The Ocean at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is defined by its uncompromising relationship with the Atlantic. Pete Dye, in perhaps his most dramatic work, routed the course directly along the coastline, defying the conventions of seaside golf architecture. Exposed to relentless winds and framed by towering dunes covered in native grasses, the Ocean Course demands strategic thinking and adaptability, a true test of a golfer’s mettle. Errant shots are severely penalized, often swallowed by the sandy scrub or the ocean itself.

Dye, with assistance from his wife Alice, originally sculpted the Ocean Course for the 1991 Ryder Cup, an event that ignited its reputation for both beauty and brutality. The course's challenging layout and picturesque setting, however, were tested again by the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships, etching its name in major championship lore. Tom Watson nearly clinched victory for the Americans in that infamous Ryder Cup, a moment forever etched in golfing history.

While its difficulty often overshadows its design, the Ocean Course offers moments of strategic brilliance. The constantly shifting winds dictate club selection and strategy, creating a unique challenge each round. While never meant to be quaint, there is an earnestness to the course and those who frequent it. Few leave unchanged, and that may be the hallmark of a true links, but one with a unique American identity.