Kiawah Island on South Carolina's coast is one of those places that just works for a proper golf trip: five courses on one island, Atlantic views on tap and a resort set-up that makes multi-round days feel straightforward.
The big draw, needless to say, is Pete Dye's Ocean Course. It's hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2021, and it plays exactly how you'd expect from the TV shots: exposed, demanding and brilliant when the wind gets up. I'll admit it, I'm a bit of a course nerd, so the fact it's hosted those big-stage events does matter. You feel that pedigree the moment the wind gets involved.
But the real strength here is that you can follow it with something completely different without changing base. Tom Fazio's Osprey Point gives you a contrasting test away from the beachfront, while Turtle Point and Oak Point lean into marshland, live oaks and the kind of risk-reward angles you'll still be talking about over dinner. Each course has its own character, so if you're planning a week's rota you won't feel like you're repeating yourself.
Off the course, you've got beach access, cycling trails, spa facilities and plenty of dining options, which makes it an easy sell for mixed groups or anyone planning a rest day. The island feels calm and unhurried, with loads of space set aside for dunes, marshland and bike paths rather than wall-to-wall development. If you want a USA resort that can handle a proper rota of rounds without feeling frantic, Kiawah is a cracking shout. Include Kiawah Island on your next golf holiday with Your Golf Travel.
Who is this for?
Golfers planning a multi-round resort trip, groups who want variety without moving hotels and anyone chasing a bucket-list round on the Ocean Course.
Who is it best for?
Mid to low handicappers who enjoy a championship test, plus mixed-ability groups who want different levels of challenge across the week.
