Best for: The anchor round for Charleston-area golf. Tom Fazio's Links Course delivers ocean-adjacent golf with genuine character. The finishing holes along the Atlantic are the best on the Charleston coast.

Insider tip: The Links Course was renovated in 2017 with larger, more accessible greens. The last two holes play along the Atlantic Ocean and the wind is the primary challenge — check the weather and bring a wind shirt. Request an afternoon tee time for the best ocean light on the finishing holes. The resort itself is a Hyatt property on Isle of Palms with excellent beach access.

Best for: Mid-handicappers and groups who want a relaxing resort round through beautiful marsh scenery. The $8 million renovation made this a genuinely enjoyable course for all skill levels.

Insider tip: The Harbor Course winds through marshes and lagoons with a completely different feel from the Links Course. The $8 million renovation transformed it from an afterthought into a legitimate complement. Play the Harbor Course in the morning and the Links in the afternoon — the afternoon ocean light on the Links finishing holes is spectacular.

Best for: Groups who want a quick, affordable round with iconic Charleston Harbor views. The setting is the star — you are playing golf next to an aircraft carrier.

Insider tip: Patriots Point sits on Charleston Harbor directly across from the historic district. The views of the Ravenel Bridge, Fort Sumter, and the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier are unique in American golf. The course itself is modest but the setting is extraordinary. At under $90, it is the best value on the Charleston coast and a great warm-up or cool-down round.

Best for: Groups who want a challenging, well-conditioned round at a mid-range price. The Rees Jones design is strategic and demanding without being punitive.

Insider tip: Charleston National is a Rees Jones design that the locals rate highly but visitors often overlook in favor of Wild Dunes. The course plays through live oak corridors and tidal marshes with excellent conditioning. At $55-$110, it is a genuine value play for a quality layout. Book a weekday round for the best rates.

Best for: Groups looking for a quiet, well-maintained course with river views and reasonable pricing. A good option for a third or fourth day of golf.

Insider tip: RiverTowne is an Arnold Palmer design along the Wando River that flies under the radar. The rivefront holes are beautiful and the course is typically less crowded than Wild Dunes or the other resort courses. It is the insider's choice for locals, which tells you something about the quality.

Best for: History buffs and budget-conscious groups. The course is built on the site of a Revolutionary War battle and the Civil War-era Stono Ferry, with historical markers throughout.

Insider tip: Stono Ferry is the history lover's golf course — the routing passes through a former rice plantation and Civil War battlefield. The course is well-maintained with genuine Lowcountry character at a budget price. The back nine along the Stono River is the highlight. Pair it with a visit to nearby Angel Oak (a 400-year-old live oak tree) for the full Lowcountry experience.