Thinking about hitting the links while you’re at Folly Beach? You have the right idea, but you’ll want to know that while there are plenty of surfboards and sandy shores on the island, there aren’t any actual fairways. This guide will walk you through the absolute best places to play golf just a short drive from the Edge of America, with options for every budget and skill level, plus some pro tips for handling coastal golf.
Let's get this out of the way right up front: you won't find a golf course directly on Folly Beach. The island is dedicated to that laid-back beach town vibe, with its pier, great restaurants, and surf spots taking center stage. But don't let that stop you. Folly's location is a fantastic launchpad for a Charleston-area golf trip. Some of the best Lowcountry courses, from accessible daily-fee layouts to world-renowned resorts, are just a few miles away on James Island, John's Island, and beyond. Think of your Folly Beach rental as the perfect home base for a golf adventure.
If you only have time for one round and want the most authentic Charleston golf experience, head to the Charleston Municipal Golf Course, better known as "The Muni." Located on James Island, it’s a quick 15-minute drive from Folly, making it the closest and most convenient option. Fresh off a major 2021 renovation by local architect Troy Miller, this course has been totally transformed.
Forget what you might think about city-owned courses. The revitalized Muni is a masterpiece of public golf. Miller drew inspiration from legendary designers like Seth Raynor and C.B. Macdonald, incorporating bold, geometric green shapes and thoughtful bunkering. It now has a classic, almost links-like feel that locals and visitors adore.
Having played it countless times before and after the renovation, here’s how I recommend you approach it:
If you've already played the Muni or are looking for more variety, a 20- to 30-minute drive opens up several more excellent choices.
Nestled along the Intracoastal Waterway in Hollywood, Stono Ferry offers a different but equally compelling Lowcountry experience. The layout winds through beautiful pines and ancient live oaks, with several holes right on the banks of the Stono River. There’s even a bit of Civil War history here, with earthen fortifications visible on a few holes.
Pro's Tip: The closing stretch is fantastic. The par-4 18th requires a tee shot over a wide expanse of marsh. Trust your yardage and commit to your swing. Don't let the hazard intimidate you into making a tentative, defensive swing - that’s often what causes the mistake in the first place.
For jaw-dropping views and a memorable day, make the drive over the Ravenel Bridge to Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Set right in the Charleston Harbor, this course is famous for its panoramic scenery. You’ll have a front-row seat to the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, Sullivan's Island, and a direct view of Fort Sumter out in the harbor.
Pro's Tip: This course is extremely exposed, so wind is always a factor. The best advice for playing in the wind is to take one more club than you normally would and make a smooth, 80% swing. A controlled swing puts less spin on the ball, keeping it below the wind and more on target. "When it's breezy, swing easy."
If you're a serious golfer, a trip to see Kiawah is likely on your bucket list. While it's about a 45-minute drive from Folly Beach, it’s an unforgettable day trip that’s well worth the time. Home to five public resort courses designed by the game’s greatest architects, Kiawah is a pilgrimage site for golfers.
The most famous, of course, is The Ocean Course, designed by Pete Dye. It has hosted two PGA Championships (2012, 2021) and the 1991 "War by the Shore" Ryder Cup. It is one of the toughest and most breathtakingly beautiful courses in the world. Walking this course is a challenge and an honor, but be prepared for a humbling experience.
If The Ocean Course is too daunting (or too expensive), don't worry. The other four resort courses - Osprey Point (Tom Fazio), Turtle Point (Jack Nicklaus), Cougar Point (Gary Player), and Oak Point (Clyde Johnston) - are all world-class designs and provide a more playable but still high-end resort experience.
Playing golf near the coast in Charleston comes with a few specific challenges you might not be used to. Master these, and you’ll have a much better time.
Most courses here have Bermuda grass greens and fairways. When you're chipping, the direction the grass is growing (the "grain") has a huge effect.
Water hazards are everywhere. A simple mental shift can save you tons of strokes. Instead of viewing a marsh or pond as a place to avoid, see it as a boundary. Your job is to select a club and a target that take the hazard completely out of play. Don't flirt with the edge. If it means laying up to a comfortable yardage, do it. Bogeys are fine, double and triple bogeys from penalty strokes are round-killers.
While Folly Beach itself is a golf-free zone, it serves as the perfect, relaxed command center for exploring Charleston's incredible public golf scene. From the historic Muni just up the road to bucket-list resorts like Kiawah, there's a tee time with your name on it for a price you can smile about.
Navigating these new courses and the unique challenges of coastal golf can feel a bit overwhelming at first. As you plan your Folly Beach golf rounds, I can provide on-course strategy in seconds. When you're standing on the tee of an unfamiliar hole at Stono Ferry or unsure how to play a tricky shot out of the Bermuda rough at the Muni, just ask for a clear, simple play. Our goal is to analyze the situation and remove the guesswork, so you can stand over every shot with confidence. Consider Caddie AI your personal course guide in your pocket.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
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