|
 |
Charleston CoursesCharleston Municipal Golf Course This 18-hole course, managed by the city, is Charleston's oldest remaining layout--built in 1929. It was designed by John E. Ademes. It's a well-run public course, with bermudagrass greens and fairways. The scenic 13th, 14th and 15th holes are on the marsh and the Stono River. Approximate greens fees for visitors are $15 on weekdays and $20 on weekends, and carts are an additional $10. The course hosts as many as 54,000 rounds a year, so call ahead for a tee time. Practice greens, a driving range, rental clubs, a pro shop, snack bar and bar are available. On busy days, a beverage cart also makes the rounds. Walking is allowed. Charleston National Country Club Rees Jones designed the existing 18-hole course in 1990. (The original Jones-designed course was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 just days after it opened.) It's home to golf teams of The Citadel and the College of Charleston. Fairways and greens are bermudagrass. Marshland and bridges characterize this course. One of the pro's favorite holes is the par 4 12th, a dogleg right with a big pond on the right and marsh on the left. It requires a fairly long and accurate tee shot. You have very little rough and are in a hazard if you shoot left or right. Your second shot (hopefully) plays to an elevated and undulating green surrounded by bunkers and backed by the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, which usually wafts a gentle breeze over the green. Another challenging hole is No. 6, a par 4--challenging not because of its length but because of its hazards. Your tee shot needs to find a landing area to prevent hitting a second marsh you can't see from the tee. Then your second shot will be over a marsh onto the narrow green. A practice green, driving range, rental clubs, bar and restaurant are available. Members may access lockerroom facilities, a pool and a tennis center. The pro shop staff is very cordial and ready to answer questions and meet golfers' needs. Approximate greens fees range from $40 on off-season weekdays to $60 on in-season weekends, including cart. The course is open to the public year-round. Walking is allowed on a limited basis during afternoons only. Coosaw Creek Country Club Arthur Hills designed this 18-hole course that opened in 1993. Situated on 645 acres of woods and wetlands, Coosaw Creek features bentgrass fairways and bermudagrass greens. A few holes have marsh and a bit of rolling ground somewhat unique to the Lowcountry. This course places a premium on accuracy rather than length, making the approach shots and the short game the keys to scoring well. The best opportunities for scoring are on the front nine, as the course takes charge on the back nine, with more of the water and wetlands coming into play. Hole No. 11, a 224-yard par 3, requires your tee shot to cross water and wetlands three times. The tee shot on No. 12, a 596-yard par 5, must cross a lake, then avoid a pot bunker in the middle of the fairway. The second shot must be played long and left to avoid pine trees on the right side of the fairway at the entrance to the green. The difficult No. 14 requires a perfect drive, and even that leaves another 200 yards over a marsh. The signature hole is the par-5 16th, 516 yards from the back tees, requiring a 3-wood off the tee to drive over a big pond. A 40-foot elevation change down, then back up, from tee to green provides a unique situation. Two practice greens, a driving range and club rental are available. A pro shop, shower facilities and a grill room are on site. A beverage cart makes the rounds on weekends and holidays. Approximate greens fees range from $38 on weekdays to $44 on weekends year round, including cart. Walking is allowed with some restrictions. Crowfield Golf & Country Club Tom Jackson and Bob Spence designed this 18-hole course in 1990 with bermudagrass greens and fairways. It's so popular that it's already hosted the South Carolina PGA Championship three times. The design takes advantage of the wetlands and forests of an 18th-century plantation. Dense hardwoods surround every hole, and the layout has rolling terrain and plentiful bunkers. Accuracy is essential on this course. The signature 7th hole is a par 5 measuring 513 yards from the back tees, and mounds are abundant. All greens are elevated, and the course offers extraordinary character and subtleties for the Lowcountry. Every hole has three or more sand traps. Practice greens, a driving range, pro shop, rental clubs, bar and restaurant are offered. If you need personalized instruction, you can get it at the driving range. Approximate cost ranges from $30 to $59, including cart. Walking is allowed during the week or after 2 PM on weekends. Dunes West Golf Club This Arthur Hills design opened in 1991 and has received national attention for its bermudagrass-covered dunes along the Cooper River, set among ancient oaks draped with Spanish moss. It's part of a residential community 10 miles northeast of Charleston. The clubhouse was built on the foundation of an old plantation house. As with all Lowcountry courses, marshland dominates Dunes West--although the swampy stuff doesn't always come into play. The course is somewhat open. High rough and copious sand cause trouble around the greens. The signature hole is the 18th, a straightforward par 4 with two different greens. A short green that plays about 420 yards sits in the marsh; the far green plays at 454 yards from the back tees and requires a shot over the marsh to the green for the second shot. Stately oaks line the right side of the fairway, and woods flank the left. Amenities include practice greens, a driving range, rental clubs, a pro shop, bar, restaurant and beverage cart. Tee times are accepted a year in advance. Fees range from $45 to $75, including cart. Walking is not allowed. Kiawah Island Kiawah is a barrier island just south of Charleston--as the crow flies. By car, it's about a 45-minute drive that loops inland and reaches the island from the west. Kiawah's developers promote their property two ways: as a retirement community and as a world-class resort. The island works extremely well both ways. Very quietly, it's also becoming a corporate retreat. Kiawah is pure coastal Lowcountry. Its dense maritime forest and dark marshes are perfect for both golf and relaxation. Its four golf courses are among the best in South Carolina. Here are just a few of the awards, accolades and prized listings Kiawah and its various courses have received over the past few years.
