Best golf courses in Charleston & Kiawah Island

Charleston and Kiawah Island offer one of the most compelling golf pairings in the Southeast.

Charleston blends historic Southern charm with scenic Lowcountry layouts, while Kiawah Island delivers world-renowned championship golf along the Atlantic coastline. Together, they create a balanced golf destination combining culture, coastal beauty, and elite course design.

Whether you're planning a Charleston golf weekend or a full Kiawah Island stay-and-play escape, these are the best golf courses in Charleston and Kiawah.

Location: Kiawah Island, SC | Par: 72 | Designer: Pete Dye | Opened: 1991 Ranked the no.1 course in South Carolina and 45th in America by Top 100 Golf Courses

The Ocean Course is the crown jewel of Kiawah Island and one of the most demanding seaside layouts in America. Designed by Pete Dye to maximize exposure to Atlantic winds, the course features ocean views on nearly every hole. Wide fairways give the illusion of forgiveness, but constant crosswinds, expansive bunkering, and firm green complexes demand elite-level execution.

Host of the Ryder Cup and multiple PGA Championships, the Ocean Course blends visual drama with championship rigor. The closing stretch plays directly along the shoreline, offering one of the most dramatic finishes in U.S. golf.

Signature Hole – Par 3, 17th The 17th plays along the Atlantic with wind shaping strategy from tee to green. The exposed putting surface leaves little margin for error, and club selection can vary dramatically depending on conditions. It is both visually spectacular and strategically exacting.

Key features

• Major championship pedigree
• Maximum ocean exposure
• One of America’s toughest coastal tests

Location: Kiawah Island | Par: 72 | Designer: Jack Nicklaus | Opened: 1981

Turtle Point offers a strategic and scenic complement to the Ocean Course. Nicklaus’ routing winds through lagoons and maritime forest, placing emphasis on approach angles and disciplined positioning. Water influences numerous holes, and the par-5s introduce thoughtful risk–reward decisions.

It remains one of Kiawah’s most balanced layouts - challenging enough for low handicaps, yet playable for resort guests seeking a refined Lowcountry experience.

Signature Hole – Par 3, 17th A carry over marshland to a guarded green, the hole requires confident ball-striking and precise distance control. Wind and marsh framing amplify the visual and strategic tension.

Key features:

• Strategic Nicklaus design
• Frequent lagoon and marsh influence
• Balanced resort playability

Location: Kiawah Island | Par: 72 | Designer: Tom Fazio (renovation) | Opened: 1988 (renovated 2014)

Osprey Point delivers one of Kiawah’s most approachable yet architecturally refined experiences. Fazio’s renovation enhanced green complexes and bunker shaping while preserving the natural marshland aesthetic. The layout alternates between wooded corridors and expansive marsh views, creating visual variety without overwhelming difficulty.

Signature Hole – Par 4, 18th A marsh-framed finishing hole requiring precise placement off the tee and a controlled approach into a water-protected green, providing a strong but fair conclusion.

Key features:

• Fazio-enhanced routing
• Scenic marsh vistas
• Accessible championship quality

Location: Isle of Palms, SC | Par: 72 | Designer: Tom Fazio | Opened: 1979 Ranked the no.37 course in South Carolina by Top 100 Golf Courses

The Links Course at Wild Dunes Resort blends lagoon-lined inland corridors with a dramatic Atlantic-front finishing stretch, creating one of the most scenic coastal rounds near Charleston. The front nine winds through maritime forest and tidal lagoons, offering protected conditions and strategic water influence. As the routing turns toward the ocean on the back nine, exposure increases and coastal winds become a defining strategic element, shaping club selection and ball flight.

Tom Fazio’s design features generous landing areas off the tee, encouraging confident driving, but approach play demands greater precision. Elevated, well-guarded greens and thoughtfully placed bunkers require careful distance control and smart positioning. The result is a balanced coastal layout that rewards disciplined iron play while delivering memorable oceanfront drama late in the round.

Signature Hole – Par 3, 17th An oceanfront carry over dunes to a green set against the Atlantic backdrop. Wind direction frequently dictates strategy and club selection, making it one of the most memorable holes near Charleston.

Key features:

• True oceanfront finishing stretch
• Fazio coastal design
• Premier Charleston-area resort course

Location: Isle of Palms, SC | Par: 70 | Designer: Tom Fazio | Opened: 1988

The Harbor Course offers a tighter, more strategically demanding complement to the Links Course at Wild Dunes. Routed through corridors of tidal marsh, lagoons, and coastal vegetation, the layout places a premium on precision and thoughtful shot placement rather than raw power.

