Charleston this June, don't have time or $ to do Kiawah Ocean

[OK_Golf]

What should I play?

Hey Wrxers,

I'll be on Isle of Palms just off Charleston, this summer and wondered what course recommendations you have, assuming I'm not going to make the pilgrimage to The Ocean Course.

I've got limited time and transportation, so I want something relativley, close. Where would you recommend out of the Wild Dunes courses (Links and Harbour), Charleston National and Patriot Point links? These look like the closest to where I'll be staying.

If you have any other recommendations, let's hear 'em and please advise on the distance/travel time to Isle of Palms.

Thanks for any and all help.

Regards.

[rblmp32]

I believe it was the Links Course that I played when I stayed at Wild Dunes. It was a nice little track, with a couple neat ocean holes. However, I believe erosion and storms have changed the last 3 holes I'm referring to. Perhaps other recommendations will be forth coming.

[OK_Golf]

rblmp32,

Thanks for the info on the Wild Dune's Links course. If you don't mind me asking what were the green fees like?

I think the erosion issue the course had on 18 has been corrected and the hole is again a par 5. Anyone have any up to date info on Wild Dunes Links course? Any thoughts on Charleston National?

Thanks WRXers.

[rblmp32]

I think the fees were about $130 if I recall correctly. This was a Saturday morning round, and it was offseason. Probably more now.

[littlepingman]

I'd definitely recommend Rivertowne Country Club, it hosted the Ginn LPGA Tournament until a couple of years ago. Depending on what week in June you are playing makes a difference on the price, it drops after the first week..

http://www.rivertownecountryclub.com/sites/courses/layout9.asp?id=824&page=45565

[Hidalgo]

I lived in Wild Dunes for 5 years. I would recommend both of the courses there. The Harbor Course is short and tight. It's either in the fairway or it's WET. The Links Course is great, but overpriced in my opinion.

There is a great course inland from Charleston called Dunes West that is fun if it hasn't gone private.

Patriots Point is public, and if things haven't changed it's usually very crowded. It is, however, a pretty good layout.

Charleston Nat'l was in pretty bad shape when we left there in 2005. The layout is good, but it had gone downhill. I can't say what it is like at this time.

[VSSHEALY]

Charleston National is a good little course. However, if I were you, I'd choose Patriots Point. Very underrated golf course with a fantastic finishing stretch along the Charleston harbor. It's one of my favorites, and probably my favorite in Charleston (right up with or above Links at Stono Ferry-outside of The Ocean Course.). One of the most scenic courses in Charleston.

Also, the Links Course at Wild Dunes has reconstructed the 18th hole.

[jminton]

Ok_Golf,

Great to hear you are visiting Isle of Palms this June!

I believe you will find both courses at Wild Dunes enjoyable. The Links Course was Tom Fazio's first solo design. It is a links style course with the final holes bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The Harbor Course also a Fazio design, provides a fun enjoyable test of golf with several holes on the Intracoastal Waterway. Go to www.wilddunes.com. for more golf information and follow the link on "how to play" the 18th hole on the Links Course.

The rates in June are as follows :
Links Course Rates $115-$145 based on day of week and time
Harbor Course Rates $65 - $90 based on day of week and time.

Let us know if you need anything else!

Wild Dunes Golf Staff

[wescottlefty]

Rivertowne
Charleston National
Patriots Point

Im not a great golfer at all but for the challenge the course and the scenery these are my top 3 in charleston excluding kiawah courses.

[3Jack]

I had a house in Wild Dunes for a few years and am familiar with the courses down there. All the ones mentioned are fine options. For my tastes I'd rank them like this for someone staying on IOP:

1) Wild Dunes Links Course
2) Rivertowne
3) Dunes West
4) Patriots Point

Now for a wild card: if you can find a member connection at Bulls Bay (private club about 15 minutes up US 17), you'll have hit the motherlode. One of a kind course designed by Mike Strantz. One of my all time favorites.

[OK_Golf]

Wescottlefty and 3Jack, thanks for the input.

3Jack, I see Charleston National doesn't even make your list. Any particular reason? Condition? Design? Facilities? Service? It looks like the closest course, other than the Wild Dunes courses.

Thanks all, keep any advice you have coming.

[3Jack]

I've played Charleston Nat'l a couple of times but its been a few years back. To answer your question, I didn't dislike the course, but the design just didn't grab my attention to the extent that the others did. Of the the courses I recommended, its most similar to Dunes West which is a course I really like. The conditioning, service and facilities at Charleston Nat'l are all fine....its just a course that didn't really inspire me to play it over the other options I named.

Expanding on the two Wild Dunes courses, both are tracks I enjoyed playing. They both have mostly really good holes, and unfortunately, some very forgetable holes, too. The closing holes on the Links course make it the more enjoyable of the two for me. If you're staying on the island, the convenience is hard to beat, but I think you definitely pay for it through the higher greens fees. I often took advantage of the twilight rate. By the way, be sure to take some bug spray with you regardless of where you play. The mosqitoes and "no see ums" along the coast are world class!

Have fun and be sure to eat dinner at the Boat House on IOP while you're there.