Island West Golf Club
About
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.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 72 | 6803 yards | 73.3 | 140 |
| White | 72 | 6208 yards | 70.1 | 127 |
| Silver | 72 | 5454 yards | 67.2 | 108 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 4856 yards | 69.5 | 123 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 72.9/144 | 491 | 156 | 402 | 527 | 371 | 404 | 392 | 187 | 423 | 3353 | 378 | 354 | 174 | 400 | 527 | 395 | 613 | 193 | 416 | 3450 | 6803 |
| White M: 69.7/132 W: 76.0/140 | 477 | 132 | 372 | 498 | 329 | 348 | 368 | 158 | 372 | 3054 | 341 | 334 | 155 | 380 | 506 | 374 | 518 | 166 | 380 | 3154 | 6208 |
| White/Silver M: 68.5/125 W: 74.3/136 | 477 | 132 | 372 | 442 | 329 | 348 | 368 | 158 | 356 | 2982 | 341 | 334 | 155 | 315 | 496 | 275 | 460 | 166 | 316 | 2858 | 5840 |
| Silver M: 67.7/117 W: 72.8/134 | 455 | 102 | 288 | 442 | 323 | 330 | 279 | 140 | 356 | 2715 | 326 | 302 | 130 | 315 | 496 | 275 | 460 | 119 | 316 | 2739 | 5454 |
| Red M: 64.6/105 W: 69.6/116 | 410 | 96 | 288 | 442 | 259 | 253 | 242 | 128 | 268 | 2386 | 258 | 266 | 125 | 304 | 421 | 244 | 432 | 114 | 306 | 2470 | 4856 |
| Handicap | 13 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 2 | 16 | 6 | |||
| Par | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 5 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 7 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 18 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 2 | 16 | 6 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
Good layout,poorly marked
Course was ok for this time of year,but was wetter than preferred.This added to challenge of windy day.Group ahead adhered to the"" don't count that" rule and liberal use of mulligans and fishing for lost balls.That created a wait on every shot round of golf which I hate.No marshal so we just grin & bear it.Glad I hadn't planned anything for later in the day.
Needs some tender loving care
I've played Island West several times each year the last 3 years. In my mind, this was the worst condition I've seen the course in. The traps needed work ... maybe it was the rain.
Winter golfer
Have done a week vacation for golf in the area for a couple of years. Have played Island West a lot, mostly due to the value. Enjoy the course, but there are a few holes and conditions that are not quite at the same standard as other courses. Some of the rough areas under trees have had no maintenance for years and just a sand hardpan. One hole is in a swamp and just soggy. Greens and fairways conditions are OK, but probably one of the lesser in the HHI area. Pace of play seems to be a little slower, but still like many of the holes and enjoy playing as along as the greens are not beaten up.
Nice layout
Great scenic low country layout. Well priced, can't wait to play it again.
Wet conditions
Range and course were extremely wet. Staff made no effort to make pairings. No starter. Not overly impressive.
Awesome all around
First time playing island west. Fairways were in beautiful condition. Greens rolled firm and true. Wouldn't recommend going out after some rain, it was pretty soggy and looks like they may have a drainage problem, but no worries. Rewards your well placed shots and really punishes the bad ones. Wide fairways and lots of potential for birdies. Great course. Will definitely be back.
Best condition of all Bluffton courses
Fairways and greens are in excellent to good condition. The grounds crew works hard (even that day) to keep the course in good playing condition. Staff was kind and very helpful.
Great course
Enjoyed our round even though it was 48 degrees and cool to start. Variety of holes and tee boxes. Challenge for scratch to 2o handicappers depending of tees chosen. Greens maybe stempt at 11.
Had a lot or rain so moved ball everywhere
Good value! Liked the course but it wet and 45 degrees.
Very enjoyable round of golf
Course is challenging. Due to recent rain, some holes were cart path only. Sand traps were not in great shape--hard packed sand; some sand traps were more like water hazards! The rough was more like mud in some locations. Most of the greens were decent, and most of the tee boxes were in good shape. We were a two-some, so we caught up to the group in front of us on every hole. They allowed us to play through, which we really appreciated. By the time we made the turn we had caught up to the next group, and had a short wait on each hole thereafter--not unexpected when you're in a two-some. Overall, the course was in decent shape. We used GolfNow to book the tee time, and received a small discount. Very reasonable for the money. We enjoyed ourselves and we would definitely return.
Poor drainage
The course was wet after a light shower the night before. The staff said they've had a lot of rain in the past 2 months. Cart paths had standing water in low spots. The greens were decent, though a little slow.
Nice people, nice place
Played this course when it first opened many years ago. Some none playing areas are showing their age. But over all the course has aged well. It was a refreshing return. Staff was warm and welcoming. Greens were great.
good winter golf
A better than average course. Not a beginner's course with narrow fairways and most greens are surrounded with bunkers. Bring your straight shots for this course.
From MB
This is a lengthy course so makes it a bit challenging. The time of the year probably paid a big role in the course condition. There seems to be quite a few bare, muddy spots.
Bartender didn't know how to make a Bloody Mary.
THE COURSE VERY GOOD GREENS
MY WIFE REALLY ENJOYED OURSELVES, SO DID MY SON-IN-LAW.
Hilton Head visit
A beautiful day and beautiful course. I will play it again...
Overall satisfaction is very good
Very nice course. Not too complicated for intermediate player. Two holes are somewhat more difficult for woman
Pace of Play
We walked off after 10 holes because of the slow, slow play. No Rangers or marshalls, no beverage carts.
Very good course condition
Very good course condition, and the bang for the buck was great!