The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

When I played The Ocean Course in June, I brought a lifetime of anticipation with me. I was too young to remember the 1991 Ryder Cup, but I've seen highlights replayed since I was aware of golf, and Kiawah's scenery had always captivated me. It's no surprise that after all. that build-up, I played one of my worst rounds of 2022. I got it in play off the tee for the most part - The Ocean Course's fairways are actually pretty generous as long as you play the right set of tees - but the diabolical genius of Pete Dye caught up with me again and again on and around the raised greens, which are protected by all sorts of trouble, playable and not.

Even though I got beaten up, I loved every step of the journey at the way-far end of the island. My caddie was efficient, the course was in tremendous shape and the breeze took some of the swelter off of an early-June day. I can't wait for a chance at redemption.

It's definitely a 'bucket list' course to play for the average golfer. I booked a reservation only because my family and I were in the area and was able to get an afternoon tee-time. I played from the Kiawah tees (whites) and the course was challenging, but manageable.

The weather was sunny and breezy (it's an ocean course). The conditions were fantastic and it showed.

The staff was as expected in a high-end environment. The check in was quick. I was then referred to the starter when I was coupled with my caddy for the day.

If you get the opportunity, request Jamison to be your caddy!! Not only did we share Long Island roots (we lived in the same area), but he is very personable, knowledgeable about the course, and was full of anecdotal stories to make the day more interesting.

I can't say this for many rounds, but time did fly by and when we arrived at 18, I was disappointed the round was over.

Golf of this quality is unheard of for a regular public course player. The carpet like grass showed no blemishes, the bunkers are uniquely crafted to present an aesthetically pleasing walk and a tormenting test should you find yourself in one. Greens were pure and course is looking absolutely prime in the wake of the upcoming major championship. The price is worth it. Play this course.

Simply put, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is the best course I have ever played. It is also the most beautiful and most difficult track I’ve been on. The views along the Atlantic Ocean are amazing and need to be seen by all golfers at least once in their life. A must-play and bucket-list course with incredible wildlife on the course.

We lucked out and played on a cool and not too windy day. The first few holes “ease” you into the round and are more of a parkland/marsh type course. As you turn back towards the clubhouse on hole six and are by the ocean, that is when the round really gets scenic and even more difficult. FYI, the distance from the ninth green to the 10th tee is far.

The back nine is where the course shines. Pictures and videos do not do it justice. The par 3s on 14 and 17 are brutal yet so beautiful. The tee box on 14 sits up high at the far end of the course and is an amazing viewpoint. The green on 14 is like a volcano and seems impossible to hit, while the 17th green just looks like an island in the lake and is even more difficult to play. To close the round out, the 18th green has a great view of the back of the clubhouse.

In general, the fairways are wide but if you get off line, it gets hard to find your ball. I’d suggest bringing more golf balls than you think you might normally need, but you will likely find a bunch, too! The greens are big and were in perfect condition but a little slow.

As with many bucket list courses, The Ocean Course is really expensive to play but worth it. (I actually did not list the exact date we played because we were lucky and got a “special” rate through a Kiawah Island property owner.) If you can combo it with another of the resort’s courses, you can get a cheaper rate.

Can’t emphasize it enough, though… Every golfer needs to play The Ocean Course at least once in their life!

Played the beautiful Ocean Course on a brilliant Monday morning. The golf course is extremely hard but fair. Good shots are rewarded and there is room for a little off-line shots as well. Greg our caddie was awesome and kept me out of trouble. The turf and green complexes were in suburb condition. The clubhouse is understated but fits right in the low country vibe of S Carolina
Well worth the fees and a must play!

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying a round on this course, I was attending a 2 day event sponsored by the AMTOUR. I was able to play two very good courses on the island, Turtle Point and the Ocean course. I will say the Ocean course is all it's billed to be both challenging and rewarding in the awesome views from the course. I would highly recommend playing this course if you ever get the chance or opportunity

Course was in perfect condition...
Never had a bad lie in fairway and greens rolled true with good speed.....must play course...

Facility from entrance to exit was immaculate. Course played tough but very forgiving off the tee. The caddy was outstanding and I suggest anyone who plays the course for the first time get this experience as well. Will definitely save you strokes and make your leisurely walk more memorable.

I have had the good fortune of playing many great courses and don’t understand how this course is not ranked in the top 5
Incredibly fair for any level with sensible teeing options
Multiple ways to play most holes that work for long hitters or those who are not so long
Fantastic condition, even more significant considering it’s location and the challenges presented.
I remember the holes because they were all different
Even when playing badly the views and location made it difficult not to thoroughly enjoy a day’s golfing. Not many courses can say this

This course is extremely challenging. At this time of year (March) the greens are very firm and fast with not a lot of grass. Very difficult to read and get speed correct. The layout is breath taking. I would love to do it again in June when the greens are prime

I played the course on a perfect sunny day in the mid-50's with about 5 mph wind. cool enough to walk, and just low enough temperature and enough wind to challenge me and keep the bugs at bay.

i was playing in the Golf Channel Amateur Tour and it was a terrific experience of challenging golf , fantastic views, great people, and a terrific caddie. When you go, the caddie can make a huge difference.

