Kiawah Island Golf Resort: A golf vacation without guilt

Kiawah Island Golf Resort

The time has come.  You’re sitting down to start the planning process of where to go on your next vacation, and one by one each member of your crew starts listing their top criteria of where to go and the list looks something like this:

  • Bucket-list golf is a must
  • Multiple great courses
  • First-class accommodations
  • Activities for all

Whenever we talk to golfers, we hear this list of criteria all the time.

The goal is simple: pick a destination where the golfers in the group can enjoy top-tier golf while those who don’t tee it up can have an equally unforgettable experience.  More simply put, a golf vacation that you can book without any guilt because you know everyone in your crew will love it.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort checks the box in all these areas.  

It’s one of the best golf resorts in the country, and this special destination has so much to offer that we are happy to highlight for you.

Bucket-list golf with a variety of great courses

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is U.S. golf royalty.  It’s one of Pete (and Alice) Dye’s absolute masterpieces, and it’s one of those courses that only gets better the more times you play it.  And we aren’t the only ones that think so, as our friends at the PGA of America recently awarded the course the 2031 PGA Championship.

While The Ocean Course is certainly the star of the show at Kiawah Island, the resort features 72 additional holes of golf that certainly deserve your attention with the likes of Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Clyde Johnston at the design helm of the other courses on property.  

Ocean Course at Kiawah Island

First-class accommodations

When it comes to options and variety, Kiawah Island Golf Resort has your group and their preferences covered.

For the group that likes to have a homebase at the resort, The Sanctuary is a Forbes Five-Star hotel  where Southern charm and service are at the forefront of this oceanside sanctuary (pun intended).  With 255 rooms that epitomize coastal luxury, The Sanctuary delivers a boutique experience in a larger footprint where any group can feel at home.  The Sanctuary is incredibly convenient for groups as it has multiple dining options including the high-end steakhouse The Ocean Room, also awarded with Forbes Five-Star recognition, the Lowcountry-inspired Jasmine Porch, and the Signature Gourmet Coffee Shop for those looking for great food on the go.  

There’s plenty to enjoy here including the indoor and outdoor pools, an extensive fitness center, a Five-Star spa , multiple shops including The Kiawah Golf Shop that showcases Peter Millar men’s attire, and so much more. The Sanctuary is one of only five hotels nationwide and one of only fourteen globally to garnish a triple Forbes Five-Star rating for its accommodations, spa and dining.

For groups that are looking for a more secluded experience, Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers a selection of resort villas, private homes, and the exclusive Cottages at The Ocean Course.  The Ocean Course Cottages are the perfect haven for groups looking to immerse themselves in championship golf  at this iconic and luxurious course that includes a Concierge Team  and  four-bedroom, 3,800-square-foot slices of heaven.

Family fun for all

We’ve heard many golfers in awe of the sheer size of Kiawah Island Golf Resort. There is so much to explore here, and the team at the resort  has your entire family covered as they feature three different camps for guests aged 3 to 15 years old.  These include Camp Kiawah, which is a themed day camp for 3- to 7-year-old little ones; Camp Xtreme for 8- to 13-year-old kids that includes sports, scavenger hunts, team games and more; and the seasonally offered Adventure Camp for 8- to 15-year-old kids seeking some seasonal activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, boogie boarding, guided naturalist tours and archery lessons. 

If you’re looking to get your young ones to enjoy some time on the course, you should consider signing them up for a clinic at The Tommy Cuthbert Golf Learning Center.  Conveniently located at Turtle Point, this exceptional team of PGA instructors lead by Abby Welch is renowned for their ability to help beginners and younger players learn the game and, more importantly, have fun while doing it.

Being on the South Carolina coast, guests can also enjoy 10-miles of oceanfront experiences, including bicycling on the hard-packed sand along the water. For family members who enjoy racquet sports, the Roy Barth Tennis Center has a wide range of facilities and programs featuring tennis, pickleball, and soon-to-open, padel.

 

Recommendation

Kiawah Island Golf Resort is one of those rare resorts that is perfect for any type of golf group.  Whether you are looking for a trip with your friends, a couple’s getaway, or a family experience to create a lifetime of memories, Kiawah Island can accommodate your needs and create an itinerary that is perfect for your group’s specific needs.