If you’re driving over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge with your clubs in the trunk, you probably think you know what to expect from Mt Pleasant SC golf courses. You’re picturing flat fairways, breezy marshes, and maybe a stray alligator sunning itself near a water hazard. You aren't wrong. But you aren't exactly right, either.
Mount Pleasant isn't Myrtle Beach. It’s not trying to be.
While the "Golf Capital of the World" to the north focuses on volume, the courses nestled between the Cooper River and the Atlantic Ocean focus on a specific kind of Lowcountry frustration that local sticks actually love. It’s a mix of tidal shifts, grabby Paspalum grass, and wind that can turn a simple 8-iron into a desperate prayer.
The Coastal Reality of Golf in Mt Pleasant
Let’s be real for a second. Most people visit Charleston and immediately look toward Kiawah or Wild Dunes. Those are great, obviously. But the locals? They're usually heading to the spots right off Highway 17 or tucked away in gated communities like RiverTowne.
The first thing you’ll notice about Mt Pleasant SC golf courses is the "heavy" air. It’s humid. Your ball doesn't travel as far as it does in Charlotte or Atlanta. I’ve seen guys come down from the mountains, fly their first three greens, and then spend the rest of the round under-clubbing because they can't believe the density of the coastal atmosphere.
Then there’s the wind.
It’s never a steady breeze. It’s a swirling, unpredictable ghost that haunts the marsh-side holes. At a place like Patriots Point, which sits right on the harbor, the wind can be a three-club difference from one minute to the next.
Patriots Point Links: The Wind’s Favorite Playground
Patriots Point is probably the most "famous" public option in the immediate Mt Pleasant area. It’s a links-style layout designed by Willard Byrd. Honestly, if you play here on a Saturday afternoon, you’re going to see a lot of bachelor parties and rental sets. It’s high-energy.
But don't let the "resort" vibe fool you.
💡 You might also like: Wingate by Wyndham Columbia: What Most People Get Wrong
The 17th hole is an island green. No, it’s not TPC Sawgrass, but when the tide is in and the harbor wind is whipping, that green looks about the size of a postage stamp. I’ve seen 4-handicaps put three balls in the drink there just because they got in their own heads about the gust.
- Pro Tip: If you're playing Patriots, aim for a morning tee time. The harbor breeze usually kicks up around 1:00 PM. If you can get through the back nine before the "sea breeze" becomes a "gale," your scorecard will thank you.
- The View: You’re looking directly at Fort Sumter and the downtown Charleston skyline. It’s arguably the best view in South Carolina golf, even if the turf isn't always "country club" perfect.
RiverTowne Country Club: Where the Big Dogs Play
If you want a "pure" golf experience, you go to RiverTowne. This is an Arnold Palmer Signature design. It’s hosted the LPGA Tour in the past (the Ginn Tribute), and for good reason. It’s a beast.
The layout winds through the Horlbeck Creek marshes. It’s visually stunning, but it’s also a tactical nightmare if you’re spraying the ball. The Paspalum turf is a specific kind of beast. It’s sticky. You can't really "bump and run" here like you would on a firm bentgrass course in the north. You have to fly the ball to the hole.
I talked to a local pro recently who told me the biggest mistake guests make at RiverTowne is trying to be too aggressive on the par-5s. The marsh is hungry. It’s better to lay up to a full wedge distance than to try and carry 230 yards of pluff mud.
Snee Farm and the Traditionalists
Snee Farm Country Club is where you go if you want to feel like you’re in a 1970s golf movie. It’s a George Cobb design. Cobb is the same guy who did the Par-3 course at Augusta National.
The fairways are lined with massive, moss-draped live oaks. These trees aren't just for decoration; they are shot-shapers. If you can't hit a low draw or a controlled fade, those oaks will swat your ball down into the pine straw before you can say "Fore."
It’s a private club, but they often allow reciprocal play or "member-for-a-day" packages if you're staying at certain local hotels. It’s worth the effort just to see a course that relies on angles rather than just sheer length.
Charleston National: The Hidden Gem of North Mt Pleasant
Way up Highway 17, past the sprawl of the Towne Centre, lies Charleston National. This is a Rees Jones design. Jones is known as the "Open Doctor" because he’s redesigned so many US Open venues.
