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4.9
65 Reviews (65)
5 Stars
59
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4
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1
1 Stars
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Conditions
4.9
Value
4.2
Layout
5.0
Friendliness
5.0
Pace
4.1
Amenities
5.0
98.2%
Recommend this course
61 out of 65 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Style Links
Par 72
Length 7356 yards
Slope 144
Rating 77.3

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island in South Carolina is one of America’s most prestigious rounds of publicly accessible golf. The headliner of five 18-hole courses at Kiawah Island Resort, the Ocean Course was designed by architect Pete Dye and opened in 1991, just prior to its staging of the 1991 Ryder Cup, otherwise known as the “War by the Shore.” It also hosted the 2012 PGA Championship, won by Rory McIlroy, and the 2021 PGA Championship. The Ocean Course is a windswept coastal layout that plays along a narrow and sandy section on the east end of the island. Its defenses are numerous, from small, elevated greens to huge waste areas that surround plateaued fairways. New tees installed prior to the 2021 PGA Championship can stretch the layout to over 7,800 yards. For daily resort play, the Ocean Course is a walking-only layout that comes with caddies, with the exception of summer months after 10 a.m., when carts are permitted. It has been ranked within the Top 5 public golf courses in the country according to top magazine panels. Elevating the experience further is an oceanside driving range and putting green, as well as its iconic, lowcountry-inspired Ocean Course clubhouse, designed by Robert A.M. Stern architects. The 24,000-square-foot building features the Ryder Cup bar for casual dining and drinks as well as The Atlantic Room for fine dining. In 2021, Kiawah Island added four Ocean Course Cottages, each four-bedroom, 3,800-square-foot units that overlook the course. Accommodations at Kiawah Island include The Sanctuary Hotel as well as villas. Stay-and-play packages that include the Ocean Course an be booked with either option.

Course Details

Year Built 1991
Fairways Paspalum Grass
Greens Paspalum Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Pete Dye (1991) Alice Dye (1991) Chris Lutzke (1991)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes
GPS No
Pull-carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

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

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No
Single Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper attire is required.

Food & Beverage

Snacks, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Showers, Lockers, Locker Rooms

Accolades

Reviews

4.9
65 Reviews (65)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 17
19th Hole Scenic Views 16
Dinner 15
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 14
Forced Carries 13
Plays Long 10
This course/club is great for:
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 17
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 16
Advanced Golfers 14
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 14
Worth the Drive 11

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 311
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Birmingham Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Walked

Bring your A game

This course is known for the brutal closing stretch of finishing holes by the shoreline, but I was amazed at how the inland beginning of the round resembled something out of an African savanna. The caddy I had was very helpful with clearly stating proper lines to take off tee, which is extremely important to scoring on this course. The entire course is mostly exposed, so plan on playing in windy conditions. Driver is not necessary off every tee. The fairways provided a great deal of roll out and greens were receptive to run-up approaches. I had read where the paspalum greens were tricky to chip and pitch to. I did not find that to be the case. The closing holes are spectacular, as advertised. Depending on the wind direction, the last 4 holes can play maddeningly long. The par 4 18th will play as a par 5 for most players. Wildlife is abundant on the course. The pro shop is one of the best-stocked I've seen, with a variety of options. The Ocean Course also provides the best "19th Hole" experience I've encountered to date. The Ryder Cup bar is fine, but I would highly recommend grabbing a drink and heading out to the lawn behind the clubhouse that sits beside the putting green and adjacent to the 18th green. You can sit in an Adirondack chair there and stare out at the ocean, watch golfers on the practice green or watch players finishing their round. Sunsets here are hard to beat.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 171
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 50 Contributor
Previously Played

The best of the best

After playing almost 300 courses in my life and playing the ocean course 24 years ago and again today it is the best course I have ever played. The layout, the condition and the staff are all phenomenal. It is an amazing experience to play this course but make sure you play it from the tees that suite your game. The practice area is awesome the views are amazing and even the Ryder Cup Bar is the best 19th hole I have ever been to. If you're a true fan of the game and want to play the best of the best add The Ocean Course to your bucket list

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 97
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Featured
Atlanta Advisor
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing

Ocean Course is a must play for any golfer!

