Best Golf Courses in Hilton Head, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island is the refined, Lowcountry counterpoint to Myrtle Beach's high-volume golf scene. Harbour Town Golf Links — with its iconic lighthouse finish — anchors one of the most picturesque resort golf destinations in the world, wrapped in Spanish moss, maritime forest, and salt marsh beauty.
Hilton Head, South Carolina · Pete Dye & Jack Nicklaus (1969) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,099 yards
Home of the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour, Harbour Town is one of the most iconic courses in America. Pete Dye's tight, tree-lined layout demands precision over power, and the lighthouse finish at the 18th green on Calibogue Sound is one of golf's most recognizable images.
Hilton Head, South Carolina · Davis Love III (2015) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,781 yards
A complete Davis Love III reimagining of the old Ocean Course at Sea Pines, Atlantic Dunes embraces a natural, links-inspired aesthetic with sandy waste areas, dune ridges, and ocean breezes. The redesign was acclaimed as one of the best renovations in the country.
Hilton Head, South Carolina · Rees Jones (1986) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,016 yards
Located on Daufuskie Island accessible only by ferry, Haig Point offers one of the most secluded private golf experiences on the East Coast. The Rees Jones design plays through maritime forest and along the Intracoastal Waterway with views toward Savannah.
Hilton Head, South Carolina · Robert Trent Jones Sr. (1969) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,710 yards
The flagship course at Palmetto Dunes Resort, this Robert Trent Jones Sr. design features oceanfront holes, lagoon carries, and classic Jones strategic bunkering. The ocean-side 10th hole is one of the most scenic on Hilton Head.
Hilton Head, South Carolina · Jack Nicklaus (1999) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,168 yards
One of the finest private courses in the Lowcountry, Colleton River's Nicklaus Course winds through stunning marsh and river settings on the mainland adjacent to Hilton Head. Jack Nicklaus routed the layout to maximize views of the Colleton River and surrounding wetlands.
Hilton Head, South Carolina · Arthur Hills (1991) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,918 yards
An Arthur Hills design in the gated Palmetto Hall Plantation, this course features dramatic elevation changes uncommon for the Lowcountry, with rolling fairways through towering pines and hardwoods. The semi-private format makes it one of the best accessible courses on the island.
Hilton Head, South Carolina · Jack Nicklaus (2004) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,171 yards
Part of the Montage Palmetto Bluff resort, May River is a Jack Nicklaus design that plays through ancient live oaks, Spanish moss, and along the May River in Bluffton. The course is considered one of the finest in the Lowcountry, with an intimate, secluded atmosphere.
Hilton Head, South Carolina · Greg Norman (2002) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,019 yards
A Greg Norman design on the Okatie River in Okatie near Hilton Head, Oldfield occupies a stunning riverfront setting with expansive marsh views. The layout weaves through live oaks and along the river, offering a peaceful, naturalistic Lowcountry golf experience.
Public Courses in Hilton Head
Looking for courses you can play without a membership? See our complete guide to public courses in Hilton Head .
Overview
Hilton Head and the surrounding Lowcountry offer golf in a uniquely Southern setting. The island's gated plantation communities (Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, Shipyard) each host quality courses, while mainland gems like Colleton River and May River at Palmetto Bluff provide world-class private alternatives. The relaxed island pace and excellent dining scene make it ideal for couples and families combining golf with beach time.
Best Time to Play
March through May and September through November are perfect. The island's maritime climate is pleasant year-round, though summer brings heat and humidity. Spring sees azaleas and dogwoods in bloom across the courses.
Travel Tips & Getting There
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is 45 minutes away. Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) handles smaller flights. Stay within Sea Pines for proximity to Harbour Town, or in Palmetto Dunes for a central island location. The island is 12 miles long — everything is accessible.
Nearest Airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
Frequently Asked Questions
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