Best Golf Courses in Charleston

The Patriot's Point Links Course offers perhaps the best views of the Charleston Harbor, Shem Creek and the Ravenel Bridge, all from the vantage point of a beautiful golf course! Combine a round of golf at the links with one of many other historic Mount Pleasant plantations or sightseeing destinations for a fun-filled afternoon. Situated on the Mount Pleasant side of the Charleston Harbor, just a ten-minute drive from downtown, the William Byrd-designed Patriot's Point Links is a more affordable and approachable course when compared to many other Charleston area courses. This public course is nearly unparallelled in terms of the views of downtown Charleston, Shem Creek, and the Ravenel Bridge from the green. As the course is a waterfront one, ocean winds greatly factor into play, especially in the final four holes. The Patriot's Point Links are perhaps most famous for the breathtaking views afforded from its 17th hole.

Located just over 20 minutes' drive from peninsular Charleston, the Beresford Creek course at Daniel Island Club is a more than ideal way to spend a morning or afternoon in the lowcountry. Considered more polished and challenging than its sister course, Ralston Creek, the par-72 Beresford Creek course affords its players incredible views of the surrounding marsh, coastal flora, and Daniel Island's unspoilt landscape. The Daniel Island Club is the country's only private club featuring courses designed by both Tom Fazio and Rees Jones within the same property, and offers several dining options, a top-notch tennis facility, and pool, as well as a pro shop and golf instruction and lessons. The Daniel Island Club also offers a Junior Caddy Program and Kids Camp for kids up to age 13.

This Wild Dunes par-70 course is designed to take your breath away with its rolling, relaxing green space and panoramic intercoastal waterway views. The Harbor Course at Wild Dunes has oft been referred to as the "Marsh Monster" due to the fact that the course's challenging environment is spread across narrow fairway corridors bordered on both sides by water. Strong ocean breezes also come into play throughout each hole, but the idyllic course layout and landscaping will soothe your golf game frustrations. Brush up on your skills at the nearby practice facilities, including a chipping area, putting green, and driving range.

Founded in 1900, the historic Country Club of Charleston has been deemed one of the first established in the United States. The Country Club of Charleston is located just over 10 minutes from downtown Charleston, and is situated east of the Ashley River along the tidal marshlands of James Island, but this was not always the case. Over its storied history, the club has seen several physical areas as home to their courses before finally settling into its current location at the McLeod Plantation along the Ashley River. Soon afterwards, Seth Raynor, a well-known golf course architect who also designed Yeaman's Hall Club, was hired to build this course. Since then, the CCC hosted the 2013 U.S. Women's Amateur Championships, speaking volumes for the quality of the course. Open only to CCC members and their guests, this exclusive private course is a fair test of difficulty for all golfers.

This public course, set along the Stono River intercoastal waterway and marshlands, was named for a Revolutionary War battle, and is located just a half hour's drive from downtown Charleston in Hollywood, South Carolina. The Links at Stono Ferry offers club membership, called "The Brigade," at no charge for local residents and just $99 annually for non-locals. Popular with both visitors and residents, The Links at Stono Ferry offer a tranquil, beautiful escape from the city buzz of Charleston, with tall pines and ancient live oaks dotting the scenic property. For golfers keen to improve their game, The Links at Stono Ferry boasts a golf instruction center as well as individual one-hour and nine-hole lessons for both juniors and adults.

At home at the prestigious Kiawah Island Golf Resort just a half hour's drive from downtown Charleston, the Turtle Point Course is a beautiful seaside course sure to entertain and challenge any golfer. This par-72 course was designed by Jack Nicklaus in his own classic style, and has hosted the 1990 PGA Cup Matches, the Carolinas' PGA, the Carolinas' Amateur, and the South Carolina Amateur tournaments. All of the courses on Kiawah Island guarantee influential wind variability, though Turtle Point does provide some tree shelter across the course, and is more protected than its neighboring Ocean Course, though winds do still play heavily into Turtle Point golfer strategy. Expect tricky water features and smaller greens on this course, which is one of the longest on the island.

The very first of Tom Fazio's golf course designs, The Links Course at Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms is a favorite local destination among both out of town and visiting golfers. Like its neighboring Harbor Course, The Links are popular for their scenic seaside setting and their challenging ocean breezes. The Links Course is always a beautiful afternoon well spent at the resort, no matter how the actual golf rounds went, and the resort property itself has much more than just golf to offer, including tennis courts and several pools. Golfers and their families can also polish their game at the resort practice facilities, including a driving range putting green, located just across the street from The Links Clubhouse.

The historic Yeaman's Hall Club is located just 20 minutes from downtown Charleston in Hanahan, but feels a million miles away due to its secluded and peaceful setting. The entrance to Yeaman's Hall itself is easy to miss and largely unmarked, and the entire grounds are naturally framed with ancient live oaks and marsh grasses. In warm and sunny weather, an experience at Yeaman's Hall may feel like you've been transported back in time to another era; the level of personal hospitality and the pristine and quiet nature of the property give the course a classic personality. This private course, designed in 1925 by the famous Seth Raynor, holds just 250 members, and is jointly owned by 35 proprietary members. True to the designer's style, the Yeaman's Hall course is marked by its large greens and wide fairways.

The famous Cassique Course is at home at the breathtaking Kiawah Island Club on Kiawah Island, just a 35-minute drive from downtown Charleston. Open only to those with a Kiawah Island Club private membership that's exclusive to Kiawah Island property owners and their accompanied or sponsored guests, the Cassique course boasts its own impressive clubhouse with views of the course and surrounding lowcountry landscape. This course was named for a Kiawah Island Indian chief, and follows the Kiawah River as it winds through the island and out to the Atlantic Ocean. Opened in 2000, the par-72 Cassique Course was designed by Tom Watson, and is challenging due to little protection from ocean breezes.

The par-72 Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is perhaps the most famous of all Charleston area golf courses, due to its picturesque seaside setting as well as its hosting of the 2007 Senior PG Championships as well as the 2012 PGA Championships. In fact, The Ocean Course has more seaside holes than any other course in North America! Golf enthusiasts from all over the world come to Kiawah Island to visit The Ocean Course, and take on the consistently challenging ocean breezes that are enhanced by the course's elevated position above the beach dunes. Designed in 1991 by Pete Dye, The Ocean Course affords golfers panoramic views of the greens, ocean and skyline from each hole - a truly striking and memorable experience for any golfer.