Where Golf Meets Southern Charm
Golf vacations in South Carolina are a goldmine for passionate and aspiring golfers looking for variety and challenging play. With over 350 golf courses, the Deep South is a golfer’s paradise.
While no South Carolina golf courses have ever hosted the US Open, the famed Kiawah Ocean Course has hosted both the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup.
With world-renowned courses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and a ranking among the top 70 in the world, Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a favorite of golfers worldwide and is particularly perfect for links-style golf.
South Carolina golf vacations can also be taken at other prestigious resorts here, including the laidback Hilton Head Island, oceanfront Palmetto Dunes, or the luxury Wild Dunes Resort.
Kiawah Island golf consists of teeing off at world-class courses, experiencing a warm breeze from the Atlantic, and viewing the waves crashing onto the sand. But despite being a picturesque location, golf on Kiawah Island is as challenging as it is beautiful, and its courses will be a test for even the most seasoned golfer.
Hilton Head Island is home to a range of beautiful golf courses, including the famous Harbor Town Golf Links.
This laid back vacation spot, surrounded by beaches, bars and luxury facilities, is an ideal place to unwind and relax on your next golf trip.
Wild Dunes Golf Resort boasts world-class facilities off the greens – from luxury accommodation, spa facilities and distinguished dining experiences.
Some of the best courses in or near Charleston include Palmetto Dunes, Links at Stono Ferry, RiverTowne Country Club, Wild Dunes Harbor Golf Course, and more. The Kiawah course is only a 45 minute drive from Charleston, too.
Take a look at our Charleston Tour and experience Folly Beach, Rainbow Row, and some incredible dining after you play these luxurious courses.
South Carolina has risen through the ranks to become one of the best golf states in the US. It also plays host to a number of golf architectural masterpieces.
Known as the ‘Deep South,’ South Carolina, along with the adjacent North Carolina, has a very important history forming the foundations of their coastlines and cultures. South Carolina played an essential role in the colonial history of America, with historic, pastel-housed Charleston at the forefront.
South Carolina’s golfing history is of great importance too, with the first live televised three-day Ryder Cup in 1991, played on the Pete Dye designed Kiawah Island Golf Resort, which sits at 69th on the world’s Top 100 Golf Courses. This particular Ryder Cup tournament was known as ‘war on the shore,’ due to the fiercely competitive US team, who won their first Ryder Cup since 1983 after a series of consecutive losses.
The best South Carolina golf resorts and courses include, of course, the Kiawah Ocean Course, which has hosted the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup. There’s also the Harbor Town Golf Links at Hilton Head Island, which features the recognizable red and white lighthouse in the backdrop.
Experience the best golf in South Carolina with our top three playable courses. Each course offers a unique blend of challenge, history, and stunning scenery, making them must-play destinations for any golf enthusiast.
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, designed by Pete and Alice Dye, is renowned for its difficulty and historical significance. Host of the 1991 Ryder Cup and 2021 PGA Championship, this 7,849-yard, par 72 course is a bucket-list destination for golfers.
Designed by Tom Fazio, Osprey Point offers a technical and strategic challenge with its layout weaving around Kiawah Island’s waterways. Opened in 1988, this par 72 course is 6,902 yards long, providing a contrast to the Ocean Course’s intensity.
Oak Point, designed by Clyde Johnston and opened in 1997, features a links-style layout with undulating fairways, heavy bunkering, and natural rough. This par 72 course spans 6,701 yards and offers a unique challenge among Kiawah Island’s marshlands.
Read the rest of our top South Carolina golf courses that you can play.
Connor Dorton, Travel Specialist
For smaller groups who want to live luxuriously during their stay in Kiawah Island, I highly recommend the Sanctuary Hotel which offers oceanfront views and beach access. This hotel is perfect for a couple’s getaway!
For our larger groups, I recommend the villas or the private homes located at the Kiawah Island resort. Both the villas and homes have a range of bedroom options which are perfect for those larger golfer groups who want to be together!boxed con
Since its inception in 1988, Premier Golf has been arranging custom golf vacations and has since sent around 30,000 people on their dream golf trips.
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You can golf year-round in South Carolina, as the state has a mild climate and hundreds of golf courses.
There could be as many as 400 golf courses in South Carolina, making it one of the most popular destinations for golfers in the US.
Visit your local SC DMV office and submit a completed Golf Cart Permit Decal and Registration application (Form GC-2). You must show proof of ownership and liability insurance for the cart and pay a $5 fee.
More than one course could arguably claim the title of South Carolina’s most famous, but Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course is considered the world’s most challenging and scenic courses. It was designed to host the 1991 Ryder Cup and has hosted major tournaments like the 2021 PGA Championship.
The best times to visit South Carolina for golf is late March to early June and early September to late October. This avoids the high humidity and heat of South Carolina’s summer.