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4.8
222 Reviews (222)
5 Stars
73
4 Stars
108
3 Stars
28
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
6
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.9
Layout
4.9
Friendliness
4.9
Pace
4.9
Amenities
4.8
99.0%
Recommend this course
209 out of 222 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
2 Reviews (2)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
5.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
2 out of 2 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
2 Reviews (2)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
5.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
2 out of 2 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Par 71
Length 6673 yards
Slope 136
Rating 72.6

Editor's Note: Course closed for business in 2019.

The 18-hole Sanctuary Golf Club At Cat Island (previously known as South Carolina National Golf Club) in Beaufort, S.C. is a semi-private golf course that opened in 1985. Designed by George Cobb, Sanctuary measures 6,673 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 136 and a 72.6 USGA rating. The course features four sets of tees for different skill levels.

Sanctuary Golf Club may be the Lowcountry's best conditioned golf course. With velvet tiff-dwarf greens, this George Cobb creation sports beautiful views of Port Royal Sound from many holes.

The course is located on a 400+ acre barrier island just a short 45-minute drive from Hilton Head Island. The layout takes full advantage of the wooded interior with centuries-old live oak trees in abundance.

Course Details

Year Built 1985
Golf Season Year round
Architect George Cobb (1985) Jeff Brauer (2008)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code No jeans or cut-offs are permitted. Men must wear collared shirts.

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards

Available Sports

Fitness, Tennis

Reviews

4.8
222 Reviews (222)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 28
Patio Dining 13
Dinner 11
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 61
Forced Carries 46
Bunkers 45
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 61
Locals 43
Advanced Golfers 32
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 46
Convenient to the City 23
In the 'Burbs 12

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Always fun

We went back to one of our favorites, the Santuary Golf club. The course is a great layout with plenty of very scenic holes. Unfortunately they had just punched the greens a couple of weeks ago. the back nine greens were in much better shape than the front. The course is a lot of fun to play and can be a little troublesome at times. You can't stray too far from the fairways. I would definatly reccommend this course to anyone especially once the greens come back. will be playing it agin in the near future.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

It used to be a good course but is in very poor condition.

I knew the greens had been punched and treated but they were awful. The fairways were dry with a lot of dead grass. We skipped the first two holes to go around a foursome of terrible and slow golfers. No marshals.

There are back tees right next to the greens on some holes .What were they thinking when they did that? How could the next group play into the hole with people on the tee that close to the green?

I would take up knitting if that were the only course available. I really want my money back.

The course architecture is fine but the condition was not what I expected. I wouldn't play it for a one dollar greens fee.

Bottom line: DOG TRACK!!!!!!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

Fun layout, poor condition, and unfriendly staff

Played Sanctuary on Saturday. The course layout was fun to play. The course is not being maintained. Weeds are growing all over the fairways. The staff was very unfriendly and did not help us find the first tee. There is no map of the course on the scorecard. Will not play this course again.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Best deal in the Low Country

Love the Sanctuary. As good a set of short holes to be found anywhere and the rest of the course is superb. Great staff and the Open Pub in the clubhouse has fantastic fried oysters and lovely servers. I would join the club in a heartbeat if I lived down here.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice layout. Good place to tune up your game.

Nice layout. Good place to tune up your game. Cold beer.

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice Location

The course was nicely set up. Had some very challenging holes and with it being on intercostal waters the wind was a factor.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Great Lo-country Experience

One of our favorite places to play in Hilton Head Area (1 hr drive to another world). Really interesting layout and great scenery and wildlife (big gators). Nice small island community setting. Fairway grass conditions are OK but not pristine off season, but greens roll quick and true. Great value and a great day trip from HHI... dinner in historic Beaufort after.

Tough but fair... love this place

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice track, but needs maintenance

Some extremely challenging holes with long carries over hazards, but was fun to play. Only downsides were that the fairways are not in good condition and the greens are hard and slope away, making it hard to hold the green on approach. Basically, you have to land the ball in the fairway and let it roll up onto the green, hoping it doesn't roll through.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

For a discounted cost, it's not a bad bargain, but definitely not worth full price. Holes are scenic but only receive average maintenance.

