Island West Golf Club

Island West Golf Club in Bluffton, South Carolina, was designed by professional golfer Fuzzy Zoeller and opened in the late 1990s. The course represents Zoeller's foray into golf course architecture in the Lowcountry region, where he sought to create a layout accessible to a range of skill levels while incorporating the natural characteristics of the coastal South Carolina landscape. The routing works through terrain typical of the area between Hilton Head Island and the mainland, featuring relatively flat topography punctuated by wetlands, lagoons, and stands of native vegetation including palmettos and live oaks. Water comes into play on multiple holes, and the design emphasizes strategic options rather than forced carries, allowing players to choose aggressive or conservative lines based on their ability and comfort level. The course serves a residential community and operates as a semi-private facility, welcoming both members and daily-fee play. The layout reflects Zoeller's playing philosophy of fairness and playability, with generous landing areas balanced by well-positioned hazards that reward accurate shot-making. Greens are moderately contoured and protected by bunkers that frame approaches without creating overly penal conditions. Island West functions as a neighborhood amenity within the broader Bluffton golf market, which expanded considerably during the region's residential development boom. The course provides a straightforward test of golf in a setting characteristic of South Carolina's coastal plain, where managing moisture and reading Bermuda grass greens are recurring themes throughout the round.