Over four decades after the first condominiums were constructed on Kiawah, the island’s glorious 10-mile-long beach remains a nesting ground for thousands of endangered loggerhead turtles and its protected wilderness still provides a home for deer, bobcats, alligators, and more than 200 species of birds. But make no mistake about it: civilization has arrived in a big way. Two resort villages, five golf courses, an expansive racquet club—the former site of the U.S. Clay Court Championships and a Fed Cup tie—a 255-room hotel, and more than 500 resort-managed villas and homes trail through a landscape where once there was only woods and marsh.
Tennis Resorts Online has consistently ranked the Kiawah Island Golf Resort one of the top tennis facilities, if not the No. 1 resort. Kiawah has earned the top spot so many times that it has caused tennis directors at some competing resorts to question whether the rankings are rigged.
But make no mistake, they’ve won fair and square. The tennis program here benefits from a number of world-class features, including:
A first-rate teaching staff that is as engaging and knowledgeable as any team, with more than a dozen pros on island during peak times
A daily clinic and drill lineup that is fast-paced, fun and caters to everyone from beginners to college-level players
A strong kids’ program, including popular summer camps and a year-round residential tennis academy
A fast-growing pickleball community, with dozens of people participating in clinics and open-play sessions at any given time
But the tennis program is but a small part of Kiawah’s overall appeal. Part of the allure of this place is that it offers something for everyone. Beachgoers marvel at its 10 miles of pristine white sand coastline. Golfers rave about its five championship courses. Families rise before dawn—trust us, it’s worth it—to catch a glimpse of the island’s endangered loggerhead turtles, some of which weigh over 300 pounds. And people congregate at low tide every day to watch local dolphins strand feed, a spectacle Netflix captured in its popular nature series, Animal.
The resort occupies virtually all of the 10,000-acre island from which it takes its name. Charles Fraser, famous for his sensitive development of Sea Pines Resort, laid the original plans for Kiawah, which opened in 1976. Roughly half of the island is to remain in its original state, and the variety of vegetation—some native, some planted—is impressive. Much of the development clusters near East Beach, home to an elegant beachfront hotel—a Forbes Travel Guide 5-Star winner called the Sanctuary—and a Forbes 5-Star winning spa, all just steps from a tennis and pickleball complex named for the resort’s longtime emeritus tennis director Roy Barth. The island’s far eastern end, by contrast, embraces many private houses and the two most famous golf courses, Osprey Point and the Ocean Course. An on-property shuttle makes going from place to place easy, so does an extensive network of bike paths. The resort itself is close enough Charleston to make forays into the historic city easy—driving time is about 45 minutes—yet far enough removed that the island feels like its own destination.
As the name suggests, the resort puts great stock in its five golf courses. Each of the 18-hole layouts bears the name of a different architect. Gary Player designed and then redesigned Cougar Point, complete with a stately clubhouse near the resort entrance. Renovations to Tom Fazio’s Osprey Point and to Pete Dye’s incredible links-style Ocean Course—which has hosted a Ryder Cup and multiple PGA Championships—retained the structure of both courses, while adding elements that improve the experience for golfers. Jack Nicklaus reimagined his Turtle Point Course. The fifth course, Clyde Johnston’s Oak Point, is in Kiawah River Estates just outside the entrance to the island.
In spite of its absence from the resort’s name, tennis—and, to a growing extent, pickleball—are as enmeshed in this place as any activity. Until recently, there were two racquet clubs. Though only one remains, it has benefited from the more than $200 million that the resort has spent in recent years on facility upgrades and enhancements, with more on the way. As part of those expenditures, the Roy Barth Tennis Center built 10 additional Har-Tru tennis courts, bringing its total to 22 (three of them hard and lined for pickleball; the resort is also building six new dedicated pickleball courts in 2023).
This sprawling complex benefits from its location near The Sanctuary, a world-renowned hotel just a four-minute walk away. Until his retirement in early 2018, former touring pro Roy Barth had been the only tennis director the resort had ever known. Barth handed the reins reigns to his son Jonathan, who himself had been head pro at the resort since 1999. Together they’ve designed one of the country’s foremost tennis programs, one almost perennially ranked No. 1 in our annual reader poll. (Roy, meanwhile, has written a book, Point of Impact, and has a website with on-court tips and videos from his teaching career.
The Roy Barth Tennis Center sits amid a halo of tennis villas four minutes on foot from the beachfront Sanctuary hotel. It has an expansive pro shop and is further distinguished by having one of its hard courts dedicated to a self-feeding ball machine capable of spewing balls at a rate of 1,200 per hour. The courts—19 clay, 3 hard, including 8 pickleball courts—form a semicircle around the weathered wood pro shop, whose decks provide a comfortable place to watch the action. (The resort is considering a proposal to overhaul the pro shop with space for strength training, locker rooms, a snack bar, and more.) Winding paths through pine trees lead to courts variously bordered by palmettos, pampas grass, oleander and flowers. Each pair of courts has access to an awning-covered patio offering shade, benches, and an electric water fountain.
Tennis Staff: Until his retirement in early 2018, former touring pro Roy Barth, one of the founding members of the ATP Tour, had been the only tennis director the resort had ever known. Now his title is Emeritus Tennis Director, a role that allows him to continue to contribute and pass along his considerable teaching expertise. That leaves the management of the tennis operation and Director of Tennis title to his son Jonathan, who has been a integral part of establishing and running the tennis programs.
