Photo Credit: RQ Hilton Head
Hilton Head golf courses are par for novices and professionals alike. Many of the area’s more than 25 resort and public courses are ranked both in the World’s top 100 and America’s top 100 courses.
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort: Palmetto Dunes was recognized as one of the best golf resorts in Travel + Leisure Golf’s 2008 reader survey. The resort offers three courses: the Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, the Arthur Hills Course and the George Fazio Course, which is the only par-70 course on Hilton Head Island. Rates range from $40 - $90 depending on the course, and the cheapest rates are available after 11 a.m. Guests staying in Palmetto Dunes and at the resort are eligible for discounts. The Palmetto Dunes Golf Academy offers 45-minute private lessons for anywhere from $70 - $120, depending on the level of instructor.
Port Royal Gold Club: The Port Royal also offers three Hilton Head golf courses. The Barony Course was designed by George Cobb in the early 60s and was one of the first courses on the island, Planter’s Row has played host to the Hilton Head Seniors International Golf Tournament, and Robber’s Row was designed in 1967 with a redesign in 1994. Single-play rates range from $52 - $132, but a discount is available if you book online or purchase a resort package.
Sea Pines Resort: Sea Pines boasts three championship golf courses and Heritage Classic PGA fame. Harbour Town Golf Links is one of the top courses in the nation, while Heron Point by Pete Dye and Ocean Course offer new and recently renovated golfing splendor. Rates range from $65 - $225, with discounts offered after noon and between December and March. Sea Pines Golf Academy is ranked among the top 10 in the U.S. and offers courses for all levels of players. Three hours of instruction will cost you $179, but more intensive (and expensive) packages are available.
Hilton Head also plays host to numerous golf tournaments. The Heritage Golf Classic at Sea Pine’s Harbour Town Golf Links has been a part of the landscape for 36 years and has drawn legends such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. The 2010 tournament is scheduled for April 12 – 18. Ticket information is available here. The vacation destination also brings the Hilton Head Island Celebrity Golf Tournament, which has taken place annually for the past 29 years. Players such as Pat Boone, Davy Jones and Sterling Sharpe have taken part in the event. The next celebrity tournament is scheduled for Sept. 3-5, 2010, on one of the most prestigious Hilton Head golf courses.
