In short
For a Kiawah Island golf trip, book your room through Kiawah Island Golf Resort: The Sanctuary hotel, a resort villa or a resort home rental gets you tee times up to a year ahead and lower green fees, while outside guests can only book 60 days out. Every resort course, including the Ocean Course, is open to the public, so Freshfields Village, just outside the gate, works as a nearby base, and quiet Seabrook Island is a short drive further on. Spring and fall are the most popular seasons, so book early for March to May and September to November.
Where to stay in Kiawah Island
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ACourse to play
Live map · Cottages at The Ocean CourseHotels and rentals at live prices, Mon, Apr 19 to Fri, Apr 23
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Courses you can play in Kiawah Island
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Resort guests first
The Ocean Course
Pete Dye's 1991 seaside course at the east end of the island, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup and two PGA Championships. Open to the public, walking only for most of the year.
Open to everyone, with priority for resort guests: guests with a resort lodging confirmation number can book up to a year ahead; everyone else can book no more than 60 days ahead. Book online or by phone on (800) 654-2924, and join the resort's online waitlist if nothing is free. Walking only, except tee times after 10:00 in June, July and August, when carts on paths are allowed with a forecaddie.
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Resort guests first
Turtle Point
A Jack Nicklaus course with three holes on the beach, next to The Sanctuary.
Same rules as every resort course: resort guests up to a year ahead, non-guests within 60 days. Walking allowed at any time; carts available.
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Resort guests first
Osprey Point
Tom Fazio's course through forest, lagoons and marsh, very playable for golfers of all levels.
Resort guests up to a year ahead, non-guests within 60 days.
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Resort guests first
Cougar Point
Gary Player's course on the west end, with marsh views over the Kiawah River.
Resort guests up to a year ahead, non-guests within 60 days.
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Resort guests first
Oak Point
A Clyde Johnston course on old farmland by the Kiawah River, just outside the gate on Johns Island.
Resort guests up to a year ahead, non-guests within 60 days. The course sits on Johns Island just outside the Kiawah gate.
How tee times work
All five resort courses are public. If you stay with the resort, you can book tee times up to a year ahead with your confirmation number and pay less; if not, you can book up to 60 days ahead, online or by calling the resort. The Ocean Course fills first in spring and fall, and there is an online waitlist when it is full. It is walking only outside summer, caddies are free apart from the tip, and a forecaddie is required if you ride in June to August.
A sensible plan
Four nights works well: arrive and play Oak Point or Cougar Point, then the Ocean Course early on day two with a caddie, Osprey Point on day three and Turtle Point on the last morning. If you only get one Ocean Course time, book it first and fit the others around it.
Getting there
Fly into Charleston International (CHS), about 32 miles away. Allow about an hour to the island by car and about 20 minutes more to reach the Ocean Course at the far end.
When to book
- NowBook a room with free cancellation as close to the course as you can.
- Your cancellation dateKeep or cancel before it passes.
- April 19 to 23, 2027Your trip.
Free guide
The Unofficial Kiawah Island Golf Trip Guide
Every area, every course, how tee times work and the booking dates in one place, updated every year.
Kiawah Island golf trip questions
Do you have to stay at Kiawah to play the Ocean Course?
No. All five Kiawah Island Golf Resort courses are open to the public. Resort guests can book up to a year ahead and get lower rates, while everyone else can book up to 60 days ahead.
How much does it cost to play the Ocean Course?
The resort does not publish a rate card, and prices show when you book. Resort guests pay less than outside golfers. Add the suggested caddie tip of 120 USD per player.
Can you ride a cart on the Ocean Course?
Only in June, July and August, for tee times after 10:00, on the paths and with a forecaddie. The rest of the year it is walking only, with or without a caddie.
How much is a caddie at Kiawah?
There is no caddie fee. The resort recommends a tip of 120 USD per player for a walking caddie and 60 USD for a forecaddie.
How far is Kiawah Island from Charleston?
The island is about 21 miles from downtown Charleston and 32 miles from the airport. Allow about an hour from the airport, plus about 20 minutes to the Ocean Course.
When is the best time to play golf at Kiawah?
Spring and fall are the most popular, with mid March to mid May and mid September to Thanksgiving the busiest. Summer is hot, and winter is mild at around 60 to 65 F.
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