Golfers that have visited South Carolina as a golf destination, will know that golfing and great golf courses come as second nature. With the state split up into three areas the one voted year after year as the USA’s best golf holiday to visit is Hilton Head Island.
With 30+ championship courses in and around the Hilton Head so many top golf course architects Hilton Head has become the testing ground for great golf, making full use of the Lowcountry and surrounding areas the marshlands, rivers, lakes, forests and beaches all account for what is no less than some of the best golf you will ever have the pleasure to play.
So how do you choose which one’s are the best to play? Well, we have personally experienced most of them and we have compiled our Top 10 golf courses in Hilton Head.
Our Recommended Hilton Head Golf Courses
1. Old South Golf Links
Hilton Head Island has some great courses, a majority of which are on the main island, there is a number which is just over the bridge into Bluffton. Old South Golf Links is just one, it opened its doors in 1992 and was recognised by Golf Digest in the “Top Ten New Public Golf Courses”.
Located in the Lowcountry amongst the Intracoastal marshes of McKay’s Creek Old South Golf Links winds its way between the rolling terrain and towering oaks, measuring 6,772 yards from the Gold Tees it is a great to test and a popular choice for local and visitors alike.
Course Designer: Clyde Johnson
Opened for Play: 1992
Location: 50 Buckingham Plantation Dr, Bluffton
2. Arthur Hills at Palmetto Hall
One of two golf courses on the Palmetto Hall Plantation, designer Arthur Hills designed and opened his course here at the Palmetto Hall in 1991, this 18 Hole Championship golf courses measures just short of 7,000 yards from the back tee with an unbelievable slope rating of 139. The white tees are where a majority of golfers will play at 6,257 yards this is plenty long enough for a better-than-average golfer to enjoy.
In true Arthur Hills style, the course is made up from undulating fairways. Cleverly designed mounding to test the best of golfers. The Towering Pines and oaks line many of the lush fairways with strategically placed lakes. Many greens are guarded by bunkering, a great course amongst so many others and another must-play on your visit to the island.
Course designer: Arthur Hills
Opened for Play: 1991
Location: 108 Fort Howell Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
3. Robert Cupp at Palmetto Hall
The Robert Cupp course at Palmetto Plantation is one of his better and original designs which tests the better golfers, yet is still enjoyable for the high handicapper too, Regarded as his Signature course and was one of the best on the island when it opened in 1993, it had a slope rating from the back tees of 152 highest in the state, this honour has only been surpassed since by Pete Dye and the Ocean Course at Kiawah at 155.
Despite the high rating from the tips, numerous tee boxes give the opportunity for all golfers to enjoy.
Course designer: Robert Cupp
Opened for Play: 1993
Location: 108 Fort Howell Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
4. Oyster Reef Golf Club
The spectacular 18-Hole championship course that is Oyster Reef golf club is set within 190 acres of breath-taking Lowcountry terrain with winding lakes, hidden lagoons, lush vegetation, and fantastic views of Hilton Head Island. This semi-private golf course opened in 1982 and soon became a favourite of not the locals, but international visitors too.
Oyster Reef is a beautiful example of Lowcountry golf at its very best and one we highly recommend.
Course designer: Rees Jones
Opened for Play: 1993
Location: 155 High Bluff Rd, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29926
5. Hilton Head National Golf Club
Hilton Head National golf course is another classic from the Legendary Gary Player portfolio, situated in the Bluffton district of Hilton head island the golf course opened its doors in 1989 and is one of the only courses on the island to have two completely different sets of nine holes.
Gary Player has designed the golf course to be straightforward and not complicated, From the back Tees the golf course is a test for the best of golfers, but with plenty of tee boxes to choose from, golfers of all abilities should still enjoy what is, one of the most popular golf courses on the island.
Course Designer: Gary Player
Opened for Play: 1989
Location: 60 Hilton Head National Drive, Bluffton
6. Crescent Pointe Golf Club
Just 3 miles west of the bridge to Hilton head Islands lies the world-class Arnold Palmer Signature Crescent Pointe golf course. The only Arnold Palmer public golf course in the Hilton Head area Crescent Pointe highlights the overwhelming beauty that Hilton’s head has to offer. In true palmer design the fairways are wide and generous, yet cleverly challenging when approaching the elevated and undulating greens.
Water is prominent here with no less than 7 holes over water with very gettable par 3’s, inviting the challenge. Century Oaks are in abundance in the Bluffton area, none other than here, Arnold Palmer has made great use of each and everyone, and with immaculate condition making Crescent Pointe is one of the must-play Hilton Head golf courses when on holiday here.
