Kiawah Island Resort- Ocean Course Bachelor Trip

[dannyhorn]

Hey fellas,

finally pulled the trigger to experience the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island and escape this quarantine. I'm getting married in September, so this is my take on a "classy" (maybe) Bachelor boys trip. Never been to the island before so would love any input or tips for the couple days. We're driving from Jacksonville, so going to make a pit stop in Savannah and stay at the Westin Harbortown the first night. You can play their 4 star resort course for $15 twighlight rate, as a guest at the hotel. Normally $150-$200. Then we head to Kiawah for a round on the Ocean at noon, and Osprey Point the next day at noon. 6 of us degenerates will be staying on site at a Villa, before returning back to Jax for the weekend and a round or two at TPC Sawgrass. Can't wait, and would love any advice on where to eat/drink/relax and anything to prep for!

 

-DH

[ND2005]

Under normal circumstances my advice would be:

-Consider dropping Osprey and just playing Ocean Course twice.

-Since you only have one night at Kiawah and it is a bachelor party, I'd say play your round at the Ocean Course, then have several rounds at the Ryder Cup bar. Go back to the Villa and get yourselves cleaned up, then go for steaks at the Ocean Room (Main restaurant/steakhouse in the Sanctuary Hotel). Load up on booze at a liquor store and drink at the villa. Late nights in Kiawah are fairly dead.

However, I have no idea what your options will be during Covid. Looks like currently all resort owned restaurants are closed or offering take out only.

[cubuffs]

Have been there twice over the last 15 months - given the type of event I would say the recommendation above is spot on. Osprey is a good track, nowhere near the Ocean, but if not everyone is a low single digit, it may be a welcome change of pace. There are some great restaurant sites off the resort but I doubt that driving off the island after golf and drinks is advisable. Very tough if not impossible to get an Uber. At the entry to the island is Freshfields which is a complex that has bars and restaurants - sushi, Mexican, and a nice French place. Further of the Island, last visit, we ate at the Royal Tern - came recommended for seafood from a number of people including one our caddies from the Ocean Course - we were all impressed with drinks, and the food.

[burnsniper]

Ocean 2x as others said. Try to get the first tee time of the day so you can play at a reasonable pace of play. Since you are doing so much travel, you should swing by Harbor Town on Hilton Head to make it a Dye trifecta!

 

[golfman79]

See if you can sub out Osprey for Cougar. I was part of a Bachelor party in December of 2018, and we ate each meal off site at King Street Grille. Want to repeat the trip!

[dannyhorn]

Appreciate the advice! were there for 2 nights so definitely looking forward to some . The ocean and osprey are the only courses that wont be punched at that week. So cant sub unless we wanted to play the ocean twice.

[Drwoods2017]

We stayed in February and I second the Ocean Room. I had one of the best steaks of my life there. As far as night life the bars at the actual resort are usually busy with fellow golfers. There's also a really good pizza place in that little shopping center at the beginning of the island entrance.

I played Osprey and the Ocean and I loved both so I think you'll have a good mix. I would also recommend stopping at Harbour Town also but the course will be shut down all June.

[AllShowNoGo82]

My buddies and I were able to do Kiawah last December, 2x Ocean and 1x Osprey. Osprey was a great way to end for us since we were able to take carts and there was much less wind compared to Ocean. Both courses were in fantastic shape.

For food, I’d recommend Kinfolk on Johns Island. They had really good fried chicken and waffles, wings, and ribs. It was a casual spot with a small menu but the food was great. We also had Cherrywood bbq twice at Osprey but was hit or miss.

[GolfChicago91]

I’m actually here now for quarantine. I plan on playing all of the courses. So far I’ve done Turtle, Oak, and Ocean today. Osprey opens June 1 so playing that Tuesday, then Cougar Wednesday. Decided to forgo a round Thursday to play Ocean again Friday. It was that good. Great experience, course in phenomenal shape. Loved it.

