Kiawah Island – Ocean Course
Plan your round at Kiawah Island – Ocean Course
The Ocean Course is a Pete and Alice Dye design that opened in 1991 on the eastern tip of Kiawah Island, South Carolina, and hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup and the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships. Raised above the dunes for ocean views, it has holes along the Atlantic, and the wind can change the club you need by several clubs from one round to the next. It plays to par 72 and 7,385 yards from the Black tees (77.4 rating, 153 slope).
- Resort
- 18 holes
- Par 72
- Designed by Pete Dye and Alice Dye
- Opened 1991
Course strategy
Read the card before you play it
Hole by hole
Walk the course
Hole 1
365
yds ·Silver
An open, forgiving opener with the green at ground level, a gentle start before the wind and marsh come into play.
Hole 2
495
yds ·Silver
A long par 5 with two marsh crossings, so it rewards a decision on how much to bite off. The green is long and narrow.
Hole 3
308
yds ·Silver
A wide fairway leads to an elevated, tabletop green beside the marsh, so a short or loose approach is punished.
Hole 4
396
yds ·Silver
The stroke-index 1 hole and the toughest on the front nine. A long, well-placed drive is needed to have a decent approach.
Hole 5
165
yds ·Silver
A par 3 to a large hourglass-shaped green. There is a bailout area to the right.
Hole 6
342
yds ·Silver
Aim the drive at the center oak. The green is deep and narrow.
Hole 7
491
yds ·Silver
The wind largely decides how to play this par 5 off the tee. The fairway is wide and the green is contoured.
Hole 8
166
yds ·Silver
A short par 3 to an elevated green, where the pin position matters a lot.
Hole 9
394
yds ·Silver
A wide, sloping fairway and an offset green make the approach angle important.
Hole 10
368
yds ·Silver
The tee is elevated over the dunes, and the green is set down among the dunes.
Hole 11
503
yds ·Silver
A par 5 that calls for an accurate layup, followed by a pitch to a green in the dunes. Annika Sorenstam lost a 1998 Shell Wonderful World of Golf match here.
Hole 12
408
yds ·Silver
The widest fairway on the course, but the approach is narrow and downhill.
Hole 13
364
yds ·Silver
A canal runs along the right side. There are two tee options.
Hole 14
161
yds ·Silver
A par 3 with ocean views to an exposed, elevated green. Wind is the main factor in club choice.
Hole 15
368
yds ·Silver
A straightforward par 4 with two championship tee positions. One of the easier holes on the back nine.
Hole 16
479
yds ·Silver
A par 5 that can offer a birdie chance when played downwind. Deep sand sits left of the green.
Hole 17
159
yds ·Silver
A par 3 with a carry over water. Pete Dye named it his favorite hole on the course.
Hole 18
424
yds ·Silver
The finishing hole, with the drive hugging the right side. Dye's advice is to play it left to right.
ScorecardView the full scorecard
Distances in yards
| Hole | Par | Hcp | Black | Gold | Silver | Blue | Red |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 15 | 396 | 371 | 365 | 354 | 303 |
| 2 | 5 | 3 | 543 | 520 | 495 | 480 | 410 |
| 3 | 4 | 9 | 384 | 363 | 308 | 292 | 254 |
| 4 | 4 | 1 | 451 | 430 | 396 | 384 | 328 |
| 5 | 3 | 11 | 207 | 185 | 165 | 155 | 117 |
| 6 | 4 | 13 | 455 | 382 | 342 | 331 | 299 |
| 7 | 5 | 7 | 527 | 505 | 491 | 465 | 437 |
| 8 | 3 | 17 | 198 | 180 | 166 | 140 | 105 |
| 9 | 4 | 5 | 464 | 415 | 394 | 380 | 344 |
| Out | 36 | 3,625 | 3,351 | 3,122 | 2,981 | 2,597 | |
| 10 | 4 | 16 | 439 | 388 | 368 | 341 | 310 |
| 11 | 5 | 8 | 562 | 521 | 503 | 461 | 407 |
| 12 | 4 | 10 | 466 | 420 | 408 | 393 | 326 |
| 13 | 4 | 2 | 399 | 371 | 364 | 327 | 312 |
| 14 | 3 | 14 | 194 | 171 | 161 | 151 | 132 |
| 15 | 4 | 18 | 416 | 387 | 368 | 347 | 306 |
| 16 | 5 | 4 | 577 | 548 | 479 | 472 | 392 |
| 17 | 3 | 12 | 223 | 197 | 159 | 136 | 122 |
| 18 | 4 | 6 | 484 | 439 | 424 | 396 | 322 |
| In | 36 | 3,760 | 3,442 | 3,234 | 3,024 | 2,629 | |
| Total | 72 | 7,385 | 6,793 | 6,356 | 6,005 | 5,226 | |
| Rating / Slope | 77.4 / 153 | 74.7 / 150 | 72.1 / 140 | 70.5 / 131 | — | ||
| Women's rating / slope | — | — | 78.9 / 151 | 76.9 / 147 | 72.6 / 130 | ||
Before you go
Everything to know on arrival
Know before you go
- Book early for spring and fall; non-guests can book up to 60 days ahead.
- Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your tee time.
- Expect a walking round, or carts only after 10am in June to August with a forecaddie.
- Caddies are free to request, with a suggested gratuity; call (843) 266-4670.
- Dress code: no denim, athletic shorts, or sleeveless shirts without collars.
- Reserve rental clubs when booking; shoes are not rented.
- Practice balls are included before your round; range use alone costs extra.
- Bring wind layers and sun protection; the course is exposed to the Atlantic.
- Play ready golf; the Ocean Course expects you to keep pace.
- Stay clear of the dunes and natural vegetation, and keep carts out of them.
Arrival & check-in
Plan to arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your tee time to drop off clubs, park, change, check in at the pro shop, visit the practice area and meet the starter. The golf shop is open daily from 7am until sunset, with seasonal changes.
Dress code
Proper attire is required, and the golf staff have discretion. Denim, shorts more than 5 inches above the knee, bathing suits, athletic-style shorts and sleeveless shirts without collars are not allowed. Tennis shoes are acceptable if you do not have golf shoes.
Carts & walking
The Ocean Course is walking only, except in June, July and August, when carts are allowed after 10am and a forecaddie is required for anyone riding. Walking is permitted at all five Kiawah courses at any time. Walking caddies and forecaddies are available at the Ocean Course and are recommended; there is no caddie fee, but a gratuity is suggested. Pull carts are allowed but not rented, and medical carts need a government-issued placard or a doctor's letter. Call the golf shop to arrange a caddie.
Practice facilities
Practice balls are included before your round, and the practice greens are free. The driving range can also be used without a round, for a fee. The Tommy Cuthbert Golf Learning Center at Turtle Point offers private and semi-private lessons, summer clinics for adults and juniors, and golf schools; call (843) 266-4030 to book.
Rentals & pro shop
Titleist rental sets (men's and women's, left- and right-handed) are available for 18 or 9 holes, with Titleist logo balls included, and junior sets are available in several sizes. Reserve rentals when you book your tee time. Shoe rentals are not offered. The Ocean Course pro shop (about 1,700 square feet) sells apparel, bags, balls and gear, and the resort offers club shipping through ShipSticks.
Food & drink
The Ocean Course clubhouse has the Atlantic Room, the resort's seafood restaurant, and the Ryder Cup Bar for a post-round drink, with an outdoor porch near the ocean. Check with the golf shop on halfway-house and on-course food options.
Pace of play
The resort asks players to play ready golf and keep pace with the group in front. Tee times hold a maximum of four players, and singles and twosomes may be paired with other golfers to keep the pace consistent.
Policies
The resort's golf is open to the public, and resort guests get discounts. Guests with a confirmed reservation can book for their whole stay, while non-guests can book up to 60 days ahead. For groups under 12 golfers, tee times can be cancelled up to 48 hours ahead without penalty. If weather stops you from finishing, the resort gives a gift card prorated by the holes completed, usable for golf or any resort purchase. Spring and fall are the busiest seasons, so book early. Stay-and-play packages and Ocean Course Cottages are available through the resort.
Quick answers
Kiawah Island – Ocean Course at a glance
Is Kiawah Island – Ocean Course open to the public?
Kiawah Island – Ocean Course is a resort course — check with the course for who can book tee times.
How many holes does Kiawah Island – Ocean Course have, and what's the par?
Kiawah Island – Ocean Course has 18 holes and plays to a par of 72, from 5,226 to 7,385 yards depending on the tees.
Who designed Kiawah Island – Ocean Course?
Kiawah Island – Ocean Course was designed by Pete Dye and Alice Dye and opened in 1991.
What's the dress code at Kiawah Island – Ocean Course?
Proper attire is required, and the golf staff have discretion. Denim, shorts more than 5 inches above the knee, bathing suits, athletic-style shorts and sleeveless shirts without collars are not allowed.
What are the cart and walking rules at Kiawah Island – Ocean Course?
The Ocean Course is walking only, except in June, July and August, when carts are allowed after 10am and a forecaddie is required for anyone riding. Walking is permitted at all five Kiawah courses at any time.
What practice facilities does Kiawah Island – Ocean Course have?
Practice balls are included before your round, and the practice greens are free. The driving range can also be used without a round, for a fee.
What's the pace of play at Kiawah Island – Ocean Course?
The resort asks players to play ready golf and keep pace with the group in front. Tee times hold a maximum of four players, and singles and twosomes may be paired with other golfers to keep the pace consistent.
What food and drink does Kiawah Island – Ocean Course have?
The Ocean Course clubhouse has the Atlantic Room, the resort's seafood restaurant, and the Ryder Cup Bar for a post-round drink, with an outdoor porch near the ocean. Check with the golf shop on halfway-house and on-course food options.
How do you book a tee time at Kiawah Island – Ocean Course?
Book online through the course's tee-time page, or call (843) 266-4670.
Where is Kiawah Island – Ocean Course?
Kiawah Island – Ocean Course is at 1000 Ocean Course Dr, Kiawah Island, SC 29455.
Info last reviewed October 22, 2026. Policies change — confirm with the course before your round.
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