the course feel both vast and cohesive. The region is deep with outstanding golf, and Broomsedge has managed to define itself with unique challenges despite extremely forgiving fairways for the most part.
We’d never get bored playing Broomsedge. It’s a great addition to the Franz portfolio and a celebration of Koprowski’s unconventional entry into both course design and ownership.
Here are the photos that Shane sent us, showing the beauty of the course unlocked on sunny days.
Pros
– Outstanding layout and conditions, bunkering is special and the double green complexes are a blast
-If the other caddies are like Shane, top caddie staff. Head pro Trevor also outstanding
-Great branding
Cons
-Difficult to get to, cottages for national members will help solve this
-Good luck surviving the first 5!
Favorite Holes
Mike: 8
Shayne: 18
What Would We Pay?
$450-500 per round. Yes it’s steep, but we consider it worth it for a first time visit- you won’t be disappointed
Final Score
8.75/10, US top 100 accolades are in the cards for this truly outstanding golf course
See how we score here