Representative image Photo: ristok from Helsinki, Finland · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island, South Carolina, United States
18 Holes · Par 72 · Resort course — no published green fee range that two sources agree on; check Kiawah Island Golf Resort for current rates · Coastal
— About
About The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
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The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a par-72 layout of 7,876 yards on the eastern end of Kiawah Island, near Charleston, South Carolina. Pete and Alice Dye designed it to host the 1991 Ryder Cup, and the ground they started with was a coastal mix of dunes and marsh. Ten holes run along the Atlantic and the other eight play parallel to them, so the ocean stays in view for most of the round. Sand dunes and salt marsh frame several holes, and water hazards come into play on the approach to some greens. Wind is the main strategic factor, and it helps explain why the course is regarded as one of the most demanding in the country. Visitors do not need a membership, because the Ocean Course is open to the public.
- The resort's five-star hotel, The Sanctuary, gives golfers an on-site place to stay.
- The original Bermuda turf was replaced with paspalum grass, a change made before the 2012 PGA Championship.
- Film audiences saw the course in 2000 as the setting for The Legend of Bagger Vance.
- Golf Digest ranks the Ocean Course fourth among public golf courses in the United States.
History of The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
The Ocean Course opened in 1991, finished just in time for the Ryder Cup played there that year. Pete Dye led the build with Alice Dye alongside him, working on a coastal site that had been little more than dunes and marsh. The course later returned to the national stage for the PGA Championship in 2012 and again in 2021, nine years apart, and it has now hosted each of the PGA of America's major championships. Rory McIlroy won the 2012 edition by eight strokes.
Signature holes at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Two par 3s stand out on the card, the 14th and the 17th. At the 17th, water lies between the tee and the green and also guards the front and right of the putting surface, so a miss short or to the right is wet. The round finishes at the 18th, a par 4, which leaves the Atlantic wind as the last thing every player has to solve.
When to play The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Spring and fall are the most popular seasons for golf at Kiawah, with demand peaking from mid-March through mid-May and again from mid-September through Thanksgiving. The resort says golf is available year-round, so a visit outside those windows is possible, and winter play is an option for anyone who is comfortable with wind and cooler temperatures.
Playing The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort: tips
Tee times can be booked without staying at the resort, although guests who do stay receive discounted rates. Because the wind has no prevailing direction, the same hole can ask for a different club from one day to the next, so check the forecast before you choose tees and pack for changing conditions.
Visit The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island, South Carolina, United States
— Facilities
Practical Information
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Can you walk the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island?
Yes, walking is permitted, and carts are allowed only after 10am during June, July and August. Walkers can take a caddie if they want local guidance.
When does the PGA Championship return to the Ocean Course?
The PGA of America has scheduled the 2031 PGA Championship for the Ocean Course, which previously held the championship in 2012 and again in 2021.
Are caddies available at the Ocean Course?
Yes. Caddie service is available at the Ocean Course, which suits a coastal layout where local knowledge of the wind is valuable.