“Making major changes isn’t my goal,” Jonathan Barth told me, “but I’m very excited about the efficiencies that will come from having all the programs in one location.” That includes the summer Barth-Hawtin Tennis Academy that he helped found.
Tennis Programs: During the busy March-to-October season, the racquet club offers a weekly menu of programs including instructional clinics, two-hour Tournament Tough workouts, drill sessions, adult mixed doubles round robins, parent-child doubles round robins, and private lessons. In addition, the staff helps guests find opponents at the appropriate level, even guaranteeing a match given 48 hours notice. Barth credits the 150-200 resident club members for helping to arrange hits and for welcoming guests to join their standing morning matches.
Activity reaches its zenith in summer when the resort adds a weekly pro doubles exhibition, as well as three-day junior tennis camps, junior tournament tough workouts, and a Tiny Tots program. On selected weekends during every month except July and August, the resort adds a 3-day doubles mini-camp, which consists of 8 hours of instruction covering all aspects of the game, including basic strokes, strategy, angles, visualization, and supervised doubles play. Participants also receive a copy of Barth’s instructional manual, “Tips for Better Tennis.” Finally, private camps can be arranged to suit the specific needs of a group.
Barth-Hawtin Tennis Academy: This year-round academy focuses on helping prepare junior tennis players for competition in state, sectional, and national level tournaments with an eye to preparing them for college play or even the professional circuit using a combination of match-play drills, supervised play, conditioning, mental toughness/strategy sessions, and technique assessment with video analysis. The academy now offers a full-time residential program as well as day camps that run weekly from Monday through Saturday during the summer.
As part of its push to develop junior talent, Kiawah now hosts 10 to 12 junior tournaments every year, from lower-level to national-level events, including 18-and-under national tournaments over Labor Day weekend. It also plays host to “Racquet War” events for adults, which have attracted hundreds more players to the resort. Tennis director Barth is always looking for more ways to engage and entertain newcomers. “My goal is to fill the club every weekend where it’s not turning away my residents,” he told us.
Pickleball Programs: Like many resorts, Kiawah has seen explosive growth in pickleball, filling multiple courts at a time at all hours of the day with dozens of people. The loud thwock of the plastic balls can be heard throughout the grounds. And the inclusive, festive environment surrounding the game, pairing people of all ages and different skill levels, make it an appealing sport for the resort. Many families face off in fun-spirited battles, while other guests enjoy competing against—and socializing with—fellow travelers. So far, the pickleball and tennis people seem to get along fine. But Barth knows that, as pickleball has become more popular, and taken up more courts, it could run the risk of alienating tennis players. To serve both populations, the resort is adding more dedicated pickleball courts. The resort has 8 pickleball courts lined on three tennis courts, with plans for 6 new dedicated pickleball courts in 2023 (construction starts in March). So far, the resort has two dedicated pickleball professionals—one full-time and one part-time—but if the sport keeps growing as fast as it has, expect that to change.
Off Court
Beach: Ranked one of the great resort beaches in the country, this broad ribbon of hard-packed sand extends in a sinuous line for 10 miles along the entire length of Kiawah Island. Although there are hundreds of villas and homes, as well as the hotel, all of this environmentally sensitive development has been pushed back behind a beltway of low dunes blanketed with foliage. No building is taller than five stories and all have earthen tones that blend with the surroundings. More than four decades after the resort opened, the beach remains pristine enough for endangered loggerhead turtles to nest there.
Golf Courses: With five courses, each bearing the signature of a major golf architect, and a golf academy, Kiawah has obviously focused its attention on attracting golfers. That includes staging major golf events like the Ryder Cup in 1991 and the World Cup in 2003. The Senior PGA Championships were held in May 2007 and the PGA Championships were hosted at The Ocean Course in 2012 and 2021. Golf packages, which include the right to make advance reservations for tee times, can be booked by calling 800-654-2924. Greens fees vary seasonally..
The Ocean Course: Regarded as one of the finest golf courses in the world, The Ocean Course, designed by Alice and Pete Dye, excels in design quality, shot values, and sheer beauty. Having hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup, the 2012 PGA Championship, and the 2021 PGA Championship, it has been witness to many famous moments in golf history. The Atlantic Ocean can be seen from every hole on the course, and holes 14 through 18 run directly along the sea. A modern course based inspired by the classic designs of famous links courses in the British Isles, The Ocean Course is walking only. Par: 72. Length: 7,356 yards.
Cougar Point: Renovated in 2017 under the direction of architect Gary Player, Cougar Point is highlighted by a stretch of holes 4 through 6 that follow the Kiawah River, giving then sweeping marsh vistas regarded as some of the most serene on the island. Its natural beauty and exceptional playability make this course a favorite among resort guests. Player designed the course with creative placement of multiple tee boxes on each hole, creating an enjoyable and challenging round for golfers of every level, from beginners to the scratch golfer. Par: 72. Length: 6,875 yards.
Oak Point: Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2019, the Clyde Johnston-designed Oak Point offers strategic challenges. Undulating fairways, an open, exposed front 9 and winding, woodland back 9 led Johnston to describe the course as “Scottish-American.” Par: 72. Length: 6,701 yards.
Osprey Point: Tom Fazio’s popular Osprey Point makes full use of Kiawah Island’s maritime forests, lagoons, and saltwater marshes. Its many open and wide fairways and generous greens afford forgiveness even for errant shots. Par: 72. Length: 6,932 yards.
