Hole 5 at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island
- Par
- 3
- Yardage
- 185 yds
- Stroke index
- 11
- Hazards
- 3 bunkers
Aerial source not provided
Green size: 51 yds deep × 45 yds wide
Scorecard yardage is for Championship tees. The aerial shows its labeled reference position; distance rings measure to the green.
Championship tees · Par 3 · 185 yards
The plan for No. 5
The 5th at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is a 185.0-yard par 3 that plays straightaway.
Off the tee
From the tee, focus on smooth tempo and solid contact over trying to overpower the shot. In typical Kiawah conditions, expect anything from a 6-iron to a 4-iron depending on wind direction and strength. The coastal breeze can easily turn a well-struck 7-iron into a front-edge struggle or push a conservative 5-iron over the back. Choose your target line based on pin position, but always err toward the center of the green given its small size. The straight layout means there's no preferred side, making center-green strategy even more critical. Take one extra club if there's any doubt – short-sided recovery shots around small greens are scoring killers.
Approach & recovery
Since this is a par 3, your tee shot IS your approach. The small green puts a premium on distance control over direction. Focus on making a committed swing rather than trying to guide the ball. The Ocean Course's firm conditions mean the ball will likely release upon landing, so factor in a bounce-and-roll rather than expecting the ball to stick. Pay special attention to the wind – it's rarely calm at Kiawah. A crosswind can push even well-struck shots off the small putting surface, while headwinds and tailwinds dramatically affect club selection.
On the green
The small green means most putts will be relatively short, but don't underestimate the subtle breaks common to Pete Dye designs. Ocean Course greens typically feature gentle slopes that can be deceiving. Take time to read the overall slope and consider how the coastal winds might affect longer putts. With limited green space, lag putting becomes crucial. Focus on speed control to avoid leaving yourself with tricky comeback putts. The small target means even slight misreads can result in putts sliding off the putting surface.
Watch for
- Fairway bunker crossing the landing zone
Hole 5 Green Complex
Mapped green boundary
Green size: 8,209 sq ft
Course coverage
Tournament and creator videos about The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island — shared course coverage, not hole-specific clips.
Featured by these creators
Creator videos about this course
YouTube creators who filmed or featured The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island. · Stats as of Oct 12, 2026 · 6d ago
Can We Shoot The Course Record At Kiawah Island? (Ocean Course)
How did Hole 5 play?
How did this hole play today?
Frequently asked questions
Yardage reference: Championship tees · 185 yards.
What club should I use on this par 3?
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At 185 yards, most golfers will need a long iron or hybrid (5-iron to 6-iron) to reach this green. Adjust for elevation, wind, and pin position.
How difficult is hole 5?
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This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: large green requiring good lag putting.
How big is the green on hole 5?
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The green is large and can play quite long. The green is deeper than wide, so club selection is crucial. Three-putt territory if you don't manage your approach distance well.