Kiawah Island Golf Resort has been serving unforgettable match moments from the time its first guests stepped onto the tennis courts in 1976. Fifty years later, that legacy continues to rally. In late 2025, the acclaimed Roy Barth Tennis Center added two new padel courts to its award-winning lineup. Today, the racquet sport scene is bigger, more varied and more popular than ever, making this milestone year the perfect time to get in on the tennis, pickleball or padel action. 

A New Racquet

Constantly elevating its racquet sports programs, the Roy Barth Tennis Center is widely recognized as South Carolina’s premier destination for tennis, pickleball and padel. The two brand-new padel courts join the facility’s 22 acclaimed tennis courts, which include 10 Har-Tru clay courts and six dedicated pickleball courts. Rustling palmettos, swaying pampas grass, and vibrant flowers ensure a breathtaking backdrop for every match.

As one of the fastest growing participation sports in the United States, padel has captured an enthusiastic fan base seen not only at its home at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, but nationwide. Players are drawn to its fast tennis-like pace paired with the reflex-driven wall play of squash, all inside an enclosed court.

There’s also a dynamic social aspect to padel that brings players of all levels together, making it a fun way to connect as well as compete. Whether picking up a paddle for the first time or looking for a new game to play, padel brings a welcoming, fresh-spirited dimension to the Kiawah Island experience. 

Experiences That Serve

At Kiawah Island Golf Resort, racquet sports are more than an amenity. Along with championship golf, they are an integral part of the resort’s active coastal lifestyle. Where guests play and can also improve their game through tailored instruction, pro-led clinics and private and small group lessons. From perfecting a serve, sharpening net skills or learning the nuances that distinguish padel’s enclosed strategy from traditional play, players are met with personalized coaching and feedback. 

Stay and play opportunities are available that bundle the luxury of a Kiawah Island Golf Resort stay along 10 miles of striking coastline with immersive instruction and plenty of practice time for smashing results. It’s an ideal trip for couples, doubles partners and groups who share a love of getaways and the game. 

The two new padel courts are part of a larger expansion, which includes a full transformation of the resort’s Tennis Clubhouse. Today, guests are welcomed into a newly updated retreat for serious and leisure players alike, complete with a curated pro shop, spacious patio with ample seating and TVs, and the Courtside Café for unwinding and meeting up with friends. 

Perch, Pamper and Play

Off-court recreational thrives at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, spanning golf on five renowned courses, including The Ocean Course, 30 miles of paved biking paths, sunset cruises, shelling expeditions and guided nature tours. Blessed with a mild year-round climate, wide-ranging watersports such as paddleboarding and kayaking are always in season. 

The Treehouse Activity Center at Night Heron Park is the latest chapter in Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s long list of offerings. A laid-back spot to branch out after a day on the court, visitors can enjoy eight full-size bowling lanes and practice their swing on famed courses from around the globe on state-of-the-art golf SIMS. The arcade offers everything from Skee-ball and shooting hoops to shuffleboard, air hockey, and Mario Kart. After, it’s easy to fuel up at The Perch, Kiawah’s newest pub and one of the 16 eateries that make up The Kiawah Dining Collection. 

Another option for when play ends is to let relaxation take center stage at  The Spa at The Sanctuary with restorative treatments designed to soothe and reset—from tension-melting massages to serene ocean-inspired rituals. 

Put padel on your racquet-sports radar at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, long recognized as one of the top Tennis Resorts in the World by Tennis Resorts Online. Be part of a courtside legacy—50 years and counting!