Charleston, South Carolina, is renowned for its elegant architecture, storied history, and vibrant Lowcountry culture. But for those who appreciate luxury and a perfect drive—on the fairway, that is—Charleston also stands as one of the Southeast's premier destinations for exclusive golf. Set against tidal creeks, moss-draped oaks, and historic plantations, Charleston's top-tier golf courses offer more than just meticulously maintained greens. They promise privacy, prestige, and a refined lifestyle that attracts CEOs, pro athletes, and longtime Southern aristocracy alike.
From historic clubs to modern retreats, here's a curated look at Charleston's most exclusive golf courses and country clubs.
Bulls Bay Golf Club
995 Bulls Bay Boulevard, Awendaw
Located about 25 minutes north of Charleston, Bulls Bay Golf Club offers a bold, modern take on Lowcountry golf. Designed by the late, great Mike Strantz—who also designed the legendary, no-holds-barred Tobacco Road Golf Course in Sanford, NC—Bulls Bay is cast from a similar, if more aesthetically pleasing, mold playing across windswept savannahs, native grasses, and elevated terrain with panoramic views rare to the region.
The club features a top-rated golf performance center known as "The Ranch," making it a favorite among serious players looking to fine-tune their game. Bulls Bay is a private and selective club with a waitlist for new memberships—a testament to its growing prestige in the Charleston region.
Located about 25 minutes north of Charleston, Bulls Bay Golf Club offers a bold, modern take on Lowcountry golf. Designed by the late, great Mike Strantz—who also designed the legendary, no-holds-barred Tobacco Road Golf Course in Sanford, NC—Bulls Bay is cast from a similar, if more aesthetically pleasing, mold playing across windswept savannahs, native grasses, and elevated terrain with panoramic views rare to the region.
The club features a top-rated golf performance center known as "The Ranch," making it a favorite among serious players looking to fine-tune their game. Bulls Bay is a private and selective club with a waitlist for new memberships—a testament to its growing prestige in the Charleston region.
Coosaw Creek Country Club
4110 Club Course Drive, North Charleston
This Arthur Hills-designed course winds through wetlands and wooded terrain—and amongst more than 500 luxurious homes—in North Charleston. Although more residential in feel, Coosaw Creek Country Club remains a private club that offers an unparalleled golf experience and a robust amenities package. The 10,000-square-foot clubhouse serves as a hub of social activity, and the course itself is renowned for its challenging layout and pristine conditioning.
Tennis, swimming, and a well-rounded calendar of events make Coosaw Creek an excellent option for those seeking a strong community feel with the benefits of private golf.
This Arthur Hills-designed course winds through wetlands and wooded terrain—and amongst more than 500 luxurious homes—in North Charleston. Although more residential in feel, Coosaw Creek Country Club remains a private club that offers an unparalleled golf experience and a robust amenities package. The 10,000-square-foot clubhouse serves as a hub of social activity, and the course itself is renowned for its challenging layout and pristine conditioning.
Tennis, swimming, and a well-rounded calendar of events make Coosaw Creek an excellent option for those seeking a strong community feel with the benefits of private golf.
Country Club of Charleston
1 Country Club Drive, James Island
As the oldest country club in South Carolina, the Country Club of Charleston blends historic pedigree with world-class golf. Established in 1786, the club relocated to its current James Island location in the 1920s, with another celebrated Seth Raynor course anchoring the grounds.
The club hosted the 2019 U.S. Women's Open and continues to serve as home to the prestigious Azalea Invitational. Members enjoy sweeping views of Charleston Harbor, elegant club facilities, and a course that blends old-school strategy with stunning scenery. Tradition reigns supreme here, and the club's social and tennis programs further complement its stately allure.
As the oldest country club in South Carolina, the Country Club of Charleston blends historic pedigree with world-class golf. Established in 1786, the club relocated to its current James Island location in the 1920s, with another celebrated Seth Raynor course anchoring the grounds.
The club hosted the 2019 U.S. Women's Open and continues to serve as home to the prestigious Azalea Invitational. Members enjoy sweeping views of Charleston Harbor, elegant club facilities, and a course that blends old-school strategy with stunning scenery. Tradition reigns supreme here, and the club's social and tennis programs further complement its stately allure.
Daniel Island Club
600 Island Park Drive, Charleston
Nestled in one of Charleston's most well-planned residential enclaves, the Daniel Island Club offers a full-service luxury golf experience. Members enjoy access to two championship 18-hole courses: the Beresford Creek Course, designed by Tom Fazio, and the Ralston Creek Course, designed by Rees Jones.
Both courses are scenic and challenging, having hosted USGA events, including the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. Off the course, members have access to elegant dining venues, tennis courts, swimming pools, an immaculate fitness center, and the state-of-the-art Ron Cerrudo Golf Learning Center. It's a lifestyle club with a strong sense of community—perfect for families and avid players alike.
Nestled in one of Charleston's most well-planned residential enclaves, the Daniel Island Club offers a full-service luxury golf experience. Members enjoy access to two championship 18-hole courses: the Beresford Creek Course, designed by Tom Fazio, and the Ralston Creek Course, designed by Rees Jones.
Both courses are scenic and challenging, having hosted USGA events, including the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. Off the course, members have access to elegant dining venues, tennis courts, swimming pools, an immaculate fitness center, and the state-of-the-art Ron Cerrudo Golf Learning Center. It's a lifestyle club with a strong sense of community—perfect for families and avid players alike.