Turtle Point: Featuring three oceanfront holes, this characteristic Jack Nicklaus design comprises narrow fairways, approachable greens, and strategically placed lagoons that place a premium on accuracy and a carefully thought-out approach to each shot. Turtle point is a true shot-maker’s course, requiring golfers to use every club in the bag and favors a thoughtful approach over sheer power. Par: 72. Length: 7,062 yards.
Spa & Fitness Center: The third floor of the Sanctuary houses an elegant spa with lavish treatment rooms that perennially earns a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating. Guests looking to work out, meanwhile, have a small but well-equipped fitness center and indoor lap pool on the main level of the hotel.
Night Heron Park is a 21-acre playground containing a 25-meter swimming pool with lap lanes, a wading pool, a toddler splash zone with baby bouncers, two open-flume slides, a full length basketball court, a soccer field, playground equipment on a sandy base, a pavilion with a snack bar and new market/café, an excellent nature center, and one of two bike rental outlets (the other at the Cougar Point Golf Clubhouse). Use of the park is complimentary to guests who’ve booked through Kiawah Island Golf Resort. There are three additional swimming pools, two at the Sanctuary, the other adjacent to the Cougar Point Golf Pro Shop. Nature Program. To better introduce the Kiawah’s flora and fauna, local naturalists and historians conduct canoeing, kayaking, walking, and biking tours, including a few outings suitable for preteens.
Children's programs: During the summer and over major holidays, the resort operates its Kamp Kiawah program for children ages 3-7 as well as Camp Xtreme and Adventure Camp for kids ages 8-15. Located at Night Heron Park, these programs provide a half day or full day of supervised activity, dividing children into groups ages 3-4, 5-7, and 8-15. For teens, they offer a specialized set of activities including late-night movies, basketball and volleyball tournaments, dances, and pool parties. That is all supplemented by organized family activities that could include movies, cookouts or ice-cream socials.
Dining: The resort’s restaurants, cafés, and eateries afford a diverse range of culinary options even as they stay true to Coastal Carolina roots. The newest addition, The Players’ Pub at Cougar Point Clubhouse, serves comfort food in a classic American pub setting. Also noteworthy is Jasmine Porch, a Lowcountry bistro located in The Sanctuary, with walls of authentic Charleston brick, oak-plank floors, windows on the ocean, and an outdoor terrace. For a luxurious night out, don't miss the Ocean Room at The Sanctuary, which features an array of fresh catch options in addition to an impressive lineup of steaks, including a dry-aged Tomahawk ribeye. Cap it off with a visit to Beaches & Cream, a sweet shop featuring locally made ice cream.
Accommodations
Modeled on the Lowcountry’s grand seaside mansions, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort strives to feel more like a tasteful residence than a typical luxury hotel. Of course, most residences don’t have 255 guestrooms, everyone with a balcony or terrace and views of the mounded sand dunes and the Atlantic Ocean beyond, let alone a spa, fitness center, retail shops, several restaurants, and a couple of swimming pools, including one infinity pool for adults only. Yet for all those amenities, it exudes the individual character and soul-pleasing comfort of a boutique hotel. Moreover, it is only a five-minute walk from the Roy Barth Tennis Center.
The alternative is to book a villa. They range in size from one to four bedrooms. Prices vary according to size and location, with the most expensive fronting the ocean. All have fully equipped kitchens. Windswept, which has elevators and many rooms with sweeping views of the ocean, is one of the more appealing complexes if you want to be near the beach.
Getting there
Seasons: Although the resort operates year-round, winters can be cool and activity at the tennis center slows. Spring, summer, and fall are thus the busiest seasons. Average high temperatures range from the low 60s in December and January to the high 80s in July and August.
Travel Instructions: Kiawah Island Golf Resort is 35 miles from Charleston International Airport (CHS). Rental cars and limousine service are available from there to the resort.
Long time tennis friend treated me to three days at Kiawah 3/8-10/2023. Ironically my wife and I were fortunate enough to spend 5 days at Palmetto Dunes in Hilton Head the previous week. Unlike Palmetto Dunes I did not take any lessons or clinics at Kiawah. We did however have the pleasure of watching eight to ten children (roughly ages 11 – 16) who are in the tennis academy living on the grounds. The level of instruction is excellent based on the sensational skill level some were exhibiting. We also watched pro Barry Quinn working with a group of ladies who are on a USTA team. The ladies thoroughly enjoyed the live action play drills that Barry put them through as he blended humor with excellent instruction. Unlike Palmetto Dunes, where our accommodations entitled us to two hours of court time PER DAY, we were charged $81.00 (EIGHTY ONE DOLLARS) for 90 minutes of court time.! We were the only non academy users of the tennis courts. I believe the pro shop at Palmetto Dunes was superior to Kiawah in terms of clothing/equipment selection and the employees at Palmetto Dunes were a lot more personable.
CN
Roy Barth was fantastic on the court with us. Great to meet him and listen to his career and incites. Very impressive to have Roy on the court.d The other pros were excellent. Would go back asap.
TW
Kiawah Golf Resort is a world leader in providing a complete vacation experience for all age groups. It’s tennis program was founded by legendary tennis player Roy Barth and continues under Roy’s very capable son, Jonathan and his team. If you are looking for a 5 star experience in the USA, make this your next destination.
