The five best golf courses near Folly Beach are The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island (championship-level oceanside golf), Osprey Point at Kiawah Island (luxury with cart access), The Links at Stono Ferry (historic value play), Charleston Municipal Golf Course (premium design at public prices), and Patriots Point Golf Links (harbor views with downtown skyline).
Keep reading for detailed breakdowns of each course's unique features, pricing, playing conditions, and why they earned spots on this exclusive list.
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Championship Golf at Its Finest
Pete Dye's masterpiece stands as the most intimidating and rewarding golf experience you'll find near Folly Beach.
Opened in 1991, this championship layout features ten holes that hug the Atlantic Ocean—more seaside holes than any other course in the Northern Hemisphere.
The elevated positioning above the dunes gives you unobstructed coastline views from every hole, but those same Atlantic breezes will test every aspect of your game with wind variations that can require up to an 8-club difference depending on conditions.
Tournament Pedigree That Speaks Volumes
The Ocean Course earned its reputation through hosting golf's biggest moments.
The 1991 Ryder Cup “War by the Shore” put this course on the map, followed by PGA Championships in 2012 and 2021.
These credentials translate into current rankings that place it as the #4 Public Golf Course in America and 25th among the 100 Greatest U.S. Golf Courses.
Pricing Reflects Premium Experience
You'll pay championship prices for this championship experience:
- Non-resort guests: $373-$463 for green fees
- Stay-and-play packages: $234-$330 per round (significant savings)
- Twilight rates: Under $400 for non-guests, $260 for resort guests after 2 p.m.
The stay-and-play packages offer the best value, essentially cutting your costs by $100+ per round while including resort amenities.
Twilight rates provide another cost-saving opportunity, though you'll face potentially stronger afternoon winds.
Playing Conditions Demand Respect
Walking is mandatory before noon—no exceptions.
Carts become available after 12 p.m., but many golfers prefer walking to better feel the wind patterns that define this course.
The wind factor isn't just background noise; it fundamentally changes club selection on every shot.
You might hit a 6-iron into a headwind where you'd normally use a pitching wedge.
Advanced booking is essential due to the course's popularity and limited tee times.
The combination of tournament history, oceanside beauty, and challenging conditions creates demand that far exceeds availability, especially during peak season months.
Osprey Point at Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Luxury Golf with Modern Amenities
Tom Fazio's complete 2014 renovation transformed Osprey Point into a modern masterpiece that rivals any resort course in the Southeast.
The conversion to Paspalum grass surfaces created playing conditions that earned Golf Digest's coveted 4½-star “Best Places to Play” designation and a #44 ranking among South Carolina's best courses.
This isn't just cosmetic improvement—the new grass thrives in the coastal environment while providing consistent playing surfaces year-round.
Course Architecture Balances Beauty and Challenge
Fazio designed a perfectly balanced layout featuring four challenging par-3s, four distinctive par-5s, and ten outstanding par-4s that wind through natural lagoons and fresh-water ponds.
The signature 9th hole exemplifies the course's strategic demands: a 460-yard par-4 with a Cape-style shot over water that intimidates from the tee but rewards precise execution.
The natural water features aren't just scenic—they're integral to the strategic design.
You'll face decisions on nearly every hole about risk versus reward, with lagoons and ponds positioned to catch aggressive shots while rewarding thoughtful course management.
Accessibility Advantages Over Ocean Course
Osprey Point offers several practical benefits that make it more accessible than its famous neighbor:
- Cart access: Available throughout the day, unlike Ocean Course's walking-only morning policy
- Pricing structure: Resort guests pay around $147, while peak season non-guest rates reach approximately $290
- Skill level accommodation: More forgiving design for average golfers without sacrificing challenge for better players
Originally designed as a members-only course, Osprey Point now welcomes public play through the resort, giving you access to what was once an exclusive experience.
Strategic Advantages for Every Golfer
The course rewards strategic thinking over pure distance.
Natural water features require careful shot placement rather than aggressive swings, making it more forgiving than the Ocean Course's wind-whipped challenges.
Fresh-water ponds and lagoons create stunning backdrops while adding strategic elements that enhance rather than punish your round.
This combination of scenic beauty, modern conditions, and thoughtful design makes Osprey Point the ideal choice when you want championship-quality golf without the extreme difficulty that can overwhelm average players.
