Hilton Head Island has earned its reputation as “Golf Island” through six decades of championship golf experiences. With over 24 courses packed onto an island just 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, Hilton Head offers an unparalleled concentration of world-class golf. Ranked the number 10 golf destination globally by Golf Digest readers, the island attracts golfers from around the world seeking courses designed by legends like Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr., George Fazio, and Arthur Hills. This guide will help you navigate your options and plan the perfect Hilton Head golf experience.

Overview of Hilton Head Island Golf

Golf arrived on Hilton Head Island in 1962, and the sport has been woven into the island’s fabric ever since. Today, visitors find a diverse collection of courses ranging from iconic PGA Tour venues to hidden gems favored by locals. Whether you’re a scratch golfer seeking championship challenges or a casual player looking for scenic rounds, Hilton Head has a course that fits your game.

What Makes Hilton Head Golf Special

  • World-class design: Courses crafted by golf’s greatest architects
  • Natural beauty: Lowcountry landscapes featuring live oaks, Spanish moss, lagoons, and ocean views
  • Year-round play: Mild climate allows golf 365 days a year
  • Variety: From resort courses to semi-private clubs, something for every skill level and budget
  • Environmental commitment: Many courses are registered Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries

Premier Resort Courses

Sea Pines Resort

Home to the legendary Harbour Town Golf Links and the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage, Sea Pines sets the standard for Hilton Head golf. The resort offers three championship courses:

  • Harbour Town Golf Links: Pete Dye’s masterpiece, known for its small greens and strategic demands
  • Heron Point by Pete Dye: A resort-friendly layout that appears challenging but plays fair for all skill levels
  • Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III: A complete reconstruction of Hilton Head’s original Ocean Course, named National Course of the Year in 2018

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort

Three championship courses make Palmetto Dunes a complete golf destination:

  • Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course: Famous for wide fairways and one of the island’s only oceanfront holes
  • Arthur Hills Course: Emphasizes accuracy over power at 6,651 yards, with lagoons flowing through 10 holes
  • George Fazio Course: The island’s only par-70 public course, known as Hilton Head’s most authentic championship challenge

Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club

Located on Hilton Head’s northwestern tip, Port Royal features three distinct 18-hole courses:

  • Robber’s Row: A Pete Dye redesign running through historic Civil War grounds with historical markers
  • Barony Course: Clean lines demanding focus and consistency
  • Planter’s Row: Traditional Southern golf through scenic marshlands

Golden Bear Golf Club at Indigo Run

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this course sits a step above typical Nicklaus designs with pristine Bermuda greens and immaculate fairways. As part of the Invited Clubs family, conditions are exceptional. Green fees hover around $162, and the course has been recognized among “America’s Top 100 Courses Priced Under $100.”

Bear Creek Golf Club

Rees Jones’ first solo design stretches over 6,800 yards as a Par 72 Championship Course winding through tall pines with challenging doglegs. Five different tee sets accommodate every skill level. The course earned Audubon Certification and underwent renovations in 2006 under Jones’ supervision.

Tee Times: Reserve up to 7 days in advance online or call (843) 681-9510

Oyster Reef Golf Club

Set within 190 acres of stunning Lowcountry terrain with winding lakes, Oyster Reef was voted one of the Top 20 courses in the Carolinas. This semi-private course has limited public access, so book tee times well in advance. The series of par threes are exceptional.

Shipyard Golf Club

A unique 27-hole championship experience with three distinct nine-hole courses (Brigantine, Clipper, and Galleon) that can be played in different 18-hole combinations. Abundant lagoons, ponds, and 25 water hazards create strategic challenges throughout.

Country Club of Hilton Head

This course rambles over varied terrain including rolling open expanses, pine and oak woodlands, and freshwater marshlands. Features include:

  • Water hazards on multiple holes
  • Contoured fairways and pot bunkers
  • The area’s only punch bowl-shaped green
  • Three doglegs and two par-5s stretching over 575 yards

Dolphin Head Golf Club

A community-focused course offering friendly service and amenities with public-friendly access. Features private instruction and group clinics for all skill levels.

