Kiawah - 5 Round Breakdown

[Roger Tufts]

Hey all,


Headed to Kiawah Island in February for a wedding, staying at the Sanctuary for 3 nights. I'm looking for a breakdown from those in-the-know about how they might break down 5 rounds on the island / in the area. I'm hoping to play Thursday afternoon, Friday x2, Saturday morning, and Sunday noontime.


I'm fairly certain we have a round at The Ocean Course lined up morning-of (Sat), and we might also try to play it as the 2nd round on Friday to take advantage of a replay rate offer. That might rule out another round there, so I'm looking to see what others think I should do with the other 3 rounds.


Might have a possible way on Yeamans, which would be a treat at only an hour away. We might also have a connection at Kiawah Island Club, but that would likely be one round on the Cassique.


Thoughts? Other threads I've found have been helpful, but are also ~5 years old. Anything helps, this is my first time down there.


-Roger

[PCCraig]

Roger,


I make it down to Kiawah a fair amount as my in-laws have a place on the island. If you've never been you will certainly enjoy yourself. In addition to the golf, I would make a point to spend some time in Charleston which is an incredible city and one of my favorite places anywhere. If you want a few recommendations on places to go downtown let me know.


As for the golf on and near the island, here is what I would recommend:


The Ocean Course is the best of any of the courses in or around Charleston. Sounds like you have one round already set up, but if you can manage a replay I would try to do that. Personally, I would play an extra round at TOC at the expense of a round at any of the other public resort courses.


Of the public, non Ocean Course, courses, I think I like Cougar Point (Gary Player) the best. All of the courses there are essentially residential courses, with homes lining the holes, but I find Cougar Point to be the most interesting of the bunch. Turtle Point and Osprey Point are fine courses, but can get expensive if not included in some sort of package deal with the hotel.


Sounds like you're set up with a round at Cassique at the Kiawah Island Club. I really like Cassique a lot and I enjoy it more and more each time I play it. There are some great holes there and I think you'll enjoy it alot. I like it a little better than The River Course (which I think is closed now for renovations, anyway).


Both Yeamans and CC of Charleston are worth a round if you can get access. Neither are really all that far from the Sanctuary (maybe an hour door to door), and I would play at either over any of the daily resort options on the island (not including TOC).


You might want to inquire about Briar's Creek, which is just off the island and is a private Rees Jones course. It's a pretty neat, low-key, experience and I think the golf course is pretty solid.


Also, a fun option is also "The Muni" in Charleston. It's only ~$20 but it is a lot of fun and a total throwback. Some say that Raynor helped design a bunch of the holes when in town building Yeamans and the CC. If you want to squeeze in an extra round at a low cost, it's not a terrible option. It's a fun low country golf course.


Hopefully that helps.

[Mac Plumart]

Pats answer is solid. I haven't played CC of Charleston, however, so bear that in mind.

If you can play Yeamans jump on that chance. Otherwise, when I go I play The Ocean course as much as I can. It is that good.

[Bill_McBride]

How far is it to Chechessee Creek?   Not sure if the renovations are done, but what a cool low country course that is!

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Secession is about an hours drive and well worth the drive if you can get access.

[Brad Tufts]

I think Chechessee is a bit too far....maps says 1h, 50m because you have to go inland to Rte. 17.


As Rog knows, CCC is my only real experience in that neck of the wape.

[Criss Titschinger]

Personally, I would play an extra round at TOC at the expense of a round at any of the other public resort courses.


Of the public, non Ocean Course, courses, I think I like Cougar Point (Gary Player) the best. All of the courses there are essentially residential courses, with homes lining the holes, but I find Cougar Point to be the most interesting of the bunch. Turtle Point and Osprey Point are fine courses, but can get expensive if not included in some sort of package deal with the hotel.

Roger, I would second this. Cougar Point was also my favorite of the non-TOC courses, followed by Turtle, Osprey and Oak. Although improvements have been made to Oak Point since I was there last (12 years), it's not really worth the play. Turtle Point has 3 holes on the ocean, but I don't think it's worth the rack rate. I would rather play a replay on TOC for around the same cost.

Sadly, it was too early into my golfing career to attempt TOC, and I haven't been back to Kiawah since. Hoping sometime soon.

[Roger Tufts]

Thanks for the responses so far, everyone. Great stuff.