The Links at Stono Ferry – Historic Golf with Revolutionary War Heritage
Few golf courses can claim they sit on an actual Revolutionary War battlefield, but The Links at Stono Ferry was built directly on the site of the 1779 Battle of Stono Ferry.
Ron Garl's thoughtful design blends this historic significance with modern golf architecture, creating a unique experience just 30 minutes from downtown Charleston.
The semi-private club opens its doors to public play, giving you access to what was previously an exclusive member experience.
Course Layout Reflects Natural Terrain
At 6,756 yards from the back tees, Stono Ferry offers a strategic challenge that unfolds in two distinct acts.
The front nine features a relatively open layout that lets you find your rhythm and build confidence.
The back nine transforms the experience entirely, presenting tougher challenges as holes wind along the scenic Stono River.
Champion Bermuda grass putting surfaces, installed in 2005, provide consistent roll and true reads throughout your round.
The surfaces have matured beautifully, offering the kind of quality you'd expect from much more expensive venues.
Exceptional Value in Premium Golf Market
Green fees around $91 represent extraordinary value when you consider the alternatives:
- Kiawah courses: $200+ premium over Stono Ferry rates
- Brigade Club membership: Additional $20+ savings per round for locals
- Quality recognition: 2011 South Carolina Golf Course of the Year winner
This pricing makes Stono Ferry accessible for regular play rather than just special occasions, while the membership option provides even greater value for frequent golfers.
Signature Features Create Memorable Moments
The iconic island-green 18th hole serves as the perfect finale, demanding precision over a water carry that separates confident finishers from nervous wrecks.
River views throughout the back nine add natural beauty that rivals any coastal course, while the varied hole designs accommodate different skill levels without compromising challenge.
The course strikes an ideal balance—tough enough to test better players while remaining enjoyable for average golfers.
This accessibility, combined with the historic setting and exceptional value, makes Stono Ferry a standout choice when you want quality golf without the premium pricing of resort courses.
Charleston Municipal Golf Course – Premium Design at Public Prices
The most remarkable golf transformation in the Charleston area happened at a 92-year-old municipal course that most golfers had written off.
Troy Miller's $3.5 million renovation, completed in 2020, created something extraordinary: renditions of classic C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor template holes featuring sophisticated architecture typically found only at elite private clubs.
The Redan and Punchbowl green designs represent golf history brought to life, giving you an educational experience in classic golf architecture while delivering modern playing conditions.
Pricing That Defies Logic
Charleston Municipal offers the best value proposition in the entire region:
- Charleston residents: Walk for around $20
- Non-residents: Under $100 for full rounds
- Twilight special: $15 starting at 5:30 PM (walking only)
These prices seem almost impossible when you consider the quality of architecture and recent improvements.
You're paying municipal rates for what feels like a premium private club experience.
Location Advantages for Folly Beach Visitors
Positioned just 10 minutes from downtown Charleston on James Island, the course offers easy access from the Folly Beach area without the drive time required for Kiawah Island courses.
This proximity makes it perfect for morning rounds before beach time or as a convenient option when weather threatens other coastal courses.
The template hole designs provide an educational golf experience you won't find elsewhere in the region.
Playing Redan and Punchbowl greens teaches you golf history while challenging your course management skills.
Playing Conditions and Strategic Considerations
The renovation created firm greens that demand strategic approach shots rather than aggressive pin-hunting.
You'll need to think your way around this course, using slopes and contours the way the classic architects intended.
The challenging designs reward thoughtful course management over pure distance.
As the renovation continues to mature, playing conditions improve each season.
The course has transformed from a neglected municipal facility into a destination worthy of any golfer's bucket list, all while maintaining the accessible pricing that makes regular play possible rather than just special occasions.
Patriots Point Golf Links – Harbor Views with Downtown Skyline
No other golf course in the Charleston area can match Patriots Point's spectacular location on Charleston Harbor's edge, just five minutes from downtown.
This unique positioning delivers views that change throughout your round: downtown Charleston's skyline, historic Fort Sumter, and ships arriving in the harbor create dynamic scenery that makes every hole a photo opportunity.
You're playing golf in the heart of Charleston's maritime history.
Championship Layout with Signature Harbor Hole
The par 72 championship course stretches 6,900 yards from the longest tees, providing a substantial test for golfers of all skill levels.
