Island West Golf Club

(cart included), played on Sunday, July 2017 at

As a player on the PGA Tour, Fuzzy Zoeller always seemed to have a smile on his face. Whether he was in the lead or missing the cut he was always having fun. So, it makes sense that in creating a golf course, a Fuzzy Zoeller design is going to be fun to play.

That's what you get at Island West Golf Club in Bluffton, SC, a fun yet challenging golf course that plays 6,803 yards from the back tees. Back here, the course rating is 73.2 with a slope rating of 140 and a par of 72. The White Tees (6,208/70.3/128) offer the majority of golfers a good challenge. Ladies will enjoy the course from 4,856 yards (67.8/123). Clyde Johnson, who has done many courses in the Lowcountry area, co-designed Island West

For a Lowcountry golf course, the fairways at Island West have a lot of roll and undulation to them. The course winds its way through naturally preserved marshlands and stands of live oak trees, creating a beautiful setting. Water comes in to play in one form or another on 10 holes, creating many risk-reward opportunities. Bunkers have been strategically placed along the edges of the fairways and all around the greens.

The two par 5s on the front nine are quite challenging, especially when one of them is your first hole of the day. Number 1 is a 477-yard (White Tees) par 5 that has plenty of room off the tee, so bomb away. Just be sure to avoid the fairway bunker on the left. A good drive will leave you with a decision to go for the green or not. Just know that, because of the large bunker in front, you'll need to fly it onto the green, which is wider than it is deep. There's more sand behind the green in case you go too deep.

Before your round, be sure to take full advantage of the practice facility. There's a full-length driving range where you can hit every club in the bag, a short game area and practice putting green. If your game's not up to par, or way over par, talk to one of the PGA professionals at Island West and schedule a lesson. Or better yet, become a member and lessons are free. I'll explain more in a bit. While you're in the pro shop, browse around at all of the latest golf equipment and logoed golf apparel from the game's top designers.

Island West is a challenging course that makes you think and requires accuracy in order to score well, especially on the narrow, tree-lined holes. It's a course where new golfers won't be overwhelmed and skilled players will be challenged. Island West is exactly what Fuzzy Zoeller wanted it to be: fun!

Islands West also has the service part down. Upon arrival, an attendant will meet you at the bag drop, load your clubs onto a cart and then take it back to a staging area. After your round, they will clean up your sticks, hop on the back of the cart, and follow you out to your car. The staff is always smiling and willing to answer any questions you might have about the course or facility.

Brown Golf Management offers a membership program that includes unlimited golf at all 7 of their Bluffton/Hilton Head area courses. Membership also includes unlimited use of the practice facility and range balls, discounts for guest's greens fees and something that makes the whole package worthwhile: free, unlimited golf lessons.

$36 (cart included), played on Wednesday, March 2016 at 8:42 AM

First of the four (4) courses we'll be playing in this area. Decided to play from the tips 6,803yds / 72.1 / 129 and wished later I played the Whites @ 6,208yds because of the landing areas. Great yardage book with marked sprinkler heads give very accurate readings to the non-typical shaped greens as I learned to aim for the middle. Most fairways are not forgiving when missed and I would put them on the narrow side for our Blue landing areas. Smooth greens, great sand with a mix of water on about half of the holes coming into play. Shot 46/47 w/ 30putts (4hrs)as the driver strayed today and I paid the price. Highlight was son, Barry on #15/394yd/Par 4, missed drive, topped 3W then the 4I and THEN slam dunked the 9I in the hole, for a par. (Gotta love this game) Great layout and price to put on your places to play if your in this area.

$36 (cart included), played on Saturday, June 2011 at noon

A nice course for the money.

$31 (cart included), played on Sunday, March 2008 at 2pm

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this course. Good condition, layout provided some nice challenges without being too penal. Relatively cheap compared to other courses we considered. Only thing I didn't like was that they charge $5.50 for a small bag of range balls. There are houses along the course, but not much noise (older residents)