Kiawah Island Golf | Five Courses, Five Stories

Welcome to a place where golf isn’t just a game—it’s part of the rhythm of the island. On Kiawah, each course tells a different story. Some whisper. Some roar. Some lure you in with beauty before beating you up with wind and water.

I played four of the five courses during my stay—Osprey Point, Turtle Point, The Ocean Course, and Cougar Point—each with its own pace, personality, and punishment level. I didn’t make it to Oak Point this time around, but it’s on deck.

This isn’t a technical review. It’s a player’s perspective—how each course felt, what stood out, and why I’d go back (or not). Mixed in with clubhouse meals, pro shop temptations, and post-round reflections. It’s golf the way I experienced it—shot by shot, bite by bite, breeze by breeze.

Let’s tee it up.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort | Course-by-Course Recap with Clubhouses, Pubs & Pro Shops

Osprey Point Golf Course

🏌️The Range

Stocked with all the essentials—balls, club stand, and a lineup of distant pins—the range sits conveniently right off the clubhouse. A short walk and you’re ready to warm up. I like to start with a few mid-irons (usually my 7-iron), then move to my 3-wood, finishing with a few drivers. Twenty-five to thirty balls total, just enough to find a groove. Afterward, I roll a few putts on the practice green to feel the speed, toss in a few chips to lock in rhythm, and then it’s off to the cart. When the starter calls, you’re dialed and ready for the first tee.

⛳ Course Recap

Osprey Point is the sleeper favorite. Designed by Tom Fazio, it doesn’t have the Ocean Course’s name recognition, but it delivers an enjoyable, player-friendly round. For a 19 handicap like me, it hits that sweet spot of being challenging but not punitive. Multiple tee boxes let you choose your adventure. You’ve got water, marsh, and tree-lined fairways—but not so tight that it feels claustrophobic. Great pace, great routing. Just a solid round that leaves you wanting more, not needing a stiff drink to forget it.

🍻 Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House

This laid-back spot behind the clubhouse is perfect after the round. Pulled pork, brisket, and a strong ale selection—all served with that lowcountry porch-sittin’ energy. Sit out back, recap the round, laugh about the chunked approach on 14, and lean into the vibe.

🧢 Pro Shop

Well curated and well stocked. Kiawah-branded polos, logo balls, gloves, hats—plus high-end brands like Peter Millar and Greyson for when you want to pretend you didn’t just three-jack from 20 feet.

Turtle Point Golf Course

🏌️The Range

Turtle Point offers a similar setup to Osprey—balls prepped, practice green and chipping area close by, and a starter who keeps things flowing. It’s a no-fuss warm-up: arrive, check in, hit the range, and slide into the round with that easy “let’s play” vibe.

⛳ Course Recap

Turtle Point is a Jack Nicklaus design, and you can feel it in the narrow fairways and required precision. Less margin for error off the tee. Water, tight turns, and carries keep you honest. Not the most forgiving loop, especially if your driver gets a little jittery under pressure. But the back nine rewards focus—with several holes playing along the ocean dunes and a crescendo of great views. It’s beautiful, but challenging. A course you respect, even if it punches you in the mouth a little.

🍝 Tomasso at Turtle Point

The Italian fare here is legit. Whether you’re winding down a frustrating round or rewarding a surprisingly good one, Tomasso delivers a nice contrast to the humidity outside. Pasta, wine, a quiet atmosphere—it’s a reset button in clubhouse form.

🧢 Pro Shop

Refined selection of Kiawah-branded goods and barware with a hint of country club elegance. If you want a Turtle Point hat that says “I survived Nicklaus,” you’ll find it here.

The Ocean Course

🏌️The Range

Hands down, the most scenic range I’ve ever seen. Set against the Atlantic, the range is perfectly manicured, a teaser of what’s ahead. The adjacent practice green offers more sweeping beach views, while caddies hustle around, prepping for the day. Shuttles buzz between the range and the first tee, adding to the energy. The balls are pure, the views unreal. You’re standing on the edge of the ocean, about to tee off—life doesn’t get much better. At least until that first tee shot, when you suddenly wonder where all that range confidence disappeared to.

⛳ Course Recap

This is it. The bucket list round. Pete Dye’s masterpiece and the host of legendary showdowns—including the ’91 Ryder Cup and Phil’s unforgettable PGA win in 2021. Every hole is a photo op and a potential scorecard wrecker. The wind is always a factor, the greens are undulating nightmares, and the carries are real. But if you’re into the pain-pleasure cycle of true championship golf, this is your jam. It’s not “fun” in the traditional sense—more like spiritual warfare with a lob wedge—but it’s unforgettable.