We should be able to play at least two rounds at The Ocean Course, on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. We were hoping to to advantage of the replay rate on Friday by playing another Kiawah Resort course that morning.


I'll look into the others off the island, too. Keep 'em coming! The more info I am armed with, the better.

[PCCraig]

Secession is about an hours drive and well worth the drive if you can get access.

It would be closer to 2 hours drive from the Sanctuary. 4 hours is a lot of driving in one day when you're already on Kiawah and so close to Charleston, in my opinion. You would be better off sitting at a bar eating shrimp and drinking beers for an afternoon than sitting in the car that long.

[Roger Tufts]

It would be closer to 2 hours drive from the Sanctuary. 4 hours is a lot of driving in one day when you're already on Kiawah and so close to Charleston, in my opinion. You would be better off sitting at a bar eating shrimp and drinking beers for an afternoon than sitting in the car that long.

Agreed. With this weekend being a wedding and all, I don't think we're looking to stray that far from the resort. Yeamans would be the farthest we'd go, I think.

[Jason Topp]

Personally, I would play an extra round at TOC at the expense of a round at any of the other public resort courses.


Of the public, non Ocean Course, courses, I think I like Cougar Point (Gary Player) the best. All of the courses there are essentially residential courses, with homes lining the holes, but I find Cougar Point to be the most interesting of the bunch. Turtle Point and Osprey Point are fine courses, but can get expensive if not included in some sort of package deal with the hotel.

Roger, I would second this. Cougar Point was also my favorite of the non-TOC courses, followed by Turtle, Osprey and Oak. Although improvements have been made to Oak Point since I was there last (12 years), it's not really worth the play. Turtle Point has 3 holes on the ocean, but I don't think it's worth the rack rate. I would rather play a replay on TOC for around the same cost.

Sadly, it was too early into my golfing career to attempt TOC, and I haven't been back to Kiawah since. Hoping sometime soon.

I would third this viewpoint.  The Player course is a bit goofy but was my favorite as well.   I had understood it to be the least desireable of the courses we played to expectations may have played a role.

[Bill Seitz]

We were down there last February and played Ocean x2, Turtle Point, and Cougar Point.  Of those three, I think I'd fake an illness before playing Turtle Point again.  It was terrible.  It may actually be one of the worst golf courses I've ever played, and that's before taking value into account.   Turtle's big selling point are the holes on the ocean, maybe one of which is any good, and none of which has an actual view of the ocean, despite being about 100 feet away.  In summary, I don't particularly care for Turtle Point.
 
Cougar Point was actually pretty decent, but I'm not sure if that's because it was actually a good golf course, or because I was still shell shocked from playing Turtle Point, at which time any other golf course would have come as sweet relief. I'd probably play it again, though.

We were told that Osprey Point might be the best non-Ocean resort course in terms of scenery and wildlife, but they had just re-done the greens and there supposedly cement-like at that time, so we played Cougar instead. 

[Bill Crane]

Depending on where you are and the lights, it is about 1 hr 45 minutes to Chechessee. Well worth it - play 27 holes and dinner at club (good food) or stop in Beaufort on the way back.
We liked Cassique two years ago when in Charleston, and have played Yeamans the last 3 years in a row.  Yeamans is awesome, the Land that Time Forgot, especially if you like Raynor and GCA.
 
Note that if you play Yeamans unaccompanied, they charge a significantly higher greens fee.
 
I have read comments about Yeamans being flat, but I think it is pretty hilly by low country standards were it is really flat.
 
Wm Flynnfan

[Mac Plumart]

We were down there last February and played Ocean x2, Turtle Point, and Cougar Point.  Of those three, I think I'd fake an illness before playing Turtle Point again.  It was terrible.  It may actually be one of the worst golf courses I've ever played, and that's before taking value into account.   Turtle's big selling point are the holes on the ocean, maybe one of which is any good, and none of which has an actual view of the ocean, despite being about 100 feet away.  In summary, I don't particularly care for Turtle Point.I'd probably play it again, though. 
 
Cougar Point was actually pretty decent, but I'm not sure if that's because it was actually a good golf course, or because I was still shell shocked from playing Turtle Point, at which time any other golf course would have come as sweet relief.

We were told that Osprey Point might be the best non-Ocean resort course in terms of scenery and wildlife, but they had just re-done the greens and there supposedly cement-like at that time, so we played Cougar instead. 