Fairways are narrower and more defined, requiring controlled tee shots to secure favorable angles into elevated and well-protected greens. Water hazards come into play on numerous approach shots, shaping decision-making and forcing players to carefully assess risk versus reward.

Signature Hole – Par 3, 17th A full carry over tidal marsh to a compact, well-guarded green, this hole demands precise distance control and total commitment. With water and bunkering framing the target and coastal winds often influencing ball flight, even a slight miscalculation can leave a difficult recovery, making confident execution essential.

Key features:

• Strategic marsh routing
• Shot-shaping emphasis
• Ideal complement to Links Course

Location: Mount Pleasant, SC | Par: 72 | Designer: Rees Jones | Opened: 1997

Charleston National is widely regarded as one of the premier public-access golf courses in the Charleston area. Designed by Rees Jones, the layout thoughtfully integrates natural wetlands, tidal marsh, and native Lowcountry vegetation into a strategic championship routing. The course plays across open corridors framed by marshland, creating expansive sightlines while allowing coastal winds to influence play.

Fairways are generous off the tee, but precise positioning is essential to secure optimal angles into elevated and well-protected greens. Water hazards subtly shape many approach shots without feeling forced, and bunkering is strategically placed to reward disciplined ball-striking. The routing builds rhythmically, offering a mix of risk–reward opportunities and demanding par-4s that test mid-iron precision.

Signature Hole – Par 4, 13th The 13th is a visually striking marsh-exposed par-4 that requires accuracy from tee to green. The fairway narrows as it approaches a green set against wetlands, demanding a controlled drive to set up a precise approach. Wind often influences club selection, and the guarded green complex leaves little room for error.

Key features

• Rees Jones championship pedigree
• Thoughtful marsh-integrated routing
• Premier public-access course near Charleston

Location: Mount Pleasant, SC | Par: 72 | Designer: Arnold Palmer | Opened: 2001

RiverTowne Country Club delivers one of the most scenic and strategically engaging golf experiences in the Charleston area. Designed by Arnold Palmer, the layout flows through open marshland and along the Wando River, taking full advantage of Lowcountry exposure and coastal wind influence. Wide fairways off the tee provide visual comfort, but positioning is critical to secure favorable angles into well-guarded greens.

The back nine is particularly memorable, with several holes routed along tidal waterways that amplify both beauty and challenge. Elevated greens and subtle contouring reward disciplined iron play, while water hazards shape decision-making without overwhelming the layout. RiverTowne offers a strong balance of accessibility and championship nuance, especially when wind conditions intensify across the exposed riverfront holes.

Signature Hole – Par 4, 18th The 18th is a dramatic riverside finisher playing directly along the Wando River. The tee shot must favor the correct side of the fairway to avoid marshland and secure the proper angle into a green guarded by bunkers and tidal hazards. Wind frequently plays a decisive role, demanding precise distance control on the approach.

Key features

• Arnold Palmer design with classic strategic principles
• Spectacular Wando River and marsh exposure
• Strong finishing stretch with wind-influenced play

Choosing the right base is key to maximizing your Charleston and Kiawah golf experience. Whether you prefer five-star oceanfront luxury, flexible villa-style accommodations for group trips, or a historic downtown setting paired with Lowcountry layouts, the region offers a range of stay-and-play options to suit every style of golf getaway. From immersive resort access on Kiawah Island to beachfront convenience near Charleston, these properties provide seamless access to the area’s best courses:

• The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Five-star oceanfront luxury with direct access to Kiawah’s championship courses.

• The Villas at Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Ideal for group golf trips with proximity to multiple courses.

• Wild Dunes Resort – On-site access to both Links and Harbor courses with resort accommodations near Charleston.

• Francis Marion Hotel – Historic downtown Charleston base for pairing golf with city exploration.

From the Atlantic drama of the Ocean Course to the coastal resort atmosphere of Wild Dunes, Charleston and Kiawah Island deliver one of the most complete golf experiences in the Southeast. Combine championship layouts with historic Southern hospitality for a truly memorable Lowcountry golf escape.

For further planning, explore our guide to the best golf resorts in South Carolina or discover our NEW South Carolina Golf Tour.