The Sea Pines Resort stands as Hilton Head Island’s original and most prestigious golf destination. Home to three championship courses set amid stunning Lowcountry landscapes, Sea Pines offers an unmatched golf experience that attracts players from around the world. From the legendary Harbour Town Golf Links, site of the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage, to the player-friendly Heron Point and the beautifully restored Atlantic Dunes, Sea Pines delivers world-class golf for every skill level. This comprehensive guide will help you choose the right course, plan your rounds, and make the most of your Sea Pines golf experience.
The Three Championship Courses
Harbour Town Golf Links
The Icon
Harbour Town Golf Links is more than a golf course - it’s a landmark in golf history. Designed by the legendary Pete Dye with consultation from Jack Nicklaus, this course opened in 1969 and immediately changed the landscape of golf course architecture.
Course Details:
- Par: 71
- Yardage: 7,099 yards (Championship)
- Designer: Pete Dye with Jack Nicklaus
- Opened: 1969
- Home of: RBC Heritage (PGA Tour Signature Event)
What Makes It Special:
Harbour Town places a premium on finesse, imagination, and shot-making rather than power. The greens average just 3,700 square feet - significantly smaller than the PGA Tour average of 6,600 square feet - demanding precise approaches. Narrow fairways lined with ancient oaks and strategic bunkering create a thinking player’s paradise.
The 18th hole, with the iconic red and white striped Harbour Town Lighthouse framing the green, is one of golf’s most recognizable and photographed finishing holes. Standing on that tee with Calibogue Sound stretching beyond the green is a bucket-list moment for any golfer.
2025-2026 Restoration:
Following the 2025 RBC Heritage, Harbour Town underwent its most extensive renovation since 2000. Davis Love III, five-time RBC Heritage champion, led the restoration with a mission to honor Pete Dye’s original vision while preparing the course for modern play. The course reopened in November 2025, offering players a chance to be among the first to experience the restored masterpiece.
Best For: Low handicappers seeking a championship challenge, golf history enthusiasts, those wanting to walk in the footsteps of PGA Tour pros.
Heron Point by Pete Dye
The Resort Favorite
Don’t let the Pete Dye name intimidate you - Heron Point exemplifies what a great resort course should be. It appears more difficult than it actually plays, making it enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels while still offering strategic challenges for accomplished players.
Course Details:
- Par: 72
- Yardage: 7,000+ yards (Championship), 5,500 yards (Forward)
- Designer: Pete Dye
- Opened: 2007 (converted from Sea Marsh course)
What Makes It Special:
Dye was commissioned to convert the former Sea Marsh course into Heron Point, and he delivered a layout featuring wider fairways than Harbour Town with water and bunkers as the protagonists. The fairways move toward and away from hazards, while Dye’s signature mounding and swales frame target areas throughout.
Six different tee sets accommodate every skill level, from beginners at 5,500 yards to accomplished players stretching it out past 7,000 yards.
Notable Holes:
- Hole 1: A scenic opener with bunkers and water lining the right side
- Hole 2: Short but demanding par 4 with an elevated green and dangerous back bunker
- Hole 8: The number one handicap hole, a 420-yard par 4 challenge
- Hole 11: The longest hole at 617 yards, a true three-shot par 5
- Hole 18: An intimidating finisher with water running the entire left side from tee to green
Best For: Mid to high handicappers wanting a beautiful Dye design without extreme difficulty, resort guests seeking accessible championship golf.
Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III
The Historic Renovation
Atlantic Dunes represents a complete reconstruction of the Ocean Course, which was Hilton Head Island’s very first golf course. Davis Love III modernized the layout to accommodate contemporary shot values while preserving the coastal character that made the original course special.
Course Details:
- Par: 72
- Yardage: 6,800+ yards (Championship)
- Designer: Davis Love III
- Opened: 2017 (reconstruction)
- Award: National Course of the Year 2018
What Makes It Special:
Atlantic Dunes delivers a pronounced Lowcountry experience accented by coquina shells and seaside grass. Tens of thousands of indigenous plants create an authentic coastal atmosphere. The playing surfaces feature the same cutting-edge grasses used at Harbour Town and Heron Point.
Strategic bunkering rewards golfers who use them as aiming points while punishing mediocre shots. The course plays through beautiful Spanish moss-draped oaks with water hazards on nearly every hole.
Notable Holes:
- Hole 1: Wide fairway with lagoon right, green protected by bunkers front left
- Hole 3: Par 5 heading toward the ocean, “punchbowl” green rewards accurate yardages
- Hole 15: Long par 3 into the ocean breeze, featuring the deepest bunker on the course
- Hole 16: Short par 4 with multiple tee shot options, “Lion’s Mouth” green divided by a fronting bunker
- Hole 18: Longest par 4 on the course, finishing among bunkers and dunes
Best For: Players who appreciate strategic golf, those seeking an authentic Lowcountry experience, course architecture enthusiasts.
