Ranking Kiawah Island Golf Courses From Best to Worst
Kiawah Island, South Carolina, is one of the premier golf destinations in the world. With five resort courses (plus the private Cassique and River Course), it offers everything from world-famous championship tests to fun, scenic resort rounds.
If you’re planning a trip and wondering which Kiawah courses are worth your time (and green fees), here’s my personal ranking of the Kiawah Island Resort courses, from best to worst.
1. The Ocean Course 🌊 – Legendary, Scenic, and Brutal
Simply put, The Ocean Course is one of the most iconic golf courses in the world. Designed by Pete Dye and made famous during the 1991 Ryder Cup and 2021 PGA Championship, it’s as scenic as it is demanding.
Pros: Ocean views on nearly every hole, championship pedigree, bucket-list experience.
Cons: Extremely tough (bring extra balls and patience), high green fees.
👉 Verdict: A must-play once in your life, even if it beats you up.
2. Osprey Point – The People’s Favorite
Designed by Tom Fazio, Osprey Point is often considered the most fun of the Kiawah resort courses. With wide fairways, natural lagoons, and beautiful Lowcountry scenery, it delivers challenge without the brutality of the Ocean Course.
👉 Verdict: The course you’ll want to play again and again.
3. Turtle Point – Narrow and Demanding
Jack Nicklaus designed Turtle Point to be a strategic test. Narrow fairways, smaller greens, and plenty of hazards make it a thinking golfer’s course. It also features some holes with beautiful ocean views, giving it extra appeal.
👉 Verdict: Tough but scenic, a solid addition to a Kiawah trip.
4. Oak Point – Scenic but Standard
Clyde Johnston’s Oak Point doesn’t get the same hype as the others, but it still offers a pleasant resort round. Marshland holes provide great views, though overall the course feels more conventional compared to the drama of the top three.
👉 Verdict: Good conditions and scenery, but not essential.
5. Cougar Point – The Weakest of the Resort
Gary Player’s Cougar Point has some fun holes, but its proximity to the main road hurts the atmosphere. While it’s playable and in decent shape, it lacks the memorable design and environment of Kiawah’s other courses.
👉 Verdict: Playable, but the least compelling Kiawah experience.
Final Ranking Recap
The Ocean Course – Iconic, bucket-list, brutally tough
Osprey Point – Beautiful, fun, and playable
Turtle Point – Strategic, narrow, and scenic
Oak Point – Scenic, but more conventional
Cougar Point – Solid, but lowest-ranked experience
Planning Your Kiawah Trip
If you’re only playing one course: splurge for the Ocean Course.
If you’re playing two: pair it with Osprey Point for the perfect balance of challenge and fun.
If you’re doing a full trip: Turtle Point and Oak Point are nice complements, with Cougar Point as a last add-on.