 

I will say Turtle was nice. Standard resort course, and in good shape. Fairly tight at times, but not overly difficult. I’d pass in Oak Point. I hear Cougar and Osprey are great so can give my thoughts after I play.

[WarEagleGolf]

I liked ocean, osprey, cougar, turtle...in that order. Cougar was a very close 2nd for me - maybe a tie. Clubhouse wasn't completed construction yet so...

 

If I still lived in Chucktown...I'd be out there every weekend. Gotta be much less packed - giving many a replay rate...

[ND2005]

Ocean is obviously Ocean.

 

osprey pretty good but doesn’t compare.

 

turtle, cougar, oak on a different tier for sure.

 

cassique if you can get on is worth a go. Expensive AF if a reciprocal/unaccompanied guest

 

 

[smh1]

I was there a few years ago with a group of buddies for 3 nights in March. Didn't find much going on on the island so we hopped on a Uber into Charlestown. Think it was only around 45mins. Fun town and had a lot going on at the weekend.

[krtgolfing]

Do you mean turtle point?

Turtle is probably the 4th in my rankings.

[harriganc7]

Play Ocean twice. Wind won't be the same both days so it will be a completely different course

[wilsonn24]

Not sure if you have already gone on your trip but if not I have been on the Kiawah trip twice and I highly recommend playing turtle point if you have time.

[ConditionsWereTough]

Hang out at the Ryder cup bar and the putting green at dusk. Worth the view alone.

[osubuckeyes691]

bringing this thread back up....

 

I'm planning my Bachelor party near Folly Beach but I'm hoping to play a round at Kiawah one day

 

Does Kiawah have fun things to do that are outside just golf? Bars/restaurants/etc? Or is it pretty strictly for a golf trip as far as activities go?

[Roody]

6 minutes ago, osubuckeyes691 said:

bringing this thread back up....

 

I'm planning my Bachelor party near Folly Beach but I'm hoping to play a round at Kiawah one day

 

Does Kiawah have fun things to do that are outside just golf? Bars/restaurants/etc? Or is it pretty strictly for a golf trip as far as activities go?

The Sanctuary at Kiawah is kinda out of the way if you're looking for non-Kiawah dining. When my wife and I went in 2019, we stayed right at the resort and only dined and drank there. From what I remember it takes a good 20 mins or so just to drive out of the resort. 

That said, I guess it depends on what you're looking for in terms of bars and dining for a bachelor party. IMO as long as the bars have a nice atmosphere and good drink selections, I'd rather stay there and not worry about driving. But that's just me. 

[Abh159]

17 minutes ago, osubuckeyes691 said:

bringing this thread back up....

 

I'm planning my Bachelor party near Folly Beach but I'm hoping to play a round at Kiawah one day

 

Does Kiawah have fun things to do that are outside just golf? Bars/restaurants/etc? Or is it pretty strictly for a golf trip as far as activities go?

 

The short answer is no. Unless... Your bachelor party is into taking a spa day or having quiet dinners/drinks. 

 

If I were you I'd stick with the Charleston area. I'm 99% sure you don't have to stay at Kiawah to play TOC. Drive down for a round if you want, but staying in that area doesn't really scream "bachelor party vibes".

[Roody]

4 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

 

The short answer is no. Unless... Your bachelor party is into taking a spa day or having quiet dinners/drinks. 

 

If I were you I'd stick with the Charleston area. I'm 99% sure you don't have to stay at Kiawah to play TOC. Drive down for a round if you want, but staying in that area doesn't really scream "bachelor party vibes".

The bolded part what what I was kinda trying to say, and I agree. But it depends on how raucous your bachelor party is planning on being. 

[Drwoods2017]

I mean honestly it has everything you need for a golf trip. Multiple bars and nice restaurants but i wouldn't consider that area for a bachelor party.  

[Shankyouverymuch]

The new shopping area Freshfields just outside the gate has several restaurants and bars.  Many more choices than 10 years ago.  As mentioned above, depending on how far back on the island you are staying it may take 15-20 minutes to get out to the gate.