The acclaimed par-3 17th hole stands as the course's crown jewel—an island green positioned directly in Charleston Harbor that demands both precision and nerve.
This harbor-side golf experience simply doesn't exist anywhere else in the region.
Complete Facility for Golf and Events
Patriots Point goes beyond just golf with comprehensive amenities:
- Lighted driving range: Practice sessions extend into evening hours
- Southern-style clubhouse: Full-service facility with event capabilities
- Tournament hosting: Popular venue for corporate and competitive events
The facility's event capabilities make it a natural choice for golf outings and corporate functions, especially when clients want to experience Charleston's harbor setting.
Pricing and Condition Reality Check
Green fees around $150+ reflect the location premium—you're paying for the closest public course to downtown Charleston and those unmatched harbor views.
However, recent reviews indicate variable course maintenance that doesn't always justify the pricing.
Weather and tidal conditions can affect playing conditions more than at inland courses.
The location advantage is undeniable, making Patriots Point worth consideration when convenience and scenery outweigh concerns about course conditions.
Just manage expectations regarding maintenance standards compared to the premium resort courses, and you'll appreciate the unique harbor-side golf experience that Patriots Point exclusively provides.
Planning Your Folly Beach Golf Adventure – Timing, Logistics, and Pro Tips
Timing Your Golf Trip for Maximum Value
The Charleston area offers year-round golf, but strategic timing can save you hundreds while ensuring optimal playing conditions.
March through May and September through November provide the sweet spot of comfortable temperatures, lower humidity, and reduced peak season pricing.
Summer months bring afternoon thunderstorms and oppressive heat, though twilight rates starting around 5:30 PM offer substantial savings for heat-tolerant players.
Hurricane season runs June through November, with peak risk in August and September.
Always book refundable rates during these months and have backup indoor activities planned.
Peak season pricing typically runs February through April and October, when green fees can double at premium courses.
Transportation Strategy from Folly Beach
Your course selection impacts drive times significantly:
- Charleston Municipal: 15 minutes via James Island
- Patriots Point: 25 minutes through downtown Charleston
- The Links at Stono Ferry: 35 minutes west on Highway 17
- Kiawah Island courses: 45-60 minutes depending on traffic
Rental cars provide the most flexibility for multi-course trips, especially when booking early morning tee times.
Golf transportation services cost $75-150 per trip but eliminate parking concerns and let you enjoy post-round beverages.
All courses offer free parking except during major tournaments.
Booking Strategies That Save Money
Advanced planning is non-negotiable for premium courses.
Ocean Course and Osprey Point require 30-90 day advance bookings during peak season, while municipal and semi-private courses accept same-week reservations.
Resort Course Advantages:
- Stay-and-play packages reduce green fees by $100+ per round
- Resort guests get priority tee times and weather makeup policies
- Package deals often include range balls and cart fees
Local membership options at Stono Ferry and municipal courses provide ongoing savings for frequent visitors.
Brigade Club membership offers $20+ discounts per round, while Charleston resident rates at the municipal course drop to $20 for walking.
Equipment and Preparation Essentials
Coastal golf demands specific equipment considerations.
Wind-resistant balls with lower flight trajectories perform better at oceanside courses like Ocean Course and Patriots Point.
Pack layers for temperature swings between morning and afternoon rounds, plus rain gear for sudden coastal weather changes.
Most facilities offer quality rental clubs, but Ocean Course and Osprey Point charge premium rates.
Practice facilities vary significantly—Ocean Course and Osprey Point feature full practice ranges, while Charleston Municipal offers limited warming areas.
Weather Contingency Planning
Afternoon thunderstorms are common June through September, making morning tee times preferable.
Most courses offer rain checks or rescheduling for weather delays, but policies vary.
Ocean Course provides the most flexible weather policies due to its premium pricing, while municipal courses may offer limited makeup options.
Book refundable rates when possible, and always check cancellation deadlines—typically 24-48 hours before your tee time without penalty.
Conclusion
These five courses near Folly Beach offer something for every golfer, from championship-level challenges at Ocean Course to exceptional value at Charleston Municipal.
Choose based on your budget, skill level, and desired experience—whether that's tournament-tested oceanside golf or historic charm with modern amenities.
Book your tee times early, pack for coastal conditions, and prepare for some of the most memorable golf you'll play anywhere in the Southeast.
