GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.0
91 Reviews (91)
5 Stars
13
4 Stars
51
3 Stars
21
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
2
Conditions
3.6
Value
4.8
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
3.5
98.5%
Recommend this course
83 out of 91 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
0
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
0
Value
0
Layout
0
Friendliness
0
Pace
0
Amenities
0
0%
Recommend this course
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
9 Reviews (9)
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.0
Value
4.9
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.9
100.0%
Recommend this course
9 out of 9 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Municipal
Par 72
Length 6264 yards
Slope 126
Rating 70.8

Crystal Lakes is a municipal golf course located next to Dillon Park in Sumter. The course originally opened as a nine-hole course in 1989 but expanded due to popularity. It offers plenty of challenges but it is a course that will reward good course management and strategy but it is not overly punishing if you're errant off the tees. The course quickly introduces you to its challenges with water hazards coming into play on the first five holes. The opening hole is a tricky par 3 that has a unique peninsula green. The rest of the par 3s on this course are no easy feat either. Crystal Lakes may not be the area's most challenging but it is one of the best values in a destination that is known for its golf.

Course Details

Year Built 1989
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Ed Riccoboni

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Snacks

Available Sports

Tennis

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Value Courses in the U.S. (2023 #12)

Reviews

4.0
91 Reviews (91)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 7
This course/club is great for:
Locals 6
Seniors 6
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 6

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

slow and not fun

Greens were awful....staff was awful....walkers were rude....I play fast and waiting 8 minutes for a shot was terrible....more of a social event at a seniors center

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Pleasantly surprised

Recommended ALL day EVERY day! I guarantee you will not find another course in this nice of shape for the amazing price! Will be going back again and again and again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

You won’t find a better course for the price. Period!

Took a buddy out that has only ever played 4 times in his 36 years of life and we both had an absolute blast. The staff was amazing. The pro shop had WAY more than enough to offer. The price is absolutely unbeatable. And the greens were extremely well manicured. I will 100% be back to play again!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Excellent Staff

The staff was friendly and courteous. Even though it was busy, still completed 18 holes relatively quick. Would definitely play again for the price.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Better than expected

This was my second time playing here. Nice layout and great staff. The greens were pretty good and the course was better maintained than last time.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Loads of potential.

Loved the course layout. Course was in rough shape but may be due to early season. Would play again.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Course at a Great Price

I really enjoyed my first time at Carolina Lakes in Sumter. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The course was in good condition. The pace of play was great. I'm looking forward to my next round of golf at Carolina Lakes!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good value.

It is early in the season but course is starting to "green up" nicely. The only issue on this Daye was they were aerating the greens on the back side so I had to play front twice. No big deal, it is interesting enough to still be fun . Especially if you vary the tees you play.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Crystal lake

Not a bad course for the money. Staff is friendly… overall course isn’t terrible does need some work on the fairways and tee boxes but the greens were not bad they were actually pretty decent. There are some fun challenging holes and neat set ups. Especially 18 par 3. I wanted to pull my best John Daly impression and through my club in the water or tin cup moment. For 15.00 and about a 45 min drive from where I live I’ll be back.. if your not comfortable with your long irons this is a great course to play to get some work on them. I think I only pulled out my driver maybe 4 times today.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

Great course layout and an extremely reasonable cost to play !!

Great course layout and an extremely good price to play. Course conditions were good considering playing in winter. And you really don’t get held up due to slow play either !! Recommended !!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice course, good price, great service

Originally had 3 golfers for 18 holes, but had a change at the last minute to add golfer and change to 9 holes. The staff accommodated us with no issues. Course was well maintained and played well.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 95
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
First Time Playing

Challenging but fun

Great course, was in great condition, only a few spots that were under repair. Greens rolled true and and were challenging. Nice views on some of the holes. Would recommend to those in the area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Better than expected

I am always looking for a place to play early to beat the heat. I decided to try Crystal Lake because of the time and price available. We were not expecting much from the reviews. Now it wasn’t promising at first, with heavy dew on the first green that made putting difficult. The rough had not been cut in over a week. However, the fairways were good and the greens got better as well. Especially the back where they were really good. My friend shot 77 and I shot 93. Stay out of the rough!!!
We will be going back.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful lakes

Lots of lakes/ponds; very nice course layout. Most of sand bunkers were well kept and greens were good. Did end up getting behind very slow golfers but that can happen at any course. Would definitely play again

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Improving slow and steady

I played this course a year ago the greens were in much better shape. Their is still room for improvement the back 9 was in better condition then for the money it's worth it

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Nearby Courses
Sumter, South Carolina
Private
0.0
0
Shaw AFB, South Carolina
Military
0.0
0
Sumter, South Carolina
Semi-Private
3.8571
14
Sumter, South Carolina
Public
4.2727
77
Manning, South Carolina
Semi-Private
3.4032529412
75
Lamar, South Carolina
Public
0.0
0
Golf Packages

Francis Marion Hotel Stay & Play

FROM $187 (USD)
CHARLESTON, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Francis Marion Hotel and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of RiverTowne Golf Course, Charleston National Golf Course, Wild Dunes – Harbor Course, Wild Dunes – Links Course, and Stono Ferry Golf Course.

Wild Dunes Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $197 (USD)
CHARLESTON, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Wild Dunes Resort and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Wild Dunes – Harbor Course, Wild Dunes – Links Course, RiverTowne Golf Course, and Charleston National Golf Course.

The Villas at Kiawah Island Stay & Play Package

FROM $177 (USD)
KIAWAH ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations in a 1 to 4-bedroom unit at The Villas of Kiawah Island and up to 5 rounds of golf on your choice of Kiawah Island - Cougar Point, Kiawah Island - Osprey Point, Kiawah Island - Oak Point, Kiawah Island - Turtle Point, and Kiawah Island - The Ocean Course.

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Stay & Play Package

FROM $337 (USD)
KIAWAH ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Sanctuary Hotel and up to 4 rounds of golf on your choice of Kiawah Island - Cougar Point, Kiawah Island - Osprey Point, Kiawah Island - Oak Point, Kiawah Island - Turtle Point, and Kiawah Island - The Ocean Course.

Talamore Golf Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $137 (USD)
SOUTHERN PINES, NC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Talamore Golf Resort and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Mid Pines Golf Course, Mid South Course, Tobacco Road Golf Course, and The New Course.
Now Reading