The course was in great condition. i believe the secret to enjoying a course like this is not only the weather, getting a caddie who knows the course, and playing from the right tees. i scored the lowest score i have ever scored in competition to prove the point.

I have been very fortunate to play Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, Doral, and many other famous courses. i enjoyed the golf here as much as Pebble Beach and the scenery rivals both Pebble and Torrey Pines. the view of the ocean, the flora and fauna were an added bonus. ok, i'm biased. i've been a sailor for 30 years, so playing golf by the ocean is nirvana for me. Nonetheless, this course is a bucket list candidate for any golfer who wants to experience a unique course, without flying to Scotland or the west coast.

Really enjoyed playing this course. It was extremely challenging. Helped a lot to have a great caddie. Thanks Mike.

The course was in great shape with perfect weather. My caddie Alva was fantastic, overall a fantastic day playing golf

I went back and forth on whether to take the trip to play the famed Ocean Course. It had been the last of the top courses that I really felt I needed to play or at least had reasonable access to play. The question was, should I cough up the money. I did it and I’m glad I did. Don’t skimp on the caddy. You will walk further if you take a cart. It’s an easy walk and you really experience the whole golf course along the way. I was surprised that the fairways were as wide as they were. But placement and the angle you approach from is paramount. Precision with shots into the green will decide how well you score. Greens are true and fast and You never need to touch your ball, fairways are that good. Excellent conditions. I recommend you experience everything The Ocean course has to offer. Soak in the view from the clubhouse, the warmth of the fireplace, the history in the locker room, stories from the caddies, beer and burger in the Ryder Cup bar. The Ocean Course is worth it and it deserves its high ranking amongst the best.

This was my second visit to the Ocean course and I played it three times in three days. The location and layout are amazing. I definitely recommend grabbing your own caddy because this is one of the best walks in golf. Every hole is different and there’s not a bad one on the course. The caddie program is excellent here and they definitely enhance your round.
Come prepared to play in the wind and make sure you understand how to play out of those hard pan bunkers. That wind definitely affects your putts so take your caddy’s advice on the line.
If you haven’t been down here yet, go!

The Ocean course will challenge your golf patience.
Bucket list course is a must and worth the long drive. Every shot from tee to green must be thought out due to the windy conditions. Ocean course will play long so play tees of your skill to enjoy the round and all the beautiful senic views. I suggest you practice your tight lie short game before playing and watch putting with the wind. Greens are outstanding. Hitting out of bunkers will be differnt because of packed sand. A caddie is a must. Henry, my caddie, was the best. Accommodations are great with many great food choies. Breakfast at the Town Market is a must. Make sure you take your wife!!

There are plenty of bucket list golf courses for people who play regularly and this is certainly one of them. In many cases, you can pay a lot of money and just not feel like it was worth the time and cost involved. Not here! This experience lived up to the hype and then some. What a spectacular facility. The course while certainly difficult is fair. I am sure the second time around will be even better! It is a top shelf golf experience all around. Just go!

The Ocean Course is everything you would want in a challenging Pete Dye layout. Mr. Dye distracts you with the majestic ocean views while putting your entire game and all your senses to a fantastic test of golf. The golf course staff was very hospitable, making you feel right at home. The caddies were second to none. A “Must Have” when playing a Dye course! Can’t wait for a return trip to Kiawah Island and playing the famous Ocean Course!

I'll start off by saying this is an unbelievable golf course. But... It's much different than most golf courses. Reason being there aren't any bunkers. All of the green side bunkers are hard pan. It takes getting used to. Sometimes getting into a green side bunker isn't such a penalty. Here it is. Unless your used to playing muni courses then you won't have any trouble. With that being said it's all around a great course. This is why it is a major in 2021 for the pros. When the wind is up like it was when I played it, good luck. Even when the wind is down it is extremely difficult. All of the greens are raised higher than I've ever played. Even when you hit the green there is a good chance your ball will bounce and fly over the green or spin and come right of the slope. The greens were fast and crunchy when I played it. The grass was dormant when I played it as well. I'm assuming during the spring and summer the greens smooth out and become much more playable.

The only reason I could even give this course a 4 star in the course conditions, value for the money, and course layout is because of the bunker or lack their of conditions. There technically aren't any bunkers on the course as they all play like wastelands. Anyways this is a wonderful track, one of the the best challenges I have ever faced. I'm basically nit picking the conditions and bunkers, but I wanted to provide my honest feedback.

Anyways everyone should play this course at some point in their life. It's a true test and a great course.

Played a practice round with 2 friends on a Fri before our Golf Channel AM Tour 2 day tournament, then another round Sat during the tournament (final round was on Turtle Point course). Ocean course conditions were tough to say the least with 55 degree high temp, mostly cloudy, winds 15-25 mph. Beautiful and very challenging golf course with all bunkers (hard packed mud) treated as waste areas. Greens were in poor shape during our practice round, but were mowed and much more speedy and consistent for the tournament round.