Cassique Golf Club
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Tom Watson's first solo design in the United States, Cassique at Kiawah Island features a links-inspired routing through native Lowcountry landscape. The layout incorporates salt marsh, tidal creeks, and maritime forest with Watson's emphasis on strategic ground-game golf and natural shot options.
History & Heritage
Cassique opened in 2000 as five-time Open Championship winner Tom Watson\'s first course design in North America, part of the private Kiawah Island Club. Watson channeled a British links feel within the Lowcountry landscape, modeling several holes after favorites from Open Championships in Scotland and England.
Wide fairways with firm, fast conditions create genuine links golf. Multiple routing options around holes 4-6 give members different experiences each round. Widely considered by many to be the best course on Kiawah Island, even against the famed Ocean Course.
Signature Holes
Features one of the most deceptive greens in the Southeast — a severely elevated putting surface with a massive false front that rejects anything short, rolling the ball well back down the hill. A classic Watson strategic challenge.
What to Expect
Links-inspired Lowcountry golf with wide fairways and firm, fast conditions. The course weaves through marshes, creeks, and maritime forest. Water on nearly every hole but generous fairway widths reward creative shot-making over brute force.
Tom Watson designs are extremely rare — Cassique is a genuine collector\'s item in course architecture.
Private — access requires Kiawah Island Club membership or member invitation.
Playing Tips
Play the ground game — Watson designed this for bump-and-run approaches, not target golf.
Club selection into elevated greens is critical. The false fronts are severe — take enough club.
Wind off the marshes shifts significantly hole to hole. Check conditions before every shot.
Highlights
- ✓ Tom Watson's first U.S. solo design
- ✓ Links-inspired Lowcountry routing
- ✓ Strategic ground-game emphasis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Tom Watson\'s only US design?
Can the public play?
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