Playing The Ocean Course at Kiawah this summer under PGA Championship conditions?!?!

Saw this nugget on the Golf Digest's website and was intrigued. I'd love to get down there this August and play The Ocean Course. Love playing it on Tiger Woods, and it'd be cool to go there and play this track under 'championship' conditions.

I went on the resort's website and it was less than helpful. Anyone played there? Know anything about it? Know the rates in August? Know if you can play the course without staying at the resort?!?!?!?

I've played there a couple times and really enjoyed it. Both times were Labor Day week (one year apart). I don't remember the cost but it was fairly pricey, especially because I rented Clubs. It has a very high slope but I did not find it unusually difficult even though one of the days was quite windy. Then again, it was not set up in Open condition. I would say that it is the best East Coast Seaside Course south of Fishers Island.

I was there over thanksgiving. Yes Kiawah is open to the public, I think the Ocean course is $340 but I did not play it. I played the cheapest Kiawah course, Oak Pointe ($140) and loved it. ALL of the Kiawah courses are world-class, and most are about half the price of the Ocean. Something to think about.

Also if you've never been down there, spend a day walking around Charleston it's one of the coolest cities in the country.

I'm planning a Charleston trip sometime in the next year or two...

I'd get a bang out of playing the Ocean course...despite the cost. I can't believe more folks aren't intrigued by this.

i played it a few years ago, if you like big sand pits with 40 mile per hour winds you will find it great!!

I thought it was nice, i would play it again...you have to keep the ball on the fairway at all costs and if you don't forget about being a hero and just get the ball back to the fairway...oh and walk with caddie...mandatory.

Isn't the caddie part of the (expensive!) greens fee?

you might think so but...no and here is the thing if you ride and take a forecaddie the carts are wastearea only so you spend damn near as much time walking and dragging clubs to you ball as if you had walked anyway. IMO it is walk / caddie manadatory.

I play this course every summer. Honestly, there won't be a noticeable difference in normal course setup and the PGA setup. The course always plays tough. I play from the tips and it is LONG. The greens are always perfect and quick. Also, taking a caddy is a must. They are all very good, and add to the experience. There is no reason not to walk the course. It would be harder to ride in a cart as the carts are always restricted to staying in the waste bunkers. As for the price, you are paying for the experience.

I played it once and I though it was really beautiful and challenging. I had an early tee time so the wind wasnt much of a factor until we hit the back 9. On most shots If you cant keep the ball within 20 yards of where you want to hit it, youre going to be up to your @ss in sand, knee high sea grass, or worse, water.  The caddies were great. Bring your wallet full and leave with it empty.

-LM