Kiawah Island is known for its maritime forests, abundant wildlife, pristine beaches, and a private atmosphere that draws visitors from around the world. But above all else, Kiawah is known for its golf. Sweeping oceanfront fairways attract golfers from every corner of the globe, and tee times on the island's exclusive courses are hard (if not impossible) to snag.
Sweetgrass Properties knows a thing or two about golf on Kiawah Island, because we know a thing or two about the island as a whole. We welcome guests from all over the world for luxurious stays on the Charleston coast, and we pride ourselves on sharing the best local knowledge. Golf is no exception. Want to know everything about golfing on Kiawah before you book your next stay? That's what we're here for.
1. There are five courses available for visitors of the Resort to play: The Ocean Course, Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Cougar Point, and Oak Point.
Anyone can book a tee time at Kiawah Island's main golf courses. That sets Kiawah apart from many other top golf resorts in the country, where courses are often closed to the public. Each course is carefully maintained and designed by a legendary name in golf, including Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Fazio, so every round offers golfers a different kind of challenge.
- Designer: Pete and Alice Dye, opened 1991
- 18 holes, par 72
- 7,876 yards from the tips
- Course rating 79.1, slope 155
- Designer: Jack Nicklaus
- 18 holes, par 72
- 6,911 yards
- Couse rating 73, slope 134
- Designer: Tom Fazio
- 18 holes, par 72
- 6,902 yards
- Course rating 72.8, slope 135
- Designer: Gary Player, redesigned in 2017
- 18 holes, par 72
- 6,814 yards
- Course rating 72.7, slope 134
- Designer: Clyde Johnston
- 18 holes, par 72
- 6,701 yards
- Course rating 71.9, slope 130
2. The Ocean Course is famous for having every hole with a view of the Atlantic, and 10 holes run directly along the ocean.
The Ocean Course is the most famous of the bunch, known for both its challenging design and its sweeping ocean views along the edge of Kiawah Island. Every hole has a view of the Atlantic, and 10 of them run directly along the water. The course was redesigned during construction to sit closer to the nearby dunes. The goal was to protect it from hurricane damage, but the new layout left it wide open to the wind, which helped make it one of the toughest courses on the East Coast.
The Ocean Course
3. The Ocean Course is set to host the PGA Championship again in 2031.
The Ocean Course last hosted the PGA Championship in 2021, when Phil Mickelson won at age 50. The island and resort are thrilled to welcome golfers and visitors back for this standout event in 2031. And hey, it never hurts to plan ahead and book a vacation rental close to the iconic course before the big event!
4. Alligators are a real and expected part of the scenery on several courses, especially around the marsh and lagoon holes.
Kiawah Island is known for its wildlife, and golfers are sure to see plenty of sights as they make their way through the island's maritime forests, swamps, marshes, and oceanfront vistas. Whether you spot local birds or turtles sunning themselves by the water, the wildlife adds a fun element to your golfing adventure.
But be warned: alligators love to wander from pond to pond, so golfers may need to work around a few of these large locals, who seem to enjoy Kiawah's amenities as much as anyone. Golfers should keep their distance from the water and skip fishing balls out of ponds or marshes, since you never know what might be lurking just below the surface.
5. You can book your tee time 60 days in advance when staying outside of the resort, and we highly recommend it.
Guests staying at the resort can book tee times without advance notice. If you're staying on the island in a vacation rental outside the resort, you can book tee times up to 60 days ahead, and we recommend doing it as early as you can. The best courses and tee times fill up fast. If your vacation plans are set and you just want to add golf, reserve your tee times, golf carts, and caddies early! Plan ahead and you won't miss out.
6. Max group size is 4 per tee time, and they ask you to arrive 20 to 30 minutes early.
This group size is the maximum Kiawah allows per tee time. If you're golfing with a larger group, we recommend booking back-to-back tee times so everyone can play the course together. Kiawah Island Golf Resort doesn't spell out exactly how to book tee times for large groups, but its cancellation policy says groups of fewer than 12 can cancel up to 48 hours before their tee time without a penalty!
Twosomes and threesomes are welcome too! If you're golfing solo, the resort may pair you with another group to fill open spots, so more people get the chance to play.
7. All five courses allow walking anytime, and the Ocean Course is actually considered the easiest of the bunch to walk despite its difficulty rating.
Every course can be walked, which is great for golfers who'd rather skip the extra cost of a golf cart or caddie. Golf carts aren't allowed on the island's roads, but you can rent them at every course for use on the course only. The golf shop can arrange a cart when you book your tee time, and availability is rarely an issue. The one big exception is The Ocean Course, where carts are only available after 10 a.m. from June through August. That means summer mornings are walking-only at Kiawah's most famous course!
Walking the course lets golfers take in the oak-lined fairways, the Spanish moss draped through the trees, and the stunning oceanfront views and homes Kiawah is famous for.
8. For low handicap or serious golfers chasing a bucket-list round, we recommend The Ocean Course.
The Ocean Course is considered one of the toughest courses on the East Coast, thanks to its exposure to strong ocean winds. On top of the wind, it has forced carries over marsh, waste areas, and water, so getting around takes both power and strategy. For golfers looking for an advanced challenge and the chance to play a world-famous championship course, the Ocean Course is the obvious choice.
9. High handicapper or someone who wants a scenic, playable round without punishment: Oak Point or Cougar Point.
Oak Point is one of the more beginner-friendly courses on Kiawah Island, and it's also one of the most affordable of the five. With its shorter yardage, it's often called a shotmaker's course that rewards smart play. Cougar Point is similar, focusing more on strategy than sheer power. It's a good middle ground in terms of difficulty, making it a great fit for mid-handicappers who want something approachable.
Turtle Point
10. Mid-handicap group that wants some challenge with better odds of enjoying it: Turtle Point or Osprey Point.
Turtle Point is a natural choice for golfers who want a stunning Lowcountry course without the challenge, frustration, or price tag of the Ocean Course. A few ocean-adjacent holes bring the wind into play, so strategy still matters, but the course is a bit more forgiving overall. Its tree-lined fairways call for precision and suit players who like a course that tests accuracy. As for Osprey Point, it's often called one of the most forgiving courses on the island, which makes it perfect for groups with mixed skill levels.
Book Your Kiawah Island Getaway with Sweetgrass Properties.
Kiawah Island is the perfect getaway for any kind of vacation. Whether you want to lounge on the island's pristine beaches or spend the day playing its luxury golf courses, Kiawah has a little bit of everything.
Sweetgrass Properties has plenty of options for every kind of escape. From cozy waterfront condos with stunning views to modern golf course estates, we have the perfect place for every traveler. Browse our Kiawah Island properties for your next vacation and experience the Sweetgrass difference.