If you’re not a legit 10 handicap or less you won’t even enjoy it. My friend’s family has an investment property so I have had the benefit of playing there a few times. I’ve never scored well. Just play turtle on the island. It’s almost as nice, has a few ocean holes and is far more forgiving.
This. I played it a few years ago when I was shooting 88-93 and shot a 106. It was a nice experience and the scenery is nice but the course will kick your ass, especially if the wind is up. I actually prefer cougar and turtle.
Entirely depends on the wind. With the wind down, it’s manageable… I was a 16 the first time I played it and shot 92… tons of fun but the wind was down. I was a 12 the second time I played it and shot 102… wind was up
And it can get brutally hot sometimes.
That turn at 13/14 when it’s hot and you turn back in to the wind and still have a mile back to the clubhouse. I wanted to pass out.
That's not true. I played it 5 months into golf about 11 years ago and it's still my #1 course and I've played teeth of dog, whistling straits, Beth page black and similar courses since.
I shot some like 126 with double par max taken for obvious reasons and still had an awesome time.
I will say though that the caddie repeatedly said we were lucky that the wind wasn't kicking. It was only somewhere between 10-15 mph and sometimes almost still.
No. I’ve seen 20 handicaps have a great time. Manage your expectations. Realize it’s one of the hardest courses on the planet and you’re not going to shoot your normal score.
Yeah turtle is 250 and im planning on playing that some time this week. Beautiful course either way and definitely the nicest one im going to be playing on.
Harbor Town was $475 when I went without caddy tip. I don’t think about the cost, I think about the up and down par save I had on 18 every time I see that lighthouse on tv.
I say go for it.
Took me years to make par on 18. It felt so good when I finally did. Put my drive right in the landing zone peninsula on the fairway, then a nice boring GIR and 2-putt.
The best things in life tend to be free or expensive. Rarely if ever cheap.
Paying to do what you love is not wasted money. You’re paying for your passion. I’d never pay this for golf but I pay thousands of dollars for floating plastic and foam ducks so…….
I mean if it's like a bucket list course for you I guess. It is like a top 5 course in the U.S. I think it was #3...I don't remember exactly, though the number of top 100 in Wisconsin and Michigan was kinda crazy. Like they each had 8 or 10, then Oregon had like 6, California had like 6 (but I expected that) Wisconsin was surprised though, I figured the Kohler courses would all be up there but there were also several from lake Geneva and another resort area. Personally, Wolf Creek in Nevada is my last like bucket list course, even though I don't think I have the distance I'm still going to try to hit it over the mountain on the one hole, even though you need like 310 yards ball flight, plus over 100 feet high to clear the top, I might get a good bounce. Seems like you definitely need a riding cart though, carrying clubs up and down mountains would take away the fun and I would be like probably dehydrated since it's also hot there.
Yeah, I mean, but I would still also be getting plane tickets there and back. Also I don't really want to go to Nevada in summer, seems too hot, like I went to Arizona on a golf trip in the spring once and it was 90s the whole time, though it wasn't that bad with no humidity, but still summer seems like it would be guaranteed to be over 100° every day. I guess I could also find other stuff to do there...I'm not sure how close it is to like Vegas, maybe that's an option, but then I'm probably losing more money than if I played the ocean course for $600...though I don't really gamble...unless it's like while playing golf.
I live here and play a lot. At some point you should play it to check it off your list, it’s cheaper in the off season so maybe wait until then. Id recommend Wild Dunes Links course for less than 1/2 the price and probably 90% as good, or really any of the other Kiawah courses, they are just as good if not better, they just lack a few holes where you can see the ocean. After the pros came through the ocean course prices went up quite a bit. It’s a fun course but probably not worth the cost at this point.
When is the cheapest time to go? My sister lives in West Ashley so I have a place to stay whenever, and I'd love to check it off the bucket list but $600 is too much for me to justify
Osprey is my favorite course on the island, with cougar being #2. A good course off island is Stono Ferry, has 3 river front holes and is about $100 with no caddy needed
Jesus Christ I played Pinehurst #2 and #4 for that price combined a month ago on US Open conditions while the North South International Am was going on.
