Rebirth After the Storm
After Hurricane Hugo and development turmoil, the club weathered bankruptcy and was reborn with a new member-owned structure in the early '90s. Its resilience is part of the Seabrook story.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Seabrook Island Club
Johns Island, South Carolina
Established
1973
Architect
Willard Byrd (Ocean Winds), Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (Crooked Oaks); Rees Jones, Inc. (Ocean Winds 2020 renovation)
Access
Private - Resort Guest Access
Par
Par 72
Length
4,784 – 6,780 yds
Green Fees
$$$
The verdict
Classic Charleston-Area Coastal Golf
Seabrook Island Club offers two distinctive, wind-shaped courses surrounded by marsh and maritime forest, with Ocean Winds recently revitalized by Rees Jones. While not a national trophy, its well-conditioned fairways, environmental leadership, and private-club experience make it a prime draw in the Charleston golf region. A can’t-miss Lowcountry outing for members and invited guests alike.
Course DNA
Difficulty
74
Scenery85
Conditioning82
Shot Variety76
Walkability66
Green Complexity78
Wow Factor74
Design Quality77
Don't miss
Watch for playful dolphins in the tidal marshes visible from several seaside holes, especially at dawn and dusk.
At a glance
Quick facts
Number of Courses
2 championship 18-hole courses
Audubon Certification
First in South Carolina, certified 1996
Ocean Winds Architect
Willard Byrd (1973), renovated by Rees Jones (2020)
Crooked Oaks Architect
Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1981)
Environmental Focus
Club is a recognized Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary
Coastal Influence
Courses shaped by Atlantic breezes and marsh
Visitor Access
Tee times after 12:00 PM for non-members
The design
The architecture
Seabrook Island Club delivers a twofold coastal golf experience blending seaside elements and lush Lowcountry character. The acclaimed Ocean Winds, reimagined by Rees Jones in 2020, harnesses Atlantic winds and marshland drama while delivering strategic, player-friendly choices and fresh green complexes. Crooked Oaks, by Robert Trent Jones Sr., utilizes classic 'hard par, easy bogey' principles among towering live oaks and tidal lagoons, offering varied shot challenges across a serene natural canvas. Expect modern conditioning, strong pace, and wisely preserved accents highlighting each architect’s Lowcountry vision.
The 2020 Rees Jones-led renovation of Ocean Winds rejuvenated the course’s seaside spirit and playability while maintaining classic roots.
Defining features
- Atlantic breezes shape club selection and angles
- Signature interplay with salt marsh and tidal waters
- Contoured, renovated green sites for modern play
- Live oaks frame corridors on Crooked Oaks
- Resort-quality fairways with private club polish
- Strategic bunkering offers risk/reward options
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 6
Tidal Approach
PAR
4
YARDAGE
401 yds
A medium-length par 4 with a marsh-flanked approach that tests nerves more than distance. The putting surface slopes back-to-front, quickening with sea breezes.
Play it smart
Lay back for a full approach — attacking from the fairway is key. Shot shape to the correct tier is decisive.
Where it bites
Over-aggression courts disaster with a watery grave lurking right and long.
Course management
Shots to think about
Uphill tee shot into a headwind
Lower your flight and favor the center — the wind amplifies small mistakes.
Approaching greens cut along the marsh
Aim for the wide side — short-siding yourself courts double bogey or worse.
Club selection on exposed par 3s
Feel the breeze precisely and take an extra club; anything short is likely lost.
Dogleg holes tight through oak corridors
Shape shots right-to-left or left-to-right as required, but always keep an eye on overhanging branches.
Blind or semi-blind approach into breeze
Trust your caddie or GPS, and favor the safest section of the green.
Bump-and-run near firm greens
Use the tight turf to skip one up — a ground game pays off here.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Contemporary resort-level conditioning with lush fairways, consistent sand, and polished greens.
Pace
Reasonable four-hour rounds, though visitor play is often stacked for peak efficiency after noon.
Vibe
Relaxed Lowcountry friendliness with private-club polish and refined amenities.
Dress code
Standard private club attire — collared shirts, tucked in, no denim.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Prepare for coastal winds
Bring your full wind game and rangefinder — gusting Atlantic breezes are a constant factor.
02
Be ready for marsh carries
Confident iron play is a must: marshland approaches will eat up indecision.
03
Ask for green speed info
Recent renovations have quickened many putting surfaces — get a practice putt in before heading out.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1973
Ocean Winds opened with a ceremony attended by Governor John C. West
- 1981
Crooked Oaks course opened, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
- 1991
Club transitioned to member governance after surviving bankruptcy
- 1996
First South Carolina club certified in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program
- 2020
Rees Jones, Inc. completed the major renovation of Ocean Winds
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Wind, Marsh, and Maritime Forest
Ocean Winds is famed for its blustery Atlantic exposures, while Crooked Oaks threads through moss-draped live oaks and tranquil forest corridors for a contrasting style.
Audubon Environmental Leadership
Seabrook Island Club stands out as South Carolina’s first golf facility to earn Audubon Sanctuary status, integrating environmental stewardship into its daily operation.
Governor on the First Tee
The opening of Ocean Winds was a celebratory affair, even drawing South Carolina’s governor for the inaugural event in 1973—a nod to its instant Lowcountry stature.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Seabrook Island Club became the first Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in South Carolina in 1996.
2
Ocean Winds reopened in 2020 after a modern Rees Jones redesign to maximize seaside challenge.
3
Governor John C. West attended the opening tee shot ceremony for Ocean Winds in 1973.
4
Each course delivers a distinct style: marshland winds for Ocean Winds, forested corridors for Crooked Oaks.
Build the trip
If you're making a Charleston-area golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Ocean Course
Resort
World-famous Pete Dye major venue and dramatic Atlantic setting.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Turtle Point
Resort
Nicklaus design with tidal marshes and classic Lowcountry shot values.
Wild Dunes Resort – Links Course
Resort
Tom Fazio design with ocean-view finishing holes near Isle of Palms.
Charleston Municipal Golf Course
Municipal
Recently renovated public course with a strong community vibe and open access.
Charleston or Kiawah/Johns Island for ease of access to Seabrook and elite public resort golf.
Course DNA
If You Like Seabrook Island Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.4
The Links at Spanish Bay
Pebble Beach, CaliforniaScenery
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. The Links at Spanish Bay shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to Seabrook Island Club.
Strong DNA Match7.9
Eagles Mere Country Club
Eagles Mere, PennsylvaniaWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Eagles Mere Country Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.3
Stevens Park Golf Course
Dallas, TexasWhy it matches: Stevens Park Golf Course is a natural next stop after Seabrook Island Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
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