TS
The programs at Kiawah are top notch! The core fundamentals that Roy has implemented as the foundation of the programs will help any tennis player improve. Along with the great staff and setting, it’s a fantastic health and wellness tennis experience!
KZ
Had a dream vacation and am going back this summer!!!!!!
EL
If you want to go to the perfect place to find an absolutely gorgeous setting combined with the perfect tennis environment then this is it! My family visited over spring break and the experience could not have been better! Our kids were able to join the Barth Hawtin tennis academy while my wife and I did the clinics. Teresa in the shop was also outstanding matching us with new and different players to the point we even tried pickleball and had a blast! The island is beautiful with lots of good options for dining and the beach is wide and open. Superb place and easy understood why they are number one in this ranking. Jonathan was great with us along with the rest of the pros!
GC
Friend’s daughter age 9 had multiple tennis lessons with Dave at the Roy Barth Tennis Center and he was so great with her. Taught her with such energy and enthusiasm that he really got her hooked on tennis. She got there barely knowing how to hold the racquet and now she is playing matches with her school team. Jonathan Barth and his staff run a well oiled operation and one that truly met and exceeded our expectations. Great job tennis staff, can’t wait to get back on the courts!
MK
An amazing resort both in setting and staff. We’ve been coming to Kiawah for years and every time we return we feel so lucky to have found this location. Jonathan leads some great Junior programs as well as adult instruction. One of our favorite places to be!
KK
The Roy Barth tennis center is top notch and Roy is there to offer tips and instruction. Jonathan Barth runs a high energy program with great pros and lots of fun along the way. Learned so much and enjoyed every day on the court. Kiawah Island Resort offers beautiful golf courses and a world class beach as well as first class restaurants and shopping that can’t be beat. Looking forward to our next trip this Fall!
CZ
Kiawah never disappoints. It is a wonderful getaway resort for families, couples, and tennis teams. I have been there for all three. Top notch accommodations, food, service, and variety of amenities. I especially love the Roy Barth Tennis Center: beautiful courts, talented pros, and a well-run pro shop.
JS
We love Kiawah and have especially enjoyed the tennis instruction and atmosphere at the tennis center. Can’t wait to go back!
LK
Kiawah has an amazing tennis program led by outstanding pros. The facilities are impeccable and the experience is truly phenomenal. I have been to many resorts for tennis and golf and Kiawah outranks them all. Fabulous for families as well as couples and single travelers. I recommend if you are a tennis player or golfer to visit Kiawah at your earliest opportunity!
MC
Tennis facility and instruction are top notch!
JC
Very friendly and accommodating staff who bend over backwards to help organise times to suit you, fun pros who excell is giving you what you want whether it be a fun large family group lesson with games to 1:1 serious coaching. The weather is great any time of the year, the Island is very beautiful with a scenic natural coastline and is great for golf, cycling, walking, shopping and eating. David Boyd is amazing as a coach and super organised!
FB
I was a relative beginner in tennis just a few years ago, but have been coming to the Roy Barth Tennis Center for the last 5 years. The pros, including Roy Barth himself, are very engaged in the lessons, they offer the same tips, and my game has improved a lot. I recommend this tennis resort highly!
JB
Love the Roy Barth Tennis Center. Have been going there since I can remember with my family to play tennis, get private lessons, participate in clinics, and buy some gear from their pro shop. The instructors are phenomenal and have really helped improve my game. 11/10 would recommend.
MB
Tennis facility and pros are superb. Really help me with my game.
DH
The Roy Barth Tennis Facility on Kiawah Island is exceptionally beautiful, now more so than ever with the new courts all at the East Beach facility. The pros are great at helping to enhance your game and are very personable and have become great friends over the years. I’ve worked extensively with David Boyd who always makes it fun for adults and watching him with the children is a great experience. Langdon Brockinton, Jonathon Barth and Santiago Falla are also terrific in a private lessons and team/group clinics. Great technicians and teachers – never trying to change your game but helpful in making those tweaks that make a big difference!
JM
The island itself is amazing. Beach, golf, food, and of course the high quality tennis makes it an overall phenomenal experience. Nothing better than competition tennis in the morning and a relaxing day at the beach the rest of the day. Head pro David Boyd is awesome with kids (my daughter was 4 when she first took a clinic with him) and she still loves playing with him (she is 15!). We especially love staying in the villas with our family which is walking distance to the tennis courts. The Monday night pro doubles exhibition is always fun with cool raffle prizes.
DP
Kiawah is our happy place. Spectacular beach, beautiful setting throughout with a relaxed feel. Many dining options. We continue to go back, though, because of the phenomenal tennis program. Great courts and fantastic instruction. David Boyd, in particular, is incredibly skilled in isolating the few, important things to focus on to improve your game.
BP
I’ve loved going to Kiawah for the past 5 or so years. As a competitive tennis player, I have my fill of tennis training at the Roy Barth Tennis Academy in addition to taking private lessons with David Boyd. The instruction and competition are excellent ranging from technical tips to match strategy. Additionally, having pros like Santiago and Ryan duke it out on Monday’s during pro exhibition is a blast. The amenities are also amazing including, but not limited to, a stellar beach and great swimming pools. The food is also great. I would personally recommend checking out La Tella, the local brick oven pizzeria. I love everything about Kiawah, and in particular its tennis program, so I would definitely recommend visiting.