This course is very scenic and has lots of wildlife to see. The greens are fast but the remainder of the course could use some work. Many of the fairways are not clearly defined from the rough. You must unload your own clubs and get your own cart.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

lots of wildlife!!!!

the greens were in good shape. some forward tee boxes didn't even have markers, fairways definitely need work. good layout. we saw over 40 alligators and at least 8 deer, so combo zoo and golf! really good grilled chicken sandwich!!!

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice golf course full of scenic veiws and wildlife

Great layout, lots of hazzards, requires making shots. The greens were in pretty good shape and rolled good. The fairways were a little weedy but still very playable.

Only negative about the course was with the staff. We were checked in by a nice young man and shown where the putting green and and told to head to the number one tee when we would like. After putting for only a couple of minutes, an older staff person came out and told us to make sure we waited till our tee time to take off. He said they were rather stacked up and wanted to "ensure pace of play" we said OK being our tee time was 50 minutes away. We then proceeded to wait 40 minutes before anybody else teed off. Left a bad taste in our mouth. .

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 48
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Challenging, GREAT layout..lots of fun..

Drove 45 miles to play here because of the great price on golf now and will be the first course I play when I come back. The staff friendly and the snack bar was a good place to get a bite before you play. What a fun and challenging course. Some tight holes that demand accurate tee shots. Back tees will challenge the best. The greens were very smooth and had a good pace. Was staying in Hilton Head and was worth the drive. Some houses close too some fairways, so need to be careful on some holes. What I liked the best, each hole was unique..

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

good ex experience for the money

Staff in pro shop and restaurant were great. Self serve bag drop. Range was poorly maintained although putting green was in very good shape.
The course was pretty, well designed and fun to play. Greens were firm, quick and hole placements were interesting and challenging but fair. Fairways were slightly overgrown and weedy. The crew spends the time on the greens but is somewhat neglectful of the rest of the course. All in all a good place for a casual round.

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Good greens, Great people, great value.

Good greens, great People and great Value! Will play this course again!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice course, some pretty water views.

Forming up from spring conditions. Challenging, very scenic, with lots of egrets, gators, and other wildlife. Not crowded when we played - fast pace. Relief from the crowded courses on Hilton Head Island. Greens and fairways are in good condition. Well worth the drive from HHI to play a good course that presents varied difficulties on a pretty environment.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

The course is very difficult and requires accurate shots. It is an accomplishment if you don't lose at least one golf ball!

We have played this course annually for the past ten years or so. It has some very tough holes requiring precise shots over water. The course was in better shape than we have experienced in the past and was very enjoyable to play.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Challenging course with beautiful setting.

The course presented plenty of challenges with many water and marsh hazards. The sand traps were in reasonably good shape. The greens were not in as good shape as normal (I have played this course before), but this may be early in the season. The greens were very fast, but again this may the seasonal effect. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

GREAT COURSE!!!!!!

had a great time.tough course.great greens!!! and the staff is perfect.was just like being at home in ur back yard playing golf.definitly goin back.even though its a lil over an hour for me to get there.well worth it!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

A great course to play away from the hustle of HHI

The course is a very enjoyable test of golf, great views and interesting holes, in good condition and thenbestvgreens we played on (this includes course both on Island and off) We will definitely play it again and will use Golf Now

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Absolutely beautiful course, that is a very good value for your dollar!

This course is well situated within its natural environment. This vistas were wonderful! Carries over water and wetlands were fair but challenging. Wildlife was in abundance! I think we saw 8 gators on one hole. I truly enjoyed this course and would return in a minute.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
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Golf Packages

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $137 (USD)
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and up to 5 rounds of golf at your choice of Palmetto Dunes – Robert Trent Jones Course, Palmetto Dunes – Arthur Hills Course, Palmetto Dunes – George Fazio Course, and Hilton Head National Golf Club.

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

FROM $207 (USD)
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Oyster Reef Golf Course, Robber’s Row Course, Barony Course, and The Shipyard Golf Course.

Sea Pines Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $217 (USD)
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations at the Sea Pines Resort and up to 5 rounds of golf at your choice of Harbour Town Golf Links, Atlantic Dunes Golf Course, and Heron Point 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.
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