Charleston South Carolina Resort Communities and Their Golf Courses

Let's begin by defining a Charleston SC Resort Golfing community. A resort community, sometimes called a resort city or resort destination, is a town or area where tourism or vacationing is a primary component of the local culture and economy. Typically, the economy of a resort community is geared almost entirely towards catering to tourists. The typical Charleston resort communities has nice beaches, oceanfront luxury homes, shops and luxury boutiques selling locally-themed souvenirs, motels, world class golf courses, tennis courts, and unique restaurants within their boundaries. I believe there are four resort golfing communities in the greater Charleston SC area meeting these criteria; they are Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Daniel Island, and Wild Dunes.

Kiawah Island

Kiawah (Key-a-wah) Island perpetuates the name of the Kiawah Indian tribe who used the Island for hunting and fishing during the 1600s. Kiawah Island is approximately 10 miles long and 1 mile wide and the beach is over 300 feet wide at low tide. There approximately 1,300 full time residents. Today Kiawah Island is a private resort and residential community that combines exclusive style with relaxed island living. Picture a place where tradition, tranquility, and respect for nature create an exceptional lifestyle for individuals seeking luxury real estate for a primary residence or vacation home. Located just 30 minutes south of historic Charleston SC, this sun-washed barrier island offers both sophistication and simplicity. Here you can dine in five-star luxury or spread a simple picnic on the beach. There are 20 miles of bike paths. Wildlife abounds on the island. There are five golf courses on the island the Ocean Course, Osprey Course, Turtle Course, and Ocean Course are public golf courses and the River Course is a private course.

Kiawah Island Golf Courses

1. Kiawah Island Golf Resort Cougar Point Course is designed by Gary Player. This par-72 layout features holes playing directly along broad expanses of tidal marsh, offering panoramic views of the Kiawah River. Cougar point is designed to challenge scratch players while providing an enjoyable round for players of all skill levels. Cougar Point golf course is located about 40 minutes from downtown Charleston at 12 Kiawah Beach Drive, Kiawah Island, South Carolina 29455. Call 800-654-2924

2. Kiawah Island Golf Resort Turtle Point Course is designed by jack Nicklaus and was opened in 1981 and total renovated in 2000. Turtle Point has a low profile design that takes advantage of the islands natural contours and dune ridges. The course flows seamlessly through interior forests of hardwoods and palmettos, along blackwater lagoons, and finally to three spectacular holes along the Atlantic Ocean. Turtle Point golf course is located about 45 minutes from Charleston at One Turtle Point Drive Kiawah Island, South Carolina 29455. Call 800-654-2924. Green fees are $150 - $250.

3. Kiawah Island Golf Resort Osprey Point Course is designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1988. Set amid pristine lagoons, marshes and maritime forests Osprey Point offers panoramic views from every hole. The setting for the course features four large natural lakes and fingers of saltwater marshes. Osprey Point was recently awarded 4 ½ stars in Golf digest's "Best Places to Play" readers poll. Osprey Point golf course is located about 50 minutes from downtown Charleston at 1000 Governors Drive, Kiawah Island, South Carolina 29455. Call 800-654-2924. Green fees are $150 - $250.

4. Kiawah Island Golf Resort The Ocean Course is one of Pete Dye's most superb designs. The Ocean Course has been selected as the host site for the 2012 PGA Championship. It first received attention as the host of the 1991 Ryder Cup Matches. In 2007 it hosted the Senior PGA Championship. The Ocean course was named by Golf Digest as "America's Toughest Course". The Ocean course is a 7,356 yard course which offers spectacular views along tow and half miles of the Atlantic Ocean. The Ocean Course golf course is located about I hour from downtown Charleston at 1000 Ocean Course Drive, Kiawah Island, South Carolina 29455. Call 800-654-2924. Green Fees are $280 - $390.

5. Kiawah Island Golf Resort Oak Point Course is located in Kiawah River Estates on nearby Johns Island. Oak Point opened in 1989 and was designed by Clyde Johnson. It was built on the grounds of an old indigo and cotton plantation. The lay of the land dictated a design that is reminiscent of Scottish golf. Oak Point Course is located about 35 minutes from downtown Charleston at 4394 Hope Plantation Drive, Johns Island, South Carolina 29455. Call 800-654-2924. Green Fees are $90 - $170.

