Wild Dunes Links Course
One of Tom Fazio's first solo designs, the Links Course opened in 1980 on Isle of Palms, a compact seaside par 70 of about 6,500 yards that climbs into the dunes for a thrilling finish along the Atlantic, the closest thing to oceanfront golf near Charleston.
Photo via Google, Links Golf Course at Wild Dunes Resort.
The verdict
The Links Course is where Tom Fazio's name first appeared on its own. Opened in 1980 at the tip of Isle of Palms, it was one of his earliest solo designs and it remains the headline course at Wild Dunes Resort. It is short by modern numbers but full of character, a tight, breezy seaside layout that uses the maritime forest and the dunes to ask questions length alone never could.
Our verdict: this is the best seaside golf within easy reach of Charleston, a charming, walkable round with a genuinely memorable finish on the Atlantic. It does not pretend to be a championship monster; it is a fun, classic resort course with a great closing stretch. For the wider region, see our guide to golf in South Carolina.
Wild Dunes Links Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1980
- Designer
- Tom Fazio
- Type
- Resort public
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- About 6,500 yds
- Green fee
- Around $180
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Wild Dunes Resort and leading course databases: Tom Fazio, opened 1980, par 70, about 6,500 yards from the back tees. The Links Course is a resort course open to the public; the indicative green fee is around $180 for the 2026 season and varies by day, season and package. Treat any figure as indicative and always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The finish is the reason to play the Links Course. The closing two holes break free of the trees and run among the largest dunes on the property, with the par 5 18th playing right along the Atlantic shore, a true seaside finale of the kind the Carolina coast rarely offers. The wind off the ocean turns a modest yardage into a stiff test, and the holes by the water live long in the memory.
Through the middle the course winds between dunes, lagoons and live oaks, a tight, strategic routing in classic early Fazio style that rewards position over power. Coastal erosion has reshaped a couple of holes over the years, but the spirit of the original design endures, and it remains the most distinctive resort round near Charleston.
On a lowcountry trip the Links Course pairs naturally with the city's other coastal golf and with the classic template golf of Yeamans Hall just inland, while a drive south brings the championship links feel of the Ocean Course at Kiawah into range.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A resort course open to the public; tee times are bookable by visitors directly or through Wild Dunes stay and play packages, with resort guests given priority |
| Green fee | Indicative rate around $180 for 2026, higher in spring and fall peak and 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 players of all levels and is a pleasant walk |
| On the day | Plan for the ocean breeze, place your tee shots for the right angle, and save something for the seaside closing holes |
| Getting there | At Wild Dunes Resort on the north end of Isle of Palms, about 40 minutes from downtown Charleston and Charleston International Airport |
| Best months | Spring and fall are prime on the South Carolina coast, with mild winter golf and warm, busy summers |
Access and fee details verified June 2026 from Wild Dunes Resort and leading databases. Green fees are indicative for the 2026 season and change with demand; always confirm the current rate and tee sheet directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most visitors play the Links Course as part of a Wild Dunes stay, where the lodging runs from the resort's oceanfront hotel to villas and rental homes a short ride from the first tee. A Wild Dunes package is the simplest way to combine the Links Course with the resort's parkland Harbor Course and the beach in one trip.
Charleston itself makes a superb base for a golf and city break, so anchor a few nights nearby and let the Links Course be the seaside highlight, then add the classic golf of Yeamans Hall if you can arrange access.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Isle of Palms and Charleston.
Build a South Carolina golf trip
The Wild Dunes Links Course is the seaside round we love to fold into a Charleston golf trip, and we build the rest of the week to match, with the tee times and lodging booked for you. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Wild Dunes Links Course questions
Who designed the Wild Dunes Links Course and when did it open?
The Links Course at Wild Dunes was designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1980 on Isle of Palms near Charleston, South Carolina, one of his earliest solo designs.
What is the par and length of Wild Dunes Links?
The Links Course plays as a par 70 of about 6,500 yards, a compact seaside layout that climbs into the dunes for a memorable finish along the Atlantic.
Can visitors play the Wild Dunes Links Course?
Yes. The Links Course is a resort course open to the public for tee time bookings and Wild Dunes stay and play packages. Indicative 2026 green fees are around $180; always confirm directly before booking.
What makes the Wild Dunes Links distinctive?
It is one of Tom Fazio's first solo designs and ends with two seaside holes set among large dunes, with the par 5 18th playing along the Atlantic shore.
Related
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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.