Golf Course Review: The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, South Carolina


 THE OCEAN COURSE

Kiawah, South Carolina

June 19, 2022


OVERVIEW

FACILITY TYPE: Resort

YEAR OPENED: 1991

ARCHITECT: Pete Dye

PAR: 72

LENGTH: 5,307 - 7,849 yards

USGA RATING: 66.4 - 79.1

USGA SLOPE: 125 - 155

TEE OPTIONS: 7

WEBSITE: https://kiawahresort.com/golf/the-ocean-course/

PHONE: (800) 654-2924

 

It’s rare that a course steeped in so much history is accessible to anyone who wants to play it. That’s the beautiful thing about The Ocean Course; it's part of a world-class five-star/five-diamond resort. The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island was built to host the 1991 Ryder Cup and has since gone on to host some of the biggest tournaments in golf such as the 2012 PGA Championship won by Rory McIlroy and the 2021 PGA Championship won by Phil Mickelson.


The PGA of America named the site of the 1991 Ryder Cup before the Ocean Course was even built, and commissioned legendary golf course architect Pete Dye to build it. Pete Dye courses popular tour venues because of their demanding nature that brings the best out of the world's elite. The fact that anyone can play the Ocean Course and experience what a world-class championship venue is like is something special.


As you’d expect from one of the world's top 100 golf courses, everything is world-class. From the moment you drive onto Kiawah Island, surrounded by beautiful saltwater marshes and miles of beaches. The drive to the north end of the island where the Ocean Course resides is a lovely drive, winding through palms and saltwater marshes, passing egrets, herons, osprey, and turtles along the way. At the end of the road is the entrance to the Ocean Course, sure to be one of the most memorable rounds you’ve ever played.


This was my 7th visit to The Ocean Course. I had been there five times prior as a player, and once in 2012 during the PGA Championship as a spectator. While in school at Coastal Carolina in Myrtle Beach, I would drive down at least once a year and play The Ocean Course. This round was special because it was my wife’s first time playing. In a way, I was able to see the course again for the first time through her eyes. We loved every minute of it.


She and I met in school and used to visit Charleston frequently for weekend dates and concerts. We decided to come down once again, ten years after graduating, to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Playing The Ocean Course together, on such a beautiful day, with a really awesome caddy was really special. (shoutout to Kyle!)





COURSE CONDITIONS RATINGS

FAIRWAYS: 4.5

GREENS: 4.5

BUNKERS: 4

SCENERY: 5

LAYOUT: 5

—

OVERALL: 4.6


Designed to host the 1991 Ryder Cup, the conditions are exactly what you’d expect from one of the best courses in the world. The course is composed of two nine-hole loops. The front nine heads north with holes 1-4 inland along the salt marshes before turning east towards the pacific ocean on the 5th hole, a tricky par 3. The course then turns south where holes 6-9 play along the ocean, and holes 10-13 along the salt marshes. Finally, the course turns one final time to the north where holes 14-18 run along the ocean, creating an “infinity loop” if you will.


The views at The Ocean Course are different than what you'd find at Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, or Cape Kidnappers. That’s because the Carolina lowlands are very flat. At the advice of Pete Dye’s wife, Alice, the one who thought of making the 17th green at Sawgrass an island, Pete raised as many tees, fairways, and greens as possible so players could get a view of the ocean from every hole.


The layout is one of my all-time favorites. Every single hole is unique and every time I’ve played the course I’ve had a different experience. Unlike courses like Bandon Dunes where there is a prevailing seasonal wind, at The Ocean Course, the wind swirls and changes from day to day, sometimes from moment to moment. Also unlike Bandon Dunes or other true links courses, it's difficult to play the ball along the ground at The Ocean Course. The grass is very sticky and grainy, so you must throw the ball in the air to often elevated greens.


While there are truly no weak holes on the course, my favorite hole is #13. If I could build a “Dream 18” course, this hole would be on it. That said, the other 17 are still some of the best holes you can play anywhere in the world! Trust your caddy, especially if it's windy. It's not uncommon to take 2, 3, 4 or more clubs into a green and remember that hurting wind hurts more than helping wind helps.





ACCESSIBILITY

COURSE DIFFICULTY: 5

WALKABILITY: 4.5


I’m not going to fluff it up and tell you The Ocean Course is easy. In fact, it’s one of the hardest courses in the world. With a course rating of 79.1 and a slope of 155 from the back tees, it’s one of the hardest courses in the world according to the USGA.


The key to having a great time at The Ocean Course is playing the appropriate tees. I can tell you from experience, put the ego aside and play from a distance equal to or slightly lesser than you normally play, especially if the wind is up. As someone who decided to tip out the course in the wind many years ago and shot 101 as a single-digit handicap, it’s not fun. 


While it's one of the hardest courses in the world, it's fair if you play from the correct set of tees. With 7 tees to choose from, don't go purely based on yardages but rather, talk to your caddy before teeing off and get suggestions from them. Many holes have forced carries off the tee so you'll want to make sure you can clear the hazards and leave yourself an opportunity to go for the green.


If you’re going to play The Ocean Course, get a caddy. You’re going to need it. Plus caddies are awesome. If you’ve never had one, there’s a reason why the best players in the world have someone on their bag. A good caddy will help you choose clubs, avoid trouble, and read greens, all things you’re going to need help with at The Ocean Course. While you can take a golf car, I highly recommend walking. They will shuttle you from the driving range to the first tee, and again from the ninth green to the tenth tee, but other than that, the walk is relatively easy and beautiful. Traversing through the lush fairways, shifting dunes, and flowing fescue take the experience to the next level.


I highly suggest taking a moment and pausing to soak in the scenery. The course is so amazing and requires to much of your attention and focus that it's important to take the opportunities while you can to grab a picture or simply take it all in because before you know it, the round will be over and you'll wish you were still out there.





AMENITIES

GOLF SHOP: 5

PRACTICE FACILITIES: 4.5

COMFORT STATIONS: 4

FOOD & BEV: 5


As you’d expect from a world-class destination, the amenities are on point. The Golf Shop is fully stocked with the latest and greatest in gear, accessories, and apparel, all with the course logo. And if you forget anything,, there are other golf shops located on the island throughout the resort. 


The practice putting green is large and has one of the best views on the property. Situated just outside the clubhouse in between the shaded deck full of Adirondack chairs and the dune-swept beach, the putting green acts as a great place to warm up before the round, or hang out after dinner and watch the sunset.


The food at The Ocean Course is amazing. My wife and I grabbed lunch at the pub before our round and dined in for dinner after our round. Both meals were fantastic. Keep in mind that depending on where you stay, there may be a long drive after your round so if you have a few drinks with dinner, please be safe on the roads and drive responsibly.





SUMMARY


Is The Ocean Course easy? No. Is it cheap? No. Is it worth it? You absolutely better believe it. The Ocean Course is one of the best golf courses you can play, period. The fact that it has such a rich history, is accessible to the public, and is part of one of the best resorts in the world, outside one of my favorite cities in the country, all make The Ocean Course a necessary addition to your bucket list.


Whether you go as a single, with your significant other, on a buddy's golf trip, or with the whole family, Kiawah Island has something for everyone. World-class golf, beaches, food, and scenery will surely make this trip one you'll never forget.




MOVE BETTER - PLAY BETTER

COACH BLAINE ⛳🏌️‍♂️


👉 For more, visit www.TourShotGolf.com
Location: 1000 Ocean Course Dr, Kiawah Island, SC 29455, USA

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