Hilton Head

[bbhockey19]

I am headed down to Hilton Head With a customer, Looking to play 4 rounds. What is the top 4 golf courses to play? Obviously #1 is Harbour Town. Other suggestions?

[edresnick]

Are you a member of a private club where your pro could try and get you on some of the privates courses? Are you open to leaving the island or only on the island?

[bbhockey19]

Are you a member of a private club where your pro could try and get you on some of the privates courses? Are you open to leaving the island or only on the island?

 

Would like to keep it close looking to play 36 each day..

[edresnick]

Long Cove is less than a mile from Sea Pines. It's a Peye Dye course many say is better than Harbour Town. If your pro calls down you may be able to get on, for a price. Atlantic Dunes is new in Sea Oines and getting rave reviews. The Jones course in Palmetto Dunes is also a good track.

[HackerDave]

Harbour Town

Heron Point

Atlantic Dunes (replace with Long Cove if you can get on)

Jones course at Palmetto Dunes

 

All close together and nice tracks. Atlantic Dunes is nice but probably the weaker of the group.

 

Off island you will find Colleton River, Belfair and Berkeley Hall. All private but each has 36 holes if you can get on.

[jimb6golf]

Anyone know about the conditions down there? Have they fully recovered from last year's hurricane? Most of the hotels have disclaimers about construction in the area. Love to get down there myself for a few days to play before the rates go up again.

[edresnick]

Anyone know about the conditions down there? Have they fully recovered from last year's hurricane? Most of the hotels have disclaimers about construction in the area. Love to get down there myself for a few days to play before the rates go up again.

 

Most of the courses are in pretty good shape. There will probably be some large piles of tree trunks and other stuff that needs to be taken off island still, but these are just ambiance scenic issues and not playability issues. I wouldn't hesitate to go down and play tomorrow and as a bonus some places have some good deals right now.

[jjthomp2]

Long Cove is good... I believe it's $225 unaccompanied. I've heard good reviews about DL3's newly renovated course as well!

[prsgtrman]

ive played $60 tracks that were better than harbour town. imo not worth it, but it sounds like your company is footing the bill.

[skmcclure]

Anyone know about the conditions down there? Have they fully recovered from last year's hurricane? Most of the hotels have disclaimers about construction in the area. Love to get down there myself for a few days to play before the rates go up again.

 

Most of the courses are in pretty good shape. There will probably be some large piles of tree trunks and other stuff that needs to be taken off island still, but these are just ambiance scenic issues and not playability issues. I wouldn't hesitate to go down and play tomorrow and as a bonus some places have some good deals right now.

 

I was there the week after Christmas and there was definitely debris everyone. One course, Planters Row maybe, was completely closed and used as the dump for the other courses in Port Royal. I stayed in Shipyard so played there, good conditions. Also visited Dolphin Head for the first time. It was in good condition and an enjoyable track.

[HackerDave]

Planters Row is no more. They sold it to the city so it will become a park or nature area. I just returned home after spending a week down there. The courses are in remarkably good condition and most of the debris is long gone. If you look in nature areas, you will still see a lot of fallen trees but other than that, if you haven't been coming down for years, you wouldn't notice.

 

I found it shocking that now I can see buildings that I have never noticed in 23 years of owning a place down there. On the golf side, there were a few holes here and there that look different because a big tree is gone, but the courses themselves were in great shape. Didn't play Harbor Town but did stop over there for a drink. The course looks spectacular. You can see some new trees staked up around the course, but it looks good from the clubhouse. The greens at both Jones in PD and Heron Pointe in SP were in spectacular condition.

[stimpmeterp]

Reviving the thread.  A few things have changed from my experience living on the island now.  Would love others to chime in.

 

 

 

Long Cove - no daily fee unless accompanied by a member but still regarded as the best golf on Hilton Head Island and top 3-5 in South Carolina.

 

Sea Pines Country Club - private course for members only

 

Sea Pines - three 18 hole daily fee courses $$$$ (Harbortown, Atlantic Dunes, Heron Point) - still best maintained courses on island and regarded as best daily fee on the island.  The practice facility at "Plantation Club" which is the clubhouse for Atlantic and Heron is second to none.  3-4 putting greens, 360* short game area and target-full range.

 

Palmetto Dunes - three 18 hole courses $$$$ (RTJ, Fazio, Hills) - second best to Sea Pines in terms of conditions.  You might question the fees in relation to the experience but you are paying for the real estate here.  It's a resort like Sea Pines.

