Best Public Golf Courses in Hilton Head, South Carolina
You don't need a membership to play great golf in Hilton Head. From resort courses to municipal gems, here are the best public and semi-private courses in the area — ranked by design quality, conditioning, and value.
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 · 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 · 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.
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.
Booking Tips
For the best rates, book tee times midweek or during shoulder seasons. Many courses offer twilight rates for afternoon rounds. Resort courses often bundle with hotel stays for significant savings.
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.
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