SOAC is a big course on a private recreational property. It begs for a good arm and demands a variety of shots.

It's still a work-in-progress, but don't take that as "rough". The property itself is well-groomed, so the course, with very few exceptions, is too. The "in process" is the tweaking of a few holes, teepads, etc., and addition of short tees.

There are lots of places to uncork longer shots, but none of them are bomb-away-without-worry shots. Ample fairways are lined by dense woods, and there's lots of OB (water & artificial) to worry about.

And all sorts of shot shaping. You'll want to throw forehand & backhand, including fades and turnovers, and rollers if you've got them and if you dare. And every hole is a good hole; no bad filler holes to make shake your head.

Aesthetically, it's uncrowded and very peaceful.

There's very little elevation.

Currently dirt tees marked with flags, and no short tees. If you don't throw 350', which I don't, some of these holes are pretty grueling.

I didn't pay close attention, but many baskets are Sports, probably with extra chains. I'm fine with that, but everyone may not be.

In my first visit, I didn't walk away remembering any "wow" holes. Lots of good ones, some cool ones, but no "wow". Another visit or two may change that.

Having the advantage of being guided by one of the designers (and a friend), I'm aware of some coming tweaks in tees and pin placements. Plus, some short tees for weaklings like myself.

There are a number of muddy water/retention areas. I'm not clear of their status, but if they were holding water, it would be a more scenic and thrilling course. I'm not sure if that's intermittent, or planned (work was being done on one of them).

Put that all together, and I expect that sometime in the future, I'll be upgrading this review to 4.5.

To play a round at Southeast Outdoor Adventure Center, I had to arrange a time to play the course. Waiting out a massive downpour that dropped about 3 inches of rain in 30 minutes, I was hoping this course would be worth it. Yes it was.
- In short, this course has an outstanding variety and flow to it. It was in its temporary tournament layout when I played. Talking to one of the course designers, he said that if/when this becomes a permanent layout, there will be some tweaks, but the essence of the course should remain the same.
- Outstanding layouts. There are a series of station-to-station, par 4s where accuracy is a premium. On holes #5 & 6, if your tee shot is on the wrong side of the fairway, you've essentially killed any chance at a birdie. In our group of 3, standing on #6, two tee shots appeared to both be in good spots. Once we got to our discs, having one disc be 15 feet further to the right eliminated a chance to cut the corner on this sharp dogleg right. I love strategic shot making layouts.
- Water creates amazing scenery and challenge. Hole #1 is a picturesque view throwing over a retention pond. Depending on when you play this may be a water hole or a muddy pit. Hole #12 & 13 have a creek playing alongside the right side of the fairway. Throw in the yurt on the other side of the water, and you have two great layouts.
- The scenery peaks on #15. You're throwing over another pond. This basket is surrounded by a series of tall pines. Throw in the main building as a backdrop, and this is an outstanding view on the tee. Oh, and you'll probably want to throw an extra disc or two.
- Overall, excellent quality. #3 is another excellent station-to-station par 4. My second shot sailed a tad too long. And due to the massive downpour an hour earlier, the creek was over its banks and my prized, beat-in, multi-ace, decade-plus old Shark died a wet death. This is followed by a scenic, and one of the two easiest holes on the course. A slight uphill, 240ish foot straight shot. You can throw through, over, or around two large pampas grass plants.
- A nice touch, and sign of a good layout, is the flow between tough holes to easier ones. #3 may be one of the toughest on the course. That's followed by one of the easiest. #5 - 7 are all par 4s. They're followed by two easier, catch-your-breath par 3s. #14 is one of the toughest risk/reward shots. #16 is your last hole to make a run at the basket. And, that's followed by the 900 foot plus, par 5 #18.
- Secluded location. I was spoiled because the center was technically closed when I played. The only three people on the property was our group, which was led by one of the course designers. That said, even when the course is open, the course appears to be removed from other activities. Plus, you're 15 minutes from the interstate. So enjoy being in the middle of nowhere.

Because the course is still in the temporary phase, it is missing certain permanent course layouts. Some people won't like the portable baskets or the lack of real tee pads. Concerning the pads, the ground is flat. We had one foot slip on a tee between the three of us, so that's not much of an issue.
- The most noticeable 'temporary course' con was actually not having truly distinct tees. Not the pads themselves, simply where to throw from. My partners both had range finders, so there was some adjustments to our tees to ensure we were throwing the correct distances.
- Honestly, I wish the course ended after #18. Having a massive par 5 to end your round is great. Add to that is the idea that #19 & 20 do feel a little crammed in, especially the final hole. At only 249 feet, it's a blind tee shot that required a spotter. Oh, and it's some of the thickest, nastiest, thorniest rough I've seen around. I'm writing my review two weeks after playing and I'm still looking at scratched up legs from this rough.
- No amenities on the course (benches or trash cans). You're also a short drive to the near gas station or fast food restaurant. If you do play here, you better make sure to bring your food and drink.
- A couple holes will need to be tweaked to improve their quality as they go from temporary to permanent status. #2 had an awkward approach to it, bringing an OB fenced-in area into play. I'd also like to see the tee and/or basket slightly moved on #17. These two layouts felt slightly awkward, not the types of holes you'd see on a truly elite course. The good news is that we're talking slight tweaks to go from subpar layouts to, at worst, average layouts.

I was surprised (shocked perhaps) by the quality of the SOAC course. Having played all but a handful of courses in South Carolina, I'd say I know the state pretty well. This may be the best course east of Columbia / I-77. The only active course I'd put in its class would be Trophy Lakes.
- I'll admit I'm giving a benefit of the doubt to the current 'temporary layout' status as truly being temporary. Say this course becomes a full-fledged, open-to-the-public course, some of these issues will need to be addressed. If this play is still using portable baskets, that will knock down this course's quality. Not having tee markers won't be acceptable.
- Earmuffs TimG. You will want to be using the UDisc app map to play here, especially if you're not playing with someone who has inmost knowledge of the layout. You can't navigate it otherwise.
- One of the things I look for is overall quality. Any course can have an elite hole. I'm looking for how many bad holes does a course have. How good is a course's 10th best hole, it's 15th, best, it's least good (or worst, if you prefer) layout? That's where this course shines, and why I do think it's either the best, or second best, in the eastern half of the state. Even this course's 'bad' holes are solid.
- Another good sign for the course's quality is that I didn't notice what the course is lacking. In this case, I'm talking about elevation. This is a flat layout. #3, 4, 15, & 16 have the most elevation. If there's more than an eight to 10-foot rise or drop in elevation, I clearly don't know how height works.
- Hats off to Greg, the co-designer, who I had the pleasure to play with. You'd have thought he's created other layouts. Turns out, this was his first time building a course. Very well done sir. And thanks for your hospitability in hosting me, and waiting out a monsoon.
- I'm giving this a 4.0. There is so much to like about this course. It cracks the bottom of my Top 10 list for South Carolina. I hope this becomes a full time course so everyone else can enjoy it as well.