Course Comparison
| Feature | Harbour Town | Heron Point | Atlantic Dunes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Most Challenging | Moderate | Moderate-Challenging |
| Green Size | Smallest | Medium | Medium |
| Fairway Width | Narrowest | Widest | Moderate |
| Water Hazards | Significant | Prominent | Nearly Every Hole |
| Best For | Low handicaps | All skill levels | Strategic players |
| Signature Element | Lighthouse 18th | Scenic beauty | Coastal character |
Facilities and Amenities
Two Clubhouses
Harbour Town Clubhouse Serving Harbour Town Golf Links, this clubhouse features:
- Full-service pro shop
- The Pete Dye Rooms - a museum celebrating Dye’s life with videos, photographs, and awards
- Restaurant and bar with views of the 18th green
- Locker rooms
Plantation Golf Club Serving Heron Point and Atlantic Dunes, this elegant 23,000-square-foot clubhouse offers:
- Premier golf experience amenities
- Full practice facility shared between both courses
- Restaurant and gathering spaces
- Locker rooms
Practice Facilities
Complete practice amenities include:
- Full driving ranges
- Putting greens
- Short game areas
- Practice bunkers
Caddy Program
Since 2007, Sea Pines Resort has offered walking caddies and forecaddies at all three courses - one of golf’s great traditions. Caddies provide:
- Course strategy insights
- Club selection recommendations
- Green reading assistance
- An enhanced overall experience
Golf Packages
The Love-Dye Package
Includes rounds on Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III and Heron Point by Pete Dye - two breathtaking courses delivering an exceptional golf experience without the premium pricing of Harbour Town.
Lighthouse Invitational
The ultimate Sea Pines golf experience includes:
- Play on all three championship courses
- Opening night reception at Harbour Town Golf Links
- Putting contest
- Exclusive privileges and amenities
The Inn Golf Package
Combines legendary golf with luxury accommodations at The Inn & Club at Harbour Town - the only Forbes Four Star hotel on Hilton Head Island, located just steps from the first tee.
Junior Discount
Golfers age 17 and younger receive 50% off all day - an excellent opportunity to introduce young players to championship golf.
Reservations and Booking
How to Book
- Phone: (843) 842-1477
- Online: seapines.com/golf/courses/tee-times
- Location: Harbour Town Golf Shop, 11 Lighthouse Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Booking Tips
- Book early for Harbour Town: As the most famous course, tee times fill quickly, especially during peak season and around the RBC Heritage
- Consider packages: Multi-course packages offer better value than booking individual rounds
- Weekday advantage: Midweek rounds typically offer better availability and sometimes lower rates
- Stay on property: Resort guests often receive priority booking and preferred rates
Tips for Playing Sea Pines Courses
General Strategy
- Course management over power: All three courses reward strategic play over long drives
- Respect the water: Lagoons and marshes are everywhere - when in doubt, lay up
- Wind awareness: Coastal breezes affect every shot, especially at Atlantic Dunes and the finishing holes at Harbour Town
- Green reading: Bermuda greens can be tricky; pay attention to grain direction
Specific Course Tips
Harbour Town:
- Accuracy is paramount with narrow fairways
- Beware overhanging trees even in the fairway
- Small greens demand precise distance control
- The 18th looks intimidating but offers bailout right
Heron Point:
- Wider fairways invite driver but don’t get careless
- Water runs along many holes - pick your targets wisely
- The finish is demanding with water on the left at 18
Atlantic Dunes:
- Bunkers are strategically placed - use them as aiming points
- Favor the left side off the tee on many holes to avoid water right
- Trust your yardages to hidden greens
- Bring an extra club for holes playing into the ocean breeze
Beyond Golf at Sea Pines
While the golf is world-class, Sea Pines offers much more:
Harbour Town
- Harbour Town Lighthouse: Climb 114 steps for panoramic island views
- Yacht Basin: Shops, restaurants, and boat tours
- Calibogue Sound: Dolphin watching and sunset cruises
Beaches
Sea Pines includes three miles of pristine beach along the Atlantic Ocean.
Biking
Miles of bike trails wind through the resort, connecting golf courses, beaches, and attractions.
Dining
Multiple restaurants offer everything from casual fare to fine dining.
Plan Your Sea Pines Golf Trip
Whether you’re making a pilgrimage to walk in the footsteps of Arnold Palmer at Harbour Town, seeking the resort-friendly challenges of Heron Point, or exploring the coastal beauty of Atlantic Dunes, Sea Pines Resort delivers golf experiences that will stay with you long after you’ve cleaned the sand from your shoes.
For the ultimate Hilton Head golf vacation, combine your Sea Pines rounds with comfortable accommodations at Stone’s Throw vacation rental. Our location provides easy access to Sea Pines and all of Hilton Head Island’s attractions. After a memorable day on the links, return to relax and plan your next round. Whether you’re playing all three Sea Pines courses or mixing in other island gems, Stone’s Throw offers the perfect home base for your golf getaway. Contact us today to book your stay and experience the best golf Hilton Head Island has to offer.