EZ
David Boyd is an incredibly skilled tennis pro. He gave both adults in our family and our teenagers amazing instruction and feedback to improve their game. Fun to participate as well. We return year after year as this is our family’s favorite vacation spot and absolutely love the tennis component. Fabulous tennis resort!!
PK
Excellent facilities. Excellent staff. Pros are experienced and have been there a long time. Roy Barth is still around and spends time at the clinics giving pointers. The clinics are instructional and helpful. Consistent teaching approach is shared by all of the pros. One of the best tennis experiences; I have been at Saddlebrook, Vandermeer, Sugarbush, Stowe and IMG.
BP
Jonathan Barth and his staff are the best!!! They have great clinics and even better insights and tips. And you can’t beat the setting – beach, biking, golf, walking trails. And tennis!
JS
Kiawah Island Tennis Resort is unbelievable. From the breathtaking views of the ocean to the friendly staff members and top notch facilities, there really isn’t anything like it. If you are looking for a great vacation or tennis getaway weekend, Kiawah is the place to go.
KP
This resort was absolutely incredible! From the breathtaking views to the incredible staff, I definitely recommend this to any vacationeer or tennis enthusiast!
JA
This is an amazing place to go! The beach is not crowded at all and the water is really nice. It’s about a two minute walk to the beach and it’s the best ever.
CS
Best resort I’ve ever been to!! Amazing facilities and the faculty is always so kind and welcoming.
JD
I just got home from another great tennis trip! Thank you Santiago and Jonathan. I will be back!
JH
Kiawah is great! We have really enjoyed our time on Kiawah playing tennis. We were able to take advantage of great instruction from a couple of pros. The junior program was good and they worked the kids hard. We are excited about the full time academy starting now. I can’t wait to get back to Kiawah this August! The additional 10 clay courts really has made the facility fantastic!
CG
We have been sending our kids to the Roy Barth Tennis camps in Kiawah for the last 8 years. The staff is amazing and always remember seeing our kids year to year. The instructors are teaching pros! This is so important nowadays, as most places simple feed balls to the kids without instructions. Our kids thoroughly enjoy their time at the Roy Barth Tennis Center.
KW
It really doesn’t get any better than Kiawah Island Golf Resort. I have played tennis in dozens of states and at tons of tennis centers, and Kiawah Island is hands down the BEST place I’ve ever been!! The tennis coaches are exceptional and I know that I’m getting better every day when I’m training with them. The courts are always in superb condition and in under less than a minute walk, you can find yourself at The Sanctuary Resort, one of the most beautiful places to stay!!
EG
The facilities at Kiawah Island are really superb Tennis -Amazing tennis clinics and drills all year -Taught by personable talented and consistent staff with consistant teaching formats. -Amazing knowlwdge brought to the clinics by Roy Barth, his wisdom of the game is like no other coach has taught me in all my years of playing. -The laid back friendliness of this resort is great for all ages and all levels of play -The kids clinics are kept fun and engageing as well as the adult
PV
Kiawah resort is an exceptionally beautiful resort. Went there for a wedding and discovered this gem on the coast. It is so family friendly with so man fun options for kids and adults! The tennis center is amazing, and the professionals there are so nice and helpful. We loved our stay and will definitely be back!!!!
BB
Great hotel accommodation. New clay courts. Nice staff and helpful. Jonathan Barth is a great instructor.
TC
The Roy Barth tennis center is a top tennis complex. Beautiful facility and great instruction. The pros are great instructors and a lot of fun.
LK
The Roy Barth Tennis Center on Kiawah Island, SC is an outstanding facility. It has 19 clay courts and 3 hard courts surrounded by beautiful scenery. The grounds are in pristine condition. Head pro, Jonathan Barth, is an excellent instructor as well as an innovative program developer. The atmosphere is always warm and encouraging. I would highly recommend this destination for your next tennis vacation.
MC
Kiawah is an amazing resort with top notch tennis, golf, dining and accommodations.
RL
This is the perfect location for family tennis. The Tennis pros caters to all tennis abilities. The staff and pros treat you like family. They were excellent with young kids learning the game for the first time, with adults picking up the game again and the serious players in our group. The resort offers hotel and condo rentals. We did not take advantage of the spa, gym or hotel services but instead rented a condo. There is so much to do outside of the tennis courts. Families will fall in love with beach, the bike trails, the camps and the activities run by the island. The Tennis center runs activities for all levels of tennis player. They help you find players to set up a game. The courts are in great condition. Only weakness is that there are no indoor courts; however, there are very few bad weather days. Kiawah is close to Charleston which offers culture, history and great food. The food at Kiawah is good but Charleston’s food is exceptional. We will be returning to Kiawah for decades to come.
ED
Kiawah Island is a place like none other. The tennis staff does a great job with their programs and match making. You have 3 levels of programs (beginner, intermediate and advance) for adults and children. On the adult side,you can choose instructional stroke of the day clinics,drill sessions or tournament tough (advance players) and for the children you can choose between mini camp, tournament tough and now a full time academy! They also have a Monday night exhibition with great prizes and open to all players. I was able to play with different guests staying on the island, and also had a great time with Santiago (one of the pros ) my family and I cannot wait to come back!
BB
The Entire Kiawh experience cannot be matched elsewhere! Exceptional Tennis Staff, especially the Barth family on site. Roy Barth, ( recently retired ) has Passed the club into the mirror like, talented hands of son, Jonathan Barth. We look fwd to any time we can visit, every season seems perfect!