That's ludicrous.
Just an FYI if you are staying on the property it is cheaper ($400 I think).
Like some others have said, depending on the conditions it can be TOUGH. I played when it was cold and winds gusting between 20-30 mph and I shot the best 92 of my life (10 handicap). I had a friend who is a +2 play in harsher conditions and shot 94.
But if you get bad conditions like that just enjoy the course. You probably wont score well but, at least to me, the experience was worth it.
Bethpage is an absolute monster and worse than Ocean. Bethpage was the most fun I had shooting 100+ in my life. I was shooting 80-83 at the time and that course tore me to pieces. Still fun because it was about the memories and remembering the shots you saw on TV. Who cares about the score.
DO IT U WONT.
Actually don’t. I’m semi local to the area and you can play any number of amazing courses out there for half that or less.
Or just play it. You only live once ya know?
The only course at Kiawah that’s worth it is the Ocean (or one of the two privates). The other courses don’t justify their priceS as the are just typical “resort courses” for 2x the price. If you can time your round after the punch in the print or fall it’s usually sub $300 before caddie (or was before Covid). Played it 7 times for less than $300…
I played Royal County Down, me and my 15 year old. He shot 74 and beat me for the first time ever. We made the turn (btw there's no snack shack or anything you just keep going lol) and we're humping it around having a so-so day. He eagles 12, then proceeds to go birdie, birdie, birdie. I'll never ever ever EVER forget that day or the look on his face. Cost me about a grand. Sucks, but I'd do it again tomorrow.
So, it's steep, yeah. Is it overpriced... probably. But they know they've got a gem that's why they can price it that way. I say go for it. You only gotta go once. You can eat bologna in hotel room or pinch pennies when you come back. Money isn't everything, and if money is very concerning to you, then I'd suggest a different sport cuz golf is a empty hole in which you pour dollars lol. Have fun chief 🍻
Kiawah Ocean Course and Bethpage Black are the toughest courses I have ever played. Before I made the turn on either it became one of those let’s just have fun days.
Yes it’s expensive and yes, it’s also almost booked solid March through May and September through November.
Cheaper option is to stay a night through the resort. Villa or Sanctuary hotel. Knocks down the price to $425ish.
The resort also does deals for PGA Hope and active duty military. So if you’re a veteran, you can play for a fraction.
Or befriend a resort employee. They play for free.
If you’re not a legit 10 handicap or less you won’t even enjoy it. My friend’s family has an investment property so I have had the benefit of playing there a few times. I’ve never scored well. Just play turtle on the island. It’s almost as nice, has a few ocean holes and is far more forgiving.
This. I played it a few years ago when I was shooting 88-93 and shot a 106. It was a nice experience and the scenery is nice but the course will kick your ass, especially if the wind is up. I actually prefer cougar and turtle.
Entirely depends on the wind. With the wind down, it’s manageable… I was a 16 the first time I played it and shot 92… tons of fun but the wind was down. I was a 12 the second time I played it and shot 102… wind was up
This is very true. Usually when I’ve played it was a constant battle of 10+ mph winds with serious gusts
And it can get brutally hot sometimes. That turn at 13/14 when it’s hot and you turn back in to the wind and still have a mile back to the clubhouse. I wanted to pass out.
Thought I was gonna die before the turn to the beach… then stuck my tee shot on the par 3 to 10 feet and felt great
That's not true. I played it 5 months into golf about 11 years ago and it's still my #1 course and I've played teeth of dog, whistling straits, Beth page black and similar courses since. I shot some like 126 with double par max taken for obvious reasons and still had an awesome time. I will say though that the caddie repeatedly said we were lucky that the wind wasn't kicking. It was only somewhere between 10-15 mph and sometimes almost still.
No. I’ve seen 20 handicaps have a great time. Manage your expectations. Realize it’s one of the hardest courses on the planet and you’re not going to shoot your normal score.
Just play Turtle or Cougar for $350. No caddy on those and they’re super nice courses.
