Kiawah Course Review

Like most during these times, we had recently been looking for somewhere to get away. Under normal circumstances, I may not consider a trip to the beach, but we are living in different times. One great thing about the beach is there is usually a golf course near by. 

Tucked off the South Carolina coast just south of Charleston sits the island of Kiawah. A two lane road is the only way on and off  this low country island which stretches only ten miles in diameter. The drive in is a memorable one as the two lane road is lined with overhanging trees shading the road while bringing in the building low country marsh as you approach the island. 

Kiawah is known to most for the Ocean Course. The crown jewel of the island has hosted 1991 Ryder Cup and 2012 PGA Championship along with numerous other tournaments and is set to host the 2021 PGA Championship. If you are looking to play the Ocean Course, make sure to book your lodging through the resort.  Non resort guest greens fees without caddie tip is $480, the cost is significantly less when staying at the resort. 

The Ocean Course, seen here from beyond the 18th fairway, is set to host the 2021 PGA Championship

While I did not play the Ocean Course on this trip, I took in some limited observations on the course and surrounding area. The Ocean Course sits on the far eastern end of the island.  Once you reach the course grounds, you are just about at the end of the island. A two lane road winds you through a gated mostly residential community leading up to the clubhouse.  The clubhouse is by and far the smallest I saw out of three different island courses I went to. Parking is very limited as buses were transporting island guests to the course while we were there. I would imagine hosting a major championship is quite the logistical feat for this island; busing thousands of patrons in from Charleston or other surrounding areas is likely the only option for anyone not staying on the island. With that being said, staying on the island of Kiawah for the week of the PGA Championship in 2021 would be the way to go. 

Regarding the golf itself, I would imagine the average or even the well seasoned golfer is in for a pretty difficult 18 holes.  First and most obvious the wind would be a key factor throughout your day on the course. On the Kiawah website it notes that depending on the day, wind direction and strength, players can experience up to a 8 club difference on a hole. That is wild to think about, going from an eight iron one day to a four iron next day for the same shot.  In addition to wind, tight fairways, water, and a plea-thru of sand increases the difficulty on the famed Ocean Course. From the brief segment of the course I could see, I had even greater appreciation for what Rory did here in 2012, dominating the field by 8 strokes on his way to winning his second major.  I look forward to getting back to the Ocean Course and teeing it up sometime down the road. It has the history and feel of a bucket list course; one that you want to experience with friends vs. joining with a group you don't know.

Looking onto the 18th green of the Ocean Course 

The first course I had a chance to play at Kiawah was Cougar Point. I played the white tees from this Gary Player designed course which carriers a very manageable 6,139 yards. The front nine, known as the marsh side, is a beautiful stretch of golf and really magnifies the low country aspect of the island.  The opening hole a very manageable short par 4 playing 320 yard from the whites. I hit a good drive and was left with inside a 100 yard approach shot; hitting the green and walking away with a two put was a really nice way to start the round. 

This is the view you want when it comes to a  manageable approach shot in golf

A short par 3 and par 5 are next on the scorecard before the course hits what I would consider it's three hole signature stretch.  Hole four is a slight dog leg right and ranks as the number 1 handicap. The fairway narrows some on this hole, but the difficulty that comes into play is in form of a tight green surrounded by deep marsh land on the back and right side of the hole. As you work your way up this hole, some of the most panoramic views of the course come into play. I was really taken back by some of the tranquil beauty of this three hole stretch.

The fifth hole plays fairly straight, but with big trouble all the way along the left side in form of the Kiawah river.  Your approach shot is another tricky one with marsh surrounding three sides of the hole this time around. Keep the ball in the center of the green even with a left pin placement. 

Another approach shot with a do not miss the green scenario, though a more forgiving nature than number 4 green

Hole six provides one of the best views on the course, along with one of the most intimidating tee shots. The signature par 3 on Cougar Point, the tee shot does not play as deceiving as meets the eye. Open space can be found on the right side of this hole, though your target should still be the green center or right center. If you can get through this tough three holes stretch without too many crooked numbers, you will feel pretty good about yourself and the remaining holes in front of you. 