 

Indigo Run - Golden Bear (daily fees $$$) and Indigo Run (private).  The Golden Bear course is a Nicklaus design and a nice test from tee to green.  Inland and mid-island, you won't get any coastal views but you will absolutely get a great test of golf.  Great range.  I'd come warm up here for an hour at the beginning of a golf vacation in a heartbeat. 

 

Hilton Head Plantation - four 18 hole courses $$$ (Dolphin Head, Oyster Reef, Bear Creek, Country Club of HH) - kept in good shape but Oyster Reef a step ahead of the others.  Country Club of Hilton Head is back to fully private.

 

Shipyard - three 9 hole courses $$$, hit-or-miss but fine for beginners and/or value golf.  I'm learning this is a great place for a 'family 9' or to take juniors to play.  Super convenient if you are staying in Shipyard, Sea Pines or Palmetto Dunes.

 

Port Royal - two 18 hole courses $$$ (Planters Row, Robbers Row) - only Robbers is open but course can be avoided due to bad conditions

 

Hilton Head National $$$ - just off island, fantastic track usually in good shape.  9/19/22 WOW.  The greens are near perfect at National right now.  Played 18 in 2 1/2 hours today (two groups of 2 let me play through).  Having been playing on-island now for the last couple months it was a hugely refreshing round to play without houses around.  HH National is pure golf from start to finish.  There's a significant difference between back (Black) and blue tees of about 800 yards so it does play 'short' from the blue tees but remember you're at sea level down here.  Ball don't go as far.  

 

Old South $$$ - just off island, also a fantastic track at a good value and usually in good shape

 

Eagles Pointe / Crescent Pointe $$ - not too far off island, can be avoided due to bad conditions despite having big names attached to their design (DL III and Palmer)

Edited September 20, 2022 by stimpmeterp
updates

[Cincy_Ken]

On 8/25/2022 at 1:13 PM, stimpmeterp said:

Reviving the thread.  A few things have changed from my experience living on the island now.  Would love others to chime in.

 

Long Cove - no daily fee unless accompanied by a member but still regarded as the best golf on Hilton Head Island
Sea Pines Country Club - private course for members only

Sea Pines - three 18 hole daily fee courses $$$$ (Harbortown, Atlantic Dunes, Heron Point) - still best maintained courses on island and regarded as best daily fee on the island (with Palmetto Dunes a very close second)

Palmetto Dunes - three 18 hole courses $$$$ (RTJ, Fazio, Hills) - second best to Sea Pines in terms of conditions

Hilton Head Plantation - four 18 hole courses $$$ (Dolphin Head, Oyster Reef, Bear Creek, Country Club of HH) - kept in good shape but Oyster Reef a step ahead of the others

Shipyard - three 9 hole courses $$$, hit-or-miss but fine for beginners and/or value golf

Port Royal - two 18 hole courses $$$ (Planters Row, Robbers Row) - only Robbers is open but course can be avoided due to bad conditions

 

Hilton Head National $$$ - just off island, fantastic track usually in good shape

Old South $$$ - just off island, also a fantastic track at a good value and usually in good shape

Eagles Pointe / Crescent Pointe $$ - not too far off island, can be avoided due to bad conditions

Can't speak to the private ones but I agree with most of your public comments; a few notes.

 

Palmetto Dunes- played AH in summer and greens were not great. They were laying a bunch of sod around the rough and tee boxes so they may be in process of maintaining it.  PD does a great job so I'm sure they'll get it where it needs to be.

 

Port Royal has Robbers and Barony.  Planters was taken out a few years go (not missing anything). Courses are okay but they do have a nice practice facility

 

Old South I'd disagree on usually in good shape.  In the offseason it's in okay shape and it can't take the stress of the summer.  I still enjoy playing there in the off season though.

 

A couple you didn't mention

 

Played Golden Bear last year for the first time in many years and it was very well maintained at that time.

 

Palmetto Hall- per my friend who lives there recently changed management companies.  One of the courses was shut down for renovations and the other supposed to be renovated next year.  I believe Cupp was the one shut down and Hills was going to be after that but I may have that flipped

[stimpmeterp]

1 hour ago, Cincy_Ken said:

Can't speak to the private ones but I agree with most of your public comments; a few notes.

 

Palmetto Dunes- played AH in summer and greens were not great. They were laying a bunch of sod around the rough and tee boxes so they may be in process of maintaining it.  PD does a great job so I'm sure they'll get it where it needs to be.