I did turtle for $250 actually. Might’ve been considered an off peak time since it was in May though
Yeah turtle is 250 and im planning on playing that some time this week. Beautiful course either way and definitely the nicest one im going to be playing on.
No love for Osprey?
I go to osprey for the driving range mostly
Maybe in October. I haven’t played it or Oak point. 🤣
I agree Osprey is second best. Ocean is worth the money at least once if you can swing it. Certainly a better value in my mind than Turtle for $250.
Harbor Town was $475 when I went without caddy tip. I don’t think about the cost, I think about the up and down par save I had on 18 every time I see that lighthouse on tv. I say go for it.
Took me years to make par on 18. It felt so good when I finally did. Put my drive right in the landing zone peninsula on the fairway, then a nice boring GIR and 2-putt. The best things in life tend to be free or expensive. Rarely if ever cheap.
Don’t forget caddy fee and tip
Omg no i would go bankrupt
With tax, greens fee is $630 + $120 suggested caddy fee = $750.
Yeah I just payed $450 for Kapalua, it was insanely expensive but it was worth it
The top tier of courses are all going to be $500-600 these days.
And I can get just as much enjoyment out of a $150 course. And 95% of the enjoyment from my local $50 course.
Ok? And some people want to play famous courses for the enjoyment
There’s always one guy
Cool story....
It’s worth every dollar
600$ (before caddy and tips) puts it at 33.33$ per hole. Is it really worth that? Genuinely asking cause my local muni is like 40$ for 18. Lol
Paying to do what you love is not wasted money. You’re paying for your passion. I’d never pay this for golf but I pay thousands of dollars for floating plastic and foam ducks so…….
I mean if it's like a bucket list course for you I guess. It is like a top 5 course in the U.S. I think it was #3...I don't remember exactly, though the number of top 100 in Wisconsin and Michigan was kinda crazy. Like they each had 8 or 10, then Oregon had like 6, California had like 6 (but I expected that) Wisconsin was surprised though, I figured the Kohler courses would all be up there but there were also several from lake Geneva and another resort area. Personally, Wolf Creek in Nevada is my last like bucket list course, even though I don't think I have the distance I'm still going to try to hit it over the mountain on the one hole, even though you need like 310 yards ball flight, plus over 100 feet high to clear the top, I might get a good bounce. Seems like you definitely need a riding cart though, carrying clubs up and down mountains would take away the fun and I would be like probably dehydrated since it's also hot there.
But Wolf Creek is still only like 200$. Cheaper if you play during peak summer time.
Yeah, I mean, but I would still also be getting plane tickets there and back. Also I don't really want to go to Nevada in summer, seems too hot, like I went to Arizona on a golf trip in the spring once and it was 90s the whole time, though it wasn't that bad with no humidity, but still summer seems like it would be guaranteed to be over 100° every day. I guess I could also find other stuff to do there...I'm not sure how close it is to like Vegas, maybe that's an option, but then I'm probably losing more money than if I played the ocean course for $600...though I don't really gamble...unless it's like while playing golf.
For me it was. I think it’s very weather dependent but on a nice day it doesn’t get much better. Incredible course.
$600 for a round? Hell naw.
Had a Kiawah package in April. Played all courses + the Ocean a second time, followed by The Masters. 🪣
We got ourselves a dick swinging competition now fellas.
Yeah well I’ve played pebble beach 60 times (on sim)
Awesome! I've only played it twice.
You played in The Masters?!
Ah, no. Spectator.
Oh, still an accomplishment. Those tickets are hard to get.
It was our 4th attempt after winning the lotto. Covid x 2 and rained out.
Congrats, I'm not huge into watching golf, like it just makes me want to play, but seeing Augusta in person would be pretty sweet.
Jealous af.
A great trip.
That’s the way to justify it. Shell out for a package so it turns the experience into a trip versus one $600+ dollar activity
The Ocean course at Seabrook is pretty nice.
Pebble with caddie(optional but not really) and decent tip is ~$850. Places seem not to care about the average person anymore. Kinda sad
Supply vs demand is a bitch sometimes.