Course Pricing and Value

Budget-Friendly Options

Hilton Head offers excellent value compared to other premier golf destinations. Many courses offer:

  • Twilight rates: Significant discounts for afternoon rounds
  • Package deals: Multi-round discounts when booking several courses
  • Junior rates: Reduced fees for golfers 17 and younger (some courses offer 50% off)
  • Replay rates: Discounted second rounds on the same day

Sample Green Fee Ranges (2026)

  • Premium courses (Harbour Town, Heron Point): $250-400+
  • Resort courses (Palmetto Dunes, Port Royal): $125-200
  • Public courses (Bear Creek, Dolphin Head): $75-125
  • Off-season rates: Significant discounts November-February

Booking Tee Times

Online Booking

Most courses offer online booking through their websites or platforms like GolfNow. Benefits include:

  • Lower prices than phone reservations at many courses
  • Real-time availability
  • Easy comparison shopping
  • Instant confirmation

Phone Reservations

For personalized service or special requests, calling directly is recommended:

  • Sea Pines Resort: (843) 842-1477
  • Palmetto Dunes: (843) 785-1138
  • Port Royal: (843) 686-8801

Booking Tips

  • Reserve popular courses 2-3 weeks in advance during peak season
  • Spring and fall require earlier booking due to ideal weather
  • Consider package deals that bundle multiple courses
  • Ask about stay-and-play packages with island accommodations

Best Times to Play

Seasonal Considerations

  • Spring (March-May): Prime golf season with perfect weather. Book well in advance, especially around the RBC Heritage in April.
  • Summer (June-August): Hot and humid, but twilight rounds offer relief. Good availability and competitive pricing.
  • Fall (September-November): Ideal temperatures and thinning crowds make this many golfers’ favorite season.
  • Winter (December-February): Mild compared to northern climates. Temperatures range 40s-60s. You may have courses nearly to yourself.

Daily Timing

  • Early morning: Best conditions, cooler temperatures
  • Midday: Hottest period in summer; consider skipping
  • Twilight: Excellent value, beautiful light, no pressure on pace

Practice Facilities and Golf Schools

Hilton Head offers exceptional practice facilities and instruction:

Practice Ranges

Most resort courses feature full practice facilities including:

  • Driving ranges
  • Putting greens
  • Short game areas
  • Practice bunkers

Golf Schools

Professional instructors provide personalized instruction with state-of-the-art resources. Options include:

  • Private lessons
  • Group clinics
  • Multi-day golf schools
  • Junior programs

Caddy Services

Several courses offer walking caddies and forecaddies, a great tradition that enhances the experience:

  • Local knowledge of course strategy
  • Club selection assistance
  • Green reading expertise
  • Pace of play management

The Sea Pines Resort has offered caddy services since 2007 at all three courses.

Tips for Playing Hilton Head Courses

Course Strategy

  1. Respect the Lowcountry: Many courses feature lagoons, marshes, and water hazards. Play conservatively around water.
  2. Wind awareness: Coastal breezes affect club selection, especially on ocean-adjacent holes.
  3. Green speed: Bermuda greens can be fast and grainy. Pay attention to grain direction.
  4. Wildlife encounters: Alligators are common near water hazards. Admire from a distance and never retrieve balls from the water’s edge.

What to Bring

  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Bug spray (especially for dawn and dusk rounds)
  • Rain gear (afternoon storms are common in summer)
  • Extra balls (water hazards are plentiful)
  • A camera for the stunning scenery

Plan Your Golf Vacation

With so many outstanding courses to choose from, Hilton Head Island rewards golfers who plan multi-day trips. Consider mixing prestigious resort courses with hidden gems, and don’t overlook the value courses that deliver championship experiences at reasonable prices.

When planning your Hilton Head golf getaway, Stone’s Throw vacation rental provides the perfect home base. Our comfortable accommodations put you within easy reach of the island’s best courses while offering relaxation after your rounds. Wake up refreshed, play 18 holes at a world-class course, and return to unwind in comfort. Contact us today to book your stay and experience why Hilton Head Island is truly a golfer’s paradise.