CY
The resort is world class the facilities are really top notch. My family was with me and we had a fantastic time. I took lessons from a pro named Santiago. He was very patient and seemed to really care about the lessons. The staff also helped setup a match with another guest. The staff were very accommodating and made my time on the court very enjoyable.
HP
In my many years of playing tennis, David Boyd is one of the best pros I have worked with. My game has improved immensely under his instruction and his lessons are always really fun!
KT
Overall, my personal experience with the Kiawah Island Golf Resort tennis facility has been outstanding. David Boyd, the Head Tennis Professional at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, has been giving us private lessons every summer for numerous years and they have been exceptional.
KT
We love Kiawah Island and especially the folks at the Roy Barth Tennis Center. My children and I take numerous lessons a week during the summer months from head tennis pro David Boyd. David is the best! David is great working with all levels of tennis and my college kids do not hesitate to request mom to book lessons with David when their friends come to Kiawah to visit. I have brought several of my tennis teams from Houston over the years to Kiawah and they greatly enjoyed the clinics with David, Jonathan Barth, Langdon and Brandon. The new court facilities are amazing and Im sure they will be put to great use this summer. I would highly recommend a tennis vacation to Kiawah Island.
DD
I take lessons in many places and hands down the instruction at Kiawah results in more points and matches relative to peers. Even more importantly the pros remind us how to have fun (lest we forget!) and keep our bodies healthy (loose grip prevents tennis elbow and results in more power too). David Boyd is my favorite however I have yet to meet a pro at Kiawah who was anything less than outstanding.
ET
A Beautiful location with an Exceptional Staff!
LD
We have been visiting Kiawah for family vacations for several years now and the primary reason we continue to return is the tennis facility and staff!
SM
Kiawah Island is simply an amazing place to visit. There is so much to do between enjoying the beach, the spa, cuisine, bike rides, golf, and tennis center. The tennis center is top notch with the cleanliness of the facility as well as the world class tennis professionals. The instruction is both fun and impactful to your game. They even have pickleball courts if you play that as well! Kiawah will not disappoint!
AB
The pros, clinics, and drills were all outstanding! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I had several ah-ha moments.
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380 Reviews on “Kiawah Island Golf Resort”
Long time tennis friend treated me to three days at Kiawah 3/8-10/2023. Ironically my wife and I were fortunate enough to spend 5 days at Palmetto Dunes in Hilton Head the previous week. Unlike Palmetto Dunes I did not take any lessons or clinics at Kiawah. We did however have the pleasure of watching eight to ten children (roughly ages 11 – 16) who are in the tennis academy living on the grounds. The level of instruction is excellent based on the sensational skill level some were exhibiting. We also watched pro Barry Quinn working with a group of ladies who are on a USTA team. The ladies thoroughly enjoyed the live action play drills that Barry put them through as he blended humor with excellent instruction. Unlike Palmetto Dunes, where our accommodations entitled us to two hours of court time PER DAY, we were charged $81.00 (EIGHTY ONE DOLLARS) for 90 minutes of court time.! We were the only non academy users of the tennis courts. I believe the pro shop at Palmetto Dunes was superior to Kiawah in terms of clothing/equipment selection and the employees at Palmetto Dunes were a lot more personable.
Roy Barth was fantastic on the court with us. Great to meet him and listen to his career and incites. Very impressive to have Roy on the court.d The other pros were excellent. Would go back asap.
Kiawah Golf Resort is a world leader in providing a complete vacation experience for all age groups. It’s tennis program was founded by legendary tennis player Roy Barth and continues under Roy’s very capable son, Jonathan and his team. If you are looking for a 5 star experience in the USA, make this your next destination.
The programs at Kiawah are top notch! The core fundamentals that Roy has implemented as the foundation of the programs will help any tennis player improve. Along with the great staff and setting, it’s a fantastic health and wellness tennis experience!
Had a dream vacation and am going back this summer!!!!!!
If you want to go to the perfect place to find an absolutely gorgeous setting combined with the perfect tennis environment then this is it! My family visited over spring break and the experience could not have been better! Our kids were able to join the Barth Hawtin tennis academy while my wife and I did the clinics. Teresa in the shop was also outstanding matching us with new and different players to the point we even tried pickleball and had a blast! The island is beautiful with lots of good options for dining and the beach is wide and open. Superb place and easy understood why they are number one in this ranking. Jonathan was great with us along with the rest of the pros!
Friend’s daughter age 9 had multiple tennis lessons with Dave at the Roy Barth Tennis Center and he was so great with her. Taught her with such energy and enthusiasm that he really got her hooked on tennis. She got there barely knowing how to hold the racquet and now she is playing matches with her school team. Jonathan Barth and his staff run a well oiled operation and one that truly met and exceeded our expectations. Great job tennis staff, can’t wait to get back on the courts!
An amazing resort both in setting and staff. We’ve been coming to Kiawah for years and every time we return we feel so lucky to have found this location. Jonathan leads some great Junior programs as well as adult instruction. One of our favorite places to be!
The Roy Barth tennis center is top notch and Roy is there to offer tips and instruction. Jonathan Barth runs a high energy program with great pros and lots of fun along the way. Learned so much and enjoyed every day on the court. Kiawah Island Resort offers beautiful golf courses and a world class beach as well as first class restaurants and shopping that can’t be beat. Looking forward to our next trip this Fall!