The Golf Club at Briars Creek
4000 Briar's Creek Lane, Johns Island
A hidden gem for those who crave both seclusion and splendor, The Golf Club at Briars Creek is located on a 900-acre preserve on Johns Island. The Rees Jones-designed course is the centerpiece of a private sanctuary where members enjoy uninterrupted natural beauty, wildlife sightings, and a golf experience that prioritizes solitude and serenity.
There are no tee times at Briars Creek, and membership is by invitation only, emphasizing exclusivity, conservation, and a close-knit community. With only a handful of homesites and a limited membership, Briars Creek represents a rarefied way of life.
A hidden gem for those who crave both seclusion and splendor, The Golf Club at Briars Creek is located on a 900-acre preserve on Johns Island. The Rees Jones-designed course is the centerpiece of a private sanctuary where members enjoy uninterrupted natural beauty, wildlife sightings, and a golf experience that prioritizes solitude and serenity.
There are no tee times at Briars Creek, and membership is by invitation only, emphasizing exclusivity, conservation, and a close-knit community. With only a handful of homesites and a limited membership, Briars Creek represents a rarefied way of life.
Kiawah Island Club
The River Course, 10 River Course Lane, Johns Island
Cassique, 100 Old Cedar Lane, Johns Island
For many, Kiawah Island needs no introduction. The island's Ocean Course has hosted multiple PGA Championships and one of the most legendary Ryder Cups in history. The private Kiawah Island Club takes exclusivity to a whole new level. Reserved exclusively for property owners, the club offers access to two member-only courses: the River Course, designed by Tom Fazio, and Cassique, designed by Tom Watson.
Both courses offer exceptional play and distinct design philosophies. The Kiawah River's winding waterways frame the River Course, while Cassique combines Scottish links style with Lowcountry flair. Beyond golf, the club offers a private beach club, oceanfront access, spa services, fine dining, and an active social calendar.
Cassique, 100 Old Cedar Lane, Johns Island
For many, Kiawah Island needs no introduction. The island's Ocean Course has hosted multiple PGA Championships and one of the most legendary Ryder Cups in history. The private Kiawah Island Club takes exclusivity to a whole new level. Reserved exclusively for property owners, the club offers access to two member-only courses: the River Course, designed by Tom Fazio, and Cassique, designed by Tom Watson.
Both courses offer exceptional play and distinct design philosophies. The Kiawah River's winding waterways frame the River Course, while Cassique combines Scottish links style with Lowcountry flair. Beyond golf, the club offers a private beach club, oceanfront access, spa services, fine dining, and an active social calendar.
Snee Farm Country Club
1200 Club Drive, Mount Pleasant
Just over the bridge in Mount Pleasant, Snee Farm Country Club offers a refined yet more accessible take on country club living. The George Cobb-designed course is situated on a historic plantation and offers a classic, walkable layout with tree-lined fairways and strategically placed water features.
The club also features tennis courts, swimming pools, and dining facilities, all united by a strong sense of local community. Membership also provides access to Snee Farm's sibling clubs—RiverTowne Country Club and Dunes West Golf and River Club, both in Mount Pleasant. For families looking for private amenities without the ultra-exclusive barrier to entry, Snee Farm is an ideal option.
Just over the bridge in Mount Pleasant, Snee Farm Country Club offers a refined yet more accessible take on country club living. The George Cobb-designed course is situated on a historic plantation and offers a classic, walkable layout with tree-lined fairways and strategically placed water features.
The club also features tennis courts, swimming pools, and dining facilities, all united by a strong sense of local community. Membership also provides access to Snee Farm's sibling clubs—RiverTowne Country Club and Dunes West Golf and River Club, both in Mount Pleasant. For families looking for private amenities without the ultra-exclusive barrier to entry, Snee Farm is an ideal option.
Yeamans Hall Club
900 Yeamans Hall Road, Hanahan
Tucked away just outside downtown Charleston, Yeamans Hall Club is often cited as one of the most exclusive and revered golf clubs in the country. Established in 1924 on a historic 1,100-acre plantation, this private club features a Seth Raynor-designed course that's been lovingly restored to preserve its original Golden Age architecture.
Membership is strictly by invitation and shrouded in quiet tradition. The course itself is celebrated for its strategic layout and timeless elegance, offering a walk back in time for purists who value classic design and uninterrupted play. There's no tee time pressure here—just a reverence for the game.
Tucked away just outside downtown Charleston, Yeamans Hall Club is often cited as one of the most exclusive and revered golf clubs in the country. Established in 1924 on a historic 1,100-acre plantation, this private club features a Seth Raynor-designed course that's been lovingly restored to preserve its original Golden Age architecture.
Membership is strictly by invitation and shrouded in quiet tradition. The course itself is celebrated for its strategic layout and timeless elegance, offering a walk back in time for purists who value classic design and uninterrupted play. There's no tee time pressure here—just a reverence for the game.
Tee It Up in One of the Country's Most Exclusive Golfing Locations
Charleston's most exclusive golf courses offer more than world-class play—they deliver a lifestyle. Whether it's the storied fairways of Yeamans Hall, the dual-course mastery of Daniel Island Club, or the secluded elegance of Briars Creek, each course offers its own expression of Southern luxury. In a city where tradition meets innovation and every detail matters, Charleston's golf scene is as refined and rewarding as the city itself.
For those seeking more than just a round of golf—for those pursuing a legacy—Charleston's private courses offer the perfect invitation.
For those seeking more than just a round of golf—for those pursuing a legacy—Charleston's private courses offer the perfect invitation.
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