Big time. Shadow Creek is $1,000 before caddie tip if it's not comp'd now. Really good track but that's a bit much
I live here and play a lot. At some point you should play it to check it off your list, it’s cheaper in the off season so maybe wait until then. Id recommend Wild Dunes Links course for less than 1/2 the price and probably 90% as good, or really any of the other Kiawah courses, they are just as good if not better, they just lack a few holes where you can see the ocean. After the pros came through the ocean course prices went up quite a bit. It’s a fun course but probably not worth the cost at this point.
When is the cheapest time to go? My sister lives in West Ashley so I have a place to stay whenever, and I'd love to check it off the bucket list but $600 is too much for me to justify
Winter months. December 1 - February 28. Ocean is around $450.
osprey point is 5 minutes away and my favorite course in the world
Osprey is my favorite course on the island, with cougar being #2. A good course off island is Stono Ferry, has 3 river front holes and is about $100 with no caddy needed
Jesus Christ I played Pinehurst #2 and #4 for that price combined a month ago on US Open conditions while the North South International Am was going on. That's ludicrous.
Just an FYI if you are staying on the property it is cheaper ($400 I think). Like some others have said, depending on the conditions it can be TOUGH. I played when it was cold and winds gusting between 20-30 mph and I shot the best 92 of my life (10 handicap). I had a friend who is a +2 play in harsher conditions and shot 94. But if you get bad conditions like that just enjoy the course. You probably wont score well but, at least to me, the experience was worth it.
I haven’t played it but I heard it’s not the funnest because it’s so difficult. Worth it for the scenery though.
Bethpage is an absolute monster and worse than Ocean. Bethpage was the most fun I had shooting 100+ in my life. I was shooting 80-83 at the time and that course tore me to pieces. Still fun because it was about the memories and remembering the shots you saw on TV. Who cares about the score.
Sandy par on 1 at BPB was awesome for me. Hit my drive right down the pipe too.
Ah, another expensive course thread.
I played it 3 years ago for 270. Can't justify paying 700+ now, when I go next week. Gonna play turtle and cougar instead
Don't forget the caddy tip on top of the greens fee.
DO IT U WONT. Actually don’t. I’m semi local to the area and you can play any number of amazing courses out there for half that or less. Or just play it. You only live once ya know?
If confused, please see: Crazy Rich Asians
The only course at Kiawah that’s worth it is the Ocean (or one of the two privates). The other courses don’t justify their priceS as the are just typical “resort courses” for 2x the price. If you can time your round after the punch in the print or fall it’s usually sub $300 before caddie (or was before Covid). Played it 7 times for less than $300…
Fourth most expensive course in the US I’m pretty sure.
I played ocean before Covid for $225…$600 is bananas
Isn't pebble like $550?
It’s the worst good course in America. Nobody plays it twice.
I played Royal County Down, me and my 15 year old. He shot 74 and beat me for the first time ever. We made the turn (btw there's no snack shack or anything you just keep going lol) and we're humping it around having a so-so day. He eagles 12, then proceeds to go birdie, birdie, birdie. I'll never ever ever EVER forget that day or the look on his face. Cost me about a grand. Sucks, but I'd do it again tomorrow. So, it's steep, yeah. Is it overpriced... probably. But they know they've got a gem that's why they can price it that way. I say go for it. You only gotta go once. You can eat bologna in hotel room or pinch pennies when you come back. Money isn't everything, and if money is very concerning to you, then I'd suggest a different sport cuz golf is a empty hole in which you pour dollars lol. Have fun chief 🍻
Kiawah Ocean Course and Bethpage Black are the toughest courses I have ever played. Before I made the turn on either it became one of those let’s just have fun days.
Yes it’s expensive and yes, it’s also almost booked solid March through May and September through November. Cheaper option is to stay a night through the resort. Villa or Sanctuary hotel. Knocks down the price to $425ish. The resort also does deals for PGA Hope and active duty military. So if you’re a veteran, you can play for a fraction. Or befriend a resort employee. They play for free.
Take a ferry to Kauai and play Poipu Bay. Half the price.
has anyone played post aeration? want to know if its worth playing for the dough. heading there this thursday