GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
3.4
616 Reviews (616)
5 Stars
89
4 Stars
255
3 Stars
162
2 Stars
74
1 Stars
36
Conditions
3.0
Value
3.7
Layout
4.1
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.6
67.0%
Recommend this course
471 out of 616 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
26 Reviews (26)
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.0
Value
3.9
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.5
StaffFriendliness
4.3
73.1%
Recommend this course
19 out of 26 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.4
51 Reviews (51)
5 Stars
9
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
16
2 Stars
6
1 Stars
4
Conditions
2.8
Value
3.6
Layout
4.1
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.3
62.7%
Recommend this course
32 out of 51 reviews
Read Reviews
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
Course Highlights
Exceptionally friendly staff and a smooth pace of play consistently make rounds here a welcoming experience. The course layout impresses with open tee shots and strategically challenging approach shots around water and traps.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6803 yards
Slope 140
Rating 73.3

Designed by Clyde Johnston and popular PGA Tour star Fuzzy Zoeller, the Island West Golf Club is a course built around natural marshland and follows the landscape presenting a rolling, tree-lined course.

As one would imagine a course with Zoeller's fingerprints, Island West in Bluffton was built to be a fun, entertaining play, and has succeeded in its mission. Playing to 6,803 with a 129 slope rating from the tips, it's a solid test for the skillful yet playable for the not-so skillful.

Water comes in to play on 10 holes here, so the bold will have many risk-reward opportunities. Accuracy off the tee is a must on many of the tree-lined holes, yet other holes feature wide fairways. Island West is exactly the type of course you'd imagine Zoeller being a part of, but Johnston's expertise also shines through.

Book a Tee Time at
Island West Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com
Hot Deals at Island West Golf Club
View more Hot Deals on

Course Details

Year Built 1992
Golf Season Year round
Architect Fuzzy Zoeller (1992) Clyde Johnston (1992) Brad Bartell

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No
Single Allowed No
Dress code Proper golf attire. No jeans & shirts must have a collar.
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
golf ball.svg
$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
waivedfees
12 rounds of waived fees
redeemtrophy
GolfPass Member Pricing
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection

Reviews

3.4
616 Reviews (616)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 21
Brunch 10
Patio Dining 7
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 72
Water Hazards 70
Forced Carries 61
This course/club is great for:
Locals 55
Seniors 50
Advanced Golfers 40
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 45
Worth the Drive 36
In the 'Burbs 21

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course infrastructure such as bridges and pathways in disrepair

50% of greens terrible

Fairways good

$20 value and that is what I paid

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very disappointed with course conditions

Having played this course every year during our visit this was the worse year for the conditions of the course. The greens have weeds grown up in them, tee blocks very bare with grass and overall the rough was definitely that, ROUGH! Even though the rate was reasonable we understand why as the course was not worth more than we paid through Golf Now. Com. We cannot recommend to our friends who are coming next week that this is the course to play.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 22
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Best golf day . Weather was perfect, course in great shape

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 48
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Shipyards Golf

The course was in excellent condition. The starter got me off even though the course was busy. You will not be disappointed if you play this course.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

You get what you pay for

Greens are a mess. Only one green did not have problems. Bare spots in some of the fairways.

Needs some TLC.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 83
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing

Unfortunate

Greens were in rough shape. Looks like they were painted with the blue dye. Not very well at that. Sand traps not maintained. Cart paths rough. After I finished number 9, a foursome that just got done with lunch jumped to 10 in front of me. Play in front of them slow.

No interaction with staff except for pro shop associate. Nice guy....

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 88
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Check course first

I've played Island West several times- spring, summer and fall and it's condition has been the same. Greens were dead or painted, very few traps were playable and the cart paths will cause you to lose teeth.

The layout is fine but if conditions don't improve, I won't be back. There are too many courses in the HHI area to try.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Bargain Round

Course needs improvement. Cart paths were extremely rough. Lost several balls because it’s almost impossible to see through the roughs. But for 28 bucks you can’t complain too much.... very friendly and professional staff

Conditions Poor
Value Good
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Avoid the rough at all cost!

The course overall was in reasonable condition. Most of the Greens Rolled well but several of the greens had weeds growing. The rough was virtually unplayable, you could not find your ball unless you stood on it which took some of the fun of the course and round away

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fair course for good price

Course is showing seasonal wear and tear. Cart paths are in bad shape. Greens and fairways were decent. Rough was a bit deep. Lost ball or 2 just off the fairways. Ok course for the price. Wasn't busy but had a slow foursome in front of us.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great value

Great course for the money and the staff is very friendly

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Coming along

Fairways in great shape looks like they are working hard to get the greens back in shape they are coming along

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Course was fun to play and the staff was excellent. The bunkers could use some help and the cart paths have some rough spots. I always have had a good experience here and the price is right.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Needs work

This is a good layout -- Zoeller design -- that needs work around the edges. Good fairway grass...but the rough was out of control. Very wet from recent rains, but the course does not drain well...lots of "mud." Some of that is due to the rain, but also lack of care. Lots of weeds growing in flower beds...cart paths are virtually destroyed in many, many places.

Greens were actually fairly quick and true...except in a few spots where they were burned out. Not a problem today.

Staff are friendly -- but no beverage cart or ranger.

This course gives you the impression they are on the economic edge.

Great price, though! I would recommend as a place to work on your game.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

I love the course. It's a little inconvenient and off island but well worth getting in your car and going 20 minutes west on 278.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Not first choice but okay

IW is closest course to me so it's convenient and usually not crowded. Greens and fairways in good shape. Tee boxes are a little rough and if I recall ball washers weren't all functional. Cart guy not always out there at bag drop. Overall usually a low price option of the Brown courses. The walk up resident rate is often better than the GN rate.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Nearby Courses
Bluffton, South Carolina
Private
4.3333333333
3
Okatie, South Carolina
Public
3.6540283985
1850
Bluffton, South Carolina
Semi-Private
3.7142857143
7
Bluffton, South Carolina
Private
5.0
2
Bluffton, South Carolina
Semi-Private
3.7348583333
1547
Bluffton, South Carolina
Semi-Private
3.9702380952
504
Hardeeville, South Carolina
Public
4.25
12
Bluffton, South Carolina
Private
4.7142857143
14
Bluffton, South Carolina
Private
5.0
4
Okatie, South Carolina
Private/Resort
4.7222222222
18
Bluffton, South Carolina
Resort
4.4090909091
22
Bluffton, South Carolina
Private
4.0
1
Golf Packages

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $255 (USD)
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and up to 5 rounds of golf at your choice of Palmetto Dunes – Robert Trent Jones Course, Palmetto Dunes – Arthur Hills Course, Palmetto Dunes – George Fazio Course, and Hilton Head National Golf Club.

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

FROM $255 (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.

Sea Pines Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $385 (USD)
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations at the Sea Pines Resort and up to 5 rounds of golf at your choice of Harbour Town Golf Links, Atlantic Dunes Golf Course, and Heron Point 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.

The Villas at Kiawah Island Stay & Play Package

FROM $239 (USD)
KIAWAH ISLAND, SC | Enjoy a range of accommodations in one to four-bedroom units at The Villas of Kiawah Island and 5 championship Kiawah Island courses to choose from - Cougar Point, Osprey Point, Oak Point, Turtle Point, and the famous The Ocean Course, home to multiple major championships and the 1991 Ryder Cup.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account