South Carolina

SC has 1 of 10 best public golf courses in nation, new USA Today ranking shows. Take a look

No. 17 at the Ocean Course is one of the world’s most picturesque golf holes — and also one of the most demanding.
No. 17 at the Ocean Course is one of the world’s most picturesque golf holes — and also one of the most demanding. AP

Spring is in the air in South Carolina, meaning it’s time for many golfers to dust off their clubs.

But where should you tee off to get the best experience in the state as you enjoy the spring weather?

The Palmetto State isn’t hurting for golf courses. Myrtle Beach alone has more than 90 courses, most of which are public.

Maybe USA Today can help you decide.

The publication recently unveiled its list of the 10 best public golf courses in the U.S. for 2024 as part of its 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards series. The 10Best series highlight the best of the best in contests covering categories such as destinations, food and drink and things to do. Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. The final set of nominees are selected by editors before they’re presented to the public. After four weeks of voting, the winners are unveiled.

So, which South Carolina golf course made the cut? Take a look below. To view all the golf courses on the list, click here.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort: The Ocean Course

Located on the eastern-most end the Kiawah Island, the Ocean Course has the most seaside hills in the Northern Hemisphere. The Ocean Course was initially created for the 1991 Ryder Cup and was designed by Pete Dye to showcase the Atlantic Ocean views from the greens and fairways.

“It’s a tough, breezy course with inclines on each fairway, sawgrass surrounding the holes and dunes connecting to every bunker,” USA Today writes.

Tiger Woods walks to the 18th green during the weather delayed third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Tiger Woods walks to the 18th green during the weather delayed third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci AP

Besides the Ryder Cup, the Ocean Course has hosted several PGA Championships and the World Cup. It’s also no stranger to accolades. Golf Digest ranked the Ocean Course as third best in the U.S. for 2023. The course was also ranked ninth best resort golf course in the U.S. for 2024 by Golfweek.

Jordan Spieth hits up to the sixth hole during a practice round at the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Kiawah Island, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Jordan Spieth hits up to the sixth hole during a practice round at the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Kiawah Island, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt York) Matt York AP
Patrick McCreless
The State
Patrick McCreless is the Southeast service journalism editor for McClatchy, who leads and edits a team of six reporters in South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi. The team writes about trending news of the day and topics that help readers in their daily lives and better informs them about their communities. He attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama and grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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