Hilton Head Island, located in South Carolina, is renowned for its pristine beaches, luxurious resorts, and a plethora of world-class golf courses. This island is a golfer’s paradise, offering a variety of courses that cater to different skill levels and preferences. Here’s a guide to some of the best golf courses on Hilton Head Island, each offering unique challenges and stunning landscapes.
Harbour Town Golf Links
Designer: Pete Dye, with Jack Nicklaus
Par: 71
Yardage: 7,099 yards
Harbour Town Golf Links is perhaps the most famous course on Hilton Head Island. Located within the Sea Pines Resort, it is the host of the RBC Heritage, a PGA Tour event held annually. The course is celebrated for its narrow fairways, small greens, and strategic layout, requiring precise shot-making. The iconic 18th hole, with the Harbour Town Lighthouse in the background, is one of the most photographed in golf.
Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III
Designer: Davis Love III
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,065 yards
Atlantic Dunes, also within Sea Pines Resort, is a complete redesign of the historic Ocean Course. Davis Love III’s vision for the course includes native seaside grass, coquina shells, and restored dunes. The course offers a fun yet challenging experience, with ocean views and natural dune lines enhancing the beauty and difficulty.
Heron Point by Pete Dye
Designer: Pete Dye
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,035 yards
Heron Point, another gem in the Sea Pines Resort collection, showcases Pete Dye’s genius for creating visually stunning and strategically demanding courses. The course features a mix of risk-reward holes, with Dye’s signature mounding and bunkering. The lush, tropical landscaping adds to the aesthetic appeal, making it a favorite among both locals and visitors.
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort (Robert Trent Jones Course)
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,005 yards
The Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes is renowned for its breathtaking oceanfront views, particularly the par-5 10th hole, which plays directly along the Atlantic Ocean. The course offers wide fairways, expansive greens, and water hazards on 11 of the 18 holes, providing a challenging yet enjoyable round for golfers of all levels.
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort (Arthur Hills Course)
Designer: Arthur Hills
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,651 yards
The Arthur Hills Course at Palmetto Dunes is known for its rolling terrain, numerous water hazards, and dense forests.
The course demands accuracy and strategic play, with the back nine offering particularly challenging holes. The scenic beauty of the course, combined with its thoughtful design, makes it a must-play on Hilton Head Island.
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort (George Fazio Course)
Designer: George Fazio
Par: 70
Yardage: 6,873 yards
The George Fazio Course, also at Palmetto Dunes, is the only par-70 course on the island. It features long par-4s, challenging bunkers, and water hazards. The course is known for its demanding layout, requiring precise shot placement and strategic thinking. It’s a favorite among skilled golfers looking for a tough yet rewarding round.
Long Cove Club
Designer: Pete Dye
Par: 71
Yardage: 7,026 yards
Long Cove Club is a private course that consistently ranks among the best in South Carolina. Designed by Pete Dye, it features narrow fairways, small greens, and a variety of water hazards. The course offers a true test of golfing skill, with its beautiful setting and meticulously maintained grounds enhancing the experience.
May River Golf Club at Palmetto Bluff
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,171 yards
Located just off Hilton Head Island, in Bluffton, the May River Golf Club at Palmetto Bluff offers a stunning Lowcountry golfing experience. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course winds through scenic forests, tidal marshes, and along the banks of the May River. It features wide fairways, large greens, and strategic bunkering, providing a challenging yet enjoyable round.
Hilton Head Island is a premier golfing destination, boasting a variety of courses designed by some of the most renowned architects in the sport. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual golfer, the island offers a course that will suit your skill level and provide a memorable golfing experience. From the iconic Harbour Town Golf Links to the scenic Atlantic Dunes, each course on Hilton Head Island offers its own unique challenges and breathtaking views. So pack your clubs and get ready to tee off in this golfer’s paradise.
Old South Golf Links
Designer: Clyde Johnston
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,772 yards
Old South Golf Links, located just minutes from Hilton Head Island, offers panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the marshlands. The course features elevated tees and greens, with several holes playing over scenic marshes. It is designed to be both challenging and enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels, providing a quintessential Lowcountry golfing experience.
Oyster Reef Golf Club
Designer: Rees Jones
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,048 yards
Oyster Reef Golf Club is a Rees Jones-designed course located in the Hilton Head Plantation. Known for its picturesque views and challenging layout, the course winds through lagoons, forests, and along the shoreline of Port Royal Sound. The signature 6th hole, a par-3 with a stunning view of the Sound, is particularly memorable. The course is highly rated for its condition and playability.
Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,014 yards
The Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run is another Jack Nicklaus design that offers a challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience. The course features tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkering, and water hazards. It is known for its excellent maintenance and friendly atmosphere, making it a favorite among both residents and visitors.
The Golf Club at Indigo Run
Designer: Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,073 yards
The Golf Club at Indigo Run is a private, member-owned course designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son, Jack Nicklaus II. It offers a classic Nicklaus golfing experience with generous fairways, challenging bunkers, and well-protected greens. The course is beautifully integrated into the natural landscape, providing a serene and picturesque setting for golf.
Shipyard Golf Club
Designers: George W. Cobb and Willard C. Byrd
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,928 yards
Shipyard Golf Club is part of the Shipyard Plantation and offers 27 holes of golf spread across three nine-hole courses:
Clipper, Galleon, and Brigantine. Designed by George W. Cobb and Willard C. Byrd, the course is known for its diverse layout, scenic beauty, and well-maintained conditions. Golfers can mix and match the nines for a varied and enjoyable round.
Wexford Golf Club
Designer: Arnold Palmer
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,100 yards
Wexford Golf Club, located within the private Wexford Plantation, is an Arnold Palmer-designed course that offers a unique and challenging golfing experience. The course features narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and water hazards on almost every hole. It is known for its beautiful landscaping and meticulous maintenance, providing a high-quality golfing experience.
Sea Pines Country Club
Designer: Arnold Palmer and Frank Duane
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,383 yards
Sea Pines Country Club, a private members-only club, offers a beautiful course designed by Arnold Palmer and Frank Duane. The course is shorter than some of the other courses on the island, but it offers plenty of challenges with its narrow fairways and strategically placed hazards. The lush, well-manicured landscape and serene environment make it a delightful place to play.
Conclusion
Hilton Head Island’s golf courses are among the best in the world, offering a diverse range of layouts and landscapes that cater to golfers of all skill levels. Whether you are looking for the challenge of a PGA Tour course or a scenic round with ocean views, Hilton Head has a course that will meet your needs. Each course provides a unique golfing experience, combining the natural beauty of the Lowcountry with the artistry of top golf course designers. For any golf enthusiast, a trip to Hilton Head Island promises an unforgettable experience filled with top-notch golfing and stunning scenery.
