Turtle has the ocean holes and a Nicklaus challenge to it, but I think what Gary Player has done at Cougar is a really wonderful example of a course that looks and plays great for a wider range of handicaps. This might be a contrarian opinion to many, but I think I liked the overall round at Cougar more than Turtle Point at Kiawah Island. But if I could only play one course at Kiawah Island that wasn’t the Ocean Course, I’d choose Cougar Point. If you can, try to avoid the peak times or try and get a package deal to reduce costs. Like all the Kiawah courses, Cougar Point is pricey. The closing hole is challenging with a long approach shot over the corner of the lake, as the green sits near the clubhouse. The course gets tough on 15 and 17 with difficult angles to reach the green. The rest of the back nine is solid with some tight fairways, nearby houses and water in play.

Unfortunately for me, just like Jack Lemmon in the movie, I hit a snap hook into the trees on the left!

The 11th hole is notable as the opening scene in the movie “The Legend of Bagger Vance”. The track turns back inland but nine and 10 play around a nice lake. The par-3 sixth is also scenic with an easy carry over scrub brush.

The green at five sticks out into the marsh and is a great place to take a picture. The fourth takes you to the edge of the river, and No. After that hole, you have to drive through a tunnel that brings you to the most beautiful holes on the course. The third is a beastly par-5 but very picturesque that bends around a lake. In fact, the alligator patrolling the lake caught our attention more. The pathway is busy with walkers, bikers and car traffic but nothing distracting. The second hole is a little par-3 that is right next to the road that brings you onto the island. The greens were lush but almost shaggy, and you really had to hit putts to get them to the hole. Cougar is exactly what you would want in a resort course – a challenging but fun time. I think Cougar Point is the second-best course in the Kiawah Island group, behind only the amazing Ocean Course.

Download 158 kiawah island club drive