Charleston National Golf Club

Charleston National Golf Club sits in Mount Pleasant, across the Cooper River from downtown Charleston and roughly 30 minutes from Kiawah Island. Rees Jones designed the course in 1989, routing it along the Intracoastal Waterway through natural wetlands, lagoons, and corridors of pine and oak. The setting carries genuine coastal character without the resort pricing or the gated community logistics that define the Kiawah courses.

At 6,507 yards from the longest tees with a rating of 71.4 and a slope of 129, Charleston National is the most approachable layout covered in this destination guide. The moderate slope means the course is accessible to a broad range of handicaps, but Jones placed enough water and strategic bunkering to keep accomplished players engaged. The Intracoastal Waterway comes into play on several holes, providing both scenic views and real consequences for missed shots toward the water side of the fairway.

Jones earned his reputation as the "Open Doctor" for his work preparing major championship venues, and that background is evident in the routing at Charleston National. The holes flow logically through the natural landscape, with elevation changes that are subtle by inland standards but meaningful on a coastal plain where flat terrain is the norm. The wetland areas are integrated into the design as genuine hazards rather than decorative borders. Pine and oak corridors frame many of the inland holes, and the transitions between forested stretches and open waterway views give the round a visual variety that keeps the experience engaging across all eighteen holes.

The course plays at a manageable length for most visiting golfers. At 6,507 yards, it does not demand driver on every par 4, and the strategic options from the tee often favour accuracy over distance. The inclusion of cart in the green fee is a practical detail that matters when comparing total costs across the Charleston market. At the resort courses, cart fees are typically bundled into higher overall rates; at Charleston National, the all-in price is the price.

Green fees range from $75 to $115 per round with cart included, which positions Charleston National as one of the strongest public-access values in the Charleston area. The pricing is roughly a quarter of what the Ocean Course charges and less than half of Osprey Point or Turtle Point. For visiting golfers who want to play four or five rounds during a Charleston trip without spending exclusively at resort rates, Charleston National fills a day on the schedule at a price that leaves budget available for the marquee courses.

Booking is available directly through the club's website or through GolfNow. The phone number for tee time inquiries is (843) 884-4653. The Mount Pleasant location places the course within 20 minutes of downtown Charleston and 10 minutes of several accommodation options along the US-17 corridor. For golfers staying in downtown Charleston rather than on Kiawah or Isle of Palms, Charleston National is the most convenient quality course in the area, and the design pedigree ensures the golf itself justifies the drive.