You get the general idea; it's without question one of the top resorts in the United States. Here's a rundown of the courses at Kiawah. Cougar Point Gary Player's course opened in 1996 on the site of the former Marsh Point. It's completely new and is a wonderful addition to the Kiawah collection. Tifdwarf greens and bermudagrass fairways offer challenge to a scratch golfer and an enjoyable round to players of all levels. Holes 4, 5 and 6 overlook the tidal marsh, and the stunning views of the Kiawah River are a real treat. The 18th is a strong finishing hole with a three-tiered green and water guarding the left side. A halfway house greets you at No. 10. Club rentals are available and there's a fully stocked pro shop. Approximate greens fees range from $80 to $125, including cart, and should be booked through the resort where you will be staying. Walking is restricted. Private or group lessons are taught. The Ocean Course Pete Dye designed this course in 1990, using tiftdwarf greens and bermudagrass fairways. The course, in classic links fashion, follows the Atlantic coastline on the eastern edge of the island. Most of the awards we listed earlier in this entry are for the Ocean Course, Pete Dye's controversial track that earned instant fame when it hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup: "The War by the Shore." It's rare for such a young course to host such and important event, but that's just another testament to the quality of this design. Perhaps the most important accolade the course has received is #1 in South Carolina from Golf Digest. That's an amazing honor when you consider all the outstanding golf courses in the Palmetto State. Everyone should play the Ocean Course at least once. It's probably the closest to Scottish links golf of just about any course in the Carolinas and this alone should justify the high greens fees--at least you don't have to pay to fly to Scotland, and the menu in the clubhouse won't include haggis or black pudding. While most true links courses are "out-and-back," the Ocean Course is laid out in two distinct loops, both beginning at the clubhouse, both wedged between the atlantic and the island's interior marshland. From the back, back tees, playing up to a whopping 7,371 yards, even the best professionals will find the course overwhelming. At least that was the case in the Ryder Cup and subsequently in 1996 and 1997 World Championships, when the likes of Nick Faldo said that the course would be impossible if the wind really blew. And the wind is a big part of what makes Kiawah so challenging. With such an exposed site, the wind can really howl out here, and even on a relatively calm day, there's usually a one-club breeze that routinely freshens after lunch. To add to the challenge, Dye crafted 18 absolutely superb golf holes out of literally nothing. Astonishingly, Dye finished the course in about a year, working furiously between Hurricane Hugo and the Ryder Cup deadline to complete this masterpiece. Much has been softened since the Cup but the course, with its wildly undulating fairways and greens, deep bunkering and massive dunes, requires nothing less than your A-plus game. If you've played a Scottish links course, like a Western Gailes, a Troon or a Machrihanish, then you'll understand how close the Ocean Course comes to the real thing. And anyone who has played the real thing will understand the severe penalties a links course can exact for missing a fairway--and that there's little that's "fair," especially in the wind. In fact, if there's anything that's slightly easier about Kiawah than a links course, it's the relative paucity of blind shots. At the Ocean Course, most of the challenges are clearly visible--so long as you keep the ball in play. On your first trip to the Island, do yourself a favor and play from the correct set of tees. And unless your last name is Woods and your first name is Tiger, that's not the tips. But even if the golf isn't going well, the scenery is superb, with half the course offering full views of the beach and ocean. The clubhouse offers a restaurant, bar, pro shop, locker rooms and plenty of golf balls. The elevated glass clubhouse overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and offers views of the golf course and practice facility. Make bookings through the resort for an all-inclusive package with every amenity. Approximate greens fees are at least $120, including cart. Fortunately, you can walk here--and you should. The course is flat, and walking will give you something closer to a true links experience. Osprey Point Tom Fazio used four lakes to challenge you on 15 holes, and moguls will determine the route of your golf ball past marshes and lagoons, sometimes into forests of pines, palmettos, magnolias and oaks. This 18-hole bermudagrass course, opened in 1988, is wider and more forgiving than the other Kiawah courses. A lot of good golfers will tell you they enjoy Osprey Point more than the Ocean Course. Strong holes include the 453-yard par 4 No. 9 and a pair of par 3s longer than 200 