Hilton Head vs Kiawah

[Z1ggy16]

I know there's a specific Kiawah thread below and I'm sure plenty of HH ones, but my question is about one vs the other. Specifically -

1) Which has the "better" golf courses (in your opinion)?

2) Which is more friendly toward bringing a (pregnant) wife who does not golf?

3) Which area is more affordable to dine, shop and vacation in?

 

 

 

[Scooter321]

 

Better golf is Kiawah. Ocean course is the best of the courses between the two. And has just a little more depth in my opinion. Kiawah - nicer amenitiesHilton Head - less expensive

[jvincent]

What time of year?

My non-golfing wife really enjoyed Kiawah when we went in August. Exercise class in the morning, relaxing lunch looking at the ocean, hit the beach with a book in the afternoon.

I'd say the golf at Kiawah is better but it is definitely more expensive than HH, especially if you stay at the Sanctuary.

[mci711]

Can't answer 2, but for 1) It is Kiawah by far. Top to bottom it is closer but comparing top course vs top course is a landslide. 3) I think HH was overall cheaper.

[Z1ggy16]

We'd probably be going in May so it won't be that warm yet... Is beach doable?

[Drwoods2017]

Overall Kiawah has nicer courses but will be more expensive and the resort will be more expensive as well.It really depends on what she likes to do. Hilton head is more of a family vacation place with more restaurants and activities but Kiawah is more relaxed. One thing you have to look out for in May in aerification. I know the Hilton Head courses at sea pines will be punching the greens at the end of the month. There are a bunch of other courses there but just be mindful of the schedule for that.

[PapaJohick]

Drwoods summed it nicely.

 

For pure golf or just getting away an relaxing, Kiawah will be better. more pricey

 

HH has more golf and some really good courses for cheaper. The wife and even you will have more choices of things to do. More food options. More shopping. etc

 

May should be warm enough to beach it, but there could be a day or two thats windy and makes it a little chilly. Courses start to punch at the end of may and beginning of june for the most part around here.

[jvincent]

Not sure about going into the water in May.

I've been in March and you could walk the beach, but it was cool. Walking the beach shouldn't be an issue at all in May.

[clp34vmp]

We've done Kiawah and Sea Pines in HHI multiple times each. We have really enjoyed both, though they are definitely different. HHI is definitely bigger, busier, and slightly more touristy. Kiawah is quiter and has a bit more of a remote vibe. Golf is great at both, but Kiawah is clearly the more expensive of the two. HHI will also give you way more variety. I love both the Ocean Course and Harbour Town; they are both worthy splurge courses though I guess if I had to pick one I'd go with the Ocean Course. The air temps should be perfect in May for the beach; water temps might be a little cold. We have done HHI in April, and we went to the beach and the kids even got in the water; way too cold for me!

[gelardi44]

family has had a place in Kiawah for some years now and the golf there is unbelievable. Granted we get special rates for every course even the ocean course I’d still Pay full prices at most of the courses. The restaurants are awesome and I’d recommend just doing happy hours at the ocean course when you aren’t golfing. I’d also recommend saving your time and avoiding Oak course if you are there. It’s really nice but the other courses are better IMO

 

The beach is doable and typically empty we have gone swimming in March there

[Z1ggy16]

Right now we are kiiiind of leaning HH because we found some good rates in air bnb on the island. Overall seems slightly less expensive everywhere which is probably going to be the deciding factor here.

[PNB_Golf]

It will be upper 70's to low 90's in May. Average is probably low to mid 80's so the beach shouldn't be a problem.

[Austincountyag]

Keep in mind if you do HHI Savannah is very close if wife wants to go do shopping. Not many shops in Kiawah except for Freshfields VIllage which can be done in an hour or so.......FWIW wife and I did Kiawah and we loved it. Laid back, super nice, and a slow pace which is exactly our style. My wife was 5/6 months pregnant when we went and she walked the course with me while I played and took photos. I cant say enough good things about our time there.....

 

While we loved Kiawah our next trip will be to HHI and we will be taking our twins with us.

[newg33b]

The Golf is better at Kiawah, but they're slightly different vibes: Kiawah is essentially all one resort: there are 5 public courses all under one umbrella and then 2 privates on the island. HHI has many more courses both on and just off arranged in a handful of "plantations" or communities. The Ocean Course at Kiawah is awesome, and although I haven't played Harbour Town I'd be willing to bet it's better than HT, which is HHI's best public course. Of the other non-Ocean Course places at Kiawah, it becomes a little bit closer to HHI I'd say. I played Turtle Point while at Kiawah recently and it was a nice place but aside from the couple holes near the ocean I ddidn't feel that the golf itself was more special than the handful of courses I've played on HHI (all three Palmetto Dunes courses and Heron Point at Sea Pines). The courses are relatively flat, and the challenge is navigating sand and lagoons for the most part. The facilities are beautiful at Kiawah, but you're paying more for that. Kiawah will be a good bit pricier as well. Both are very nice places to spend some time, though. We've been to HHI in April before right around the Heritage and it was certainly nice enough to go to the beach. May would be more than fine I'm imagining.

My conclusion to your three questions would be:

Kiawah if price is no object.Both would be good I think. Kiawah would probably be even more calm than HHI. HHI is definitely the more affordable of the two.