6. Kiawah Island Golf Resort River Course is Kiawah's only private golf course is a 7,039 course designed by Tom Fazio and provides challenging play. Eight of the homes parallel the Kiawah River for over one mile with the remainder playing through a maritime forest setting. The river Course is the site of the first English settlement on Kiawah Island. The river course opened in 1995 and has received many awards including Golf Digest's "1996 top five new private courses in the US award", it was also ranked 38thin "America's Best 100 Residential Courses" by Golfweek magazine in 2005. The Ocean Course is located about one hour from downtown Charleston.

Seabrook Island

Seabrook is a private island resort Edged by 3 miles of wide beaches and pristine dunes along the South Carolina coast with a population just over 1,300. Club members and their guests enjoy two championship golf courses, a tennis center, horseback riding, a fitness center and many other amenities. Yet, despite its peaceful seclusion, Seabrook Island is conveniently located less than 30 minutes from all the charms of Charleston, the south's most romantic city.

Seabrook Island Golf Courses

1. Seabrook Island Resort Crooked Oaks golf course is designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Crooked Oaks meanders through a maritime forest environment. The undulating greens are well guarded by bunkers and marshes and feature excellent putting surfaces. Golf Digest rates this a "Four Star" course. Seabrook Island Resort Crooked Oaks golf course is about 35 minutes from downtown Charleston at 3772 Seabrook Island Road, Seabrook Island, South Carolina 29455. Call 843-768-2529. Green Fees are $90 -$160.

2. Seabrook Island Resort Ocean Winds is designed by Willard Byrd. The golf course plays along tidal marshes and sand dunes out to the Atlantic Ocean and back with swirling winds providing a fresh challenge on each hole. Seabrook Island Ocean Resort Winds golf course is about 35 minutes from downtown Charleston at 3772 Seabrook Island Road, Seabrook Island, South Carolina 29455. Call 843-768-2529. Green Fees are $90 -$160.

Wild Dunes

In 1975, the Sea Pines Co., one of the major developers of Hilton Head Island, established a similar resort enterprise on 900 acres of land at the northeast end of the Isle of Palms Island. Originally named The Isle of Palms Beach and Racquet Club it was renamed The Wild Dunes Beach and Racquet Club in 1984 and today is simply called Wild Dunes which is about 20 minutes from downtown Charleston SC. With nationally recognized golf courses and other resort amenities, Wild Dunes has become a major vacation locale on the South Carolina coast.

Wild Dunes Golf Courses

1. Wild Dunes Resort Harbor Course is a Tom Fazio masterpiece with a par 70 and 6,359 yard course. Considered by Fazio as one of his favorites, the Harbor Course is a true test of golf. Each nine has a cohesive variety of short and long holes, some bordering the Intracoastal Waterway. Wild Dunes Resort Harbor course is located about 35 minutes from downtown Charleston at 5737 Palm Boulevard, Isle of Palms, South Carolina 29451. Call 888-343-7921. Green Fees are $75 - $125

2. Wild Dunes Resort Links Course is consistently ranked in both Golf Magazine and golf digest as one of "America's Top 100" golf courses. The Links provides the combined challenges of the Atlantic Ocean, relentless wind, and breathtaking Charleston costal terrain. Wild Dunes Resort Links course is located about 35 minutes from downtown Charleston at 5737 Palm Boulevard, Isle of Palms, South Carolina 29451. Call 888-343-7921. Green Fees are $100 - $190.

Daniel Island

Daniel Island is much more than a private community - it's an island town complete with restaurants, shopping, schools, churches, a private country club and world-class recreational opportunities only 20 minutes from downtown Charleston.

Spanning 4,000 acres and surrounded by rivers, creeks and Charleston Harbor, Daniel Island boasts 23 miles of shoreline, offering residents access to boating, fishing, swimming, crabbing and other aquatic pursuits. More than 400 acres of this sea island have been transformed into an array of parks and open greenspace, and over 12 miles of leisure trails traverse the island, meandering through neighborhoods and parks, along the marsh and through the island's downtown.

Daniel Island Golf Course

The Daniel Island Club is the island's private country club, featuring the country's only private pairing of courses designed by Tom Fazio and Rees Jones playing on the same property. With breathtaking Lowcountry scenery, immaculate playing conditions and an array of social and recreational amenities, the Daniel Island Club has received national accolades from Golf Magazine, Travel & Leisure Golf, Luxury Golf & Travel and other national publications.