--- title: "Pinehurst vs Kiawah Island: East Coast Golf Showdown (2026)" slug: pinehurst-vs-kiawah description: "Comparing Pinehurst Resort and Kiawah Island: course variety, ocean vs inland, resort experience, and which East Coast golf destination wins." date: 2026-01-05 author: Golf Courses Close-To-Me featured_image: /images/blog/pinehurst-vs-kiawah.jpg keywords: pinehurst vs kiawah, kiawah or pinehurst, best east coast golf, golf resort comparison --- # Pinehurst vs Kiawah Island: East Coast Golf Capitals Two legendary East Coast golf destinations. Pinehurst offers sandhills tradition; Kiawah delivers ocean drama. Here's how they compare. --- ## Quick Comparison | Factor | Pinehurst Resort | Kiawah Island | Winner | |--------|------------------|---------------|--------| | Setting | NC Sandhills | SC Coast/Ocean | Kiawah | | Number of Courses | 9 courses | 5 courses | Pinehurst | | Flagship Course | No. 2 | Ocean Course | Tie | | Major History | 3 US Opens | 1991 Ryder Cup, 2021 PGA | Tie | | Walking Culture | Strong | Available | Pinehurst | | Beach Access | None | Yes | Kiawah | | Green Fees (Top) | $450-600 | $400-500 | Kiawah | | Resort Size | Large, spread out | Large, island | Tie | | Off-Course Activities | Spa, tennis, limited | Beach, kayaking, nature | Kiawah | --- ## The Courses ### Pinehurst: The Cradle of American Golf Pinehurst Resort is American golf tradition. Nine courses spread across the North Carolina Sandhills, with No. 2 considered one of the greatest tests in golf. The Courses: - No. 2 - Donald Ross masterpiece, US Open venue - No. 4 - Gil Hanse redesign, excellent - No. 8 - Tom Fazio, most scenic - No. 1 - Historic first course - Plus 5 more regulation courses Signature Experience: - Walking with caddie on No. 2 - Crown-shaped greens (reject weak shots) - Sunrise tee times on No. 2 - Historic clubhouse dining --- ### Kiawah Island: Ocean's Edge Golf Kiawah Island is dramatic coastal golf. The Ocean Course is considered one of the most difficult in America, with wind and water on nearly every hole. The Courses: - Ocean Course - Pete Dye's masterpiece, 2.5 miles of coastline - Osprey Point - Tom Fazio, playable and scenic - Turtle Point - Jack Nicklaus design - Cougar Point - Gary Player design - Oak Point - Clyde Johnston design Signature Experience: - Wind off the Atlantic - Views from every hole on Ocean Course - Post-round beach time - Lowcountry ambiance --- ## The Flagship Face-Off: No. 2 vs Ocean Course | Factor | Pinehurst No. 2 | Ocean Course | |--------|----------------|--------------| | Rating/Slope | 75.3/135 | 79.6/155 | | Length | 7,588 yards | 7,876 yards | | Walking | Encouraged | Allowed but challenging | | Character | Strategic, subtle | Brutal, dramatic | | Wind | Mild | Extreme | | Average Score (15 hcp) | 90-95 | 100-115 | Verdict: No. 2 rewards precision. Ocean Course is survival golf. --- ## Resort Experience ### Pinehurst - Carolina Hotel (historic, elegant) - 9 courses means variety - Spa and tennis - Walking village with shops - Pure golf destination ### Kiawah - Sanctuary Hotel (luxury) - Beach access (10 miles) - Nature tours and kayaking - Family activities - Multi-activity destination Verdict: Kiawah for variety; Pinehurst for golf immersion. --- ## Best Time to Visit ### Pinehurst - Best: April-May, October-November - Avoid: July-August (humid) - Peak: US Open weeks every 5 years ### Kiawah - Best: April, October-November - Avoid: July-August (hot, storms) - Peak: Spring and fall --- ## Choose Pinehurst If... - You want pure golf tradition - 9 courses in one destination appeals - You prefer walking culture - Strategic courses over brute difficulty - History matters to you Explore Pinehurst → --- ## Choose Kiawah Island If... - Ocean views are essential - You want beach + golf - The Ocean Course is bucket list - Traveling with non-golfers - Lowcountry vibes appeal Explore Kiawah Island → --- ## Final Verdict For Golf Purists: Pinehurst wins. More courses, stronger tradition, better walking. For Experience Variety: Kiawah wins. Golf, beach, nature all in one destination. Our Take: Both are bucket list worthy. Pinehurst for the dedicated golfer's trip; Kiawah for couples and families. --- Explore Pinehurst → | Explore Kiawah Island →