 

Port Royal has Robbers and Barony.  Planters was taken out a few years go (not missing anything). Courses are okay but they do have a nice practice facility

 

Old South I'd disagree on usually in good shape.  In the offseason it's in okay shape and it can't take the stress of the summer.  I still enjoy playing there in the off season though.

 

A couple you didn't mention

 

Played Golden Bear last year for the first time in many years and it was very well maintained at that time.

 

Palmetto Hall- per my friend who lives there recently changed management companies.  One of the courses was shut down for renovations and the other supposed to be renovated next year.  I believe Cupp was the one shut down and Hills was going to be after that but I may have that flipped

Thanks Ken!

 

I had a time tomorrow morning to play Golden Bear but 100% chance of rain in the local forecast is as definitive as it gets here that it will be a washout.  I’ll circle back next week after I give it a run.

 

Played Palmetto RTJ last week and was not impressed; one could not expect to make a putt within 10 feet as they were not in good shape.   There’s just too high a premium to be paid for that type of condition.  I hope this changes in the off-season.

 

Sea Pines - Heron Point - continues to shine and be my absolute favorite on the island with Oyster Reef competing for second.

[Cincy_Ken]

17 hours ago, stimpmeterp said:

Played Palmetto RTJ last week and was not impressed; one could not expect to make a putt within 10 feet as they were not in good shape.   There’s just too high a premium to be paid for that type of condition.  I hope this changes in the off-season.

 

Sea Pines - Heron Point - continues to shine and be my absolute favorite on the island with Oyster Reef competing for second.

 

I haven't played RTJ in a couple years but I had some relatives play it in the summer and said the same thing.

 

I agree on Heron.  I spent quite a bit of time at my family's place while my company was fully remote and Sea Pines had a COVID deal where you paid like $200 and got half of it back in resort credit and 20% discount on greens fees, restaurants, and golf shop.  Probably played Heron 5-6 times over that time and a couple times less for Atlantic.  Certainly made more than my money back.  Unfortunately now last I saw Sea Pines was well over $200 peak season for these courses.  When I come down I just feel like I get more for my money playing Oyster and National for around the same price I would pay for 1 round at Heron or Atlantic.

[stimpmeterp]

11 hours ago, Cincy_Ken said:

 

I haven't played RTJ in a couple years but I had some relatives play it in the summer and said the same thing.

 

I agree on Heron.  I spent quite a bit of time at my family's place while my company was fully remote and Sea Pines had a COVID deal where you paid like $200 and got half of it back in resort credit and 20% discount on greens fees, restaurants, and golf shop.  Probably played Heron 5-6 times over that time and a couple times less for Atlantic.  Certainly made more than my money back.  Unfortunately now last I saw Sea Pines was well over $200 peak season for these courses.  When I come down I just feel like I get more for my money playing Oyster and National for around the same price I would pay for 1 round at Heron or Atlantic.

National is fantastic and great value like Oyster.  
 

Heron is pricy and if it weren’t for the fact that we now qualify for local rates I wouldn’t be playing it as often as I do, that’s for sure.

[chippa13]

Last time I was down I played Oyster Reef after waiting (clubhouse drinking) through a 2 hour torrential rain storm. I have never played a course that drained so well.

[stimpmeterp]

Played Golden Bear at Indigo Run yesterday and was impressed.  This is a long and somewhat tight layout with several holes that dogleg right or left.  Zero gimmicks on this course and the greens complexes were in great shape.  It’s a true test for your long game (I played the Gold tees one in front of the back) but they also offer Blue, White, and Green.  
 

The range was ideal for warming up - hard to find great practice facilities on the island.  Pretty sure the range is 300+ yards long.

 

This course is tucked away mid-island and inland but I would not hesitate to pair it up with some of the more popular courses on a trip to the island.

[N8dogg2669]

Headed down to HHI tomorrow afternoon. Staying at Sea Pines and Playing Heron Point, Harbor Town, and Atlantic Dunes. Pretty pumped to enjoy some drinks and no work for a few days. 

[stimpmeterp]

Enjoy.  Labor Day came and the rain stopped.  Courses are getting drier and firm which means fairways roll for the first time since early August.  HH National was playing fast yesterday.  Sea Pines courses are as pure as it gets right now.  Great timing.

[stimpmeterp]

Hilton Head National.  Top notch course just off the island (no more than 20 minutes from anywhere except the very bottom of Sea Pines).  Don't underestimate the value of having GPS in the carts + no houses anywhere.  It's a pure golf experience.  The greens right now are in perfect condition.

 

 

 

 

[mocokid]

On 9/9/2022 at 8:27 AM, Cincy_Ken said:

 

I haven't played RTJ in a couple years but I had some relatives play it in the summer and said the same thing.