Kiawah never disappoints. It is a wonderful getaway resort for families, couples, and tennis teams. I have been there for all three. Top notch accommodations, food, service, and variety of amenities. I especially love the Roy Barth Tennis Center: beautiful courts, talented pros, and a well-run pro shop.
We love Kiawah and have especially enjoyed the tennis instruction and atmosphere at the tennis center. Can’t wait to go back!
Kiawah has an amazing tennis program led by outstanding pros. The facilities are impeccable and the experience is truly phenomenal. I have been to many resorts for tennis and golf and Kiawah outranks them all. Fabulous for families as well as couples and single travelers. I recommend if you are a tennis player or golfer to visit Kiawah at your earliest opportunity!
Tennis facility and instruction are top notch!
Very friendly and accommodating staff who bend over backwards to help organise times to suit you, fun pros who excell is giving you what you want whether it be a fun large family group lesson with games to 1:1 serious coaching. The weather is great any time of the year, the Island is very beautiful with a scenic natural coastline and is great for golf, cycling, walking, shopping and eating. David Boyd is amazing as a coach and super organised!
I was a relative beginner in tennis just a few years ago, but have been coming to the Roy Barth Tennis Center for the last 5 years. The pros, including Roy Barth himself, are very engaged in the lessons, they offer the same tips, and my game has improved a lot. I recommend this tennis resort highly!
Love the Roy Barth Tennis Center. Have been going there since I can remember with my family to play tennis, get private lessons, participate in clinics, and buy some gear from their pro shop. The instructors are phenomenal and have really helped improve my game. 11/10 would recommend.
Tennis facility and pros are superb. Really help me with my game.
The Roy Barth Tennis Facility on Kiawah Island is exceptionally beautiful, now more so than ever with the new courts all at the East Beach facility. The pros are great at helping to enhance your game and are very personable and have become great friends over the years. I’ve worked extensively with David Boyd who always makes it fun for adults and watching him with the children is a great experience. Langdon Brockinton, Jonathon Barth and Santiago Falla are also terrific in a private lessons and team/group clinics. Great technicians and teachers – never trying to change your game but helpful in making those tweaks that make a big difference!
The island itself is amazing. Beach, golf, food, and of course the high quality tennis makes it an overall phenomenal experience. Nothing better than competition tennis in the morning and a relaxing day at the beach the rest of the day. Head pro David Boyd is awesome with kids (my daughter was 4 when she first took a clinic with him) and she still loves playing with him (she is 15!). We especially love staying in the villas with our family which is walking distance to the tennis courts. The Monday night pro doubles exhibition is always fun with cool raffle prizes.
Kiawah is our happy place. Spectacular beach, beautiful setting throughout with a relaxed feel. Many dining options. We continue to go back, though, because of the phenomenal tennis program. Great courts and fantastic instruction. David Boyd, in particular, is incredibly skilled in isolating the few, important things to focus on to improve your game.
I’ve loved going to Kiawah for the past 5 or so years. As a competitive tennis player, I have my fill of tennis training at the Roy Barth Tennis Academy in addition to taking private lessons with David Boyd. The instruction and competition are excellent ranging from technical tips to match strategy. Additionally, having pros like Santiago and Ryan duke it out on Monday’s during pro exhibition is a blast. The amenities are also amazing including, but not limited to, a stellar beach and great swimming pools. The food is also great. I would personally recommend checking out La Tella, the local brick oven pizzeria. I love everything about Kiawah, and in particular its tennis program, so I would definitely recommend visiting.
David Boyd is an incredibly skilled tennis pro. He gave both adults in our family and our teenagers amazing instruction and feedback to improve their game. Fun to participate as well. We return year after year as this is our family’s favorite vacation spot and absolutely love the tennis component. Fabulous tennis resort!!
Excellent facilities. Excellent staff. Pros are experienced and have been there a long time. Roy Barth is still around and spends time at the clinics giving pointers. The clinics are instructional and helpful. Consistent teaching approach is shared by all of the pros. One of the best tennis experiences; I have been at Saddlebrook, Vandermeer, Sugarbush, Stowe and IMG.
Jonathan Barth and his staff are the best!!! They have great clinics and even better insights and tips. And you can’t beat the setting – beach, biking, golf, walking trails. And tennis!
Kiawah Island Tennis Resort is unbelievable. From the breathtaking views of the ocean to the friendly staff members and top notch facilities, there really isn’t anything like it. If you are looking for a great vacation or tennis getaway weekend, Kiawah is the place to go.
This resort was absolutely incredible! From the breathtaking views to the incredible staff, I definitely recommend this to any vacationeer or tennis enthusiast!
This is an amazing place to go! The beach is not crowded at all and the water is really nice. It’s about a two minute walk to the beach and it’s the best ever.
Best resort I’ve ever been to!! Amazing facilities and the faculty is always so kind and welcoming.
I just got home from another great tennis trip! Thank you Santiago and Jonathan. I will be back!
Kiawah is great! We have really enjoyed our time on Kiawah playing tennis. We were able to take advantage of great instruction from a couple of pros. The junior program was good and they worked the kids hard. We are excited about the full time academy starting now. I can’t wait to get back to Kiawah this August! The additional 10 clay courts really has made the facility fantastic!
We have been sending our kids to the Roy Barth Tennis camps in Kiawah for the last 8 years. The staff is amazing and always remember seeing our kids year to year. The instructors are teaching pros! This is so important nowadays, as most places simple feed balls to the kids without instructions. Our kids thoroughly enjoy their time at the Roy Barth Tennis Center.