yards. Also, strategic short par 4s tempt the big hitters. A beautiful hole, but possibly intimidating to novices, is the 18th, which is a par 5 with Canvasback Pond stretching along its entire length. The club has a restaurant, bar, lounge, locker rooms and fully stocked pro shop. The new clubhouse is a Colonial mansion with expansive porches and decks overlooking lagoons and fairways. Five huge chimneys and copper-accented slate roof distinguish the elevated building. Approximate greens fees are more than $110, including cart. Book tee times through the resort for the best prices. No walking is allowed. Inquire about private or group lessons. Turtle Point Jack Nicklaus designed this 1981 tifdwarf grass course with a spectacular finishing hole. Two other holes along the Atlantic are also beautiful. Lagoons, oak-lined fairways, the ocean and the winds blowing off the Atlantic all contribute to the difficulty here. A keen eye and deft touch are required to master the gentle breaks of this course. Turtle Point makes most every list of top resort courses. A snack shop is found in the clubhouse. Club rentals are available in the fully stocked pro shop. Private or group lessons are offered. Approximate greens fees are more than $110, including cart, and can be booked through the resort as part of a fine package including many amenities. Walking is not allowed. Oak Point Golf Club Clyde Johnston designed this 18-hole course with fairways and greens of bermudagrass. Wildlife is prevalent on this course. Oak Point is now part of the Kiawah Island family of golf courses. Water comes into play on 16 of the 18 holes. The 3rd hole is an interesting 90-degree dogleg with an island green, measuring 367 yards from the back tees. The 11th is a good par 3 of 193 yards from the back tees with a narrow driving area flanked by water on the right and left; there's water just left of the green as well. Rental clubs, pro shop, practice green and driving range round out the amenities package. Cost is $55 year round, including cart. Walking is permitted after 2 PM. Patriots Point Links An 18-hole public course of bermudagrass just across the Cooper River bridges from Charleston into Mt. Pleasant, Patriots Point was designed by Willard Byrd and opened in 1981. The views of the ocean are amazing, as are the panoramas of Shem Creek, James Island, Patriots Point and Sullivan's Island. The wind whistling in from Charleston Harbor is a factor on most shots here, and it adds multiple dimensions to the course. The signature hole is the par 3 17th, 139 yards from the back tees, with the green stretching into the harbor itself. This is a real test for a par. Amenities include a pro shop, rental clubs, a large driving range, grill and snack bar. Group or individual instruction is provided. Patriots Point's rates vary seasonally and range from $35 on weekdays to $50 on weekends, including cart--all a great value. Walking is generally allowed except on weekends before noon. Seabrook Island This resort includes a medical center, boat docking and an equestrian center that will rent you a four-legged ride to the trail or the beach. Other resort amenities include clay tennis courts and an excellent beachfront with sailing and fishing arrangements. Babysitters are registered at Seabrook, and you can ask the front desk personnel for assistance with scheduling one. But we're here to tell you about the golf. Golf packages arranged through the resort are recommended for great family vacations. These courses are only usually available to resort guests or island residents. Amenities include a clubhouse with a large pro shop and private instruction. Walking is allowed on both courses during afternoons. Approximate greens fees are $60, and high-season rates elevate to $85, including carts. Crooked Oaks Crooked Oaks is an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Sr. course that opened in 1981. The bermudagrass course winds through the forest and the blackwater lagoons, and the greens are small. Crooked Oaks is a true Scottish-style layout in that the clubhouse is not at the turn--you play nine out and nine back, and restroom facilities are provided at the 9th hole. As you make the turn, you'll find No. 9, a 170-yard par 3 with a large bunker guarding the front left of the green. The 18th hole, a par 4 of 427 yards, requires that you carry a large body of water before reaching the fairway. Ocean Winds Ocean Winds, opened in 1973, offers 18 holes designed by Willard Byrd. The bermudagrass greens are large, the layout is flat, and the breeze at this oceanside course is prevalent (hence its name). Only five holes on Ocean Winds do not have water in some form. The 3rd is a 516-yard straightaway par 5, and you must avoid the sand flanking the entire right side of the green. The 6th hole is another par 5, with water bordering the entire left side of the fairway, so play to the right. Also be aware of the bunker on the left side of the green. Shadowmoss Plantation Russell Breeden designed this course with bermudagrass greens and fairways. It