Golfing With Shawn: Ocean Course - Kiawah Island Club (Kiawah Island, SC)

#62 World Top 100 (Golf Magazine)

#43 World Top 100 (Golf Digest)

#33 World Top 100 (Architects)

#52 World Top 100 (Golf World)

#24 Top 100 USA (Golf Digest)

#32 Top 100 USA (Golf Magazine)

#9 Top 100 World Resort (Golf World)

#14 Top 100 USA Modern (Golfweek)

#3 Top 100 USA Public (Golf Digest)

#6 Top 100 USA Public (Golf Magazine)

#9 Top 100 USA Public (Golfweek)

..It took thirty years to get back to the Ocean Course…

There’s certain places that every golfer should make an effort to see. No matter what the cost. For the public golfer, with no access to private venues, the Ocean Course is the crème de la crème. Set between the Atlantic Ocean and the saltwater marshes of the Intercoastal, it’s an experience you won’t find anywhere else in the United States.

(The 495 yard (blue tee) par five second hole is reachable in two shots by the long hitter, but with so much trouble close by, leaving it in the fairway left gives the best chance for birdie. The majority of players will layup to the creek and hit short or mid iron approach. It’s a very difficult green to hold, so beware going long and right. Par is a great score!)

The drive out to the course maybe one of the most anticipated moments I’ve ever had. With every turn, the landscape entices you with gorgeous views before ending at the beautiful white antebellum looking clubhouse. The scene from the rear veranda is breathtaking! The long view across the dunes and beach to the rolling surf heightens the senses. In my travels, only a few places have captured my spirit in such a way.

(In the 2021 PGA Championship, Rory McIroy’s drive hung up in this tree short of three green. It’s a 310 yards (blue tee) par four that possesses the smallest green on the course. The plateau putting surface requires a crisp iron shot to hold it. Anything long will go into the marsh.)

In his book Bury Me in a Pot Bunker, Pete Dye commented after Hurricane Hugo, the central dune that ran through the property was reduced to a series of smaller ones. His wife Alice suggested raising the fairways so the ocean was in view from every hole. Pete took this advice and the experience is tenfold better for it. Unfortunately, this makes the wind more of a factor. During our round, it was blowing a mild 10-15 mph. I didn’t have to make any adjustments for it. The Ocean Course is walking only and requires a caddy, so I let him give me the playing yardage, and hit the club that went that distance. On several occasions I doubt I would’ve figured it out.

(The 398 yard (blue tee) par four twelfth plays downhill the last 150 yards and offers a stunning view of the saltwater marsh eating into the hole.)

(Wow!! The 333 yard (blue tee) par four thirteenth asks so many questions. The optimal line is right of the fairway bunker but it looks so narrow. The water is right in your face. It takes complete confidence to strike it pure. The championship tee is unbelievable!)

My favorite holes were 2,3,12,13. All play along the marsh. I felt the contrast between all the colors and various textures was gorgeous. Pete Dye’s fascination with the plateau green is seen several times including 2,3,8,11,14. Interestingly, there’s no bunkers short of the putting surface on these holes, however, the slopes are so abrupt that bouncing it in is nonexistent. The seashore paspalum prevents much roll anyway. Only a well struck shot will hit and hold these. Going long is the big no-no. The worst spots are back there. On the par three eighth, my ball didn't bite quick enough and went in the back bunker. I spun the bunker shot ten feet from the hole which my caddy said was the best bunker shot he’s seen in two weeks. Usually golfers play ping pong going back and forth from one waste area to another.

(The 161 yard (blue tee) par three fourteenth is a devil to hit in regulation. The green slopes from front to back. Note how the left bunker is grassed down almost to the base. During the Senior PGA Championship, the leader plugged his ball into the face and took two to get out, losing the tournament in the process. I found that bunker, a good ten feet below the green. I hit it to fifteen feet.)

The Ocean Course is unquestionably one of the finest in the world. Pete Dye jokingly said he would’ve traded his wife in for a chance to design on piece of property like it. It’s a setting we haven’t seen in this country since the turn of the century. The PGA of America has made it one of their stalwarts and it has hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup, 1997 & 2003 World Cup, 2005 PGA Club Professional, 2007 Senior PGA Championship, and the 2012 & 2021 PGA Championship. I don’t really need to add much more than that. It’s my third perfect score. I give it a 10 (perfect)(must play once in your life). In 2031, it will host its third PGA Championship.

(The par three seventeenth is a 161 yards (blue tee) that plays into a hurting cross wind. It doesn’t necessarily fit in with rest of the course, but the donor die high drama has been the site of many infamous moments.)

[we played the blue tees at 6,202 yards. The yardage was perfect and gave us some opportunities to make a few birdies. Check out Tim, a 22 handicap. He parred the toughest hole and made a 65 footer for birdie on eleven! A couple nice 4 for 2 moments!]

[The cost of the round was $480 dollars, plus a caddy is mandatory which adds another $125. The total is a whopping $605! (Don’t choke reading that number again) We all knew the deal before stepping on the plane. YOLO]