It really doesn’t get any better than Kiawah Island Golf Resort. I have played tennis in dozens of states and at tons of tennis centers, and Kiawah Island is hands down the BEST place I’ve ever been!! The tennis coaches are exceptional and I know that I’m getting better every day when I’m training with them. The courts are always in superb condition and in under less than a minute walk, you can find yourself at The Sanctuary Resort, one of the most beautiful places to stay!!
The facilities at Kiawah Island are really superb Tennis -Amazing tennis clinics and drills all year -Taught by personable talented and consistent staff with consistant teaching formats. -Amazing knowlwdge brought to the clinics by Roy Barth, his wisdom of the game is like no other coach has taught me in all my years of playing. -The laid back friendliness of this resort is great for all ages and all levels of play -The kids clinics are kept fun and engageing as well as the adult
Kiawah resort is an exceptionally beautiful resort. Went there for a wedding and discovered this gem on the coast. It is so family friendly with so man fun options for kids and adults! The tennis center is amazing, and the professionals there are so nice and helpful. We loved our stay and will definitely be back!!!!
Great hotel accommodation. New clay courts. Nice staff and helpful. Jonathan Barth is a great instructor.
The Roy Barth tennis center is a top tennis complex. Beautiful facility and great instruction. The pros are great instructors and a lot of fun.
The Roy Barth Tennis Center on Kiawah Island, SC is an outstanding facility. It has 19 clay courts and 3 hard courts surrounded by beautiful scenery. The grounds are in pristine condition. Head pro, Jonathan Barth, is an excellent instructor as well as an innovative program developer. The atmosphere is always warm and encouraging. I would highly recommend this destination for your next tennis vacation.
Kiawah is an amazing resort with top notch tennis, golf, dining and accommodations.
This is the perfect location for family tennis. The Tennis pros caters to all tennis abilities. The staff and pros treat you like family. They were excellent with young kids learning the game for the first time, with adults picking up the game again and the serious players in our group. The resort offers hotel and condo rentals. We did not take advantage of the spa, gym or hotel services but instead rented a condo. There is so much to do outside of the tennis courts. Families will fall in love with beach, the bike trails, the camps and the activities run by the island. The Tennis center runs activities for all levels of tennis player. They help you find players to set up a game. The courts are in great condition. Only weakness is that there are no indoor courts; however, there are very few bad weather days. Kiawah is close to Charleston which offers culture, history and great food. The food at Kiawah is good but Charleston’s food is exceptional. We will be returning to Kiawah for decades to come.
Kiawah Island is a place like none other. The tennis staff does a great job with their programs and match making. You have 3 levels of programs (beginner, intermediate and advance) for adults and children. On the adult side,you can choose instructional stroke of the day clinics,drill sessions or tournament tough (advance players) and for the children you can choose between mini camp, tournament tough and now a full time academy! They also have a Monday night exhibition with great prizes and open to all players. I was able to play with different guests staying on the island, and also had a great time with Santiago (one of the pros ) my family and I cannot wait to come back!
The Entire Kiawh experience cannot be matched elsewhere! Exceptional Tennis Staff, especially the Barth family on site. Roy Barth, ( recently retired ) has Passed the club into the mirror like, talented hands of son, Jonathan Barth. We look fwd to any time we can visit, every season seems perfect!
The resort is world class the facilities are really top notch. My family was with me and we had a fantastic time. I took lessons from a pro named Santiago. He was very patient and seemed to really care about the lessons. The staff also helped setup a match with another guest. The staff were very accommodating and made my time on the court very enjoyable.
In my many years of playing tennis, David Boyd is one of the best pros I have worked with. My game has improved immensely under his instruction and his lessons are always really fun!
Overall, my personal experience with the Kiawah Island Golf Resort tennis facility has been outstanding. David Boyd, the Head Tennis Professional at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, has been giving us private lessons every summer for numerous years and they have been exceptional.
We love Kiawah Island and especially the folks at the Roy Barth Tennis Center. My children and I take numerous lessons a week during the summer months from head tennis pro David Boyd. David is the best! David is great working with all levels of tennis and my college kids do not hesitate to request mom to book lessons with David when their friends come to Kiawah to visit. I have brought several of my tennis teams from Houston over the years to Kiawah and they greatly enjoyed the clinics with David, Jonathan Barth, Langdon and Brandon. The new court facilities are amazing and Im sure they will be put to great use this summer. I would highly recommend a tennis vacation to Kiawah Island.
I take lessons in many places and hands down the instruction at Kiawah results in more points and matches relative to peers. Even more importantly the pros remind us how to have fun (lest we forget!) and keep our bodies healthy (loose grip prevents tennis elbow and results in more power too). David Boyd is my favorite however I have yet to meet a pro at Kiawah who was anything less than outstanding.
A Beautiful location with an Exceptional Staff!
We have been visiting Kiawah for family vacations for several years now and the primary reason we continue to return is the tennis facility and staff!
Kiawah Island is simply an amazing place to visit. There is so much to do between enjoying the beach, the spa, cuisine, bike rides, golf, and tennis center. The tennis center is top notch with the cleanliness of the facility as well as the world class tennis professionals. The instruction is both fun and impactful to your game. They even have pickleball courts if you play that as well! Kiawah will not disappoint!
The pros, clinics, and drills were all outstanding! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I had several ah-ha moments.