I agree with a lot of this sentiment.  Of the public/resort courses at Kiawah, I only play The Ocean course now as the others are just not that good...and compared to The Ocean Course they are not even close to being in the same league.

[Mike Hendren]

Highly recommend the Fat Hen on John's Island for dinner.
 
Recommend The Ocean Course but I'm afraid to admit that I was slightly underwhelmed (There I go again, Barney).  Perhaps a separate thread is in order. 
 
Bogey

[Howard Riefs]

We were down there last February and played Ocean x2, Turtle Point, and Cougar Point.  Of those three, I think I'd fake an illness before playing Turtle Point again.  It was terrible.  It may actually be one of the worst golf courses I've ever played, and that's before taking value into account.   Turtle's big selling point are the holes on the ocean, maybe one of which is any good, and none of which has an actual view of the ocean, despite being about 100 feet away.  In summary, I don't particularly care for Turtle Point.
 
Cougar Point was actually pretty decent, but I'm not sure if that's because it was actually a good golf course, or because I was still shell shocked from playing Turtle Point, at which time any other golf course would have come as sweet relief. I'd probably play it again, though.

We were told that Osprey Point might be the best non-Ocean resort course in terms of scenery and wildlife, but they had just re-done the greens and there supposedly cement-like at that time, so we played Cougar instead. 

Agree with this assessment as I was on that trip. Boy, Turtle Point was bad...

As for Charleston restaurants, this list should have you covered: 
http://charleston.eater.com/maps/best-charleston-restaurants-18

I'm a huge fan of Husk, Hominy Grill and McGrady's. Bowens Island is also a fun experience for oysters. Agree with Bogey that the Fat Hen is quite good, too, and a great option if you don't want to drive into Charleston.

[astavrides]

2 hr 40 min from Ocean Course clubhouse to Harbor Town clubhouse.

[Jerry Kluger]

Cassique is really good and walking it with a caddie is great fun - sliders and drinks after 16 are outstanding and you have to check  out the men's locker room - what a man cave. I have heard they improved Osprey and Cougar does have some really good holes.

[Mike Tanner]

Roger,
I would definitely play the Ocean Course twice. You'll want another crack at it after your first round. Cougar (the first course opened at the resort) is right much fun. Osprey is a pretty generic Fazio. Haven't played Turtle, Oak or Cassique. If I had the opportunity to play Yeamans, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[PCCraig]

Cassique is really good and walking it with a caddie is great fun - sliders and drinks after 16 are outstanding and you have to check  out the men's locker room - what a man cave. I have heard they improved Osprey and Cougar does have some really good holes.

Jerry,


Cassique's men's locker room is solid, but have you been in the "new" locker room at The River Course's new clubhouse? It's insane...perhaps one of the coolest men's locker rooms anywhere:

[Jerry Kluger]

I was at the River Club as well but I didn't want to tease him since he said he was playing Cassique - I would be afraid that if I was a member I would never go home.

[Matt MacIver]

Agree on two min. at TOC.  Cassique and River next.  Big big gap between all the others. If you're willing to drive to Yeaman's, consider Bulls Bay just up the road. Enjoy.

[Will Spivey]

Agree on two min. at TOC.  Cassique and River next.  Big big gap between all the others. If you're willing to drive to Yeaman's, consider Bulls Bay just up the road. Enjoy.

I have been to Kiawah probably 20 times -- you'll have a great visit.  The Sanctuary is an all-world property.


As for golf, as everyone else has said, TOC is way above the others -- not even close.  After that Matt's got it right, Cassique then River (if you can get access).  On the resort side, after TOC, I would say Cougar, Osprey then nothing.  Turtle Point is as bad as others have mentioned, and Oak Point (which is outside the gates of the resort) is so bad that I can't believe the resort even keeps it.  Kiawah Island Resort is one of the most beautiful and relaxing places I've ever been.  They do EVERYTHING right.  Except Oak Point!


PM me if you have questions about anything else on the island.

[Mike Hendren]

I'd take one round at Yeamans Hall over any combination of 5 rounds elsewhere.  Sublime is an understatement.  It is therapeutic golf course architecture.
 
Bogey

[Tim Gavrich]

Bulls Bay is a good call. Tremendous fun.

In Charleston, have a drink at least at The Gin Joint. My favorite evening place there. And Jestine's Kitchen is amazing for lunch.