Turtle Point at Kiawah Island
Jack Nicklaus opened Turtle Point in 1981 and returned to renovate it in 2016, sharpening one of his most enjoyable resort designs. A par 72 of about 6,911 yards, it spends most of the round in sheltered maritime forest before a thrilling three hole run along the Atlantic shoreline near the turn for home.
Photo via Google, contributed by William Townsend.
The verdict
Turtle Point is the Jack Nicklaus contribution to Kiawah's collection, and one of the most satisfying rounds on the island. Opened in 1981, it spent decades as a quiet favorite before Nicklaus and his team carried out a thorough renovation in 2016, re-grassing with paspalum, rebuilding the bunkers and greens and opening up the corridors. The result is a polished, classic Nicklaus resort course.
Our verdict: this is golf with a sense of drama held in reserve. Much of the round threads quietly through forest and lagoon, lulling you before the course steps out onto the dunes for a stunning three hole stretch by the sea. Add a strong finish and you have a course that rewards a complete game without ever beating you up. For the wider region, see our guide to golf in South Carolina.
Turtle Point at a glance
- Opened
- 1981
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus
- Type
- Resort coastal
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,911 yds
- Green fee
- From around $200
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Kiawah Island Golf Resort and leading course databases: Jack Nicklaus, opened 1981, renovated by Nicklaus in 2016, par 72, about 6,911 yards. Turtle Point is a public resort course with priority access and the best rates for resort guests; the indicative green fee starts around $200 for the 2026 season and varies by season, time and guest status. Treat any figure as indicative and always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Nicklaus built Turtle Point to reward position and ball striking rather than brute strength. For much of the round the holes wind through forest and around lagoons, demanding accurate tee shots and crisp irons, with the 2016 renovation adding pace and definition to the greens. It is a steady, strategic build up that keeps its best in store.
The signature is the oceanfront run at the 15th, 16th and 17th, where the course breaks out of the trees and onto the dunes with the Atlantic at your shoulder. The exposed par 3 by the beach is the photograph everyone takes, and the wind here can change the whole complexion of your card. A solid closing hole brings you home, and the contrast between the sheltered start and the wild finish is what makes the round memorable.
On a Kiawah trip Turtle Point sits comfortably between the resort's other courses, the strategic Osprey Point and the marsh golf at Cougar Point, building toward the headline day on the Ocean Course.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort course; tee times are bookable, with priority and the best rates for Kiawah Island Golf Resort guests on a stay and play package |
| Green fee | Indicative rates from around $200 for 2026, higher in peak spring and fall, lower in summer and winter; confirm current pricing before booking |
| Handicap and dress | No handicap requirement; a standard collared shirt golf dress code; the course suits a wide range of abilities |
| On the day | Save something for the ocean stretch at 15 to 17, where the wind can swing the round, and keep the ball below the hole on the renovated greens |
| Getting there | On Kiawah Island, about 45 minutes from Charleston International Airport and the city of Charleston |
| Best months | Spring and fall are prime in the Lowcountry, with mild winters and hot, humid summers |
Access and fee details verified June 2026 from Kiawah Island Golf Resort and leading databases. Green fees are indicative for the 2026 season and change with demand and guest status; always confirm the current rate and tee sheet directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is Kiawah Island Golf Resort, with the five star Sanctuary hotel and a wide range of villas and homes placing Turtle Point and all five courses minutes from the first tee, along with the best access and rates across the island. Staying on Kiawah turns a single round into an unhurried golf week.
The city of Charleston, under an hour away, adds historic hotels and acclaimed dining for a memorable evening off the course. Build the rest of the week around Osprey Point and a bucket list day on the Ocean Course.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts on Kiawah Island and around Charleston.
Build a South Carolina golf trip
Turtle Point is a classic Nicklaus day we love to build into a Kiawah week, alongside the resort's other courses and the headline round on the Ocean Course, with the tee times and lodging booked to match. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Turtle Point questions
Who designed Turtle Point at Kiawah Island and when did it open?
Turtle Point was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1981. Nicklaus and his team led a renovation that reopened the course in 2016.
What is the par and length of Turtle Point?
Turtle Point plays as a par 72 of about 6,911 yards, with a memorable three hole stretch along the Atlantic at the 15th, 16th and 17th.
Can the public play Turtle Point at Kiawah Island?
Yes. Turtle Point is a public resort course with priority and the best rates for Kiawah Island Golf Resort guests. Indicative 2026 green fees start around $200 and vary by season; always confirm directly before booking.
What is special about Turtle Point?
Turtle Point is best known for its three oceanfront holes near the turn for home, a Nicklaus classic that mixes sheltered inland golf with an exposed run along the dunes and beach.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; green fee indicative for 2026 and to be confirmed with the resort. Last reviewed June 2026.