opened in 1970 and was extensively renovated in 1986 with the addition of several water hazards. Beware of the par-5 8th hole, 533 yards from the back tees, with water lining both sides of the fairway and cutting across the path of your second shot. It's a dogleg right with bunkers surrounding the green. The two par 3s on the back are tough as well. Water hazards are primarily off to the side, and they don't come into play if your ball is anywhere near where it should be. A pro shop, locker room, bar, snack bar, beverage cart, club rental, driving range and practice green make your golfing experience complete. Tennis courts and a swimming pool plus a meeting room are available for a business trip combined with your golf. Approximate greens fees are $26 during the week, $33 on weekends; during the spring and fall seasons, fees increase to $30 and $35, including cart. Walking is allowed Monday through Friday only. Wild Dunes Just a 20-minute drive east of Charleston on the northeastern tip of the Isle of Palms lies this dense resort that features two championship 18-hole courses designed by Tom Fazio. It's also a top-rated tennis resort, and the white, sandy beach runs for more than 2 miles. A fitness center, marina and 20 pools (no, that's not a typo) round out the resort amenities. The drive over the causeway to the isle--the new connector to which you will hear locals refer--is a prelude to the treats that await you on this tropical paradise. You can really feel the transition into modern-day resort mode as you drive onto the isle and leave behind any ideas of historical tours or city traffic. Villas and homes for vacation rental have views of the golf course, the ocean, woods or marsh. The Harbor Course A target golf course, Harbor involves water or marsh on 17 holes and is peppered with heavy bunkering. Fazio claims this 1986 bermudagrass course is one of his favorites. There are 8 holes out and 10 in. Instead of a clubhouse at the finish, a halfway house is located in the middle of everything between the 4th and 5th holes as well as between the 12th and 13th. Bermudagrass greens and fairways are popular. The signature 17th is a 460-yard par 4 that traverses the marsh at Morgan Creek. Marshland and water are intertwined on this winding course. As the yardage indicates, the course is shorter than some, but it's by no means easier. The numerous hazards mean you have to keep your ball straight. Practice greens, club rental, a pro shop, bar, deli and pizzeria add to the pleasant atmosphere. Rates range from $40 during off-season afternoons to $85 during spring and fall, including cart. Walking is restricted. The Links Course This bermudagrass course opened in 1980 to critical acclaim. In fact, it's probably the course that launched the superstardom of Tom Fazio, now recognized as the country's top golf course architect. Fazio's career would probably have taken off anyway, such is the man's talent, but here's where he got hot. Based on early photos of the course, the Links Course has changed quite dramatically. Wild Dunes was Hugo ground zero and the hurricane vacuumed away much of the dense maritime forest that surrounded portions of the course when it was built. Then developers lined many of the fairways with condominiums and, in the case of the 17th and 18th fairways, built somewhat obnoxious faux-downtown-Charleston homes that look completely out of place. Despite the proximity of housing, the course is still one of the best in the Charleston area. The front nine begins with a friendly 501-yard par 5 that usually plays downwind and thus provides an early birdie opportunity. The rest of the front is mostly flat, the highlight being another par 5, the 5th, with its green set behind two prominent dunes. After a rousing hot dog at the turn, the best and perhaps toughest stretch on the course begins with the 300-yard 10th, a short uphill par 4 with a turtleback fairway. Despite the lack of length here, par is a solid score. The 11th is a moderate length par 4 with a shallow and severely undulating green. The 12th is a superb par 3, about 180 yards downhill from a raised tee to a long green set in a hollow. The more muscular 13th, at well over 400 yards from the tips, requires an accurate drive to the righthand side of the fairway; from there, anything that misses the green may find waste bunkers. The final three holes head towards the beach, with the final par 5 provides a birdie opportunity for anyone who manages to find the correct side of the most undulating green on the course. With this and subsequent courses, Fazio established his reputation for building fun golf layouts that offer a wide variety of holes. If you're in the Charleston area, make sure you play this fine course. There's a driving range and practice green plus a pro shop, locker room, club rental, full restaurant and bar. Fees range from $60 to $120, including cart. Summer afternoons are the cheapest times to play--maybe hot but often with some ocean breeze. Walking is allowed.
|
Top 50 Golf Resorts in the
World--Condé Nast Traveler