🍽️ The Atlantic Room

A stunner. Elevated dining with Atlantic views, high-end seafood, and thoughtful plating. I had the mahi mahi tacos (outstanding) and the fish and chips (classic and comforting). Whether you played well or got rinsed by the wind, this place makes you feel like a champ.

🍺 The Ryder Cup Bar

Small. Historic. Perfect. Grab a local lager and toast to the fact that you survived The Ocean Course. Ryder Cup memorabilia and a view that makes you feel like you’re still playing.

🧢 Pro Shop

Tight on space, huge on legacy. The Ocean Course logo gear is a must-have—hats, polos, even golf bags with that iconic logo. Expect premium brands: Peter Millar, Greyson, RLX, Johnnie-O, and more. Buy the hat. You earned it.

Cougar Point Golf Course

🏌️The Range

Cougar’s range mirrors the easy, well-stocked vibe of Osprey and Turtle. Balls, stands, and a smooth warm-up flow—exactly what you need, nothing you don’t.

⛳ Course Recap

Cougar Point might be the most underrated of the five. Redesigned by Gary Player, it starts with a few open holes but quickly brings in water, marsh views, and a strong back nine. It’s strategic—placement over power—and has a nice balance between beauty and playability. That 18th hole approach, with the clubhouse in the background, is a picture-perfect finish. A great warm-up course or a relaxing capstone to your Kiawah run.

🍔 The Player’s Pub

Chill and unpretentious. A classic pub with indoor and patio seating that gives you a front-row seat to the finishing hole. The Caesar salad was solid—minus the unnecessary cherry tomatoes (who’s making that call?). The seabass was fresh and flavorful. It’s casual enough to walk in sweaty, but nice enough to take someone special.

🧢 Pro Shop

Functional with all the basics. Some solid Kiawah-branded apparel and gear, but not as expansive as the Ocean Course shop. Good for grabbing a last-minute head cover or a gift for the kids before heading to the next tee.

⛳ Oak Point Golf Course

The only course I didn’t swing on—but here’s what I know: it’s technically part of the resort but a bit removed from the main island vibe. Less ocean, more inland charm. A Clyde Johnston design with a good value play for the public and less crowded tee sheets. Will hit it next time just to complete the set.

🏝️ The Kiawah Island Vibe

Golf may be the heartbeat, but the soul of Kiawah is balance. This island pulls off a rare trick—world-class courses surrounded by family bike rides, beach chairs, and sunset cocktails. It’s resort living without losing its rhythm. You’ll see kids biking to ice cream shops while groups tee off at sunrise.

The whole island is dialed in for relaxation and competition. Play a tough 18, hit the beach by 3, and bike to dinner by 6. It’s golf with a side of life.

🪺 The Nest at Night Heron Park

The Nest is Kiawah’s newer wellness and rec hub tucked into Night Heron Park—a great pit stop if you’re riding around on a cruiser, have a few hours to kill, or just need a reset after a chaotic round. It’s part café, part social club, part relaxation zone. Think: grab-and-go healthy food, smoothies, a firepit, and chill seating. Morning yoga types and latte lovers will feel at home. It’s not pretentious—it’s just a good place to pause the pace.

🏖️ Kiawah’s Beaches

The beaches here stretch on forever—and they don’t feel like tourist traps. Wide, clean, and uncrowded, they serve everything from early morning walks to golden hour photography. Whether you’re out there to reset your brain, hunt for shells, or just plop in a chair and zone out, the beaches deliver. And if you’re lucky, you’ll see deer or dolphins doing their thing. Sunset on the beach after golf? That’s the good life.

🛍️ Freshfields Village

Your off-island hangout. Freshfields is the shopping-and-dining village that connects Kiawah to the rest of the world, or at least gives you somewhere to get coffee, grab a burger, or pretend you’re going to buy a new watch. Boutique shops, ice cream, wine tastings, and local vibes. It feels more curated than commercial. If you need a break from the clubs and courses, this is where you head to roam, restock, or reward you.

🧾 On the Road Golf Scorecard™ | Kiawah Island Golf Resort

🏆 Overall Golf Score: 9.5 – Five Stories, One Soul