Cherokee Plantation is an extremely private resort / club that includes an impressive 18-hole, Donald Steele-designed course that is rather reminiscent of British links courses. The greens have been designed so that the ball can be run onto the green, with many of the green surrounds being cut short to encourage a wide array of recovery shots. The emphasis is on creativity in shot making. Firm, fast greens and slick surrounds will reward the accurate shot and punish the wayward.

Five par-3s and an emphasis on accurate approach play are the chief characteristics here; only 35 bunkers are in play, some of which are revetted (sod-walled). Meanwhile, native region grasses are used in the rough.

The plantation itself was designed by Frederick L. Olmstead, Jr., son of the famous designer of New York's Central Park.