The Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run is an 18-hole public course known for its exceptional layout. It offers a challenging yet very playable design, emphasizing strategy over sheer power. The course weaves through an upscale residential community and a Lowcountry forest with majestic live oaks, cypress, and pine woodlands. Many holes are tucked away, offering a sense of seclusion. This course features tight fairways and numerous doglegs with overhanging oak limbs posing a challenge on approach shots. Golden Bear has earned recognition as one of America’s Top 100 Courses priced under $100 and has swiftly gained a reputation as one of the most scenic and challenging courses on an island known for its high-quality designs. Notably, Golden Bear Golf Club is eminently playable, particularly for women, who will find fewer forced carries to contend with. As one local resident said, “It isn’t overly hard like some of those on the island, but if you get in the wrong place, it can be hard.” Indeed, veering off the fairway and into the encompassing trees can pose a challenge, often necessitating a series of recovery shots just to get back to the fairway.

Notable holes include the sharp dogleg left on No. 13, where the tee shot can make or break your round, and the par-5 15th, where a lagoon to the left poses a hidden challenge. For long hitters, reaching the 15th in two shots is possible. The sixth hole stands out as the most challenging on the front nine, a par 4 with a lagoon running down the right side and a narrow fairway. Caution is also warranted on No. 3, a dogleg right with a rapidly narrowing fairway and concealed water hazards. One of the most memorable holes is the dogleg-left 11th, with water to the left of the green. The course accommodates players of varying skill levels, with multiple tee options ranging from 4,974 yards to 7,014 yards. Additionally, a shorter course option at 2,949 yards provides flexibility for those seeking a more relaxed round or a quick replay.