South Carolina is famous for its southern hospitality and stunning landscapes, making it a top destination for golfers with numerous top-notch courses. Each golf course in South Carolina has its own story, from the sandy shores of Hilton Head Island to the lush Lowcountry surroundings. Join us on a journey through some of the top golf courses, where we’ll delve into their designs, key features, and why they are a must-visit for golf enthusiasts.
Best Golf Courses in South Carolina
Harbour Town Golf Links - Hilton Head Island
During the late 1960s, Jack Nicklaus secured the design contract for Harbour Town. He later passed it on to his new partner, Pete Dye, who aimed to set his work apart from that of competitor Robert Trent Jones. Shortly after Harbour Town opened in late November 1969 (with Arnold Palmer winning the Heritage Classic), the course was featured on America’s 100 Greatest list as one of the Top 10. This marked a significant change for golf during that period.
- Location: Hilton Head Island
- Design: Pete Dye in collaboration with Jack Nicklaus.
- Highlights:
- Harbour Town, home to the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage, is a stunning sight with its famous lighthouse standing tall by the 18th green.
- Famous for its narrow fairways, small greens, and well-placed bunkers, offering a challenging yet scenic round.
- The 18th hole, bordered by the Calibogue Sound, is known as one of the most iconic finishing holes in golf.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort - The Ocean Course
Regarded as the inaugural course created for a particular occasion—the 1991 Ryder Cup—this layout that combines linksland with lagoons could be one of Pete Dye’s most cunning designs. Each hole is surrounded by sawgrass, each green features challenging slopes, and each bunker blends into adjacent sand dunes. Stretching along almost three miles of ocean coastline, Dye followed his wife’s suggestion and positioned fairways and greens to provide golfers with views of the Atlantic surf.
- Location: Kiawah Island
- Design: Pete Dye, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup and 2012 PGA Championship.
- Highlights:
- The Ocean Course provides breathtaking ocean vistas and tricky winds, creating a challenging experience that tests both skill and strategy.
- Renowned for hosting the “War on the Shore” Ryder Cup, cementing its status as a top course on the East Coast.
- The par-3 17th hole, famously called the “Island Green,” presents a visually striking challenge against the backdrop of the vast Atlantic Ocean.
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club - Pawleys Island
Strantz’s inaugural solo design in 1994 was Caledonia, showcasing his creativity on this golf-only property near Pawley’s Island. The design is structured and organized, winding smoothly through the dense tree canopy and incorporating traditional hole strategies towards sloped greens. Hints of Pete Dye’s influence are evident, with a touch of quirkiness hinting at a deeper, more experimental approach.
- Location: Pawleys Island
- Design: Mike Strantz
- Highlights:
- Caledonia combines Lowcountry charm with a layout that meanders through live oak trees and scenic marshland.
- Providing a strategic yet enjoyable experience, the course showcases well-maintained fairways and demanding greens.
- The 18th hole, a par-4 featuring water hazards and bunkers, offers an exciting conclusion to a round that is already unforgettable.
The Links at Wild Dunes - Isle of Palms
Set on the Isle of Palms in South Carolina, the Wild Dunes Resort offers a variety of condos, townhouses, and homes to accommodate groups of any size. With stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and endless white sand beaches, there are plenty of activities to enjoy during a trip to Wild Dunes. Enjoy bike rentals, tennis, and a spa right at the resort, with the charming city of Charleston just a short drive away for more activities.
- Location: Isle of Palms
- Design: Tom Fazio
- Highlights:
- Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, The Links Course provides breathtaking coastal views and a demanding layout.
- Fazio’s design includes natural dunes, providing an authentic seaside golfing experience.
- The 9th and 18th holes provide golfers with a stunning ocean view to conclude their round.
Tidewater Golf Club - North Myrtle Beach
When Ken Tomlinson decided to construct this Grand Strand course, he drew inspiration from renowned designs like Merion and Pine Valley. The architect wanted to ensure that his venue would harmonize seamlessly with its natural surroundings. Tidewater sits atop a peninsula, with the golf course nestled between the tidal marsh and forest lands in North Myrtle Beach.
- Location: North Myrtle Beach
- Design: Ken Tomlinson and Rees Jones
- Highlights:
- Tidewater is well-known for its picturesque design, blending tidal marshes, maritime forests, and the Intracoastal Waterway.
- This course offers elevation changes, which are a distinctive aspect of a coastal course, giving golfers a varied playing experience.
- The par-3 12th hole, with its island green, is a standout challenge set amidst stunning natural beauty.
Ocean Creek Golf Club - Fripp Island
- Location: Fripp Island
- Design: Davis Love III
- Highlights:
- Ocean Creek Golf Club, designed by Davis Love III, offers stunning views of tidal marshes and dense maritime forests.
- The design includes well-placed bunkers and water obstacles, offering a good mix of difficulty and enjoyment.
- The 15th hole, located by the marsh, is a beautiful and demanding feature.
Secession Golf Club - Beaufort
Pete Dye and his son P.B. initially worked on the early routing of Secession. However, they left due to a dispute with the developer. Bruce Devlin, a PGA Tour veteran who had designed courses with Robert von Hagge before, took over and completed the project in line with the prevailing Dye philosophy of low profile architecture. The greens were positioned at ground level, shielded by small mounds and pot bunkers with stacked-sod faces.
- Location: Beaufort
- Design: Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge
- Highlights:
- Secession Golf Club is recognized for its intricate layout and exceptional maintenance.
- The course follows the path of the Morgan River, providing beautiful Lowcountry scenery.
- The rolling fairways and well-placed bunkers offer a top-notch golfing experience for its privileged members.
Check this: Best Golf Courses in Highlands: Locations, Designs and Course Highlights Details
Conclusion
South Carolina is a popular destination for golfers due to its southern hospitality and stunning landscapes. Top golf courses in the state include Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, designed by Pete Dye in collaboration with Jack Nicklaus, which was featured on America’s 100 Greatest list in 1969. The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, designed by Pete Dye, offers breathtaking ocean vistas and tricky winds, making it a top course on the East Coast. Caledonia Golf & Fish Club on Pawleys Island showcases Dye’s creativity with a well-maintained layout and challenging greens.
Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and white sand beaches, while Tidewater Golf Club in North Myrtle Beach is known for its picturesque design. Ocean Creek Golf Club on Fripp Island offers stunning views of tidal marshes and dense maritime forests, while Secession Golf Club in Beaufort follows the path of the Morgan River, providing beautiful Lowcountry scenery.
