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Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina

South Carolina

Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Courses
5
Best for
Bucket-list
Airport
CHS

Kiawah Island Golf Resort — overview

Kiawah Island Golf Resort is one of America’s premier coastal golf destinations, anchored by Pete Dye’s Ocean Course and four additional championship layouts. Set along the South Carolina Lowcountry near Charleston, it pairs major-championship golf with luxury beach lodging, marshland scenery, and a polished resort experience.

Courses
5 courses
Best months
March – May; September – November
Ideal length
4–6 days
From airport
40–50 min

Golf Courses at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

South Carolina · Course 1

Kiawah Island Golf Resort - The Ocean Course

Holes
18
Par
72
Yards
7873
Est.
1991

A world-renowned course known for its stunning seaside views and challenging layout, The Ocean Course has hosted major championships and is a must-play for golf enthusiasts.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort - The Ocean Course

South Carolina · Course 2

Kiawah Island Golf Resort - Turtle Point

Holes
18
Par
72
Yards
7065
Est.
1981

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Turtle Point offers a classic design with a mix of challenging holes and beautiful coastal scenery.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort - Turtle Point

South Carolina · Course 3

Kiawah Island Golf Resort - Osprey Point

Holes
18
Par
72
Yards
6832
Est.
1988

Osprey Point is a Tom Fazio-designed course that combines natural beauty with a strategic layout, making it a favorite among golfers of all skill levels.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort - Osprey Point

South Carolina · Course 4

Kiawah Island Golf Resort - Cougar Point

Holes
18
Par
72
Yards
6875
Est.
1996

Cougar Point, redesigned by Gary Player, offers a scenic and challenging experience with its strategic layout and stunning marsh views.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort - Cougar Point

South Carolina · Course 5

Kiawah Island Golf Resort - Oak Point

Holes
18
Par
72
Yards
6701
Est.
1989

Oak Point provides a unique experience with its Scottish links-style design, offering a different challenge with its rolling fairways and coastal winds.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort - Oak Point

Trip Packages at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Starting points. Everything is built around your dates, group size, and the courses you want to play.

Kiawah Island Championship Stay & Play

A flexible Kiawah Island itinerary built around The Ocean Course and the resort’s other championship layouts, with lodging at The Sanctuary, a resort villa, or a private island home depending on group size and budget.

Golf Lifestyle

What to Expect at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Why visit

Kiawah works because it delivers both the bucket-list round and the complete resort trip around it. The Ocean Course is the headline — a Pete Dye design exposed to Atlantic winds and famous for the 1991 Ryder Cup, 2012 PGA Championship, and 2021 PGA Championship — but the depth is what makes a multi-day trip easy to build. Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Cougar Point, and Oak Point give groups five total courses without leaving the island. Add The Sanctuary, resort villas and homes, beach access, spa, dining, and Charleston nearby, and Kiawah becomes a strong fit for luxury buddies trips, couples trips, and groups that want championship golf without sacrificing off-course comfort.

Accommodations

On-property lodging centers around The Sanctuary, Kiawah’s Forbes Five-Star oceanfront hotel, plus resort-managed villas and private homes across the island. Groups can choose a luxury hotel stay, multi-bedroom villa, or larger private-home setup depending on budget and trip style.

Resort amenities

Kiawah Island Golf Resort combines five championship courses with a full coastal resort setting: The Sanctuary hotel, villas and private homes, beach access, spa, pools, tennis, dining, nature activities, and practice facilities. The Ocean Course is the centerpiece, but the overall appeal is the ability to build a complete Lowcountry golf trip without leaving the island.

  • Five championship golf courses
  • The Ocean Course
  • The Sanctuary oceanfront hotel
  • Resort villas and private homes
  • Beach, spa, dining, and recreation
Where to stay

3 hand-picked stays.

Each property is selected for proximity to the next round, the kind of evening that fits a long golf trip, and the feel we want for the group.

Hotel01 / 03

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Guestroom / Suite

Kiawah’s flagship oceanfront luxury hotel, offering upscale rooms and suites, beach access, spa amenities, pools, dining, and full resort privileges.

Best fit for couples, smaller groups, and luxury-focused golf trips.

Included in package
Villa02 / 03

Kiawah Island Resort Villas

Villa

Resort-managed villas across Kiawah Island with different views, locations, and bedroom counts, offering more space for golf groups while preserving resort access.

Strong option for buddies trips and groups that want shared living space.

Included in package
Stay03 / 03

Kiawah Island Private Homes

Private Home

Resort-managed private homes ranging from smaller island residences to larger luxury homes suited for extended stays, families, and group golf trips.

Best for larger groups that want multiple bedrooms, kitchens, and private gathering space.

Included in package

Plan Your Trip to Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Getting there

Kiawah Island Golf Resort is about 32–33 miles southwest of Charleston International Airport (CHS), typically a 40–50 minute drive depending on traffic and where you are staying on the island. Charleston Executive Airport (JZI) on Johns Island is closer for private aviation.

Best time to visit
March through May and September through November are the best windows for comfortable coastal weather and strong golf conditions. Summer can work for beach-focused groups but brings heat, humidity, and higher family-travel demand.
Who it's best for
Best for luxury golf groups, couples trips, bucket-list travelers, and golfers who want major-championship coastal golf paired with beach-resort comfort.
Address
1 Sanctuary Beach Dr, Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Season
Daily
Course details
Five 18-hole courses: The Ocean Course by Pete Dye, Turtle Point by Jack Nicklaus, Osprey Point by Tom Fazio, Cougar Point by Gary Player, and Oak Point by Clyde Johnston.
Location
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Nearest airport
Charleston International (CHS)
Trip style
Coastal
Best for
Bucket-list golf trips, Luxury buddies trips, Couples getaways, Coastal resort golf

Frequently Asked Questions about Kiawah Island Golf Resort

How many golf courses are at Kiawah Island Golf Resort?

Kiawah Island Golf Resort has five 18-hole championship courses: The Ocean Course, Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Cougar Point, and Oak Point.

What is the most famous course at Kiawah Island?

The Ocean Course is Kiawah’s signature course. Designed by Pete Dye, it is famous for its Atlantic Ocean setting, wind exposure, Ryder Cup history, and PGA Championship pedigree.

Who designed Kiawah Island’s golf courses?

The Ocean Course was designed by Pete Dye, Turtle Point by Jack Nicklaus, Osprey Point by Tom Fazio, Cougar Point by Gary Player, and Oak Point by Clyde Johnston.

Has Kiawah Island hosted major championships?

Yes. The Ocean Course hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2012 PGA Championship, and the 2021 PGA Championship, among other major golf events.

Where should golf groups stay at Kiawah Island?

The Sanctuary is the top luxury hotel option, while resort-managed villas and private homes are better fits for larger golf groups that want shared space and multiple bedrooms.

What airport should I fly into for Kiawah Island?

Charleston International Airport (CHS) is the primary commercial airport for Kiawah Island, about 32–33 miles from the resort and typically 40–50 minutes by car.

What is the best time to visit Kiawah Island for golf?

Spring and fall are the best overall windows because the weather is comfortable and golf conditions are strong. Summer is popular for beach trips but can be hot and humid.

Is Kiawah Island good for buddies trips?

Yes. Kiawah works very well for upscale buddies trips because it combines five courses, The Ocean Course bucket-list round, villas and homes for groups, beaches, dining, and Charleston access.

On the map

Where is Kiawah Island Golf Resort?

3 lodging options

Kiawah Island, South Carolina, United States

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