Without a lot of angles or elevation changes, you can rely on your stock club length and a mistake is never compounded by leaving yourself short sided on a dogleg. The tradeoff is that it’s a beautiful stroll filled with wildlife, we saw deer on multiple holes for example, through some pretty straight forward (literally and figuratively) holes. Between the distance lost on the shot that hit the trees and the often necessary escape shot, bogeys come easy should you misfire on a tee shot. Being a little bit off could easily leave you in the woods, likely in a place dense enough to require a pitch out rather than a recovery shot. The front has numerous dense stands of tall trees and very narrow fairways, especially (at least the way I play) in the landing areas. Indeed, the front and back nine’s are quite different. This is especially true of the back nine which is far more open – both in the width of the fairways and the vegetation around them – than the front. What it implies, and delivers on, is stiff ocean breezes as you work your way around the course. Ocean Winds, perhaps surprisingly, doesn’t offer a ton of ocean views, but it doesn’t promise that. As I was scanning reviews and pictures of courses I ran into a picture of a sign that read “please don’t feed the alligators.” It was at this point that the courtship between the Ocean Winds course at Seabrook Island Resort began.

When I was researching courses to play in South Carolina, one of the first thoughts I had was wanting to play on a barrier island. If you're looking for outstanding service you'll have to venture over to Kiawah Island. Surly pro shop staff and mediocre food and service in the men's grill. Seems to be a clear lack of management leadership in the clubhouse. Don't expect good service for your $180 greens fee. Pro shop staff is not NOT friendly and borderline surly at best. The course was in OK shape but certainly not worth the $180 greens fee that was posted. The signature par 3 on the back nine is a good hole and a photo op as well. If you're a golf purist the Crooked Oaks course is a much better option. It's scenic and always windy but seems to be built for those vacation golfers that want a 'beach experience'. The back nine makes it's way out to the ocean with a few holes cut along the beach. The front nine is non descript as it winds through the neighborhoods of Seabrook Island.

The greens are still struggling to recover as a few are spotty with bare patches. The course was renovated this year and just reopened in early October 2020. This is somewhat of a novelty type track.

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