Oak Point

The ninth hole at Oak Point Golf Course brings Haulover Creek hard into the round. This par three demands close attention to the wind moving along the water, and the club that looks right from the tee can soon feel inadequate. It is a fitting example of Clyde Johnston’s par 72 design, where shaping the ball and choosing the sensible route matter more than sheer distance. From the back markers the course reaches 6,701 yards, with six sets of tees allowing groups to find a suitable test. The 535-yard opening par five sets the same tone, turning left beside water and presenting a real choice on the second shot. Go for the green and a birdie is possible, but a poorly judged attempt can quickly cost strokes. Rolling fairways and demanding green targets keep the emphasis on placement, while Paspalum surfaces provide tidy lies and dependable pace on the greens. The Kiawah River, Haulover Creek and maritime woodland give the course its character without distracting from the golf. In 2019, the Charleston Golf Course Owners Association chose Oak Point as its course of the year.

Set beyond Kiawah Island’s main gates, Oak Point provides a quieter day on the links within the resort’s five course collection, which also includes The Ocean Course, Osprey Point, Turtle Point and Cougar Point. It makes a useful round in a longer stay, particularly when the group wants a strategic course that rewards restraint and good wedge play. Accommodation can be arranged at The Sanctuary, in resort villas with kitchens and living areas, or in holiday homes with room for as many as eight bedrooms. Most of those larger homes include their own pool, giving groups somewhere relaxed to gather after golf. For parties of 12 or more, a golf services manager can organise restaurant arrangements, transport for clubs and spa appointments, including the Kiawah Golf Ball Massage. One-to-one coaching, group tuition and programmes for families and juniors are also available between rounds.