Every hole touches marsh or ocean; hosted the 1991 'War by the Shore' Ryder Cup and the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships (won by Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson respectively).
This course is in our GSPro library — pull it up in any bay and play it wall to wall.
No. 17 — Pete Dye's favoriteSignature
Par 3 · 221 yds
An all-carry par 3 over an eight-acre lake Dye dug specifically to punish Ryder Cup-caliber players who could otherwise handle a bunker shot with ease; Dye himself called it 'a very demanding par 3 and my favorite here.'
No. 18 — The War by the Shore closerSignature
Par 4 · 439 yds
The finishing hole of the 1991 'War by the Shore' Ryder Cup, where Bernhard Langer missed a roughly six-foot par putt that would have retained the Cup for Europe, handing the U.S. its first win since 1983.
"Confirmed in GSPro's course listings; consistently wind-heavy on the sim just like in real life, so a great settings demo for the exposed-fairway effect."
Pete and Alice Dye built the Ocean Course for the 1991 Ryder Cup — the 'War by the Shore' decided on Bernhard Langer's missed six-footer — raising the whole layout onto the dunes so every hole sees the Atlantic. It has the most seaside holes in North America, Scottish-links strategy translated to the Lowcountry, and a major résumé to match: Rory McIlroy's 8-shot 2012 PGA romp and Phil Mickelson's ageless 2021 PGA win at 50. When the wind blows it may be America's hardest course.
Serious players who want the toughest famous test in American resort golf, Ryder Cup history nerds, and anyone building a Charleston golf trip.
The par-3 17th over water — scene of Mark Calcavecchia's 1991 meltdown and countless Sunday swings — is one of golf's great terror holes. The ocean-hugging closing stretch from 14 in makes every match go the distance.
Brutally hard in wind — forced carries over marsh and waste areas, Dye's visual intimidation everywhere. Beginners should play the forward tees, take a caddie's advice, and treat the score as a souvenir.
Available in GSPro via community recreations — quality varies by build, so preview before league play. With sim wind turned up it's an event: our best players will struggle to break 80 from the tips. The definitive 'think you're good?' queue-up at Clubhouse.
Public resort golf — anyone can book, though it costs: roughly $400-600 in peak season, with resort guests getting priority tee times and package rates. Mornings are walking-with-caddie; afternoons allow carts.
Source: — · high confidence
