A South Carolina Golf Guide

Why Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a golf destination for South Carolina?

Kiawah Island is a barrier island on the coast of South Carolina, 21 miles from Charleston. It is set along ten miles of beach along the Atlantic Ocean and is considered one of America’s top beaches. The resort offers The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, a 255-room hotel that is oceanfront and offers a luxury spa. The Villas at Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers 500 villas and private luxury homes.

Kiawah Island offers five courses:

• The Ocean Course – Pete Dye: Designed by Pete Dye, this renowned course gained fame during the 1991 Ryder Cup "War by the Shore." Stretching nearly three miles along the Atlantic Ocean, it’s known for its seaside links style, challenging winds and dramatic views.

• Turtle Point – Jack Nicklaus: A Jack Nicklaus design with a low-profile layout blending seamlessly with the landscape. Known for its challenging par fours and three stunning oceanfront holes, Turtle Point offers a tough yet scenic golfing experience.

• Osprey Point – Tom Fazio: A classic Tom Fazio course set among natural lakes and maritime forests. It features a mix of challenging long holes and strategic short par fours, providing a beautifully diverse layout in a serene setting.

• Cougar Point – Gary Player: Redesigned by Gary Player in 1996, this course follows a scenic layout along tidal marshes with stunning views of the Kiawah River. Known for its wildlife and panoramic views, Cougar Point provides a memorable golfing experience.

• Oak Point – Clyde Johnston: Set on an old plantation along the Kiawah River, this Clyde Johnston-designed course combines Scottish-American style with scenic marsh and creek views. It provides a fair challenge for all skill levels with its scenic, riverside finish.

Why Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is a golf destination for South Carolina?

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC, is a premier golf destination known for its three championship courses, each uniquely designed and highly rated by Fodor’s Golf Digest. With a long history of providing top-quality golfing experiences and exceptional customer service, Palmetto Dunes stands out as a prime golfing vacation spot in the Southeast.

There are three golf courses:

• Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course: Recognized as one of the best courses in the Southeast, this course features a stunning par-five 10th hole with Atlantic Ocean views, making it a Hilton Head icon. Certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, it emphasizes wildlife preservation and includes a unique lagoon system. Recent renovations added junior tees and a high-tech Toptracer driving range.

• George Fazio Course: The only par-70 course on Hilton Head, this challenging layout is known for its long par-4s with bunkers and water hazards, demanding both power and precision. Ranked among America’s Top 100 Courses, it stretches 6,873 yards and recently updated its greens with Diamond Zoysia.

• Arthur Hills Course: Blending Lowcountry beauty with golf challenges, the Hills Course is set on rolling dunes with ocean breezes adding complexity. Ten water-adjacent holes encourage precision, and the historic Hilton Head Rear Range Lighthouse adds a unique backdrop. It’s highly rated by Golf Digest and was named “Golf Course of the Year” by the SC Golf Course Owners Association.

Why Wild Dunes Resort is a South Carolina golf destination?

Wild Dunes Resort in South Carolina is a premier coastal destination located on Isle of Palms, just outside Charleston. The resort features two championship golf courses, The Links and Harbor Course, both offering scenic ocean views and challenging play amid lush landscapes. With luxury accommodations, a full-service spa and extensive recreational activities, Wild Dunes provides a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure along the Carolina coast.

Wild Dunes offers two courses:

• The Links Course: Designed by Tom Fazio, The Links Course is known for its dramatic ocean views, especially on the final holes where players enjoy sweeping Atlantic vistas. As Fazio’s first solo design, it features natural sand dunes, challenging wind conditions and strategically placed bunkers, creating an engaging coastal links experience.

• The Harbor Course: Also designed by Tom Fazio, the Harbor Course weaves along tidal marshes and the Intracoastal Waterway, presenting a tighter, more technical layout. Known for its water hazards and narrow fairways, this course emphasizes accuracy and strategic play, rewarding precision over power.

• 82 Queen: Think fried green tomatoes and fried chicken with biscuits.

• Charleston Grill: Classic Southern French cooking.

• Lewis Barbecue: Texas-style smoked meats.

• Rodney Scott's BBQ: Whole hog BBQ — do a search for Rodney Scott and you will see a ton of shows about him.

• The Restaurant at Zero George: Fine dining.

• 167 Raw Oyster Bar: Oyster bar.

• Kwei Fei: Szechuan / Chinese food.