Charleston, South Carolina · Bucket-list city

Planning a Golf Trip to Charleston: Group Guide

Kiawah's Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup and two PGA Championships, sits about an hour from Charleston's walkable historic downtown. A renovated muni and a harbor course keep the trip from being all splurge rounds.

Best forGroups who want one major-championship round plus a downtown with real restaurants and bars.
Group size4–12 · 12–24 · 24+ golfers
Budget$$$ Premium
Best monthsMar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Trip styleBucket list · Stay & play resort · Nightlife

The courses to play

  • The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island: Pete and Alice Dye design built from 1989 to 1991; it hosted the 1991 'War by the Shore' Ryder Cup and the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships.
  • Turtle Point at Kiawah Island: Jack Nicklaus course that opened in 1981 and was renovated by Nicklaus in 2016; one of five Kiawah resort courses open to the public.
  • Wild Dunes Links Course: Tom Fazio's first solo design, on the Isle of Palms with finishing holes along the Atlantic.
  • Charleston Municipal Golf Course: Opened in 1929 on James Island and reopened December 9, 2020 after a renovation by architect Troy Miller.
  • Patriots Point Links: Willard Byrd design on Charleston Harbor, open since 1979, with an island-green 17th facing Fort Sumter.

Getting there

AirportCodeDrive to the golf
Charleston InternationalCHSabout 1 hour to Kiawah Island

Check live flights to CHS on Google Flights →

When to go

Spring and fall are the prime months, with mild temperatures and the best course conditions. Summer is hot and humid; winter is playable but cooler.

Group tip

Stay downtown or in Mount Pleasant for nightlife and drive out for golf, or base on Kiawah if the Ocean Course is the centerpiece. Book the Ocean Course first and build the rest of the rotation around that tee time. Plan for about an hour each way between the airport or downtown and Kiawah, so a rented van or car service works better than rideshares.

Before you book

  1. Lock the headcount in a multiple of four.
  2. Set the per-person budget with the cost calculator.
  3. Call the resort or golf desk directly and ask for group tee-time blocks, stay-and-play packages and the cancellation and rain policy.
  4. Collect deposits the week you book. Use the deposit tracker.
  5. Pick your format and build pairings.
Watch · 8 min7 Golf Trip Mistakes That Ruin the Trip (I've Made Them All)

Fun facts about Charleston

  • A 1739 bill of lading, found at the University of Edinburgh in 2014, shows golf clubs and balls shipped to a Charleston merchant, among the earliest evidence of golf equipment in the New World. source
  • The South Carolina Golf Club was founded in 1786, and members played on Harleston Green, a city-owned park near the present College of Charleston. source
  • Phil Mickelson won the 2021 PGA Championship on the Ocean Course at age 50, becoming the oldest major champion in golf history. source
  • Rory McIlroy won the 2012 PGA Championship at the Ocean Course by eight strokes, a championship-record margin that passed Jack Nicklaus's seven-stroke win in 1980. source
  • The land for the Muni was donated by C. Bissell Jenkins on condition it always be a municipal course open to everyone; it now hosts more than 50,000 rounds a year. source

Facts last checked November 7, 2026. How we check facts. Resort or tourism board? Send us updates for this guide.

Course details and access rules change. Confirm current tee-time policies and rates directly with each course before you book.

FAQ

When is the best time for a Charleston golf trip?

Spring and fall are the prime months, with mild temperatures and the best course conditions. Summer is hot and humid; winter is playable but cooler. Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov.

What airport do you fly into for Charleston?

Charleston International (CHS), about 1 hour to Kiawah Island.

What are the best courses at Charleston?

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Turtle Point at Kiawah Island, Wild Dunes Links Course, Charleston Municipal Golf Course, Patriots Point Links.

Is Charleston good for a group golf trip?

Best for: Groups who want one major-championship round plus a downtown with real restaurants and bars.. It works for groups of 4–12, 12–24, 24+ golfers.

How far ahead should we book Charleston?

For 8 or more golfers in peak season, plan 6–12 months out. Call the golf desk and ask about group tee-time blocks and package rates before you book rooms.

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