Kiawah Island

Pete Dye's masterpiece of cruelty — ten holes along the Atlantic, exposed to wind from every direction, and the closing stretch that broke a thousand handicaps at the 2012 PGA. Caddies are mandatory and worth every penny because the green-side bailouts are not where they appear. Play the right tees; ego golf here ends in lost balls and a five-hour death march.

Jack Nicklaus designed it in 1981 and the three oceanfront holes — 14, 15, and 16 — are as good as anything on the island that isn't named Ocean Course. The rest is solid resort golf through pines and lagoons, with enough water to keep you honest. A smart day-one play to find your swing before the Atlantic finds you.

Tom Fazio routing through marshes, lagoons, and live oaks — no ocean, but the kind of course you'd happily play three days in a row. Fair off the tee, demanding into the greens, and a lot of fun if you're not in a contest with the wind. The clubhouse here (Cherrywood BBQ) is also one of the better post-round stops on the island.

Gary Player original, redesigned by Player again in 2017, with five holes along the Kiawah River and views of the marsh that rival anything off the ocean. The redesign opened up sightlines and tightened the greens — it plays harder than its rating but never feels unfair. Underrated and usually the easiest to book.

Nine miles off-island on Johns Island, owned by the resort but priced like it isn't. Clyde Johnston layout that wanders through old plantation land and tidal creeks — looser, friendlier, and exactly the round you need after the Ocean Course has finished with you. Bring it as a recovery day or a budget round and you'll leave smiling.

Troon redesigned this 1929 muni in 2022 and it's now the best cheap round in the Lowcountry — wide fairways, big greens, and a routing that finally lets the property breathe. Forty-five minutes from Kiawah, a fraction of the resort price, and a fun loop if you've got an extra morning or want to give the wallet a rest.

Tom Fazio's first solo design, on Isle of Palms about an hour from Kiawah. The closing two holes run hard along the Atlantic and the 18th tee shot over the dunes is one of the best in the region. Worth the drive if you're already extending into Charleston, or as a day-trip alternative if Kiawah tee sheets are stacked.

The full-send option — five-star oceanfront hotel that anchors the resort, with the best service on the island and a price tag to match. Right on the beach, walk to the Ocean Course clubhouse, and home to the Ocean Room steakhouse. If you've flown in from Chicago to play the Ocean Course, just stay here and stop pretending you came for the value.

The smart play for groups of four to ten — multi-bedroom villas and beach homes spread across the island, all bookable through the resort with full guest privileges (golf access, transport, the works). Cook breakfast, drink on a private deck, split the cost. Pick something near East Beach or West Beach and you're a short drive from any tee time.

Boutique hotel in Freshfields Village just outside the Kiawah gate — not on the resort, doesn't pretend to be, and priced accordingly. Walking distance to a dozen restaurants and a grocery store, which makes it the practical pick for a smaller group not interested in paying Sanctuary rates. You'll still drive to every tee time, but you were going to anyway.

Right next door to Kiawah on its own island, with a quieter feel and rental homes that often run cheaper than equivalent Kiawah properties. You'll need a guest pass arranged in advance to play Kiawah courses, but the savings on a week-long rental can be significant. Best for repeat visitors who already know the lay of the land.

For groups of six or more, a private home off Vanderhorst or Governors Drive will beat the resort villas on price and give you a real kitchen, a pool, and a place to drink bourbon at midnight without judgment. Vrbo and Kiawah Island Real Estate both list inventory — book six months out for spring and fall, longer for Masters week.

Stay in downtown Charleston and commute the 45 minutes to Kiawah — a legitimate strategy if half the group is non-golfers or you want real restaurants and bars at night. Charleston Place is the grand dame option on King Street, walkable to everything. You'll lose an hour each day to driving, but you'll gain a city.

The big-dinner steakhouse inside the Sanctuary — dry-aged ribeyes, an actual wine list, and the kind of room where a group of eight can settle in for three hours without anyone hurrying you. Pricey, jacket recommended, and the move on the night you survived the Ocean Course. Book it before you fly in.

Upstairs at the Ocean Course clubhouse with the best view on the island — sunset over the 18th green and the Atlantic beyond. Local seafood, a tighter menu than the Ocean Room, and a less stiff feel. The dinner reservation to plan around if you're playing the Ocean Course that day.

Lowcountry breakfast and Sunday brunch inside the Sanctuary — shrimp and grits, fried chicken biscuits, and a buffet that justifies the walk. Open to non-guests, which is worth knowing. The pre-round breakfast move when you're tired of granola bars in the rental kitchen.

Inside the Osprey Point clubhouse — pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and a beer list that does the job after eighteen holes. Casual, no reservations needed, and the right answer when half the group wants to sit down in golf clothes and the other half just wants meat.

Italian inside the Turtle Point clubhouse — wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, and a patio overlooking the 18th. Less ceremony than the Sanctuary restaurants, more reliable than most resort Italian. A good middle-of-the-trip dinner when nobody wants to dress up.

A weekly outdoor low-country boil and oyster roast on the Kiawah River — tables under live oaks, bluegrass band, all-you-can-eat oysters and shrimp. Touristy on paper, actually great in practice. Check the schedule and build a night around it.

Neapolitan pies in Freshfields Village just outside the Kiawah gate — wood-fired, properly charred, and a short list of excellent pastas. Walk-in friendly, family-friendly, and the right call when the group is fried and someone says 'just pizza tonight.'

Inside the Ocean Course clubhouse — Ryder Cup memorabilia on the walls, dark wood, real bourbon list. Lunch after your round or a single drink before dinner. Pretend you're Phil for a minute and let it be that.

American bistro in Freshfields Village — short, sharp menu, good wine list, and the kind of place a couple in the group will thank you for finding. Quieter than the resort dining rooms and a notch above what you'd expect from a shopping village.

Sean Brock's flagship in downtown Charleston — Southern ingredients, daily-changing menu, and one of the most influential restaurants in the country. Worth the 45-minute drive on a no-golf night. Reservations a month out, longer on weekends.