The signature par 3 on Cougar Point one of the best views on the course, just before my tee shot I had a large blue heron cross the marsh in front of me

The remaining three holes on the front nine carries away from the clubhouse and features holes that are suited to score on for good players. After a long difficult par four to start the back 9, a series of manageable holes begins to wind the course back to the clubhouse. The back nine moves away from marsh water landscape and was really nice in it's own right, but I found the hole 4 through 6 as some of the most memorable moments and views from the round.  That may have been because I hit more fairways and greens on the front nine.

A moment of shade on the par 5 11th hole in one of the many Kiawah signature overhanging trees

Cougar Point finishes with a very memorable but difficult  hole with a great view. Your tee shot requires carry over a large body of water. The approach brings a number of factors into play, first being the wind as you begin to move towards the ocean. 

Tee shot on 18 requires carry over water before a tough approach shot to finish your round

Set the difficulty aside, the approach shot on 18 (or third shot in my case) provided for one of the more stunning views of my time on the island. A long green with water on the left showcased by the recently re-built Cougar Point clubhouse. The clubhouse was re-designed and finished about a year ago and is a must see when on Kiawah. Even if your not a golfer, it's also a great spot to grab lunch or dinner and watch golfers finish their round from it's expansive outdoor patio. 

One of the most eye opening views at Kiawah is the Cougar Point clubhouse

After convincing myself I would not play another round of golf on the trip, I teed it up the next day at Osprey Point. Osprey Point sits in the center of the island. Like Cougar Point, there are no ocean-side holes, but it has many natural lagoons and marshes surrounding the fairways and greens. The first two holes open with water running the left side, but very manageable sized fairways should, key word being should, keep you dry to start your round. 

Pristine views do not take long to come into play here as seen from the second hole par 3 

Also similar to Cougar Point, Osprey Point has a par three that requires a significant carry over natural marsh, making for a signature hole and special view to take in early in the round. This course has four very unique par threes, no one built or designed the same. The same could be said for each hole on the  course which was something I appreciated about the way Tom Fazio designed this course.

The next standout hole for me came on number nine. The ninth is a longer par four that plays upwind over a large body of water. The aggressive play is up the left side of the fairway. I went safe, or smart, and played a good drive up the right side which left me with a long approach shot into the wind. 

One of my favorite holes on the course a dog leg left which requires a tee shot up the right side of the fairway, that is, if your playing safe

The start of the back nine begins a three hole stretch along Canvask Pond on the backside of the clubhouse. I will never forget the tenth hole, particularly because of the large gator pond that sits not too far from the tee boxes. This tee shot took an extra level of focus and concentration. I found myself taking a peak to the right while taking a few practice swings to check their proximity. Additionally, the the cart  was sitting a little closer than normal to the tee box. I hit a solid three wood down the pipe and quickly moved on. 

Teeing off on the 10th requires extra focus with added distractions, I was glad not to be walking the course at this point

A series of short par fours and a par five lead to the fifteenth hole which was a rather unique par 3 with one of the largest stretching sand-traps I have ever seen on a par 3. Similar to many holes on the island course, if you can put the hazard or sand out of sight and out of mind, you will be fine. This sand here shouldn't come into play unless your tee shot is well short or errant left or right. Just hit it right down the middle.

Fly the imposing sand-trap on fifteen and your left with a large challenging two tier green

 The closing two holes bring you back up along the pond you start the back  nine against.. As is a common theme in Kiawah, water carries the entire hole on the left side, keep middle right on these holes to avoid trouble. 

A thunderhead builds in the fading light on Osprey Point's 16th hole

If you are looking for a quiet island getaway with plenty of opportunity to play pristine golf courses, look no further than Kiawah. The Ocean Course will draw the golf faithful, but courses like Cougar Point and Osprey Point should be more than considered on a trip to Kiawah, they should be played. Between the two courses I played, Cougar Point had the lasting impression on me, though Osprey Point is a wonderful course in it's own right. Both courses capture the tranquil beauty of the island with vivid low country landscape, marshes, lagoons and a wide range of species from deer, to blue herons, to gators. The courses are challenging, but also provide fairness at the same time. Green speed was a bit slower than expected; all fairways and tee boxes were in excellent condition. The rough would not bury you enough to destroy your hole. The one thing that every golfer can probably agree on about Kiawah, you likely will not get out of a round here without making at least one unintentional golf ball donation to the South Caroline low country.