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is unlike any other course I have ever played and I absolutely loved it! From the moment we drove in, the caddies assisted us with our bags and answered all of our questions to make sure we took full advantage of our experience. The clubhouse was appropriately sized but incredible nonetheless. My buddy had the breakfast sandwich which he raved about the entire day and I had a turkey sandwich at the turn which was good. The pro shop was stocked with anything you could want and it was difficult not to spend my life savings in there!

As for the golf, words can't express how awesome this course is. However, I'll do my best. The range is flat and simple but the wind is treacherous and can really actually help you prepare for the fist fight of a golf round you're about to experience. Once we warmed up, our caddie took us on a cart to get to the first tee where we were dropped off and greeted by the starter. Shane was our caddie and I'm so glad we had him there guiding us through this course cause it was tough! The wind was gusting at about 20-30mph but it was sunny and 55 degrees so it was good weather just made certain holes play a LOT longer than normal. But others were downwind which gave us a slight advantage. The greens were super quick but rolled perfectly true, as you would expect on a big time course like this. I will say this, if the wind doesn't blow, this course can play fairly easy, as the fairways are open and there aren't many trees at all. But that's a big IF!

All golfers need to make the trip to play the ocean course at least once in their lifetime. It's a special place and is a blast to play.

Tip: Grab more club than you need and maybe one more. I never hit a shot that was too long but I definitely had a few that were short. Also, putt every chance you get because the majority of the grass is so closely mowed that it will act like a green and chipping into the wrong spot can lead to high numbers quickly on these greens.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Walked
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing Course! Gorgeous Views!

This is a bucket list course! The views are incredible from the moment you step through the doors into the clubhouse. The caddies were great and the course was in great shape, especially considering how wet this winter has been. You have to try your luck at this course. The wind was howling when we played and this course is a beast in the wind. I can't wait to return.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

target golf

My favorite golf course I've played. The views are amazing, and the golf course can be tough. I enjoyed the challenge.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

Bucket List Item

My wife and I went for a long weekend and I was able to tackle the Ocean Course. It lived up to the reputation, as it was in pristine condition and played challenging but fair. I played the Ocean tees with Robert as my caddie (highly recommended!) and cannot wait to go back again. The entire experience was second to none. The resort is outstanding and the Ryder Cup Bar is one of the best 19th Holes I've ever drowned my post-round blues in.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 47
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Mississippi Advisor
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

One of America's Very Best

For a course that's ranked No. 3 in Golf Digest's list of Top 100 public courses, it seems weird to suggest that the Ocean Course might actually be underrated, but that truly might be the case. I've played Pebble Beach, and the Ocean Course is absolutely on that level. If one is "better" (whatever that means) than the other, then it's purely a matter of personal preference. Both are perfect expressions of the land on which they rest.

One thing about the Ocean Course that you can't say about Pebble, though, is that every hole on the Ocean Course is different. And remarkably, there are no gimmick holes, and I never felt like the course was unfair. Throw in the beautiful scenery, and you've got a course that is as close to flawless as I've ever seen. You could play it every day without getting bored.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 638
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Golf Advisor
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

A most inspiring round

I've been blessed that both my rounds on the Ocean course - one in February about five years ago and this one in November - have been relatively calm days with a manageable two-club wind. I can't imagine trying to survive a gusty, cold day on such a demanding course. My playing partner remarked he had never seen a course so manicured in the playing areas, yet so gnarly and treacherous on the perimeter. The fairways are actually forgiving if you take the cautious lines pointed out by the caddies. It's the approach shots to plateau greens that make scoring difficult. The par-3 17th hole might be more famous, but to me the par-3 14th hole is the more amazing hole. It kicks off the closing stretch on the Atlantic Ocean. And the table-top green is so intimidating. Nobody gets in your head better than Pete Dye.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

one off the bucket list

OMG, IDK what to say, just as beautiful as you would expect. Listen to your looper, the course knowledge is invaluable. Yes, it's expensive but cheaper than pebble. Everything here is top notch. Great staff, great golf, great views, great food.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Golf Advisor
Previously Played
Poor weather
Walked

Special!