 

I agree on Heron.  I spent quite a bit of time at my family's place while my company was fully remote and Sea Pines had a COVID deal where you paid like $200 and got half of it back in resort credit and 20% discount on greens fees, restaurants, and golf shop.  Probably played Heron 5-6 times over that time and a couple times less for Atlantic.  Certainly made more than my money back.  Unfortunately now last I saw Sea Pines was well over $200 peak season for these courses.  When I come down I just feel like I get more for my money playing Oyster and National for around the same price I would pay for 1 round at Heron or Atlantic.

National = Hilton Head national?

[stimpmeterp]

2 hours ago, mocokid said:

National = Hilton Head national?

 

Yes - Hilton Head National https://hiltonheadnational.com/

[Imp]

On 9/20/2022 at 10:51 AM, stimpmeterp said:

Hilton Head National.  Top notch course just off the island (no more than 20 minutes from anywhere except the very bottom of Sea Pines).  Don't underestimate the value of having GPS in the carts + no houses anywhere.  It's a pure golf experience.  The greens right now are in perfect condition.

 

 

 

 

Will be there in just over 3 weeks. 😉

[mocokid]

I'm going first week of October.

[stimpmeterp]

Palmetto Hall - Robert Cupp course is back open.  They neglected the course for the last 7-8 years under old ownership.  Heritage Group has purchased the property and now operates the course.  From what I understand, and I'll tell you tomorrow after my 7:25 a.m. tee time, is that they've resurrected this incredible design and the greens are back.  They are also cleaning up the Arthur Hills course on this property and expect it to be open in October.  

Update - a beautiful course is the Cupp course at Palmetto Hall.  Tight fairways, incredible design elements including a rectangular 12th green and a tough test with forced carries.

 

Put Palmetto Hall on your list if you can.

 

Arthur Hills course at this same plantation will open 10-9-22 and they’ll close Cupp to refill the sand traps.

 

Im told the Hills course is just as good if not better.

Edited September 23, 2022 by stimpmeterp

[HackerDave]

Exciting to hear about Palmetto Hall getting it's s&*t together.  Two of my favorite tracks and it made me sad when I played them last year.   They were in awful shape.  

 

We have wintered on HHI the past few years and I am looking for a home course.   Have friends who are members (live there) but the conditions have kept me away.  I can't imagine how painful that was for members to watch the course deteriorate the way they did.

[T-MAC]

On 9/25/2022 at 2:55 PM, HackerDave said:

Exciting to hear about Palmetto Hall getting it's s&*t together.  Two of my favorite tracks and it made me sad when I played them last year.   They were in awful shape.  

 

We have wintered on HHI the past few years and I am looking for a home course.   Have friends who are members (live there) but the conditions have kept me away.  I can't imagine how painful that was for members to watch the course deteriorate the way they did.

Brown Golf Mgt was running things there for awhile and they are the worst management company in the area - by far.  They destroy everything they touch.  The only course that they managed that used to be in decent condition was Pinecrest and that was only because Brown used to live there, and also because they hosted the IJGA kids for many years.  The IJGA left a couple years ago and now I've heard the condition of Pinecrest is the worst it's been in a long time.  Brown also used to manage The Crescent and Eagles Point until they got rid of him due to poor conditioning.  Same with Island West.  I believe he is still managing Dolphin Head in HHP but I haven't played there in awhile to see what it looks like.
Courses all over the area have been dumping Brown Golf.................and that's a GOOD thing.

[tomba51]

2 minutes ago, T-MAC said:

I've heard the condition of Pinecrest is the worst it's been in a long time.

I had there misfortune of playing at Pinecrest a week ago. It is really in horrible shape.

[T-MAC]

3 minutes ago, tomba51 said:

I had there misfortune of playing at Pinecrest a week ago. It is really in horrible shape.

That's sad to hear Tom.  That used to be my home course (we built a home on the 17th green there when the development first started in 2003) and we watched them build the course.  We had a lot of fun there and a lot of great matches / tournaments.  Course was never in "outstanding" condition but there was a time for awhile where they kept it in VEERY good shape.  Greens are large and tricky to putt on.  A lot of tight fairways (a couple holes the houses are waaaay too close!) and a unique layout.  The course designer was Rocky Roquemore and his claim to fame was being a part of the re-design of one of my old favorite courses in Chicago, Cog Hill #4 Dubs Dred.  Problem is, most people didn't like the re-design - even the PGA.  LOL