Course Designer: Arnold Palmer
Opened for Play: 2000
Location: 1 Crescent Pointe Bluffton, SC 29909
7. Heron Point By Pete Dye
Measuring 7,035 yards from the back pegs Heron Point is a course to be reckoned with, in fact, it is regarded by many as the centrepiece of golf on Hilton Head Island and is one of three courses at the Sea Pines Resort. The legendary course architect Pete Dye personally supervised Heron Point’s recent modifications with the objective of making the course more player-friendly, and the result is an award-winning stroke of genius.
There are now sevens sets on each hole (including tees for juniors). Golfers are challenged by risk-reward long and short holes, fairways that move toward and away from hazards. Heron Point is a great design that is now enjoyed by golfers of all abilities.
Course Designer: Pete Dye
Opened for Play: 1961
Location: 100 N Sea Pines Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
8. Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront at Palmetto Dunes
There are three golf courses at Palmetto Dunes country club, all with their own characteristics, the Robert Trent Jones Course is a Jones classic, this tree-lined course is not for those with errant tee-shots, you Will be punished for over-exuberance here. Its locality to the rest of the resort is quite important, located adjacent to the Ocean the wind plays havoc and makes the course challenging for golfers of all abilities.
The hole of note here has to be the par 5, 10th hole with an elevated green – the view of the ocean is nothing less than spectacular, and all the more reason why you rose that little bit earlier to ensure you take in all that it has to offer.
Palmetto Dunes is one of the better Hilton Head golf courses and offers three choices surrounding the resort including the George Fazio Course.
Course Designer: Robert Trent Jones
Opened for Play: 1970
Location: 7 Trent Jones Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
9. Atlantic Dunes By Davis Love III
The Sea Pines Resort certainly has some quality golf courses, one of the best has to be none other than Atlantic Dunes, (not to be confused with palmetto dunes) in essence, Davis Love III has taken the very first course to be built on the island the Sea Pines Ocean Course and has redesigned and improved upon what was a great course.
Love has used the natural terrain offered by the Lowcountry incorporating the beachfront areas. Natural grasses play a big part here, combined with the native pines and oaks that line the fairways. Recently voted “National Course Of the Year” by the National Golf Course Owners Association, it is easy to see why we rank it so highly.
Course Designer: Davis Love III
Opened for Play: 1970
Location: 7 Trent Jones Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
10. Harbour Town Golf links
Harbour Town Golf Links is one of the best Hilton Head golf courses on the island, this 18 Hole Championship golf course is a collaboration between Pete, Alice Dye and Jack Nicklaus it encapsulates the best in all of their work all-in-one-place. This award-winning golf course is host annually to the RBC Heritage PGA tour event every April, the Harbour Town course is always featured amongst the top 100 golf courses in the world.
The famous 18th Hole over the lake towards the lighthouse is one of the most feared on in golf and is also one of the most photographed too. With this as a finishing hole, a par here is an achievement and also another bucket list golf course ticked off; and one of the best golf experiences you can enjoy.
Course Designer: Pete & Alice Dye & Jack Nicklaus
Opened for Play: 1970
Location: 11 Lighthouse Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Other Course in Hilton Head to Consider:
- Shipyard Golf Club
- Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run
- George Fazio Golf Course
- Bear Creek Golf Club
- Port Royal Barony Golf Course
- Dolphin Head Golf Club
- The Golf Club at Indigo Run
FAQS
How many Hilton Head golf courses are there?
There are 40 golf courses both on and just off the island in Bluffton and the surrounding area, you are spoilt for choice and most golfers choose from courses they wish to play. Other courses to mention include port royal golf club & shipyard golf club which are less well known but worth a visit.
Whats the lowest score recorded at Harbour Town Golf Links?
The lowest score recorded was by little known Troy Merritt who shot a 61 in the 2015 RBC Heritage Classic.
Which is the best golf course in Hilton Head?
The Harbour Town Golf Links is regarded and recognised by most as the best course with one of the most spectacular finishing 18th Holes approaching the Lighthouse.
Can I play Harbour Town Golf Links?
Yes, you can, it is a public golf course the green fee rates range between $195 – $369 per round with just over 38,000 rounds played there each year.
We hope that our selection makes yours that little bit easier. Contact us for your tailor-made Hilton Head golf package, Your Next Golf Holiday to the USA is certainly not one to miss!
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