Ocean Course
at The Villas at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Charleston & Kiawah Island, USA
The Ocean Course overview
The Ocean Course is one of Pete Dye’s greatest golf course designs. Originally built for the 1991 Ryder Cup labelled ‘The War on the Shore,’ the Ocean Course is one of the best golf courses in the world.
Located on the eastern-most end of Kiawah Island, the Ocean Course has 10 holes that hug the Atlantic Ocean, with the other 8 running parallel to those. Measuring over 7300 yards from the back tees with a selection of 5 tee boxes, this demanding golf course is protected by unpredictable breezes that can cause a multiple club difference from one round to the next.
The sloping greens play firm and fast with a lot of undulation and players will need to be wary of waste areas and strategically located bunkers. Regularly rated by Golf Digest in the top-10 in the US, the Ocean Course is undoubtedly one of the finest you can play.
Signature Holes
The signature hole on Pete Dye’s famous Ocean Course is the daunting par-3 17th. At 221 yards from the back tees, a vast stretch of water to carry before the green and the Atlantic Ocean bringing in a strong sea breeze from the right, this is as challenging as it gets. Hitting the green and walking away with a par feels like a big victory.
Did You Know?
Although Pete Dye is the accredited designer, his wife Alice played her part. Originally, the course was to sit sheltered behind the sand dunes. However, it was Alice that suggested raising it to give a view of the coastline from every hole.
Accommodation near Ocean Course
The Villas at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
The Villas at Kiawah Island offer a wide selection of one to four-bedroom options. With five golf courses on property including the famous Ocean Course it’s a must-visit for all discerning golfers.