The Ocean Course: An American Icon
#4 Public Golf Course in U.S. and Ranked 25th amongst the 100 Greatest U.S. Golf Courses —Golf Digest
Join the ranks of avid golfers who have The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort on their must-play list for a true test of skill. Located on the eastern-most end of the island, The Ocean Course boasts the most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere with ten hugging the Atlantic and the other eight running parallel to those. Although it was originally planned to sit behind the dunes, designer Pete Dye’s wife, Alice, suggested raising the entire course to give players unobstructed views of Kiawah’s stunning coastline from every hole. One catch? This improved view made the course substantially more demanding as it also exposed play to the Atlantic’s brisk and unpredictable breezes.
In fact, it’s unlikely any other golf course in the world—outside the United Kingdom and Ireland—is affected as much by wind. From one round to the next, a player can experience up to an 8-club difference on holes depending upon the wind’s direction and strength. Interesting fact: Because there are no prevailing winds on The Ocean Course, Dye designed two courses in one—one for an easterly and the other for a westerly wind.
Caddie Services at Kiawah Island
Kiawah Island Golf Resort is proud to offer the services of walking caddies and forecaddies at The Ocean Course. The caddie program, established in 2000, has quickly developed into a hallmark of The Ocean Course golf experience. When combined with the natural seaside setting and the award winning Pete Dye design, walking The Ocean Course with a caddie by your side is a remarkable and memorable experience. Located on the exposed far eastern end of the island, The Ocean Course is buffeted by unpredictable ocean winds. The knowledge and guidance of a caddie is enormously helpful for any player navigating the seaside links of the Ocean Course and its unique challenges.
Our professional caddies are employees of Kiawah Island Golf Resort; some have been with The Ocean Course since the inception of the caddie program. They assist in reading greens, providing accurate yardages, and offer invaluable strategic insight for playing each hole. In addition to their help with playing The Ocean Course, they hold a wealth of knowledge about the history of Kiawah Island, all our golf courses, the environment surrounding the golf course and other resort amenities, essentially an on course concierge of sorts for all our golfers.
The Ocean Course is walking only except during the summer months (June, July and August), when carts are allowed for golfers teeing off after 10am (carts restricted to paths). Caddies are not mandatory for anyone walking the course but are highly recommended. Anyone using a golf cart during the summer is required to use a forecaddie. Although there are no fees for the services of a caddie, gratuities are graciously accepted. Recommended gratuities are $120 per player for walking caddies, and $60 per player for a forecaddie, based on service. Caddie services may be reserved at the other Kiawah courses based on staffing levels. Reservations must be made in advance for caddie services at our other golf courses.