Hilton Head Island: Perfect for Golfers (and Pirates)
By Shane Sharp
The old joke goes, the South Carolina Lowcountry has attracted two types of people over the past 300 years: pirates and golfers. This collection of barrier islands and low-lying coastal plains stretching from Myrtle Beach south to Daufuskie Island is one of the country’s most unmistakable landscapes. Its covert coves and shallow waters were perfect for privateers like Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet who preferred to remain hidden when they weren’t raiding coastal communities.
As for golfers – more relevant to this missive – the Lowcountry’s scenic atolls attracted dozens of big-name developers over the past 50 years. None bigger than Charles Fraser, whose company forged The Sea Pines Resort from the live oaks and loblolly pines of the island’s south end. With development came golf courses, and with them came notable architects like Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones, Michigan’s Arthur Hills, and George Fazio to make their mark.
Fast forward to 2022 and there are over 30 resort, semi-private and public and courses on and around Hilton Head Island. Paired with a vast array of accommodations, “Golf Island” offers a diverse range of golf vacations, from epic bucket list and buddy trips to family and couples’ getaways.
Fall is the optimal time for planning an excursion in 2023, so here are a few itinerary ideas to get the ball rolling toward the hole.
On-Island
A proper golf buddy trip on this 70-square-mile atoll entails a selection of courses from The Sea Pines Resort, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and the Heritage Golf Collection. Sea Pines is home to famed Harbour Town Golf Links (PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage Classic) – designed by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus – Heron Point (also designed by Dye) and Atlantic Dunes, the island’s newest course wrought by Davis Love III’s firm Love Golf Design.
Just a few miles down Highway 278 is 54-hole Palmetto Dunes featuring a formidable triumvirate: the Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio, and Arthur Hills courses. The Heritage Golf Collection ups the ante even further with 18-hole Oyster Reef, 36-hole Palmetto Hall, 36-hole Port Royal Golf and Racquet Club, and 27-hole Shipyard Golf Club.
Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes both offer ample rental homes and villas, fully fashioned with all the amenities of home, including flat-screen TVs, washers and dryers, wireless internet and fully-equipped kitchens. Nearby dining and nightlife options abound, with more than 250 bars and restaurants spread around the island. The “BarMuda Triangle” just outside the Sea Pines gates is home to five bars, while Main Street Village is a bit lower-key, with shops and restaurants.
Off-Island
Centered on the charming riverfront town of Bluffton, a golf trip taking place just off the island begins at Old South Golf Links, a long-time local favorite. Designed by Hilton Head-based architect Clyde Johnston, Old South plays along the Intracoastal Waterway with front and back nine views that are among the best in the region. Holes are hemmed by oak forests and pastures and marked with several tidal marshes.
Next up is neighboring Hilton Head National, designed by Gary Player and Bobby Weed. “National,” as the locals refer to it, serves up two decidedly different nines: Weed’s nine presents larger greens with more severe undulations, while Player’s nine offers smaller, flatter putting surfaces. Both facilities offer golf packages with the Hilton Garden Inn, located less than a mile from either venue. This pair makes for the perfect 36-hole combo with minimal time spent in transit.
Old Town Bluffton, situated on the shores of the May River just minutes from the Hilton Garden Inn, is the place to grab a warm meal, a cold drink and relax with friends. Over the past decade, it has emerged as one of the South’s most desirable small towns. Old Town has a little bit of everything, from rustic seafood joints and fine dining to coffee shops and galleries.
Couples Getaway
With its award-winning restaurants, boutique accommodations and women-friendly courses, Golf Island is the perfect getaway for couples who love the game and spending time together on the golf course. Harbour Town and Oyster Reef feature multiple tees rated for women, as do several other island layouts. Generally, forward tees at many courses limit the number of forced carries over water, especially at Harbour Town, where Alice Dye’s input is undeniable.
Best bets for lodging include the Inn and Club at Harbour Town, steps away from the first tee and the charming Old Town Bluffton Inn, a 14-room boutique property in the heart of all the action. Couples flock to Main Street Village, home to several award-winning restaurants and specialty shops, as well as Shelter Cove, with its myriad of shops and restaurants set on 285 acres of saltwater coastline across from Palmetto Dunes.
Family Golf Vacation
A record number of juniors took up the game in 2020 and 2021, and the uptick in youth participation continues to surge in 2022. Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Beaufort are all family-friendly destinations in their own rights, with various camps, activities and other programming offered throughout the year for golfers of all ages and skill levels.
On the island, the summer is peak season for family vacations, and Sea Pines typically offers its annual FUNdamentals Camp teaching kids the basics of the game, including rules, etiquette, short game and full swing fundamentals. Port Royal’s “family play” afternoon nine-hole rates are ideal for logging actual on-course time, while the new Toptracer Range at Palmetto Dunes features 14 hitting bays and a variety of gaming options.
Planning Your Trip
Log onto the easy-to-use website, www.HiltonHeadGolfIsland.com, for course and accommodation overviews, seasonal golf packages, area information or to request a golf trip quote. It's a one-stop shop to customize stay-and-play packages for any size group, any time of year, for the golf trip of a lifetime.
Toptracer Adds Fun, Teachable Moments
The new Toptracer Range at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort has quickly proven to be a smash hit. Guests are enjoying the experience of interactive golf entertainment at the Robert Trent Jones golf driving range, which is a facility powered by the same Toptracer technology used during televised PGA Tour events to track the shots of the world’s best players.
Toptracer incorporates high-speed cameras, coupled with sophisticated computer algorithms, to provide instantaneous ball tracking information to guests using the range. The Palmetto Dunes Toptracer Range facility features 14 hitting bays, plus a VIP area all with high-speed cameras, TV monitors, technology and games. Casual seating is available. Each bay can host up to four players. The VIP area is recommended for 8-10 people. Now, guests can enjoy night play at Toptracer Range, seasonally & weather permitting. Guests can also enjoy a wide variety of handheld menu options.