📖 Related: Finding Your Way: The Sky Harbor Airport Map Terminal 3 Breakdown
This course is a grind.
It was originally intended to be a private club, so the routing is much more "natural" than your typical neighborhood course. You’ll spend half the time on wooden bridges crossing wetlands. It’s quiet. It’s peaceful. It’s also incredibly easy to lose two sleeves of balls.
The greens here are notoriously tricky. They have subtle undulations that aren't always obvious to the naked eye. Everything tends to pull toward the nearest body of water.
The Logistics: What No One Tells You
If you're planning a trip to play Mt Pleasant SC golf courses, you need to understand the seasonal shifts.
January and February can be surprisingly cold. We’re talking 45 degrees with 20mph winds off the ocean. That is "bone-chilling" cold. Conversely, July and August are basically like playing golf inside a sauna.
The Pluff Mud Factor
If your ball goes into the marsh, leave it. Don't go in after it. Pluff mud is essentially quicksand made of decayed marsh grass and oyster shells. It smells like sulfur (or "low tide," as we call it), and it will ruin your shoes, your pants, and your dignity.
The Grass Transition
Most courses in the area overseed with rye grass in the winter to stay green. Around late April or May, the Bermuda grass starts to wake up. This "transition" period can be a little hairy. You might find patches of dormant brown grass next to bright green rye. It’s just part of the coastal golf cycle.
Breaking Down the Costs
Golf in Mt Pleasant isn't exactly "cheap," but it’s a bargain compared to the $400+ greens fees you’ll find on the islands.
👉 See also: Why an Escape Room Stroudsburg PA Trip is the Best Way to Test Your Friendships
- Patriots Point: Usually runs $80–$130 depending on the day.
- RiverTowne: Expect to pay $110–$160.
- Charleston National: Generally sits in the $70–$120 range.
- Dunes West: Another great semi-private option that usually mirrors RiverTowne’s pricing.
Dunes West: The Aesthetics King
I’d be remiss not to mention Dunes West. It’s built on the site of an old plantation. The drive in—an avenue of oaks—is worth the price of admission alone. The course itself is wide and forgiving off the tee, which makes it a favorite for people who are struggling with a slice.
The finishing holes at Dunes West are some of the most scenic in the state. The 18th is a long par-4 that plays right toward the clubhouse with the Wagner Creek as a backdrop. It’s the kind of hole where you forget about your triple bogey on the 14th because the sunset is hitting the marsh just right.
Why People Get This Area Wrong
The biggest misconception is that all Mt Pleasant SC golf courses are the same. They aren't.
Patriots Point is about the views and the wind.
RiverTowne is about the championship challenge.
Dunes West is about the Lowcountry "vibe" and aesthetics.
Charleston National is about the raw, rugged nature of the wetlands.
If you play all four in a week, you’ve basically experienced four different ecosystems.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Round
Don't just show up and swing. If you want to actually enjoy these courses rather than just donating balls to the Atlantic Ocean, do this:
- Buy a yardage book. GPS is great, but these courses have "hidden" creeks that don't always show up well on a small screen.
- Practice your 40-yard pitch shots. Because of the sticky grass and the wind, you’ll find yourself with "awkward" distances more often than not.
- Hydrate. The humidity in Mt Pleasant is no joke. If you start feeling thirsty on the 6th hole, it’s already too late.
- Check the Tide Table. This sounds weird for golf, right? But at courses like Patriots Point or RiverTowne, the water level in the hazards changes significantly with the tide. A ball that’s "findable" at low tide is 4 feet underwater at high tide.
- Respect the Alligators. They are everywhere. They aren't aggressive unless you're an idiot. Give them 15 feet of space, don't feed them, and don't try to get a "cool" selfie.
Mount Pleasant golf is a specific flavor of the sport. It’s salty, it’s sweaty, and it’s occasionally infuriating when a gust of wind knocks your perfect draw into a creek. But when you’re standing on that 17th tee at Patriots Point, looking at the Ravenel Bridge while the sun sets, you’ll realize why people pay the premium to live and play here.
Pack extra balls. Trust me. You'll need them.