Lower scoring expectations and enjoy a bucket-list experience in a memorable setting.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Walked

Unbelievable

Everything about this course will exceed your expectations! Staff, facilities, course, views are all fantastic

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Featured
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

Wow...wow...wow

I literally do not have the words to describe the once in a lifetime experience I had last Friday. I have a list of golf courses I want to play in my life, and this has been #3...(Pebble #1 and St. Andrews #2. I was blown away by my experience...starting when I drove up to when I made my final putt on 18. The staff was friendly, the course was beautiful, the greens rolled true, the wind blew, it played like it was the hardest course in the country. I played the tips, and was advised against it, but I wanted a challenge and I received it. My caddie was extremely knowledgable, and helped a lot. Some words of wisdom. If you are not a low handicapper, don't play the tips, enjoy the day and play it forward. Buy a yardage book. Some of the shots you cannot see where you are hitting, and its great to have a view from the perfect yardage book. Caddie helps a ton, but I'm a visual golfer, so also referred to my book. Also...listen to your caddie. What he says...goes, because he is right. I had Mike as my caddie, and he has caddied over 2000 rounds at this course, and he was the bomb. I will definitely go back and play this course in the future. I cannot recommend it enough.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

FOREWARNING - Own Your Round

On the first tee box, our caddies did everything they could to force our group (single digit handicaps) to play the WHITE tees. We had been warned about this, but were still unprepared for the guilt trip the caddies would lay on us about wanting to play more than 6300 yards. Everything about this course centered on a "factory-like" experience of getting golfers through 18 holes as quickly as possible. I have played most of the great public and private golf courses in the country and without exception, found the greens at The Ocean Course the longest and slowest I have ever played....including the muni's. The reason we received? If we allowed the greens to play faster, rounds would take a lot longer. While I would love to compliment the natural beauty of the site itself, I find it difficult given we were constantly aware of the fact that we had chosen to play the BLUE tees (6700 yards). Note that 3 of 4 golfers shot their handicap. The foolish statements made by caddies on the first hole that 6300 yards at Kiawah was like 7000 on most courses were absurd.

OWN YOUR ROUND AND SET THE TONE WITH YOUR CADDIES ON THE PRACTICE RANGE.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Bring your A game

Really fun...really tough! The entire experience is amazing - from the clubhouse, to the golf course, to the service. The course is just amazing. The winds were up and the pace was slow, but we had a blast. If you play real golf rules, you'll probably shoot your highest round of the season - if not of your entire gilding career. I shot 86 and striped it all day. Ugh. The back 9 is pure bliss with a hint of evil.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Walked

Great experience

Amazing opportunity to play this course. It is as difficult and fun as you would imagine. The wind will impact you 2 clubs or more each direction. A challenge for certain.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

One of most enjoyable rounds of golf every

An extremely difficult course for a high handicapper like me but I still enjoyed myself immensely. Scored boggy on a number of holes which was very satisfying given the challenge of getting from Tee to Green.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 83
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 500 Contributor
New Jersey Advisor
First Time Playing
Fair weather
Walked

Bucket List Course for Any Golfer

First, I was really lucky because the day I played the Ocean Course there was NO wind and we finished the round in just under four hours (we were a twosome).
That being said, it is challenging and I am sure with the wind even more so but the forward tees are very "female" friendly. There were only a few holes that had a carry that was a bit long. And the 16th Par 5 was 447 yards and even our caddy said it was more like a "par six" for women.
The only annoying thing were the "love bugs" they would swarm you on the tee. They do not bite but they are very distracting. And, I am told they are only around for 3 or 4 days. Maybe they were around because their was not wind.
This is a beautiful course and a bucket list for any avid golfer.
After your round, enjoy the "crispy shrimp" at the Ryder Cup Grill and sit outside if the "love bugs" are not in play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Fair weather
Walked

An Essential Experience

Wow. Everything that has been written or said about this tract doesn't do it justice. Walk w/caddy, play it forward and just soak it up. This is what golf is supposed to be.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Fantastic!

The Ocean Course is fantastic. Lucky enough to play it multiple times when my family used to vacation at Kiawah.

When it opened the course was overly difficult. Now it's only extremely difficult if the breeze is up. Over the years the edges have been softened to allow a little more room to maneuver.

Don't play it all the way back, especially in the wind.

Play match play so you don't have to keep score!

Have fun and enjoy the amazing views!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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Golf Packages

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.

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.

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.

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.
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